The psalmist knows that God was his Creator and that he had been shaped by the Lord. God had made him to be the person that he was. He had been made for a divine purpose which was that he should live for God’s glory. The way for this purpose to happen was by him obeying God’s commandments. The psalmist did not want to have a thoughtless approach to those requirements. Rather, he desired to obey them in an informed and dedicated manner. Therefore he prayed for understanding (v. 73).
Living in such a manner would bring about visible conformity to God’s rules. Other believers would see the psalmist’s style of devotion. His expressions of dedication would give them great joy. They would see clear evidence that he was aware that the best way to live is to do so according to God’s requirements (v. 74). Their reaction indicates that quality of obedience is important. A reluctant obedience would not encourage others.
The psalmist was still concerned about some affliction that he had experienced. The affliction was caused by the Lord and was in line with his righteous rules. Divine chastisement is always arranged for the benefit of God’s children, and it is always appropriate. The psalmist was not rebelling against it, but he also knew that at the same time he could ask for divine comfort because God had promised to provide it. Therefore, the psalmist asked for heavenly consolation (vv. 75-76). Providing it would be an expression of divine mercy and it would enable him to continue in the path of glad discipleship (v. 77).
Verse 78 tells us that the psalmist was under a verbal attack that was full of lies. He asked the Lord to intervene and prevent negative outcomes from their false accusations. He knew that God could judge people, and he asked the Lord to deal with those spreading falsehoods about him. There is nothing wrong with such a response. Indeed, it indicates a love of righteousness. Having done so, the psalmist continued his righteous devotion and determined to meditate on God’s revealed will.
He also knew that one method of helpful instruction was fellowship with likeminded people who feared God (v. 79). Such would help him understand aspects of commitment in which he needed help. They would encourage him as he went through the trials caused by those opposed to him. He valued the insights of others who were walking along the same road as himself. Therefore, he asked God for such meetings to take place.
His main concern was about the state of his heart (v. 80). He knew that outward conformity to God’s law, if that was all that he had, was not of much value. His desire was that his outward behaviour would come from a devout heart. So he prayed for such a heart because he knew that would prevent him from hypocrisy, of being inconsistent, and not real in his commitment to God’s ways. Such a heart can trust in divine providence to work for his good.
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