Psalm 119:37 Let the Word be About the Word

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;preserve my life according to your word.

Psalm 119:37

We need to understand what David means when he uses the Hebrew word translated as worthless.

The same word is used in one of the most well-known verses in the Old Testament:

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.

Exodus 20:7

Yes, that's one of the Ten Commandments. I learned it as Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. It's not talking about using swear words, but about ascribing negative or foolish attributes to God. Or, as it's also often used, to worship an idol that is a false or vain or worthless god.

This idea then connects us over to another scripture where the same word appears:

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Psalm 127:1-2

Anything you try to accomplish without relying on the one true God is pointless, vanity, worthless. This includes offering sacrifices to God without also humbling yourself before God, as Isaiah says.

Stop bringing meaningless offerings!

Isaiah 1:13

With this understanding of the way the term is used throughout the Old Testament, it's clear that David, in Psalm 119:37, is asking God to help him turn his attention away from an approach to the scriptures that doesn't honor the God who wrote the Word.

The Bible isn't just a collection of verses that we can twist or construe to say whatever we please. The purpose of the written Word is to help us know the Word who is God and who is with God. Reading the Bible in any way that ignores the character of God is pointless, worthless, vain.

On the other hand, studying the scriptures in order to understand the heart of God will gradually change the reader's heart to be like His.

I'll ask the same question again. What's the best way to stay focused on honoring the character of the God who wrote the Word? The answer is the same, of course.

Pray.

Father, remind me over and over as I read your Word, that You are the Word, that every thought, every doctrine, every part of the scriptures is a reflection of your character. Help me, Lord, to not waste my time trying to find things in the scripture that are disconnected from you and your heart.