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Tim Maas
Supporter
What kinds of worthless things did the psalmist want to avoid?
Psalms 119:37
ESV - 37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
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Asked June 01 2018
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Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
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Tim Maas
Supporter
As indicated on the biblehub.com website (http://biblehub.com/hebrew/7723), the Hebrew word translated as "worthless things" in the verse from the psalm is also used elsewhere in Scripture in connection with contexts speaking of falsehood, deceit, or futility. It would thus appear to be referring to anything that may seem to promise satisfaction and fulfillment, but that ultimately cannot satisfy the desire for truth and lasting value that can only fully and finally be found in God, and in the guidance for human conduct that He provides. I view it as somewhat similar to Solomon's reference to "vanity" in the book of Ecclesiastes (although Solomon uses a different Hebrew word). (Solomon also ultimately came to the conclusion that fearing God and keeping His commandments constituted the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).)
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