33. Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.

34. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.

35. Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.

36. Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!

37. Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.

38. Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.

39. Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.

40. Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!

Hungry for Surrender

How hungry are you for God? Appetites drive actions. This stanza opens with a hungry cry by the Psalmist to learn from Almighty God Himself. He is hungry to engage the Father's heart and to learn from Him. His heart is in a holy posture of openness. He cries out, Horeini (הוֹרֵנִי) — meaning teach me! — a heavenly hungry and open-hearted plea to learn. This word also begins with the Hebrew letter hey (ה). This same word is found in my favorite go-to prayer in Psalm 86:11, "Teach me Your way, Oh Lord, and I will walk in Your truth; Give me an undivided heart to fear Your Name." It is a desperate plea — hungry and open to God — asking not only for information to fill the head but power to unite the heart in whole-hearted surrender and obedience.

One of the earliest uses of this root word in Scripture is in Exodus 4:12 when God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery. He promises, "I will teach you what to say." Jesus promises His followers the same intimate and relationally driven leadership in John 16:12-15. He promises to "guide/lead/teach you" by the voice of His Holy Spirit. As you work on cultivating a holy appetite of hunger for God and openness to follow His lead, be encouraged — God is the best teacher. His instruction is the only food that will ultimately feed and satisfy you!

Hebrew Treasure excerpt written by Thomas Boehm.
From The Psalm 119 Journey by Steve Allen, ©2022.
Used with permission.