"Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble."
Psalm 143:10-11
“Teach me to do thy will;”
David loved his God, and he desired to do His will. That’s a good meditation for us, do we really want to do God’s will? In any situation that we find ourselves in are we willing to do what God wants, or do we do what we want to do? Can we say like David, “teach me to do thy will?”
“For thou art my God:”
Lord, because you are my God, I desire to follow and obey you.
“Thy spirit is good;”
God is good. He is the source of all good. “The spirit which guides those who trust in thee; the spirit with which “thou” dost guide people. That spirit is wise, prudent, judicious, reliable.”1 (Barnes)
“Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes,” (Psalm 119:68).
“Lead me into the land of uprightness.”
Lord, lead us into a safe land, free from danger. A flat, level land that is easy for us to travel and not have the worry of falling because the ground is rough and hard to traverse. And we know LORD, that where ever you are is a safe place for us.
“Quicken me, O LORD, for thy name’s sake:”
LORD, give me life! Without you, I am a dead man.
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins,” (Ephesians 2:1).
And LORD, please do this for the honor of your name.
“Thou wilt thus show thy power, thy faithfulness, thy goodness. Thou wilt thus get honor to thyself. This is the highest motive which can influence us – that God may be glorified.”2 (Barnes)
“For thy righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.”
Because of who you are: the righteous, just, and faithful God, please do this. Make me safe from my troubles. Show yourself to be great through my troubles.
1. Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
2. Barnes, ibid.