My soul fainteth for thy salvation - I have longed so incessantly after thy salvation - the complete purification and restoration of my soul, that my very spirits are exhausted.
"My heartstrings groan with deep complaint; My soul lies panting, Lord, for thee;
And every limb and every joint Stretches for perfect purity."
My soul fainteth for thy salvation - The new division of the psalm, which begins here, is indicated by the Hebrew letter Kaph (כ k ), equivalent to “k” or “c” (hard). The word here rendered “fainteth” is the same that in Psalm 73:26 is translated “faileth”: “My flesh and my heart faileth.” The idea is, that his strength gave way; he had such an intense desire for salvation that he became weak and powerless. Any strong emotion may thus prostrate us; and the love of God - the desire of his favor - the longing for heaven - may be so intense as to produce this result.
I hope in thy word - I trust in thy promises, and am sustained. My powers, which would otherwise wholly fail, are upheld by thy word, and on that I rely. See Psalm 119:74.