Psalms 119:40

Verse Psalms 119:40. Behold, I have longed] Thou searchest the heart; thou knowest that I have long desired thy salvation; thou seest that this desire still remains. Behold it! it is thy work; and through thy mercy I breathe after thy mercy.

Quicken me] I am dying; O give me the spirit of life in Christ Jesus!

ANALYSIS OF LETTER HE. - Fifth Division

In this part, which is wholly precatory, the psalmist prays, -

I. That God would illuminate his mind.

II. That he would remove all those hinderances which might prevent him from doing his duty.

I. 1. The first petition is for illumination: "Teach me;" point me out what I am to learn, and how I am to learn it.

2. The second is, "Give me understanding." Let me comprehend, that I may profit by this teaching.

3. The end for which he asks, - that he "may keep the law."

He specifies the manner: 1. He will be no temporizer; he will keep it "to the end." 2. He will be no hypocrite; he will keep it "with his whole heart."

1. He prays for power: "Make me to go." Without thy Spirit's help I can do nothing: I do not know the way without thy teaching; I cannot walk in it without thy help.

2. He wishes to go in the path; the way in which all God's followers have walked.

3. It is a path, not a public road; a path where no beast goes, and men seldom.

4. He gives a reason why his petition should be granted: "Therein do I delight."

II. He prays to have all impediments removed.

1. "Incline my heart." Bind it down to a willing obedience.

2. "Not to covetousness." Keep me from the love of money, the world, the creature.

3. He prays against the desire of the eye: "Turn away mine eyes." Let the eye of my body be turned away from vanity; the eye of my mind turned away to thee.

4. Let me find the benefit of this turning: "Stablish thy word," - make good thy word; give me grace to stand.

5. For which he gives this reason: "I am thy servant, and am devoted to thy fear."

6. He is afraid of the consequences if he be not faithful: "Turn away my reproach." Let it not be said, at the day of judgment, "I was hungry, and you gave me no meat," c.

7. He knows if God condemns it must be justly: "For thy judgments are good." Man may condemn where thou approvest he may approve where thou condemnest. Thy judgments alone are good.

8. He concludes, desiring the Lord to look on the state of his heart: "Behold!" 1. Is not my heart right before thee? 2. If so, quicken me; make me alive, and keep me alive! Without the latter, the former will answer no end.