Psalms 119:36

KJV

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

KJV (with Strong's)

Incline {H5186} my heart {H3820} unto thy testimonies {H5715}, and not to covetousness {H1215}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Bend my heart toward your instructions and not toward selfish gain.

Berean Standard Bible

Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.

American Standard Version

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, And not to covetousness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:36 is a fervent prayer from the psalmist, imploring divine intervention to reorient the deepest affections and intentions of the human heart. It expresses a profound desire for spiritual alignment, seeking God's active grace to incline one's inner being towards His divine testimonies—His revealed will and law—while simultaneously turning away from the insidious temptation of covetousness, which represents an illicit and destructive desire for worldly gain. This verse encapsulates a fundamental spiritual struggle: the battle for the heart's allegiance between God's truth and the allure of material idolatry.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an elaborate acrostic poem (divided into 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet) entirely devoted to extolling the virtues, wisdom, and life-giving power of God's law, statutes, precepts, commandments, and testimonies. The psalmist repeatedly expresses an unwavering love for and commitment to God's Word, acknowledging it as the ultimate source of wisdom, guidance, and life. Within this expansive meditation on divine revelation, verse 36 falls within the "Gimel" stanza (verses 25-32), where the psalmist often laments his soul clinging to the dust and prays for God to revive him according to His word. This specific prayer for the heart's inclination fits seamlessly into this broader plea for spiritual vitality and obedience, recognizing that true adherence to God's law begins with an internal disposition. The desire to follow God's commands is not merely external conformity but an internal transformation, a bending of the will towards divine truth.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite thought, the "heart" (Hebrew: *lev* or *levav*) was understood not merely as an organ but as the very core of a person's being—the seat of intellect, emotion, will, and moral decision-making. It was considered the wellspring of life, from which all actions flowed, as highlighted in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guarding the Heart"). The "testimonies" (Hebrew: *‘edah*) refer to God's solemn declarations, decrees, and the entire body of His revealed law, particularly as given at Sinai. These were the foundational covenant stipulations that defined Israel's relationship with Yahweh. Covetousness (Hebrew: *betsa'*) was a significant moral and social danger in ancient societies, often leading to oppression, injustice, and the breakdown of community bonds. It was not merely a desire for wealth but often for ill-gotten gain, reflecting a fundamental distrust in God's provision and a violation of the communal ethic. The prayer thus reflects a deep understanding of human fallenness and the pervasive temptation to prioritize material gain over covenant faithfulness, a struggle evident throughout Israel's history.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout Psalm 119 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphasizes **the sovereignty of God in spiritual transformation**. The psalmist does not merely resolve to obey but prays for God to "incline" his heart, recognizing that true spiritual direction is a divine work, not solely human effort. Secondly, it highlights the **supreme value and authority of God's Word**. The "testimonies" are presented as the ultimate standard and desired destination for the heart, contrasting sharply with the corrupting influence of worldly desires. This underscores the Bible's consistent emphasis on the law as a source of life and wisdom, as seen in [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life"). Thirdly, the verse directly confronts the pervasive danger of **covetousness as a spiritual enemy**. By contrasting God's testimonies with covetousness, the psalmist identifies a primary antagonist to spiritual purity and devotion. This aligns with the [Tenth Commandment](/exodus/20-17 "Exodus 20:17 - The Tenth Commandment Against Coveting"), which forbids coveting, recognizing it as the root of many other sins. The verse thus portrays a spiritual battle for the heart, where God's truth and worldly greed vie for ultimate allegiance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Incline (Hebrew, _natah'_):** This verb signifies to stretch out, spread out, bend, or turn aside. In this context, it implies a divine action to direct, dispose, or bend the heart's natural tendency. It is not a passive wish but an active plea for God to exert His powerful influence over the inner person, steering the will and affections away from destructive desires and firmly towards His divine wisdom and revealed truth. The psalmist acknowledges that his heart, left to its own devices, is prone to wander, hence the need for God's active reorientation.
* **Testimonies (Hebrew, _‘edah'_):** This term refers to God's solemn declarations, decrees, and covenant stipulations. Derived from a root meaning "to witness," God's testimonies are His enduring witnesses to His character, His will, and His covenant faithfulness. They provide clear, reliable boundaries and guidance for human conduct, serving as the revealed truth by which humanity is to live. They are not merely rules but divine self-disclosure, bearing witness to who God is and what He requires.
* **Covetousness (Hebrew, _betsa'_):** This word carries a strong connotation of greedy gain, often implying ill-gotten or unjust profit. It speaks to an insatiable, grasping desire for more, particularly in material possessions or wealth, which can corrupt the soul and lead to injustice, exploitation, and a disregard for God's commands and the well-being of others. It represents a heart turned away from God's provision and towards an idolatrous pursuit of worldly security or status.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Incline my heart unto thy testimonies":** This clause is a profound prayer for divine intervention. The psalmist recognizes that the human heart, the seat of desire and decision, is not naturally aligned with God's will. The verb "incline" (natah) suggests a powerful, intentional bending or directing. The psalmist is asking God to supernaturally reorient his deepest affections, desires, and moral compass away from self-centeredness and towards God's revealed truth. "Thy testimonies" signifies God's entire body of divine law, precepts, and decrees, which are seen as the true and life-giving path. This is a plea for spiritual transformation, where the inner being is brought into conformity with God's external revelation.
* **"and not to covetousness":** This second clause presents a stark contrast and a specific negative petition. Having prayed for positive alignment with God's truth, the psalmist immediately identifies the primary opposing force: "covetousness" (betsa'). This is not merely a general desire for things but a grasping, often illicit, and insatiable craving for material gain or possessions. By explicitly praying against it, the psalmist acknowledges the powerful allure of materialism and the profound danger it poses to spiritual devotion. Covetousness is presented as a direct competitor to God's testimonies for the heart's allegiance, capable of drawing one away from righteousness and into sin.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Antithesis**, a literary device that juxtaposes contrasting ideas to highlight their differences. Here, the psalmist contrasts "thy testimonies" with "covetousness," presenting them as mutually exclusive destinations for the heart's inclination. This stark opposition emphasizes the spiritual battle for allegiance: one cannot truly incline their heart towards God's truth while simultaneously pursuing illicit gain or insatiable material desire. This device underscores the moral and spiritual choice presented to the believer. Additionally, the phrase "incline my heart" functions as a **Metaphor** where the heart, the center of one's being, is depicted as something that can be bent or directed, implying a need for divine force or influence to guide its natural tendencies.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This prayer powerfully articulates the biblical understanding of the heart as the central battleground for spiritual allegiance. It acknowledges human fallenness and the natural inclination towards self-serving desires, particularly the insidious grip of covetousness, which the Bible consistently identifies as a form of idolatry. The psalmist's plea for God to "incline" his heart underscores the necessity of divine grace in spiritual transformation, recognizing that true obedience flows from a divinely reoriented inner disposition, not merely external effort. This prayer is a model for believers, reminding us that a genuine love for God's Word must be accompanied by an active resistance to the world's allure, particularly its emphasis on material accumulation. It points to the truth that our desires fundamentally shape our direction and that God's testimonies offer the only true path to life and contentment.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guarding the Heart's Wellspring")
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Jesus' Warning Against Covetousness")
* [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Covetousness as Idolatry")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world constantly bombarding us with messages of acquisition, consumption, and self-gratification, Psalm 119:36 offers a timeless and profoundly counter-cultural prayer. It calls us to a radical reorientation of our desires, recognizing that our hearts are naturally prone to wander after fleeting pleasures and material possessions rather than the eternal truths of God's Word. This verse challenges us to examine our deepest affections: what truly captures our attention, motivates our actions, and consumes our thoughts? Is it the pursuit of more, or is it a fervent desire to know and obey God's testimonies? The prayer "incline my heart" is an admission of our spiritual weakness and a humble acknowledgment that true spiritual alignment is a work of divine grace. It compels us to actively seek God's intervention daily, asking Him to purify our motives, redirect our ambitions, and cultivate within us a profound love for His truth that outweighs all worldly allure. This leads to genuine contentment, generosity, and a life truly centered on God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the primary "covetousness" temptations in your life today, and how do they subtly or overtly pull your heart away from God's testimonies?**
* **How actively do you pray for God to "incline" your heart towards His Word, recognizing your own limitations in spiritual discipline?**
* **In what practical ways can you cultivate a greater love and desire for God's testimonies in your daily life, making them more attractive than worldly pursuits?**
* **How does guarding your heart against covetousness contribute to your overall spiritual health and your relationships with others?**

