Since being at home it has been difficult to sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time. I don’t know why that may be but tonight I decided to use the wakefulness to do a little meditation on the use of the word “heart” in the Psalms. Here are a few verses in which the psalmist uses the term “heart” to express the intensity and depth of his trust and joy in his God.
Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever. (28:6-9)
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (86:11-12)
My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing and make music with all my soul. Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn. I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love, higher than the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let your glory be over all the earth. (108:1-5)
These quotations are all from the NIV 1984 – emphasis added.