(36) Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and
not to covetousness.
The
Hebrew word for "covetousness" is (OT:1215) betsa` (beh'-tsah); from
OT:1214; plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust):"
Another
verse with this word is Ezekiel 33:31, "And
they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my
people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their
mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their
covetousness." Here is an example of a congregation who outwardly did
the right acts, but inwardly, God saw their true nature: covetous. A heart that
is inclined to God's testimonies will do
what they hear. But the heart that is set on covetousness might
"hear" but will never do. Where do I fall? As one whose heart is
inclined to covetousness? or inclined to God's testimonies?
(37) Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity;
and quicken thou me in thy way.
Turn
away - OT:5674 `abar (aw-bar'); a primitive root; to cross over; used very
widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive,
intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation):
Vanity
- OT:7723 shav' (shawv); or shav (shav); from the same as OT:7722 in the sense
of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially
guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as
deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain):
Quicken
- OT:2421 chayah (khaw-yaw'); a primitive root [compare OT:2331, OT:2421]; to
live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive:
Many
of the verses in this chapter seem to be a prayer - a request for God's help.
It is acknowledging that we are weak, and He is strong. For instance, this
verse; if I take it to heart, then I realize that as much as I try, I will be
unable to keep my eyes from seeking vanity, unable to truly be revived in God's
way - I must seek God's help in this issue.
2 comments:
Great post and reminder! Haven't read Psalm 119 in a while, but will revisit it very, soon. Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for sharing your study! What stood out to me was your comment about how much of this psalm is a prayer for God's help - beautiful way to sum up Psalm 1119.
~ Kenzi
Post a Comment