The psalmist humbly asks God to shape his heart so that he values divine truth and rejects corrupt gain.
The psalmist pleads, “Incline my heart to Your testimonies And not to dishonest gain” (v.36), expressing a longing for God to redirect his innermost desires toward divine truths. In Scripture, the heart is more than an organ; it is the seat of our will and affections, the place from which “all of a person’s loves, fears, and whom they trust” flow (Matthew 22:37 commentary, citing Psalm 119:10). Asking God to “incline” this heart is a confession that even our yearnings need the Lord’s shaping and guidance.
The phrase “not to dishonest gain” highlights the psalmist’s moral and spiritual sensitivity, a commitment that mirrors the instruction given to Israel’s leaders “to be those who hate dishonest gain” (Exodus 18:21). In a world where exploiting others is often rewarded, the psalmist acknowledges that loving God’s Word cannot coexist with corrupt practices designed to take advantage of others (Amos 8:4 commentary). Instead, he urges reliance on God’s testimonies—His trustworthy principles and commands—to guard against self-serving motives.
Addressing God’s “testimonies” also includes delighting in and trusting the clarity, wisdom, and truth that flow from His guidance (Psalm 19:7 commentary). These testimonies stand in stark contrast to self-centered pursuits, urging the faithful to revere what God has revealed rather than the fleeting allure of unscrupulous profit. The humble request to “incline” the heart is thus a reminder that only in God’s revealed ways do we find freedom from greed and a renewed desire to walk uprightly.
Set to dark mode
Psalms 119:36 meaning
The psalmist pleads, “Incline my heart to Your testimonies And not to dishonest gain” (v.36), expressing a longing for God to redirect his innermost desires toward divine truths. In Scripture, the heart is more than an organ; it is the seat of our will and affections, the place from which “all of a person’s loves, fears, and whom they trust” flow (Matthew 22:37 commentary, citing Psalm 119:10). Asking God to “incline” this heart is a confession that even our yearnings need the Lord’s shaping and guidance.
The phrase “not to dishonest gain” highlights the psalmist’s moral and spiritual sensitivity, a commitment that mirrors the instruction given to Israel’s leaders “to be those who hate dishonest gain” (Exodus 18:21). In a world where exploiting others is often rewarded, the psalmist acknowledges that loving God’s Word cannot coexist with corrupt practices designed to take advantage of others (Amos 8:4 commentary). Instead, he urges reliance on God’s testimonies—His trustworthy principles and commands—to guard against self-serving motives.
Addressing God’s “testimonies” also includes delighting in and trusting the clarity, wisdom, and truth that flow from His guidance (Psalm 19:7 commentary). These testimonies stand in stark contrast to self-centered pursuits, urging the faithful to revere what God has revealed rather than the fleeting allure of unscrupulous profit. The humble request to “incline” the heart is thus a reminder that only in God’s revealed ways do we find freedom from greed and a renewed desire to walk uprightly.