–Begin by taking some deep breaths. As you breath begin to clear your mind.
- Breath in by saying or thinking “Teach me”
- Breath out by saying or thinking “O Lord”
-continue this breathing exercise until you feel you are ready to continue.
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
Psalm 119:33-40
and I will observe it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
Turn my heart to your decrees,
and not to selfish gain.
Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
give me life in your ways.
Confirm to your servant your promise,
which is for those who fear you.
Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
for your ordinances are good.
See, I have longed for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life.
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the longest book in the bible. This psalm is an acrostic. Each stanza is dedicated to a letter in the Hebrew alphabet, and every line in the stanza begins with this letter. This stanza that we read today is dedicated to ה He. The psalm is dedicated to the law of God or the Torah. Every line has a references to the Torah in one way or another. In many ways it is a love poem to the Torah.
The portion of the psalm we read today is asking God to teach us God’s laws. The law of God is not just the “Ten Commandments”, but about how to live in harmony with God, humanity and nature. Asking God to teach us God’s statutes, commandments, and decrees is something that will help us throughout our lives. We never stop learning the ways of God.
Teach me O Lord can be a dangerous prayer as well. It can be like praying for patience. The end result of the prayer is not instantaneous understanding, but life experiences that help us better understand who God is and the best ways to act with God and one another. God’s law is based on God’s character, and learning more about who God is helps us to live out the law of God.
-please take a moment to think about one of these questions. You might want to write your answers down.-
- What is God teaching you?
- What is one experience you have learned from?
- Are you open to learning more about who God is?
Psalm 119
Take some deep breaths.
- Breath in: “Teach me”
- Breath out: “O Lord”
God my teacher and guide, thank you for being with me throughout my life, and teaching me more about who you are. You are a good teacher and guide; I pray that you help me to continue to understand your ways better and better. Please help me to be a good learner of your laws and character. Amen.