Psalm 119:5

"Oh that my ways may be established

To keep Your statutes!"

 

Having seen the utter blessedness of walking from the heart in obedience to Your word (vv. 1-2) and Your righteous purposes in Your word (vv. 3-4), the Psalmist cries that His ways would be so established.  ‘Established’ is the Hebrew כּוּן, kûn: A verb meaning to set up, to make firm, to establish, to prepare. The primary action of this verb is to cause to stand in an upright position, and thus the word also means fixed or steadfast.  It sets the foundation and direction for one’s life, setting a firm and confident course.  It reminds me of Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:24-27, echoes of Proverbs 10:9, the confidence of walking in integrity.

 

‘…not only that our eyes may be directed to behold God's statutes, but our hearts directed to keep them.’[1]

 

‘We cannot of ourselves keep God's statutes as he would have them kept, and yet we long to do so: what resort have we but prayer? We must ask the Lord to work our works in us, or we shall never work out his commandments…Our ways are by nature opposed to the way of God, and must be turned by the Lord's direction in another direction from that which they originally take or they will lead us down to destruction. God can direct the mind and will without violating our free agency, and he will do so in answer to prayer; in fact, he has begun the work already in those who are heartily praying after the fashion of this verse…The longing of the text is prompted by admiration of the blessedness of holiness, by a contemplation of the righteous man's beauty of character, and by a reverent awe of the command of God.’[2]


[1] Henry, Matthew, Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalm 119:5, e-Sword edition

[2] Spurgeon, Charles Haddon, Treasury of David, on Psalm 119:5, e-Sword edition

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