Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

“I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your principles.” (26)

The NIV translates this as; “I recounted my ways and you answered me…” The thought in both trans- lations is complete transparency with God concerning our motivations. There is also a constant prayer by the writer that the Lord would teach him. We must have a teachable spirit to have a heart like the psalmist.

“Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful miracles.” (27)

Jesus fulfilled this prayer by his ‘Sermon on the Mount’ where he unfolded the truest intent of God’s commandments. He helped us understand that anger is the root cause of murder; lust is the source of adultery and that love must be constant in our hearts even through persecution from evil people. The miraculous events of the past become a source of hope for the difficulties we are presently facing.

“I weep with grief; encourage me by your word.” (28)

His word not only lifts us from discouragement (vs. 25) but is also the antidote to grief. Grief is a great sadness, an intense, deep and profound sorrow often caused by the death of someone close to us or some other tragedy. Jesus draws close to us in those moments through the comfort of the scrip- tures.

“Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your law.” (29)

“Keep me from deceitful ways…” (NIV)

Self-deception is at the root of most human problems, only a clear look in the mirror of scripture can give us an honest evaluation of ourselves: “For if you just listen and don’t obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you keep looking steadily into God’s perfect law–the law that sets you free– and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” (James 1:23-25)

“I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your laws.” (30)

God empowers our good decisions and resists the ones that are wrong. “Don’t you realize that what- ever you choose to obey becomes your master? You can choose sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God and receive his approval.” (Rom. 6:16) Our choice determines whether the Holy Spirit will resist us or enable us to do the right things.

“I cling to your decrees. Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!” (31)

It is important to firmly grasp the meaning of the scripture to avoid the shame of sin. Once they have been grasped they must be held onto by constant rehearsal and study: “…for your faith is built on this wonderful message. And it is this Good News that saves you if you firmly believe it…(cling to it) (1 Cor. 15:1,2) The enemy will steal what we neglect.

“If you will help me, I will run to follow your commands.” (32)

The first half of the verse, “If you will help me…” is rendered by the (NKJV) and other translations as “for you will enlarge my heart…” and carries the thought of expanding our spiritual capacity. To be a great spiritual runner, the affections of the heart for God’s word must be strengthened; “And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Orig- inator and Perfecter of our faith.” (Heb. 13:1,2)

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