Psalm 119:33-40 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 119:33-40 on biblegateway.com
Verse 33Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will observe it to the end.
Verse 34Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
Verse 35Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.
Verse 36Turn my heart to your decrees, and not to selfish gain.
Verse 37Turn my eyes from looking at vanities; give me life in your ways.
Verse 38Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you.
Verse 39Turn away the disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
Verse 40See, I have longed for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.
Devotion
Psalm 119 is an acrostic poem, meaning each line begins with the next letter of the Hebrew alphabet. So you might say the psalmist walks us through the ABCs—or rather, the aleph-bet-gimels—of God's law.
We cannot but request some help when studying God's law. And we need to request it again and again. So teach me, the psalmist asks. Give me understanding, lead me, turn me toward you, remind me of your promises. When the psalmist speaks of her "heart," the Hebrew word implies her whole inner being. As we join the psalmist in this prayer, we ask God to orient our inner being—indeed our whole selves—toward the holy will of God: love, justice and praise. In this is true, abundant life (v. 40). Indeed here is a lovely image for "heart" on this Valentine's Day: a whole being turned toward God, outwardly seeping with love and praise.
Prayer
Turn me, O God, toward you. Give me a heart and a whole self, filled with your love, that I may love my neighbor as you love me. Amen.