TURN MY EYES FROM WORTHLESS THINGS

Passage: Psalms 119:33-48

Key verse: 36,37

NIV

ה He

33 Teach me,(A) Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding,(B) so that I may keep your law(C)
    and obey it with all my heart.(D)
35 Direct me(E) in the path of your commands,(F)
    for there I find delight.(G)
36 Turn my heart(H) toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.(I)
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life(J) according to your word.[b](K)
38 Fulfill your promise(L) to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace(M) I dread,
    for your laws are good.
40 How I long(N) for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.(O)

ו Waw

41 May your unfailing love(P) come to me, Lord,
    your salvation, according to your promise;(Q)
42 then I can answer(R) anyone who taunts me,(S)
    for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,(T)
    for I have put my hope(U) in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,(V)
    for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.(W)
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings(X)
    and will not be put to shame,(Y)
47 for I delight(Z) in your commands
    because I love them.(AA)
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
    that I may meditate(AB) on your decrees.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
  2. Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

He

33 (A)Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it (B)to the end.[a]
34 (C)Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
35 (D)Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I (E)delight in it.
36 (F)Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to (G)selfish gain!
37 (H)Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and (I)give me life in your ways.
38 (J)Confirm to your servant your promise,
    (K)that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the (L)reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I (M)long for your precepts;
    (N)in your righteousness give me life!

Waw

41 Let your (O)steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation (P)according to your promise;
42 then (Q)shall I have an answer for him (R)who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my (S)hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk (T)in a wide place,
    for I have (U)sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies (V)before kings
    and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I (W)find my delight in your commandments,
    which I love.
48 I will (X)lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
    and I will (Y)meditate on your statutes.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Psalm 119:33 Or keep it as my reward
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Turn my heart toward your word (33-4

)

Because we are naturally selfish, our hearts easily turn toward selfish gain. The cravings of sinful man and the lust of the eyes are not from God but from the world (1Jn 2:16). We must turn our eyes away from the TV to God's word. When we turn our hearts toward God's word, he cleanses us of our desires for worthless things and preserves our lives according to his word. Let us hold God's word of promise in our hearts, for God keeps his promises to us.

2. I will walk about in freedom (41-48)

God's love is unfailing; he promised us salvation in Jesus. He puts the word of truth in our mouths when we trust in his word and put our hope in his promises. When we walk according to his laws we are free. When we seek human freedom by trying to be free from God, we become slaves of people and/or material things. Only in God's love and in obedience to his laws is there real freedom.

Prayer: Lord, help me not to seek selfish gain. Preserve and renew my life according to your word.

One Word: Turn my eyes from worthless things