“Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” Psalm 119:37
Considering the emptiness and futility of all this world has to offer, how important it is for us to look past the things of this world to those things which bring true life and endure. That is the prayer of the psalmist and should be our prayer as well.
But just what is it that the psalmist is asking? From what does he ask that his eyes be turned away? What is vanity? What is God’s way?
Solomon, in the book of Ecclesiastes, says of this world and of all the things done in this world, “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity” (1:2).
It is easy to become so focused on this life and the things this world offers that we often neglect what is truly important. It is as Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:36). And, how true! If we are able in this world to accomplish great works, have a nice home, nice clothing, the latest gadgets and things, if we are able to travel, have fun and enjoy life, what will it benefit us when we die and depart this life?
This world and the things of this life allure us. Advertisers promise us pleasure and happiness. Schools offer us keys to success. And employers offers us the incomes we need to make it all happen. But in the end, all is vanity. Their promises are empty.
Thus, the psalmist prays, “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.” He asks that the LORD God would give him the wisdom to turn his eyes away from looking at and desiring the vain and empty things of this world. He asks that God would change his desires and thinking and “quicken” him and make him alive in God’s way – in the saving truth of God’s Word and the eternal blessings which God offers and gives.
Though the world allures us and seeks to convince us that its ways are best, God’s way is the truth. His commandments are good and right even though they reveal our sins and shortcomings. And His way is that we would turn from the sin and vanity of this world to faith in Him and in the mercy He offers and gives us in the Son, Jesus Christ.
It is as Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Christ Jesus fulfilled the righteous demands of God’s law and suffered the just punishment for the sins of the entire world. By His death and resurrection, He opened to us the way to heaven – the way to life in fellowship with God our maker and the way to the everlasting joys of paradise.
So what does the psalmist pray? He asks that the LORD God would turn away his eyes from looking at the empty promises and allurements of this world and make him alive through faith in Christ Jesus. And thus we also pray.
O LORD God, our Maker and our Redeemer, turn away our eyes from looking upon and desiring the vain and empty offerings of this world and raise us up from spiritual darkness and death and grant us faith and life in the Son, Christ Jesus, our Savior. Amen.