Podcast Introduction

Today is Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read chapters 140-142. I’m calling today’s episode “The Matter of the Heart.”  

Comments on Psalm 140 and 141

Comments on Psalm 140

There were times in David’s life when he was pursued by men that literally wanted to kill him. He was slandered. He was hunted. This is a Psalm that was written during one of those times. 

Do you ever think of the power of your words when you go to the Lord in prayer? David asked God not only for deliverance from evil men who would do him harm, but he also asked for their destruction. Listen again: “As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise!”

I had a conversation with a man recently who had been the victim of slander. Another person was literally trying to destroy this man’s reputation and business. The attacks got so bad that this man, for whom I have tremendous respect, prayed this Psalm asking God to deal with his attacker. And the response from God was so powerful that he told me he would never pray this way again. He told me that this person’s life was utterly destroyed. He didn’t tell me any details, but based on our relationship I believe him. 

If we are truly being attacked by genuinely evil people, God, our Heavenly Father, has it in His power to come to our rescue. His plan for our life will not be foiled by anyone or anything. If the plans of our enemies would keep us from fulfilling God’s plan, I believe He *will* intervene on our behalf. 

I love the way David closed this Psalm: “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.”

Comments on Psalm 141

In our translation today, David prayed in verse 4, “Take away my desire to do evil or to join others in doing wrong.” But in the original Hebrew, instead of the word “desire”, David said “heart”. I like how the NASB renders this verse, “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers…”

I think the distinction between desire and heart is important. At least it is for me. And maybe I’m the only one, but to me, desire resides in the mind. The more we think about the thing, the more we desire it. So if I can just force my mind to think of something else, the desire lessens. I have *some* control over my thoughts. 

Ah, but the heart. It is not easily controlled by the mind, is it? The heart wants what the heart wants, pretty much no matter what the mind thinks. 

So David prays, “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil…”

Charles Spurgeon wrote, ““The way the heart inclines the life soon tends: evil things desired bring forth wicked things practised. Unless the fountain of life is kept pure the streams of life will soon be polluted.” 

David well knew what trouble his heart could get him into. It was his heart that drew him to Bathsheba, and he never again wanted to get into that kind of situation. 

How often, when tempted to sin, have you just tried to grunt it out…to not sin on your own strength of will? How’d that work for you? If you’re anything like me, lots of times it didn’t work very well. I have to admit that my own efforts, when the sin is right in front of me, are typically all too human. I fail. But David asks God for help in keeping his heart from being drawn to sin in the first place. And of course, that’s something that you and I can do, too. We can pray that same prayer.

It’s always a good idea to ask for help before it is needed, right? If we begin each day with a prayer that includes this request, and make it an ongoing habit throughout the day, I have a sneaking suspicion that the times of facing sin head-on will become fewer and farther apart. 

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Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 140 ESV; Ch. 141-142 NCVSupport

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