Psalms 119:36 (KJV)

What does Psalms 119:36 mean?

Psalms 119:36 is a prayer asking God to turn the psalmist’s heart toward God’s teachings and away from selfish desire for gain. The verse expresses a longing to be more deeply interested in God’s ways rather than being drawn to greed or materialism.

The speaker is the writer of Psalm 119, traditionally understood as someone deeply devoted to God, speaking directly to God in prayer. The verse comes in a section where the psalmist is asking for help to stay faithful and focused on God’s instructions. The request to “incline my heart” shows that the psalmist recognizes the need for God’s help to desire what is right, not just to know it.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 119:36

• “Incline” (נָטָה, natah): This word means to bend, stretch, or turn. Here, it pictures the heart as something that can be directed or guided, emphasizing that the psalmist wants God to actively turn his inner desires toward God’s teachings.
• “Heart” (לֵב, lev): In Hebrew thought, the heart is not just emotions but the center of a person’s will, thoughts, and intentions. The psalmist is asking for his whole inner life to be shaped by God’s testimonies.
• “Testimonies” (עֵדוּת, edut): This term refers to God’s laws or declarations, especially those that bear witness to God’s character and expectations. The psalmist wants his focus to be on these, not on selfish desires.
• “Covetousness” (בֶּצַע, betsa): This word means unjust gain or greed. The psalmist is asking to be kept from being drawn to material gain or selfish profit, which would distract from devotion to God.

Why Psalms 119:36 matters

• Psalms 119:36 clarifies that spiritual devotion is not just about outward actions but about what the heart truly desires, highlighting the need for inner transformation.
• The verse shows that even someone deeply committed to God recognizes the pull of selfish desires and asks for divine help to resist them.
• This prayer fits into the larger theme of Psalm 119, where the psalmist repeatedly asks for God’s help to love and follow God’s word, showing that faithfulness is both a choice and a gift.