Blog

Vs. 29 — Remove from me the way of lying, And grant me Your law graciously.

Comments from John Calvin:

Take away from me the way of falsehood. Knowing how prone the nature of man is to vanity and falsehood, he first asks the sanctification of his thoughts, lest, being entangled by the snares of Satan, he fall into error. Next, that he may be kept from falsehood, he prays to be fortified with the doctrine of the law. (Calvin, J., & Anderson, J. (2010). Commentary on the Book of Psalms (Vol. 4, p. 421). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)

Prayer:

Father, remove from me the way of lying, and grant me Your law graciously. Grant me to discern falsehood around me. Remove the lying and deceptions that are shot at me like arrows throughout the day. Both from without and those deceptions that are from within. I confess to You, Father, that I must be watchful over my heart lest I deceive others for selfish reasons. Lest I manipulate and/or withhold whole truths to get my way. Forgive me; such wretchedness.

Vs. 28 — My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word.

Comments from Matthew Henry:

Strengthen me to do the duties, resist the temptations, and bear up under the burdens of an afflicted state, that the spirit may not fail.

Prayer:

Father, there is much weight on my shoulders. Life has many cares. But I do not want the cares and worries of this life steal the word of truth from me. I do not want them suppress the view of the Gospel in my heart’s eyes. Though my soul melts from heaviness, sadness, and the weight upon my, I will trust in You. Strengthen me according to Your word.

Vs. 27 — Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.

Thomas Manton:

Verse 27.—“Make me to understand.” Natural blindness is an obstinate disease, and hardly cured: therefore again and again we had need to pray, “Open mine eyes;” “Teach me thy statutes;” “Make me to understand the way of thy precepts.” Our ignorance is great even when it is cured in part. The clouds of temptation and carnal affection cause it to return upon us, so that we know not what we know. Therefore he cries, “open my eyes; cause me to understand.” Yea, the more we know the more is our ignorance discovered to us.

Matthew Henry:

We can talk with a better grace of God’s “wondrous works,” the wonders of providence, and especially the wonders of redeeming love, when we understand the way of God’s precepts, and walk in that way.

Prayer:

Spirit of the Living God, unless You make me to understand the way of Your precepts, I will not understand. You are the enlightener, the giver of truth. I believe that You will open my eyes, so I will meditate on Your wonderful works. I will study and seek.

Vs. 26 — I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes.

Thomas Manton:

In short, this declaration is not necessary for God, who ‘knows our thoughts afar off,’ Ps. 139:2; not only our words and works, but purposes, before we begin to lift up a thought that way. But this declaration is necessary for us, to increase the awe of God upon our heart, and that we may undertake nothing but what we will solemnly acquaint the Lord with. Well, then, this declaring our ways is an act of dependence. (Manton, T. (1872). The Complete Works of Thomas Manton (Vol. 6, p. 244). London: James Nisbet & Co.)

Prayer:

Father, I have declared my ways, and You answered me; Teach me Your statutes. My declaration is one of complete dependence upon Thee. I want You, but more importantly I declare that I need You!  I also have declared that I will pursue the way of righteousness, of justice, of integrity. I declare that Jesus Christ is my Savior and God. He rules my heart. You have answered me with Your Spirit. You have adopted me and made me an heir of righteousness. Oh that I may understand more of Thy ways. Teach me that I may know Your statutes.

Vs. 25 — My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.

Matthew Henry:

By thy providence put life into my affairs, by thy grace put life into my affections; cure me of my spiritual deadness, and make me lively in my devotion.

Prayer:

Lord, Sweet God of Comfort in despair, my soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word. When my zeal is dead and there is no desire stirring my heart towards the things of Thy Kingdom, devotion and prayers are empty, revive me. Breathe fresh life into this soul. I don’t want to remain dry. You are my life. You are my hope. You are my joy and purpose. Revive me not according to my abilities or piety; not according to my knowledge of Your word; not according to anything but Your word as You have promised.