7 Heart Lessons From Psalm 119

Psalm 119 is the longest poetic book in the Bible and is comprised of 176 verses. It is a powerful meditation on the beauty, truth, and importance of God's Word and encourages the reader to remain steadfast in the truth of God's commands.

This chapter also speaks about the importance of seeking God wholeheartedly, remaining upright in His ways, and upholding his precious promises. Here are seven heart lessons from Psalm 119 to help us deepen our relationship with God, grow in faith, and find comfort and hope in challenging times.

1. Blessed Is the Seeking Heart

Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. (Vs. 2)

Seeking God with our whole hearts is a tremendous blessing, allowing us to experience His love, grace, and presence in our lives. When we pursue God with all that we are, He reveals Himself to us in deeper ways than we ever thought possible. Ultimately, seeking God wholeheartedly is the key to a blessed life filled with joy, peace, and purpose.

Here's a prayer for the seeking heart:

Lord God, please help me continue to seek You with all my heart and keep Your holy statutes. Thank You for Your mighty blessings and Your precious promises. In Jesus' name, amen.

2. An Upright Heart Gives Praise

I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. (Vs. 7)

This line from Psalm 119 is a beautiful reminder of the importance of having an upright heart focused on praising God. To be upright means approaching life with honesty and integrity, without hidden motives or selfish intentions. With this mindset, we become less concerned with our own desires and more focused on living in a way that honors and glorifies God. When our hearts are truly upright, we are able to praise God freely and joyfully because we know in Whom we have believed can keep what we've committed to Him.

Here is a prayer for the upright heart:

Holy God, please remind me to praise You with an upright heart as I continue to learn Your righteous commands. In Jesus' holy name, amen.

3. The Devoted Heart Delights in God's Decrees

I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. (Vs. 16)

To be devoted to God means we are committed to following Him no matter what. It involves a complete submission of our will to His and keeps Him at the center of our lives.

The devoted heart delights in God's decrees and is eager to maintain His standards - not from a sense of pride but from a place of humble obedience. Consistently engaging with God through His word and prayer is crucial to our walk with Him. Those who delight in God's decrees will find joy in following them and experience the abundant life God has promised.

Here is a prayer for the devoted heart:

Heavenly Father, help me stay devoted to You in prayer, Bible study, and worship. Let Your decrees become the delight of my heart, in Jesus' holy name, amen.

4. Faithful Is the Steadfast Heart

I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart. (Vs. 32 NKJV)

This is my favorite verse in Psalm 119, as it encourages us to run the course God has marked out for us. When I read it, I imagine a heart-shaped track that continues to expand as we run this race called life. As Hebrews 12:1-2 says, "And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." May we all cultivate a faithful and steadfast heart, and may God enlarge our hearts so that we can fully embrace His commandments and grow in our love for others.

Here is a prayer for the steadfast heart:

"Lord, please keep me on track in this race of faith. Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus as You enlarge my heart. Amen."

5. The Trusting Heart Is Comforted

My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life. (Vs. 50)

In the fiftieth verse of Psalm 119, the Psalmist declares that God's promises comfort him in times of distress. What a beautiful example of a trusting heart!

We find solace in the Lord's promises, knowing they are unchanging and steadfast, even amid trials. The faithful heart can always find peace and rest in the truth of God's promises. Remember, God is the God of all comfort, and He holds us in the palm of His hand. We can fully trust Him to fulfill every promise He's ever made.

Here is a prayer for the trusting heart:

"Father, please help me trust Your promises and be comforted by them in the days ahead. In Jesus' precious name, amen."

6. The Heart That Follows God Is Not Put to Shame

May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame. (Vs. 80)

It's sad to think of how many Christians walk in guilt and shame. Christ's finished work on the cross provided forgiveness for all of our sins and failures. The good news is, God's mercies are new every morning and we are invited to come to Him in repentance.

Psalm 119:80 teaches us that when we follow His decrees, not perfectly but wholeheartedly, we are not put to shame. Remember, we are invited to come to God and confess our sins, trusting that He will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Here is a prayer for the heart that follows God:

"Gracious God, please remind me of your righteous decrees and help me follow them with all my heart. I surrender my guilt and shame to You today, knowing You are faithful and just to forgive. In Jesus' mighty name, amen."

7. Sweet Is the Heart that Receives God's Word

How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Vs. 103)

The sweetness of God's Word is more satisfying than anything we could physically eat or drink. The Bible is like a healing balm that soothes the wounds of our hearts and lifts us up in times of trouble. If only we would savor His Word by taking the time to marinate in its truth! Let's receive the word of the Lord as the sweetest message we could ever receive and allow it to soften our hearts toward His will and ways.

Here is a prayer for the heart that receives God's Word:

Heavenly Father, help me find satisfaction in Your Word, for it is life. Every promise You make is like honey to my lips, and I savor Your testimonies. In the name of Your Son, Jesus, amen.

Jennifer Waddle is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, Discouragement Doesn’t Win. She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.