DALETH -ד

v.25-32

25I am laid low in the dust;
       preserve my life according to your word.
26I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
       teach me your decrees.
27Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
       that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

28My soul is weary with sorrow;
       strengthen me according to your word.
29Keep me from deceitful ways;
       be gracious to me and teach me your law.

30I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
       I have set my heart on your laws.
31I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
       do not let me be put to shame.
32I run in the path of your commands,
       for you have broadened my understanding.

Prayer:

O Lord, there is nothing in my soul but dust and ashes. I am laid very low, but your word promises life from this death. Make life flow through me again, Lord! I have confessed my sin and my sorrow to you, relying on you alone for relief, and you heard me and accepted my prayer.

O Lord, keep me under the teaching of your statutes! Make me understand your way more and more, for you alone give understanding! You alone give me  delight in your word.  In this way, my heart and my speech will be full of the wonders that I learn from you!

My soul melts with the weight of the stresses and sorrows of this world and I am weak; strengthen me, Lord, according to your promises, power, and precepts.  Separate me from false ways, for I am tempted to look somewhere else for relief and fool myself with estrangements from your word; sanctify my mind. Knowing that you are gracious and kind, I ask you to teach me so that I will not go astray. I want to be faithful but the world vexes my best intentions, so I resolutely set your truth before my eyes, mind and heart, clinging tightly. The more I hold to your word, the more I am assailed; let me not succumb to dilution–hold me fast in my weakness and let me never be brought to shame by letting go of your truth!

Because you hear my prayer and have promised your strength, I will run freely in Your way (Isaiah 40:31), unencumbered with the narrowness of self and error, as you enlarge my heart with your law of love!

²⁵My soul cleaveth unto the dust; quicken thou me according to thy word. ²⁶I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.  ²⁷Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.  ²⁸My soul melteth for heaviness; strengthen thou me according unto thy word. ²⁹Remove from me the way of lying; and grant me thy law graciously. ³⁰I have chosen the way of truth; thy judgments have I laid before me. ³¹I have stuck unto thy testimonies; O LORD, put me not to shame. ³²I will run in the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. (KJV)

© 2018, http://www.ReadPsalm119.com. Revised Aug 2019.

PHOTO: California Coastal Ranges between Monterey and Fresno, as seen from the San Joaquin side, by ReadPsalm119.com (2019).