"15 Drink water from your own cistern And flowing water from your own well. 16 Should your springs be dispersed outside, Your streams of water in the public squares? 17 Let them be for you alone, And not for strangers with you."
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Verses 85-88 read this way: "The presumptuous dig pits for me, Those who defy your law. 86 All your commandments are trustworthy. Men persecute me without cause; help me! 87 They almost exterminated me from the earth, But I did not abandon your orders. 88 Preserve me alive because of your loyal love, So that I may keep the reminders you have spoken."
RESPECT FOR GOD'S LAW, WISDOM. The psalmist well describes the presumptuous as those defying, or violating, God's law to selfishly get what they want. They may seek to harm and/or to receive personal advantage, going beyond boundaries set for the happiness and benefit of all, to dwell together peaceably. And they do this out of greed, jealousy, hatred and/or anger. They are missing vital aspects of true wisdom, such as humility, honesty, modesty, integrity, self-control, Christian mildness or gentleness, and perhaps shrewdness or prudence, including awareness of harmful spiritual consequences, to steer clear of them.
VALUING GOD'S COMMANDS. God's commandments truly are for our lasting benefit. To persecute someone for obeying the commandments of our true loving God, Jehovah, reveals a lack of appreciation for what is truly right and good for mankind. Yet, God's word warns us of such an influence, saying, at 2Timothy 3:12: "12 In fact, all those desiring to live with godly devotion in association with Christ Jesus will also be persecuted." Like the psalmist, some may even be persecuted "without cause"--just for existing! He looks in the right direction, however, pleading to God: "Help me!" May we continue to appreciate God's trustworthy commandments while looking to Him for assistance!
LOVING GOD'S ORDERS. By concentrating on God's most serious and urgent commands, we may be protected from possible spiritual harm. The psalmist was even guarded from extermination. Let us prayerfully rely on Jehovah during such times, knowing of faithful men throughout history who faced similar trials (Hebrews 11-12).