Psalm 119:33–48 (May 3, 2025)

Psalm 119:33–48 |

He (ה)

33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;

and I will keep it to the end.

34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart.

35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,

for I delight in it.

36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,

and not to selfish gain!

37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;

and give me life in your ways.

38 Confirm to your servant your promise,

that you may be feared.

39 Turn away the reproach that I dread,

for your rules are good.

40 Behold, I long for your precepts;

in your righteousness give me life!

Waw (ו)

41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,

your salvation according to your promise;

42 then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,

for I trust in your word.

43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my hope is in your rules.

44 I will keep your law continually,

forever and ever,

45 and I shall walk in a wide place,

for I have sought your precepts.

46 I will also speak of your testimonies before kings

and shall not be put to shame,

47 for I find my delight in your commandments,

which I love.

48 I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,

and I will meditate on your statutes.

1. God: The Teacher and Covenant Keeper

This section is steeped in requests to learn, understand, and be led:

• “Teach me… give me understanding… lead me…” (vv. 33–35)

• “Incline my heart… turn my eyes…” (vv. 36–37)

God is not only the giver of the law but the Teacher of the heart. The psalmist depends on God not just for information but formation. He longs for a heart that loves and obeys, a mind that discerns truth, and eyes that turn from vanity.

This is the covenant God—present, involved, and personally shaping His people.

The psalmist also appeals to God’s steadfast love (חֶסֶד, chesed) and salvation (יְשׁוּעָה, yeshuah) in verse 41, anchoring obedience in God’s covenantal mercy, not human merit.

2. Guilt: The Dangers of Selfish Gain and Worthless Things

Verse 36 confesses the heart’s natural tendency: “Incline my heart… not to selfish gain.” The Hebrew בֶּצַע (betzaʿ) refers to unjust profit, greed, or self-advancement (the same word used in Gen. 37:26 for the brothers selling Joseph).

Similarly, verse 37 pleads: “Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things.” These are empty pursuits—idols of pleasure, fame, or comfort that distract from God’s glory.

This is the human condition: hearts inclined to self, eyes drawn to vanity, lips tempted to silence (v. 43). The psalmist knows that apart from divine intervention, we are prone to drift, fear, and chase lesser things.

3. Gospel: Christ Our Teacher, Righteousness, and Delight

These verses point forward to Jesus Christ, the perfect law-keeper and teacher of God’s statutes. He is the One who delighted fully in the Father’s will (John 4:34), the embodiment of righteousness (v. 40), and the giver of salvation (v. 41).

The longing for God’s steadfast love (v. 41) finds its ultimate answer in the cross. There, hesed and yeshuah meet: covenant love and promised salvation fulfilled.

And because of Christ, we too can say:

• “I shall walk in a wide place” (v. 45) – the freedom of gospel living.

• “I shall not be put to shame” (v. 46) – the boldness of gospel witness.

• “I love your commandments” (vv. 47–48) – the joy of gospel-transformed affection.

Jesus enlarges the heart, removes shame, and gives us a song to sing before kings.

4. Grace: Forming a New Heart, Mouth, and Life

The entire passage is a chain of grace-filled prayers:

• Heart: “Incline my heart…” (v. 36)

• Eyes: “Turn my eyes…” (v. 37)

• Mouth: “Take not the word of truth out of my mouth…” (v. 43)

These prayers reflect a heart under ongoing sanctification—not self-help but Spirit-led renewal. The psalmist isn’t just asking to know God’s Word—he is asking to be re-shaped by it.

Grace is not opposed to law, but rather to self-reliance. It empowers love-fueled obedience.

5. Gratitude: Obedience, Freedom, and Public Delight

The psalm ends not in burden, but in joy and freedom:

• “I will keep your law continually…” (v. 44)

• “I shall walk in a wide place…” (v. 45)

• “I will speak before kings and not be ashamed…” (v. 46)

• “I lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love.” (v. 48)

This is a picture of a transformed heart—a heart not merely taught but captivated. God's Word is no longer a duty but a delight, not constraint but counsel, not silence but song.

Gratitude moves the believer from inward meditation to outward proclamation.