Transcript Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 140 ESV, Ch. 141-142 NCV Podcast Introduction It’s Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read chapters 140-142, and we’ll have a time of prayer. I’m calling this episode “Desires and the Heart.“ Design: Jason Paschall | Photo: DC_Studio on elements.envato.com Summary Psalm 140 reflects the difficult moments in David’s life when he was pursued and threatened by those who wished to harm him. He prayed to God not only for deliverance but also for the destruction of his enemies. A story is shared of someone who, facing a similar situation, prayed this Psalm and witnessed a powerful response from God, which led to the downfall of their antagonist. This demonstrates that if we face genuine threats from evil individuals, God can come to our aid and ensure His plans for our lives prevail. The Psalm ends with a reassuring note about God supporting the afflicted and executing justice. In Psalm 141, there’s a significant translation nuance regarding David’s prayer. While it’s commonly translated as asking God to take away his “desire” for evil, the original Hebrew uses the word “heart.” This difference matters because desire typically resides in the mind, and we can control it to some extent by redirecting our thoughts. However, the heart is more stubborn and tends to want what it wants, regardless of our rational thoughts. David’s plea is for God to prevent his heart from being drawn towards evil. This request aligns with the idea that the heart’s inclinations influence our actions, and evil desires can lead to wicked deeds. David, who had experienced the consequences of following his heart in the case of Bathsheba, understands this well. He urges us not to rely solely on our willpower when tempted but to seek God’s help in guarding our hearts from sinful desires. This heartfelt prayer, like David’s, is something we can incorporate into our own lives. Listen to the episode for more! Support This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising equals censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and donate here: SUPPORT.