Psalm 119:36 - Incline My Heart

Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. -- Psalm 119:36, King James Version.

Turn my heart toward your statutes, Not toward selfish gain. -- World English. 

As the wisdom of man may conceive, and his tongue utter, great things of God and holiness, while his heart is averse from both; therefore David saith, not only, Give me understanding, but, incline my heart unto thy testimonies — To the love and practice of them; and not to covetousness — He mentions this in particular, because it is most opposite to God’s testimonies, and does most commonly hinder men from receiving his word, and from profiting by it; and because it is most pernicious, as being the root of all evil. -- Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments.

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In English, the word "covet" is often used a synonym for "desire". As such, the word does not actually correspond to the Hebrew word used by the Psalmist in our text. The Hebrew rendered as covetousness above is often transliterated as bā-ṣa‘ (Strong's #1215). It carries the meaning of, not simply a desire for this or that, but rather of dishonest or unjust gain.

The Psalmist prays that his heart be inclined not towards dishonest gain, but rather that his heart be inclined toward the testimonies of Jehovah. Likewise, if we belong to Christ, we also should bring such a request before our Heavenly Father. We not only have the testimonies of the Law and the Prophets, but we also have testimonies of Jehovah given through His Son, our Lord Jesus. -- Hebrews 1:1,2.

The Psalmist prays that his heart be so inclined toward the testimonies of God. He realized that what is in the heart is more deep than just head knowledge. One can have a head knowledge of God's testimonies, but still not be inclined to conform one's life to that knowledge. It is only when the inclination is in the heart that one's life will reflect God's Word. While the heart can be deceitful and lead us to believe our inclination to obtain unjust wealth is actually just, if one's heart passion is conformed to being and doing what God commands, that one's heart will be not be disposed to seek dishonest or unjust gain in the world. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.

Scriptures Related to Covetousness

Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21; Proverbs 28:16; Ecclesiastes 5:10; Ecclesiastes 5:11; Isaiah 14:15; Jeremiah 6:13; Habakkuk 2:6; Habakkuk 2:9; Matthew 6:22; Matthew 16:26; Mark 7:22; Mark 10:21; Mark 10:23,24; Luke 6:24; Luke 12:15; John 6:27; Romans 1:28,29; Romans 7:7; Romans 13:9; 1 Corinthians 6:9,10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:1,2; Colossians 3:5; 1 Timothy 6:7; Hebrews 13:5; James 4:2; 1 John 2:15; 1 John 2:16; 1 John 2:17.