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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!

It would be wrong to think of Psalm 119 as being a Psalm focused on God’s word. The written word of God is the subject of almost every verse - but we mustn’t miss why the Psalmist loves it. it is because he wants to know and experience God himself. We mustn’t divide love for the Lord from love for his word.

In the last couple of sections we have seen how the Psalmist comes to the Scriptures. He comes prayerfully, and aware of those things which can keep him away. 

Here we see another way he comes. He teaches us that we should approach God’s word already determined to obey what the Lord says. He does not come waiting to be impressed by it. Neither does he come ready to weigh up if he agrees with it or not.

This is the big challenge for us. The Bible is not entertainment or education or a promise box. It is the word of our Lord to obey and believe. And yet, we are also aware of the reality of sin in our own hearts. We waver and doubt. 

The Psalmist knew that about himself too, so as he comes ready to obey. He is not like Peter and the other disciples promising things he can’t do. He prays 10 things as he reads God’s word which both reveal his desire for the Lord and own self awareness. 

He prays that God would teach him (vs 33). 

He prays for understanding (vs 34). Jesus says in his parables that the big difference between those who hear and obey and those who only hear is that the former “hear and understand”. 

He prays to be lead in the path of God’s commandments (vs 35) - not just to be told, but to be shepherded along the way. 

He prays he will want to obey willingly (vs 36). 

He prays his desire will be for God’s commandments and not what he wants to achieve (vs 36). He prays his attention will be moved from things that don’t last (vs 37). 

He prays that God’s promises will be confirmed to him (vs 38). 

He prays the laughter of those around him who don’t love God’s word will be taken away (vs 39). 

To sum it all up, twice the Psalmist prays that he will be given life as he obeys God’s word (vs 37). This is repeated in verse 40, but here he knows this life comes from “God’s righteousness”. A righteousness revealed ultimately in the gospel of Jesus Christ (see the book of Romans). 

This desire for God’s word and his ways isn’t a desire just for a way of life - it is to know God rightly - which we can only do through Christ. As we know him, we are lead in his way. The w=ay of obedience and fruitfulness in his ways. 

These are good prayers for us to pray whenever we come to God’s word.