TEXT: Psalm 119:33-40

SUBJECT: Exposition of Psalm 119 #5: He

In Philippians chapter four, Paul urges us to "Let our requests be made known to God". The verb--in the present tense and imperative mood--means "Keep on making them known to God" or "Never quit making them known". God--unlike other fathers--is not irritated by His children's requests. The more we ask, the happier He is. But God--like other fathers--wants us to ask wisely.

What is a wise request? Surely, it's not for an evil or selfish thing. "You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you might spend it on your pleasures". These are foolish petitions, which--thankfully--God rarely grants. He wants us to pray for good things. Asking for health or a better job or a happier marriage, for instance, is a "request" He wants "made known to [Him]". We pray for these things, of course, regularly, and often with fervor.

Do we stop there? Or do we go beyond the good to the better? Or the best? Many of our prayers--I suspect--stop at the good. The Psalmist, however, went further. We would do well to imitate him.

This fifth stanza--"He"--is a series of requests. Eight things are asked for. They're the things he most wanted; they're the things God most wants; they're the things we should most want. Do we? May the Lord Jesus make us "doers of the word and not hearers only".

First request, vv.33-34: "Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; indeed I shall observe it with my whole heart".

He desires the knowledge of God's will. It is impossible to do God's will unless you know what it is. To pray God's Spirit to "bring to your remembrance" statutes you haven't read, or haven't read carefully, or haven't read in years, is presumption. The Psalmist wants content--the objective knowledge of God's will for his life.

He wants more than "the statues", however. He also prays for "understanding". He wants to know how to apply God's Word to his everyday life. No one is sufficient for this. Life is too varied for anyone--prophet, priest, sage, or rabbi--to address every contingency. Only God can do this. Only He can speak to the soul: "This is the way, walk in it".

Let me illustrate. The Bible teaches husbands to "Dwell with their wives according to knowledge". This is the general rule. But it has to be applied differently in every home! One wife needs her man's constant supervision and support; another needs to be left alone. One wife needs her husband to open up more often; another (like my wife) needs her husband to shut up now and then! Both need a special insight which no one but God can give.

When God "Teaches [him] the way of [His] statutes", he promises to "keep it to the end"--to keep it fully. He won't pray for light and then close his eyes against it. This complete obedience, of course, goes beyond the external; it subdues the heart. Hence, "understanding" leads--not to pride--but to heartfelt submission to God's will for his life.

Second request, vv.35-37: "Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to Your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way".

He desires the will and the power to do God's will. Why? Because he loves it so dearly! "His commandments are not grievous (or burdensome)" John has it. The delight in God's will is necessary, but it is not enough. Balaam was awed by God's word; he did not, however, obey it. The Psalmist wants to "both will and to do His good pleasure".

Positively, God must "Make me walk in the path of [His] commandments". God must enable. "Cursed is the man who makes flesh his strength".

Negatively, God must "incline [his] heart away from covetousness and turn [his] eyes from beholding worthless things". True obedience to God is incompatible with loving money or with being too interested in vain or trivial things. Hence, God must give a spiritual mind, one "set, not on things below".

A man may be sanctimonious on his own; he may be morbid. But a true seriousness is a gift of God. For which we ought to be much in prayer. Without it, we'll know nothing of revival.

Third request, vv.38-40: "Establish Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to fearing You. Turn away my reproach which I dread, for Your judgments are good. Behold, I long for Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness".

He prays to possess the promises of God. Divine promises are "exceedingly great and precious". The Psalmist knows what they are; do we? He wants them "established" or confirmed. Why? Because he is "devoted to God's fear". Only the God-fearing man truly wants the promises of God. Who else could? They require a godly taste, don't they?

"Turn away my reproach which I dread" means "Don't allow any sin to disgrace me". He does not mean, "Don't let me get caught"--for that's inconsistent with godly fear. He means "Restrain my sins". Why? Because he "dreads" the reproach sin brings. Unlike most people, he doesn't "glory in his shame"--but is ashamed of his sins.

"Revive me in Your righteousness" is a good summary: Give me the life--the spiritual vigor--to avoid sin, to do Your will, and to exalt Your righteousness. In short:

"Let your light so shine among men,

That they may see your good works

And glorify Your Father

Who is in heaven".

These are the things the Psalmist prayed for. The things God inspired him to pray for. And you know why, don't you? To teach us how to pray. The best prayers depend on the best priorities. When are priorities are base and worldly, our prayers will be "amiss". When our priorities are moderate, our prayers will be mediocre. But, when our priorities coalesce with God's, our prayers will be exalted. And, what's more, they'll be answered!

"This is the confidence that we have in Him

If we ask anything according to His will

He hears us; and we know that we have

the petitions we desire of Him".

In short, if you want to know how to pray, read the Bible! Study its prayers. Identify their petitions. Pray along with them. May God pour out upon us "the spirit of prayer and supplication" for Christ's sake. Amen.