Psalms 119:112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.
Psalms 119:36 Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!
Psalms 141:4 heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies!
Joshua 24:23 He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your heart to the LORD, the God of Israel.”
1 Kings 8:58 that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.
Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end: The theme is once again emphasized. The Psalmist would never forsake God’s word; never stop reading, learning, meditating, and especially obeying it.
“Observe where he begins his work – not with the eye – the ear – the tongue – but with the heart.” (Bridges)
“The believer feels that every step is dangerous; this is why he cried out fro the lamp to his feet and the light to his path. With every step dangerous, how can he ever hope to endure forever, to the very end? Because the same God who lights and sustains him for one step can do it for every step, to the very end.”
Choosing to incline your heart is the beginning, committing to it for every step, of every day, of every moment requires fuel for that commitment. The Psalmist new something about the natural heart – it is not inclined to God. It is inclined to self, self interests, and self reliance. Choosing to humbly honor, glorify, sever, follow and obey to the very end will require fuel for the heart, mind and soul. God’s word to the very end. Let it overflow your thoughts and actions.
This hymn calms my heart and puts a softness to this journey with Christ:
I come to the garden alone. While the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear, falling on my ear. The Son of God discloses
And He walks with me. And He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other has ever known
He speaks and the sound of His voice. Is so sweet the birds hush their singing. And the melody that He gave to me. Within my heart is ringing
And He walks with me. And He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other has ever known
I’d stay in the garden with Him. ‘Tho the night around me be falling. But He bids me go; through the voice of woe. His voice to me is calling
And He walks with me. And He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other has ever known