“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8
“Desire” is to find pleasure in one’s inmost being by hearing God’s Word and doing His will. What brings pleasure to God will also bring delight to His people.
“Law” literally means “instruction” or “direction,” including God’s Commandments as well as His proclamation of love and mercy in the Messiah, Jesus. Torah eventually came to describe the Five Books of Moses (first 5 Books of Bible). The Torah provides God’s instructions and truth, which are designed to guide our daily steps.
“Within my heart” stems from Hebrew words about speaking. A person holds his attention by uttering words of Scripture or prayers to focus his thoughts on God. The Israelites meditated on God’s Word by reciting it. The believer explores God’s Word, since as Luther said, “there is always something left over to understand and to do. Therefore, you must never be proud, as if you were already full”. Luther also suggested that this phrase recalled the singing of the birds, “…so the church continuously fills its mouth with preaching in joy and gladness like that of the little birds”.
God’s blessings on your day…