Eyes Opened
Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. Psalm 119:18
Read Psalm 119:9-24
When we read the Bible, we should do so using all our faculties. Reading is more than just registering some words. We should not take for granted our ability to see, read and think, for many people are not able to do this. We easily think of these privileges as things we have a right to instead of considering their importance. The writer of Psalm 119 understood our inclination to be ungrateful and blind to our blessings.
This psalm is best known because of its length, being the longest of all the psalms, but we should also know that it focuses on God’s Word. The poet sings a song about the law of God, called the Torah, which makes up the first five books of the Bible. The term, law at the end of our text refers to all the teaching of the Lord.
We must read with the purpose of understanding God’s will. That is why the poet asks that his eyes may be opened, that he would not just skim over some words, but that he may behold wondrous things. He obviously knew of occasions in his life when he was amazed by the great deeds of God and His revelation.
Although we have been given physical eyes to see, by nature we are spiritually blind and do not see our sins. May the Lord open the eyes of our understanding that divine light may fall upon the pages of God’s Word. Only then will His Word be truly opened to us. It is very important to pray the following words as we read our Bible: Open Thou my eyes that the words I read might also touch my heart.
Thought: Is it your desire to read the Bible so you might behold wondrous things?
Psalter 323:1,4 (based on Psalm 119) Thy servant blessed by Thee, shall live And keep Thy word with awe; Lord, open Thou mine eyes to see, The wonders of Thy law. I on Thy statutes meditate, Though evil men deride; Thy faithful word is my delight, My counselor and guide.