delight...

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.  

Psalm 37:4 NIV

This verse is often misunderstood, and I definitely didn’t for a long time.  I thought if I prayed that God would give me anything I asked for or wanted.  I would pray and pray and pray and pray and then wonder why God wasn’t answering my prayers.  Was He listening to me?  I felt frustrated and defeated.  That’s what I thought when I was young.

Delight yourself in the Lord…

When looking at the context of the passage, it becomes clearer.  (I am by no means very knowledgeable, I have to have help – Matthew Henry Commentary, etc.)   When I compare the NAS to the NIV, I better understand what God is saying. 

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it.  He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday.  Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.Psalm 37:4-7 NAS

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:5-7 NIV

And, then the NLT: Commit everything you do to the Lord.  Trust him, and he will help you.  He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.  Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.  Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Psalm 37:5-7 NLT

 Is my delight and joy in God?  Is it a priority in my life?  Do I want a blessed life?  Am I living a pure life?  Do I trust in God?  Do I daily come into His presence?  Am I patient?  Am I?