Psalms 119:37

KJV

¶ Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; [and] quicken thou me in thy way.

KJV (with Strong's)

Turn away {H5674} mine eyes {H5869} from beholding {H7200} vanity {H7723}; and quicken {H2421} thou me in thy way {H1870}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; with your ways, give me life.

Berean Standard Bible

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.

American Standard Version

Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, And quicken me in thy ways.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 119:37 is a profound prayer from the psalmist, expressing a dual yearning for divine intervention: protection from the allure of worldly distractions and an infusion of spiritual vitality to walk faithfully in God's path. It encapsulates a deep recognition of human weakness in the face of temptation and an absolute reliance on God's grace to maintain spiritual purity and active obedience, highlighting the intimate connection between guarding one's focus and experiencing God's life-giving presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, a meticulously crafted acrostic poem structured into 22 stanzas, each corresponding to a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the eight verses within a stanza begins with that stanza's letter. The entire psalm is an expansive meditation on the beauty, wisdom, and life-giving power of God's Torah—His law, statutes, precepts, commandments, and word. The psalmist's consistent theme is an unyielding love and devotion to God's revelation, viewing it not as a burden but as the ultimate source of guidance, comfort, and joy. This particular verse, Psalms 119:37, falls within the 'He' (ה) section (verses 33-40), which continues the psalmist's earnest petitions for understanding, obedience, and spiritual preservation in God's ways, emphasizing a desire for God's truth to govern both mind and action.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed likely during a period of national or personal distress, Psalm 119 reflects a deep commitment to the covenant relationship with Yahweh, as defined by His Law. In ancient Israel, the Torah was not merely a set of rules but the very expression of God's character and His will for His people, distinguishing them from surrounding pagan cultures. The concept of "vanity" (שָׁוְא, *shav'*) would have resonated strongly in a society constantly exposed to idolatry and the empty promises of false gods and worldly pursuits, which contrasted sharply with the enduring truth of Yahweh. The "way" (דֶּרֶךְ, *derekh*) of God represented the divinely ordained lifestyle and moral conduct expected of those in covenant with Him, a path of righteousness and faithfulness distinct from the ways of the nations. The prayer for "quickening" underscores a common human experience of spiritual lethargy or backsliding, necessitating divine renewal to remain vibrant in this covenant walk.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 119:37 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Sanctification and Purity**, recognizing the constant need for divine assistance to guard against the corrupting influences of the world. The plea to "turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity" highlights the internal struggle against temptation and the critical role of one's senses in spiritual formation, echoing warnings found in texts like [Proverbs 4:25](/proverbs/4-25 "Proverbs 4:25 - Guarding the Eyes"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Spiritual Vitality and Revival**, as the psalmist yearns for God to "quicken" or revive him. This is not merely a desire for physical life but for spiritual vibrancy, responsiveness, and energy to live out God's commands, a theme central to the life of faith and often sought through God's Word, as seen in [Psalms 119:50](/psalms/119-50 "Psalms 119:50 - God's Word as Comfort and Life"). Finally, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Human Dependence**, as the psalmist recognizes that true spiritual progress and protection are ultimately God's work, even as he actively prays and seeks to align his will with God's "way," which is consistently equated with God's righteous [Torah throughout Psalm 119](/psalms/119 "Psalm 119 - The Excellence of God's Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vanity (Hebrew, _shav'_):** This term (שָׁוְא) carries a rich semantic range, extending beyond mere triviality to encompass emptiness, futility, worthlessness, deceit, and even idolatry. It refers to anything that lacks substance, fails to deliver on its promises, or ultimately proves to be a lie. In a spiritual context, "vanity" denotes anything that distracts from God, offers false satisfaction, or leads one away from His truth and purpose. It is the antithesis of God's enduring and life-giving Word.
* **Quicken (Hebrew, _chayah'_):** The verb (חָיָה) literally means "to live," "to revive," "to restore to life," or "to preserve alive." In this context, it signifies a divine act of infusing spiritual life, renewing vitality, and restoring responsiveness to God's will. It implies a state of spiritual languor or even death from which only God can revive the psalmist, enabling him to walk energetically and faithfully in God's path.
* **Way (Hebrew, _derekh'_):** This noun (דֶּרֶךְ) refers to a road, path, or journey, but metaphorically it denotes a course of life, a manner of conduct, or a moral direction. When qualified by "thy" (God's), it refers to God's prescribed path of righteousness, His commandments, and His revealed will for human living. It is the divinely ordained trajectory for a life of faithfulness and obedience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity;":** This is a heartfelt petition for divine intervention in the psalmist's sensory and mental life. The "eyes" are presented as a primary gateway through which the world's influences enter the soul. "Beholding" implies not just a casual glance but a dwelling upon, a fixation, or an absorption. The prayer acknowledges the inherent human struggle against the allure of "vanity"—that which is empty, deceptive, or spiritually worthless. It's a recognition that without God's active grace, the human tendency is to be drawn to and corrupted by such things, leading to spiritual decay. This clause is a plea for God to actively redirect the psalmist's gaze and focus, safeguarding his inner being from harmful influences.
* **"[and] quicken thou me in thy way.":** This second clause, linked by a conjunction, presents the positive counterpart and desired outcome of the first petition. "Quicken thou me" is an urgent cry for spiritual revival and an infusion of life from God. It acknowledges a need for divine empowerment to overcome spiritual lethargy or deadness. The phrase "in thy way" specifies the desired direction and purpose of this renewed life: it is not merely for the sake of feeling alive, but for the purpose of walking faithfully and energetically in God's prescribed path of righteousness, His commandments, and His will. This part of the prayer recognizes that spiritual vitality is essential for sustained obedience and that this vitality is a gift from God.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 119:37 employs several powerful literary devices. It is primarily a **Prayer** or **Petition**, a direct address to God, indicating a personal and dependent relationship between the psalmist and the Divine. The verse also exhibits **Parallelism**, specifically a form of **Synthetic Parallelism**, where the second clause ("quicken thou me in thy way") builds upon and completes the thought of the first ("Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity"). The turning *from* vanity is intrinsically linked to being quickened *in* God's way; one enables the other. **Metaphor** is evident in the use of "eyes" as a representation of one's focus, attention, and inner desires, and "way" as a metaphor for a course of life or moral conduct. The entire verse is also an expression of **Synecdoche**, where "eyes" stand for the whole person's perception and inner being, and "way" stands for the entirety of God's righteous law and lifestyle.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 119:37 is a profound theological statement on the nature of sanctification and the ongoing need for divine grace in the believer's life. It posits that true spiritual purity and vitality are not achieved solely through human effort but require God's active intervention. The prayer to be turned from "vanity" recognizes the pervasive nature of sin and distraction in the world, while the plea to be "quickened" highlights humanity's inherent spiritual weakness and dependence on God for life and strength to walk in His righteous "way." This verse beautifully encapsulates the tension between human responsibility to guard one's heart and the absolute necessity of God's empowering grace for genuine spiritual growth and obedience. It underscores that spiritual life is a gift, constantly renewed by God in response to a humble and dependent heart.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")
* [Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - The Spirit Gives Life")
* [Philippians 4:8](/philippians/4-8 "Philippians 4:8 - Focus on What is True")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
In a world saturated with distractions, fleeting trends, and constant digital noise, Psalms 119:37 remains an incredibly relevant and potent prayer for the modern believer. The "vanity" of our age manifests in countless forms—from the relentless pursuit of material possessions and social status to the endless scroll of social media and the empty promises of self-help philosophies that exclude God. This verse calls us to a radical intentionality: to actively guard the gateways of our minds and hearts, recognizing that what we allow our eyes to behold and our minds to dwell upon profoundly shapes our spiritual trajectory. It is a reminder that spiritual vitality is not a default state but a constant need, requiring us to cry out to God for His life-giving Spirit to empower us to choose His "way" over the world's allure. This prayer invites us into a deeper dependence on God, acknowledging our inability to resist temptation or maintain spiritual fervor without His divine quickening. It challenges us to regularly assess our spiritual diet and to reorient our gaze towards the eternal, the true, and the life-giving, so that we might walk with renewed energy and purpose in the path God has set before us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are the specific "vanities" in your life or in contemporary culture that most subtly or overtly distract you from God's way?**
* **In what areas of your spiritual life do you feel a need for God to "quicken" or revive you? What might that renewed vitality look like?**
* **How can you more intentionally guard your "eyes" (your focus, attention, and consumption of media/information) to align with God's truth and purpose?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to seek God's quickening power and walk more faithfully in His way?**

