My soul breaks with longing
For Your judgments at all times.
—Ps 119:20
I say with the prophet Isaiah:
With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; For when Your judgments are in the earth,
The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Lord...I know what it is like to feel soul crushing longing. What a blessing it would be to feel this kind of crushing desire for Your word. Set my mind on those things that are above...on the eternal. Fill me..heart and soul...with Your word. Blessed is the man whose delight is in Your law!
Spurgeon says it so perfectly:
“David had such reverence for the word, and such a desire to know it, and to be conformed to it, that his longings caused him a sort of heart break, which he here pleads before God. Longing is the soul of praying, and when the soul longs till it breaks, it cannot be long before the blessing will be granted. The most intimate communion between the soul and its God is carried on by the process described in the text. God reveals his will, and our heart longs to be conformed thereto. God judges, and our heart rejoices in the verdict. This is fellowship of heart most real and thorough.”
Ending with a portion of Psalm 19...
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.—Ps 19:7-11, 14
