Psalm 119:34

(This is an entry from a devotional commentary I am working on from Psalm 119 entitled God and His Word.  The introduction can be found here, successive entries have covered the 22 sections of the Psalm, and following entries verse by verse.)

 

“Give me understanding, that I may observe Your law

And keep it with all my heart." 

 

I am convinced that if we just understood certain things, we would behave and respond differently.  But the understanding must be more than mental; it must be volitional.  And for that to happen, the affections must be stirred.  So understanding must reach the affections.  The Hebrew word indicates true understanding is evidenced by a response.  Like the second son in the Parable of the Two Sons (Matthew 21:28-32), may our actions exceed our words.  Like faithful disciples, may we hasten to observe (Psalm 119:59-60) and teach others to do so (Matthew 28:18-20) in word and example.

 

‘We are in a state of complicated ruin, from which nothing but manifold grace can deliver us. Those who feel their folly are by the example of the Psalmist encouraged to pray for understanding: let each man by faith cry, “Give me understanding.” Others have had it, why may it not come to me? It was a gift to them; will not the Lord also freely bestow it upon me?

We are not to seek this blessing that we may be famous for wisdom, but that we may be abundant in our love to the law of God.’[1]


[1] Spurgeon, Charles Haddon, Treasury of David, on Psalm 119:34, e-Sword edition


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