### FAQ
**What does "incline my heart" truly mean in a practical sense for believers today?**

Answer: "Incline my heart" is a prayer for divine reorientation of one's inner being. Practically, it means acknowledging that our natural desires are often self-centered and worldly, and we need God's supernatural intervention to bend our will, affections, and thoughts towards His revealed truth. It's a plea for God to cultivate within us a genuine love for His Word and His ways, making them more desirable than anything the world offers. This translates into a daily commitment to seek God's presence, meditate on His Scriptures, and consciously choose obedience over the pursuit of material gain or fleeting pleasures. It's an active surrender to God's shaping influence, allowing Him to purify our motives and direct our life's trajectory.

**Why is "covetousness" specifically mentioned as the opposite of God's testimonies?**

Answer: Covetousness is singled out because it represents a fundamental spiritual misalignment and a direct challenge to God's sovereignty and provision. While God's "testimonies" (His laws and decrees) guide us towards righteousness, contentment, and trust in Him, covetousness is an insatiable desire for what is not rightfully ours or an excessive craving for material possessions. It is inherently self-serving and often leads to other sins like theft, injustice, and idolatry, as [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Covetousness is Idolatry") states that "covetousness... is idolatry." It signifies a heart that places its trust and hope in worldly wealth rather than in God, making it a direct competitor for the heart's ultimate allegiance. Thus, the psalmist contrasts the life-giving truth of God's Word with the soul-destroying nature of greed.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:36 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While the psalmist prays for his heart to be inclined to God's testimonies, Jesus perfectly embodied this prayer. His heart was always and perfectly inclined to the Father's will and testimonies, as He declared, "I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me" ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")). Unlike humanity, whose hearts are naturally prone to covetousness and sin, Jesus lived a life utterly free from such desires, demonstrating perfect contentment and trust in God's provision. He consistently warned against the dangers of materialism and the pursuit of worldly riches, famously teaching, "You cannot serve God and money" ([Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Cannot Serve God and Money")). Through His atoning work, Christ not only fulfilled the law but also provides the means for our hearts to be transformed. The Holy Spirit, given through Christ, empowers believers to have their hearts "inclined" towards God's truth, writing His laws not on stone tablets but on the "tablets of human hearts" ([2 Corinthians 3:3](/2_corinthians/3-3 "2 Corinthians 3:3 - Law Written on Hearts")). Thus, the prayer of the psalmist becomes a reality for those in Christ, as He enables us to genuinely desire and live by God's testimonies, freeing us from the bondage of covetousness and worldly allure, and leading us into a life of true spiritual riches.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 13:5

[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Luke 12:15

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Mark 7:21

For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,

Mark 7:22

Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

1 Kings 8:58

That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.

Psalms 51:10

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

2 Peter 2:3

¶ And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.