Psalms 119:35
“Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.”
Background:Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, consisting of 176 verses. It is an acrostic psalm, meaning each section of eight verses begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This particular verse is found in the “He” section, where every verse begins with the Hebrew letter “He.”
Seeking God’s Guidance:The psalmist begins by expressing a desire for God to lead and guide him. “Make me to go” indicates a humble recognition that the psalmist cannot find the right path on his own. He acknowledges his need for God’s intervention and guidance. The psalmist is asking God to direct his steps and to provide him with the wisdom and discernment to follow the path of God’s commandments.
Delighting in God’s Commandments:The psalmist affirms his delight in God’s commandments. The word “therein” refers to the path of God’s commandments mentioned earlier. It implies that the psalmist finds joy and pleasure in walking according to God’s instructions. Rather than seeing obedience to God’s commandments as a burden, the psalmist recognizes it as a source of delight and fulfillment. This demonstrates the psalmist’s love for God’s ways and a genuine desire to live in alignment with His will.
Implications for Our Lives:This verse highlights the importance of seeking God’s guidance and delighting in His commandments. As believers, we can learn from the psalmist’s attitude of dependency on God for direction and his genuine joy in obeying His Word. When we humbly submit ourselves to God’s guidance, He will lead us on the right path and grant us the wisdom to discern His will. Obedience to God’s commandments becomes a delight when we recognize their inherent goodness and align our lives with His purposes.
Application:To apply this verse to our lives, we should cultivate a heart that seeks God’s guidance through prayer, studying His Word, and seeking wise counsel from fellow believers. We can ask God to make us aware of His commandments and give us the desire to follow them. When faced with decisions or challenges, we can ask for His wisdom and guidance to navigate the right path. As we align our lives with His Word and follow His commandments, we will experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from walking in obedience to Him.
- In summary, Psalm 119:35 encourages us to seek God’s guidance and delight in His commandments. By recognizing our need for His direction and finding joy in obeying His Word, we can experience the fullness of life that comes from living in alignment with His will.
