Psalm 119:83

83 For I have ¹become like a ²wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

Psalm 119:83 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 119:83

For I am become like a bottle in the smoke
Like a bottle made of the skins of beasts, as was usual in those times and countries: hence we read of old and new bottles, and of their rending, ( Judges 9:13 ) ( Matthew 9:17 ) . Now such a bottle being hung up in a smoky chimney, would be dried and shrivelled up, and be good for nothing; so Jarchi's note is,

``like a bottle made of skin, which is dried in smoke;''

and the Targum is,

``like a bottle that hangs in smoke.''

It denotes the uncomfortable condition the psalmist was in, or at least thought himself to be in; as to be in the midst of smoke is very uncomfortable, so was he, being in darkness, and under the hidings of God's face; black and sooty, like a bottle in smoke, with sin and afflictions; like an empty bottle, had nothing in him, as he was ready to fear; or was useless as such an one, and a vessel in which there was no pleasure; like a broken one, as he elsewhere says, despised and rejected of men. It may also have respect unto the form of his body, as well as the frame of his mind; be who before was ruddy, and of a beautiful countenance, now was worn out with cares and old age, was become pale and wrinkled, and like a skin bottle shrivelled in smoke;

[yet] do I not forget thy statutes;
he still attended to the word, worship, ways and ordinances of the Lord; hoping in due time to meet with comfort there, in which he was greatly in the right.

Psalm 119:83 In-Context

81 My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.

82 My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me? ”

83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

84 How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me?

85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law.

Cross References

• 1. 119:83 [Job 30:30]
• 2. 119:83 [Matt. 9:17; Mark 2:22]