Psalms 119:36

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 119:36 (KJV) is a profound prayer from the psalmist, expressing a deep desire for spiritual alignment with God's will rather than succumbing to worldly desires. It is a plea for divine intervention to direct the heart, the very core of one's being, towards what is righteous and away from the temptation of illicit gain or excessive material desire.

Context

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, an acrostic poem dedicated entirely to the praise and contemplation of God's law, statutes, precepts, commandments, and testimonies. The psalmist repeatedly expresses a fervent love for and commitment to God's Word, acknowledging it as the source of wisdom, guidance, and life. This particular verse, 36, fits within this larger theme as a prayer for the internal disposition (the heart) to align with the external revelation (the testimonies), actively resisting the powerful pull of sin, specifically covetousness.

Key Themes

  • The Heart's Inclination: The prayer "Incline my heart" reveals an understanding that human hearts are naturally prone to wander and chase after earthly things. It's a recognition of the need for God's grace to bend and direct the will. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of intellect, emotion, and will (Proverbs 4:23).
  • Value of God's Testimonies: The psalmist desires his heart to be drawn to God's "testimonies." This refers to God's revealed will, His decrees, precepts, and the entire body of His divine law. These are seen as reliable, trustworthy, and life-giving, guiding believers in truth and righteousness.
  • Warning Against Covetousness: The stark contrast is drawn with "not to covetousness." The Hebrew word for covetousness, betsa', often denotes unjust gain, greed, or illicit profit. It highlights the danger of materialism and the pursuit of wealth over spiritual values, which can lead to various sins and turn the heart away from God. This echoes the Tenth Commandment.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Incline" (Hebrew: natah): This verb means to stretch out, spread out, bend, or turn aside. It implies a divine action to direct or dispose the heart. It's not merely a passive wish but an active plea for God to exert His influence over the inner man, steering it away from destructive desires and towards His divine wisdom.
  • "Testimonies" (Hebrew: ‘edah): This term emphasizes God's solemn declarations and decrees. They are His enduring witnesses to His character and will, providing clear boundaries and guidance for human conduct. They are the truth revealed by God Himself.
  • "Covetousness" (Hebrew: betsa'): This word carries the connotation of greedy gain, often ill-gotten. It speaks to an insatiable desire for more, particularly in material possessions, which can corrupt the soul and lead to injustice and a disregard for God's commands.

Practical Application

Psalm 119:36 offers a timeless prayer for every believer today. In a world often driven by materialism and the pursuit of wealth, this verse serves as a vital reminder to:

  • Prioritize God's Word: Actively seek to understand and apply God's testimonies in daily life, allowing them to shape your values and decisions.
  • Guard Your Heart: Recognize the subtle and overt ways covetousness can creep into our lives. Consciously pray for God to reorient your desires towards spiritual riches and contentment in Him.
  • Seek Divine Direction: Acknowledge that true spiritual alignment comes from God's intervention. Regularly pray for Him to "incline" your heart, shaping your affections and ambitions according to His perfect will. This prayer helps combat the natural human tendency towards self-centeredness and greed, fostering a spirit of generosity and devotion to God.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.
← Back