“Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.” Psalm 119.37
One of the recurring themes in Psalm 119 is the worth of God’s Word. We’ve already seen the psalmist proclaim that he delights in the Word “as much as in all riches” (Ps. 119.14). Later in the psalm, he extols the value of Scripture in comparison to Gold, riches, and the spoils of victory (72, 127, 162).
In this verse, the writer continues to express his dependence on God by calling on the Lord to turn his eyes away from worthless things. He knows the profound riches found in God’s Word and desire for the Lord to protect him from the distraction of lesser things. The comparison here is stark. When contrasted against the life-giving power of God’s ways, all else is worthless.
Consider the best the world has to offer—whether riches, accomplishment, entertainment, fame, political power, prestige. None of those things can bring life. The ways of the world, unless they’re in line with the ways of God, are worthless. By contrast, God’s ways and the truth found in his Word bring life. May we ever seek the Lord to take our focus off of worthless things and give us life according to his ways.
In what ways have you set your focus on worthless things of the world? Take time to repent, ask the Lord to realign your focus to his inspired, inerrant ways.
O heavenly Father, we confess that we are too easily distracted by the things of this world. Turn our eyes from worthless things, Lord, and fix our gaze on you. Amen.