“Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;

and I will keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart.

Lead me in the path of your commandments,

for I delight in it.

Incline my heart to your testimonies,

and not to selfish gain!

Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and give me life in your ways.

Confirm to your servant your promise,

that you may be feared.

Turn away the reproach that I dread,

for your rules are good.

Behold, I long for your precepts;

in your righteousness give me life!”

Psalms 119:33—40

My take: Wow, so much wisdom packed in these 7 verses.

First, we see psalmist being ‘teachable‘. He knows he doesn’t know it all but knows Who does. Amen? Amen!

Second, he asks for the ‘why‘. He asks for understanding to observe from his whole heart. I love that. He wants it intellectually and emotionally, his whole capacity.

Then he wants to be led by God to His precious commandments and rules for life. He delights in them! Why for they are good!

Fourth, he requests help from God to incline his heart to be a giver, learning from God testimonies, His history. He realizes God loves a cheerful giver. Givers gain!

Fifth, he wants help to avoid the negative, bad, evil and worthless things in life and look toward the life, the overcoming, zestflilled, prosperous life God gives.

Sixth, he looks for confirmation that God not be taken for granted, grow complacent, or belittle but that he have a holy, healthy fear and respect for God and all his awesomeness knowing that he is prone to wonder and dreads the results of waywardness should he not keep the proper perspective. He remains respectful of God’s glory.

Last and seventh, he says to God, ‘behold‘ look at me I am trying and ‘long for Your precepts’ because and again in God’s righteousness, His ways, His character is LIFE!

My prayer: LORD, indeed some of Your widsom is revealed here. Help me learn, apply and retain these truths!