### FAQ

**What does "vanity" mean in the context of Psalms 119:37?**

Answer: In Psalms 119:37, "vanity" (Hebrew: שָׁוְא, *shav'*) refers to anything that is empty, futile, worthless, deceitful, or ultimately lacking substance. It encompasses anything that distracts from God, offers false satisfaction, or leads one away from His truth and purpose. This can include idols, false promises, worldly ambitions, fleeting pleasures, or any pursuit that, when weighed against God's eternal truth, proves to be empty and without lasting value. It's not just about trivial things, but about anything that diverts one's heart and mind from the living God and His righteous "way," as highlighted throughout [Psalm 119](/psalms/119 "Psalm 119 - The Excellence of God's Law").

**Why does the psalmist ask God to "quicken" him?**

Answer: The psalmist asks God to "quicken" him (Hebrew: חָיָה, *chayah*) because "quicken" means to give life, revive, or restore to life. This is a prayer for spiritual renewal and vitality. It acknowledges that the psalmist, like all humans, is prone to spiritual lethargy, weariness, or even a state of spiritual deadness. He recognizes that he cannot maintain his spiritual fervor, obedience, or responsiveness to God's "way" through his own strength alone. Therefore, he pleads for God's divine infusion of life, power, and energy to invigorate his spirit, enabling him to walk faithfully and energetically in God's commandments and principles. This desire for revival is a recurring theme for those who truly seek to live an abundant life in God's way, as Jesus later promised in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 119:37 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies God's "way" and is the source of all true life. The prayer to "turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity" is answered in Christ, who exposes the emptiness of worldly pursuits and calls us to fix our gaze on Him, the [author and perfecter of our faith](/hebrews/12-2 "Hebrews 12:2 - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus"). He is the very truth that contrasts with all "vanity" (cf. [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Furthermore, the plea to "quicken thou me in thy way" is profoundly fulfilled through Christ's resurrection and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Jesus declared, "[I am the resurrection and the life](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")," and promised the Spirit who "[gives life](/john/6-63 "John 6:63 - The Spirit Gives Life")". Through faith in Him, believers are not only forgiven but are also spiritually "quickened" or made alive, being raised with Christ from spiritual death (cf. [Ephesians 2:5](/ephesians/2-5 "Ephesians 2:5 - Made Alive with Christ")). The Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in God's "way," transforming our desires and enabling us to bear fruit that is not "vanity" but eternal (cf. [Galatians 5:22-23](/galatians/5-22 "Galatians 5:22-23 - Fruit of the Spirit")). Thus, in Christ, the prayer for protection from vanity and for spiritual vitality to walk in God's path is fully realized and continually sustained.

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

1 John 2:16

For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

Isaiah 33:15

He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;

Proverbs 4:25

Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Numbers 15:39

And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:

Psalms 119:40

¶ Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Matthew 5:28

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Job 31:1

¶ I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?