"My soul has pined for Your salvation" (Psalms 119:81), as Jeremiah said, "Why do You forget us forever?" (Lamentations 5:20), "You have spurned us and rejected us," but "Restore us to Yourself" (Lamentations 5:21). Similarly, it is said, "The harvest has passed, the summer has ended, and we are not saved" (Jeremiah 8:20), and David said, "How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?" (Psalms 13:2) and "You, O Lord, have knowledge; remember me and take note of me; avenge me of my persecutors.
Do not, because of Your patience, lead me to disillusionment. Take note that I suffer disgrace for Your sake" (Jeremiah 15:15). You are patient, but our spirit is weak, and the longer You wait, the more our souls are consumed. Therefore, it is said, "My soul has pined for Your salvation."
"My eyes fail from searching Your word, saying, 'When will You comfort me?'" (Psalms 119:82). Why did my eyes fail? Concerning this, it is written, "For a set time, an appointed time; though it tarries, wait for it, for it will surely come, it will not delay" (Habakkuk 2:3). The appointed times have passed, yet You have not comforted me.
Therefore, it is said, "When will You comfort me?" "For I am like smoke, long neglected" (Psalms 119:83). However, Daniel said, "Many shall purify themselves and be cleansed and refined; the wicked shall act wickedly and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand" (Daniel 12:10). We have already been refined and cleansed; we have already endured all manner of affliction, as it is said, "For I am like smoke, long neglected."
There is no greater refinement than death, as it is said, "How many are the days of Your servant?" (Psalms 119:84). Even though You brought Israel out of Egypt, we fear that they will be subjugated in the midst of the building. If it is Your will, do for us as it is said, "Make known among the nations in our sight" (Psalms 79:10). The Holy One, Blessed be He, said to them, "You ask Me to act, and I shall indeed act, as it is said, 'I will repay Babylon and all the inhabitants of Chaldea for all the evil they have done to Zion in your sight'" (Jeremiah 51:24).
"The wicked have dug pits for me" (Psalms 119:85). Israel said to the Holy One, Blessed be He, "The wicked have not dug one pit for me, but many." It is written in the Torah, "You shall not slaughter it and its young both in one day" (Leviticus 22:28), and concerning me it is written, "Upon the iniquity of their fathers they will stumble" (Hosea 10:14). It is written in the Torah, "He shall pour out its blood" (Leviticus 17:13), and concerning me it is written, "I have been poured out like water" (Psalms 22:15).