TURN MY EYES FROM WORTHLESS THINGS

Passage: Psalms 119:17-40

Key verse: 37

NIV

ג Gimel

17 Be good to your servant(A) while I live,
    that I may obey your word.(B)
18 Open my eyes that I may see
    wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;(C)
    do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed(D) with longing
    for your laws(E) at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant,(F) who are accursed,(G)
    those who stray(H) from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn(I) and contempt,
    for I keep your statutes.(J)
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
    your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

ד Daleth

25 I am laid low in the dust;(K)
    preserve my life(L) according to your word.(M)
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
    teach me your decrees.(N)
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.(O)
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;(P)
    strengthen me(Q) according to your word.(R)
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;(S)
    be gracious to me(T) and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen(U) the way of faithfulness;(V)
    I have set my heart(W) on your laws.
31 I hold fast(X) to your statutes, Lord;
    do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
    for you have broadened my understanding.

ה He

33 Teach me,(Y) Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding,(Z) so that I may keep your law(AA)
    and obey it with all my heart.(AB)
35 Direct me(AC) in the path of your commands,(AD)
    for there I find delight.(AE)
36 Turn my heart(AF) toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.(AG)
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life(AH) according to your word.[b](AI)
38 Fulfill your promise(AJ) to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace(AK) I dread,
    for your laws are good.
40 How I long(AL) for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.(AM)

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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

Gimel

17 (A)Deal bountifully with your servant,
    (B)that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am (C)a sojourner on the earth;
    (D)hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with (E)longing
    for your rules[a] at all times.
21 You rebuke (F)the insolent, (G)accursed ones,
    who (H)wander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me (I)scorn and contempt,
    (J)for I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though (K)princes sit plotting against me,
    your servant will (L)meditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my (M)delight;
    they are my (N)counselors.

Daleth

25 (O)My soul clings to the dust;
    (P)give me life (Q)according to your word!
26 When (R)I told of my ways, you answered me;
    (S)teach me your statutes!
27 (T)Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will (U)meditate on your wondrous works.
28 (V)My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
    and graciously (W)teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I (X)set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
    (Y)let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you (Z)enlarge my heart![b]

He

33 (AA)Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it (AB)to the end.[c]
34 (AC)Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
35 (AD)Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I (AE)delight in it.
36 (AF)Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to (AG)selfish gain!
37 (AH)Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and (AI)give me life in your ways.
38 (AJ)Confirm to your servant your promise,
    (AK)that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the (AL)reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I (AM)long for your precepts;
    (AN)in your righteousness give me life!

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 119:20 Or your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175
  2. Psalm 119:32 Or for you set my heart free
  3. 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

(17-24) It is good to live to love and obey God. Pray that your eyes may be opened to wonderful things of God. The psalmist felt like a stranger on earth due to his love for God and God’s word. He was slandered by arrogant, disobedient people, but God’s word was his delight and counsel.

(25-32) The psalmist sounds oppressed or depressed, laid low in the dust and sorrowful. He prays for understanding and to not follow deceitful ways. God’s word will preserve and strengthen his life. He chooses faithfulness. He holds fast to God. He runs in the path of faith with God’s help.

(33-4

) He pleads with the LORD: “Teach me… give me understanding…direct me…turn my heart and eyes away from selfish gain and worthless things…fulfill your promise…take away disgrace.” Twice he says, “preserve my life.” He is praying earnestly in all this for guidance, wisdom, and strength. He knows he is in a spiritual battle against unbelievers and temptations.

Prayer: LORD, turn my heart and eyes away from selfish gain and worthless things, and let me run in the path of your commands. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

One Word: Turn my heart and eyes from worthless things; open my eyes to God’s wonders