“Teach me, O Lord, to follow Your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.

Give me understanding, and I will keep Your law and obey it with all my heart.

Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight. 

Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your Word.

Fulfill Your promise to Your servant, so that You may be feared. 

Take away the disgrace I dread, for Your laws are good.

How I long for Your precepts! Preserve my life in Your righteousness.”

Psalm 119:33-40 (He)

Psalm 119 is itself a prayer. Each octave can stand alone as prayers. But even a singular verse serves as a prayer lifted up before the Throne of Grace. Personally prayer-verses are easier for me to remember than whole sections at a time. The poetical verses which compose the octave He are pleas for understanding, obedience and fulfilled promises. Why would the psalmist pray for these things? Because he knows the worth of spiritual riches compared to earthly gain. The author is also aware of the only true, good, and beautiful purpose in life which is God. To crave deeper fellowship with our Maker and Savior is to fulfill our purpose in this sin cursed existence. Seeking God makes us truly human again, worshipping whom we are created for.

Grace upon grace,

April