Vs. 131 — I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.

Henry Melvill:

There are two ways in which these words may be understood. They may be considered as expressing the very earnest longing of the Psalmist for greater acquaintance with God in spiritual things; and then, in saying, “I opened my mouth, and panted,” he merely asserts the vehemence of his desire. Or you may separate the clauses: you may regard the first as the utterance of a man utterly dissatisfied with the earth and earthly things, and the second as the expression of a consciousness that God, and God only, could meet the longings of his soul. “I opened my mouth, and panted.” Out of breath, with chasing shadows, and hunting after baubles, I sit down exhausted, as far off as ever from the happiness which has been earnestly but fruitlessly sought. Whither, then, shall I turn? Thy commandments, O Lord, and these alone, can satisfy the desires of an immortal being like myself; and on these, therefore, henceforward shall my longings be turned. (Spurgeon, C. H. (2009). The treasury of David: Psalms 111-119 (Vol. 5, p. 385). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

I am drawn to You, Father, by Your Spirit, as a trophy of the redemptive work of the Son, to Your glory. Do not let this hunger for You, to commune with You and want of intimacy with You, depart or even wane in the slightest. Rather, stir the hunger within this desperate soul to pant for more, even more. In You there is peace, joy, love, and fulfillment. May my days evolve around our time in communion. Help me to guard this time that I have separated out to be alone with Thee. I long for our time of solitude, and for the entrance of Your word into my soul. You have given me a taste of heaven and I want the taste to stay fresh upon my soul.

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