Psalms 119:36

Psalms 119:36

This verse addresses the heart’s orientation away from covetousness toward God’s testimonies. “Incline my heart unto thy testimonies” asks for God’s movement of the affections—so that desire shifts away from wealth or self-serving gains toward what God reveals as true and good. Covetousness, a recurring temptation in the biblical narrative, threatens worship by misplacing trust in material gain. The psalmist’s plea acknowledges that desires drive behavior, and thus a change of heart is prerequisite to faithful living. “Testimonies” here refer to God’s decrees and provenances that reveal His will and character. The verse thus frames moral change as an interior transformation that manifests outwardly in how one prioritizes and pursues life. The context in Psalm 119 consistently ties the heart to obedience; without a reoriented heart, even good commands become empty rituals.

Theologically, this verse highlights the heart as the site of spiritual warfare and renewal. It shows that righteousness begins with inward desire aligned with God’s truth. Covetousness is not only about material things; it’s a misdirected love that displaces God as the supreme good. By asking God to incline the heart, the psalmist acknowledges God’s sovereignty in inner life and the need for divine grace to reorient affections. This prayer aligns with New Testament teaching on love of God as the first commandment and the guarding of the heart as essential for spiritual health. It reinforces the idea that obedience flows from love, not just from rules.

Practical steps:

- Audit your desires: what do you crave most this week? Money, status, comfort? Name them before God.

- Replace covetous patterns with contentment and generosity: e.g., practice a giving habit or gratitude journal.

- Engage in acts that reorient love toward God: serve someone in need, invest in meaningful relationships, or pursue legacy values beyond wealth.

- Set a habit of weekly reflection: where did my desires pull me toward or away from God today?

- Pray daily for a rising affection for God’s testimonies—what you love shapes your life.

Cross-References: Psalm 119:37; Colossians 3:5; Luke 12:15; Proverbs 23:4-5; 1 Timothy 6:6-10