The Delight of Divine Direction
"Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law." - Psalms 119:70

**Psalms 119:70 — "Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law."**
In the serene and lyrical landscape of Psalm 119, a profound truth emerges that contrasts two distinctly different heart conditions. The psalmist draws a vivid image of the hearts of the wicked — described as being "as fat as grease" — and juxtaposes this with his personal declaration of delight in God's law. This verse serves as a rich tapestry from which we can harvest significant spiritual truths about devotion, righteousness, and the nature of our hearts in relation to God’s divine instructions.
To understand the fullness of this passage, we must first acknowledge what it means for a heart to be "as fat as grease." In Biblical terms, a "fat heart" can symbolize a heart that is indulgent, self-satisfied, and overly complacent. It is a heart that is hardened, devoid of sensitivity to God’s laws and moral truths. In contrast, the psalmist, by affirming his delight in God’s law, indicates a heart that is not only responsive but also actively yearns for spiritual truth and guidance. This duality invites us to reflect on our own hearts. Are they pliable and eager to learn from God, or have they become complacent and dull?
This passage challenges us to consider the implications of our earthly conditions and how they contrast with our heavenly calling. In a world that often promotes cultural norms and values that oppose God’s law, it is not uncommon to find that many hearts have become desensitized. The society we live in can be considered "greasy" — full of distractions and sinful allurements that pull us away from the essence of God’s word. Thus, the question arises: what truly delights our hearts? Is it the transient pleasures of this world, or the eternal truths of Scripture?
The psalmist’s choice of the word "delight" is crucial. To delight in God's law is to take joy in God's ways, to find satisfaction in His commandments, and not to view them as mere prohibitions but as profound guidelines that lead to a life flourishing in grace. This delight pushes against the cultural tide that seeks to diminish the importance of divine law. Instead of seeing law as restrictive, the psalmist portrays it as a pathway to true happiness and fulfillment. We learn that genuine joy comes from aligning our lives with God's ways — recognizing that His directives are not meant to constrain us but to protect and lead us.
The pursuit of delighting in God’s law should compel us to actively engage with Scripture. Reading His Word not only fills our minds but transforms our hearts. As we get to know God's character through His laws, we develop a deeper relationship with Him, enhancing our understanding of love, justice, mercy, and grace. In becoming acquainted with His decrees, we often find our hearts softened from the condition of grease to a place of dependence and humility before Him.
Moreover, in a world that seeks pleasure and self-gratification, we learn from this verse that there is a higher calling — the calling to find our ultimate satisfaction in God’s presence and His precepts. Feeding our souls through obedience, prayer, and worship cultivates a joy that surpasses what this world can offer. Living according to God’s law establishes a foundation of faith upon which we can thrive, providing us with resilience against the temptations that seek to harden our hearts.
Ultimately, **Psalms 119:70** is an invitation to reflect upon the condition of our hearts and to choose delight in the law of the Lord over the indulgences of our flesh. Let each of us strive to delight wholly in the counsel of our God, allowing His truth to penetrate our very core, transforming "fat and greasy hearts" into vibrant, loving, and responsive vessels for His service.
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Psalms 119:70 - "Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law."
"Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law." - Psalms 119:70
Psalms 70:3 - "Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha."
Psalms 78:70 - "He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:"
Psalms 70:1 - "Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD."
"Make haste, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD." - Psalms 70:1
Psalms 119:153 - "Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law."
Psalms 119:174 - "I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight."
Psalms 119:61 - "The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law."
Psalms 119:32 - "I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart."
Psalms 70:4 (KJV) 4 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified.
Psalms 70:2 - "Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul: let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt."
Psalms 70:4 - "Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified."
"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." - Psalms 119:89
Psalms 119:176 - "I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments."
"Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes." - Psalms 119:155
Psalms 119:119 - "Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies."
"I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word." - Psalms 119:158
"Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments." - Psalms 119:137
Psalms 70:5 - "But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying."
"Let them be turned back for a reward of their shame that say, Aha, aha." - Psalms 70:3
Psalms 119:3 - "They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways."
"Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful." - Psalms 119:138
"He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:" - Psalms 78:70
"Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently." - Psalms 119:4
Psalms 119:24 - "Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors."
Psalms 119:36 - "Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness."
Psalms 119:56 - "This I had, because I kept thy precepts."
Psalms 119:60 - "I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments."
Psalms 119:45 - "And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts."