David's Prayer and Resolution
E. Lake, D. D. Psalm 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; yes, I shall observe it with my whole heart. I. THEIR ORDER. Knowledge must necessarily precede obedience, since there can be nothing chosen by the will but what the understanding has first allowed; the will being destitute of all light save what is borrowed: for as the stars derive their light from the sun, so does the will her light from the understanding, that directive faculty of the soul, "the candle of the Lord," that light whereby we discern good from evil. II. THEIR CONNECTION. 1. Knowledge and obedience are not things inseparable, for one may be without the other; we may have understanding, and yet not keep God's law; for knowledge does not change the will, but direct it; it does only rationally persuade, not effectually convert it; so that the will must he sanctified, as well as the understanding illuminated, before our obedience to God's law can be answerable to our knowledge of it. 2. We may both understand God's law, and keep it. God that employs, enables us; lie that calls us gives us a power to come, otherwise His invitation would be a mockery; tie that saith, "Depart from evil, and do good," has doubtless made us capable of so doing. III. THE MAIN SCOPE AND DESIGN OF THE WORDS. Do this for me, and I do promise on my part to keep Thy law, to meditate upon Thy precepts, and to have respect unto Thy ways, to delight myself in Thy statutes, and not to forget Thy Word. Our obedience must be — 1. Sincere. This renders our endeavours acceptable to God, and profitable to ourselves. 2. Universal. Catholic faith without catholic obedience is of little value. 3. Constant. If we faint, we shall never reap; if we are weary of running, we shall never obtain the prize. (E. Lake, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. WEB: Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.