This is a prayer of the psalmist David. He asked the Lord to show him His way so that he could walk in His truth, because the Lord was the one who knew all things. In this way, the psalmist understood that God had the direction in His hands.
Every step to be taken had to be under the divine will of the Lord. David knew that he could not do things without the Lord’s orders, since any mistake could be costly. That is why we see him say: “Teach me your way, I will walk in your truth.”
It is very important what the psalmist says in chapter 86, verse 11:
Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
Psalm 86:11
This message is very important for our lives. Being able to say to the Lord: “Strengthen my heart so that I may fear your name; guard my heart and make my way straight, Lord.”
David understood that his hope came from the Lord and that he had to be careful when doing or moving something, in front of a people who were watching every step he took. That is why he had to ask the Lord to help him and make his way straight.
Brothers, let us not choose to act on our own without consulting our God, because when we act this way and do not ask God to direct our paths, when we do not let the Lord strengthen our steps, everything gets out of control. That is why it is best to obey and let God teach us His way.
When David asks the Lord to teach him His way, he is not simply asking for information or knowledge, but for guidance that transforms his conduct. Walking in the truth of God implies living according to His commandments, aligning our thoughts, decisions, and intentions with what pleases Him. The psalmist understood that the human heart is prone to distraction and error, and that without divine direction it easily deviates from the right path.
The request to unite his heart reveals a deep spiritual reality. A divided heart cannot fully fear the Lord nor remain firm in obedience. Many times, believers desire to follow God, yet their hearts are pulled in different directions by fear, pride, or worldly concerns. David’s prayer teaches us to ask God to bring unity within us, so that our devotion may be sincere and steadfast, centered entirely on reverence for His holy name.
Fearing the name of the Lord does not mean living in terror, but in deep respect, humility, and submission to His authority. When the fear of God governs our hearts, our decisions are shaped by wisdom, and our steps are guarded from error. David knew that only the Lord could produce this inner transformation, which is why his prayer is directed not toward himself, but toward God alone.
In our daily lives, we also face moments where choices must be made, paths must be chosen, and actions must be taken. Acting without seeking God’s counsel often leads to confusion, regret, and spiritual dryness. Just as David depended on the Lord to guide his steps before others, we too must rely on God, knowing that our testimony and actions reflect who we serve.
The psalmist’s prayer reminds us that true guidance begins with humility. Recognizing our limitations and our need for God’s wisdom keeps us from trusting in our own understanding. When we surrender our plans to the Lord and ask Him to teach us His way, we open the door for His truth to shape our journey and for His peace to rule our hearts.
Therefore, let us learn from David’s example and make this prayer our own. Let us continually ask the Lord to teach us His way, to guide us in His truth, and to unite our hearts in reverence for Him. In doing so, we will walk securely, knowing that our steps are ordered by God and that our lives are firmly established in His will.