Psalm 119:27

Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:
so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
~ Psalm 11:27

He prayed for understanding. He sought discernment. Precepts, collectively, speaks of all of God’s law, but the understanding sought is not theoretical, but practical. He wanted to understand the way of God’s precepts.

Derek, the Hebrew here translated way, literally means a road or path. Figuratively, it refers to a course of life or a life’s journey. He understood God’s law was not high, airy concepts but rather real directions on the ground. He later wrote, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105). Solomon counseled:

22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
23 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
– Proverbs 6:22-23

Understanding the way of God’s precepts would lead him to talking of God’s wondrous works. This sort of progression is common in this Psalm. He previously wrote he would hide God’s word in his heart (Psalm 119:11). He prayed that God would not hide His word from him (Psalm 119:19). Here he said he would not hide God’s word from others.

Listen to Psalm 119 Sermon Series