Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees. (Ps. 119:33)
Expanded Passage: Psalm 119:33-40
God gave a specific instruction to every Jewish king. There is no way to know whether every king followed or delegated that responsibility, and undoubtedly some may have ignored God’s directive altogether, but the command was very clear. God said in Deuteronomy 17:18–19 that without exception, upon taking office, the monarch was to handwrite a copy of the law of God and to read it all the days of his life. If a king followed this directive, the consequence would be that the king would learn to revere God and would rule justly, rightly, and humbly.
It is within this context that we read Psalm 119, historically attributed to King David by Jewish rabbis. There is no doubt in my mind that David, as the second king of Israel, would have done exactly what God had told the new king to do. David would have personally written out the entire law of God and been keenly aware of what it said. But in Psalm 119 we see David asking God for an even richer understanding and appreciation of God’s holy decrees.
How much more today do we need spiritual leaders who both know God’s Word and have an increasing desire to be totally aligned with his will and ways? As the psalmist says, may the Lord’s words be like honey on our lips (Ps. 119:103).
Spend some time pondering the importance and application of God’s Word.
Stephen Elliott serves as national superintendent of The Wesleyan Church of Canada and director of the Pastoral Ministry degree program at Kingswood University (CA). He has been happily married to his high school sweetheart since 1975.
© 2026 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
