Psalm 119:131

Psalm 119:131 “I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commands.”
 

“I open my mouth and pant,” is a metaphor taken from an animal exhausted in the chase. It runs, open-mouthed to take in the cooling air, its heart beating rapidly, its muscular force nearly expended through fatigue. Nothing could demonstrate its earnestness in a stronger way. David sought the things of God with the same intensity one would use to run from a ferocious beast.
 

David was a shepherd. He had much experience concerning the habits of animals. He most likely witnessed the attack of savage wolves on his flock. He probably observed the graceful deer in need of water. He most likely monitored the hungry hawk as he scanned the earth in a relentless search for food. 

In all of these instances, he learned of the determination which drove them toward their goal. He likens these things to his own pursuit of God. He panted after the things of God as an animal in desperate need. He knew his very life was contained in the law of God. 

There was another time that David talked about panting. In Psalm 42:1-2 we read, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Have you ever prayed, “Lord, make me hungry and thirsty for You – just You?”David had a longing in his heart that puts us to shame. His heart cried, “When can I go and meet with God?” Too often our hearts cry, “When will the prayer meeting be over?” 

Martha Wing Robinson once said, “Take all the time you have, all the thought you have, all the energy you have to spare, and follow on to know Jesus, Jesus!” David’s cry in this verse was, “I have completely expended myself in pursuit of my God.”   
 

I encourage you to take some time to meditate on this verse; as you do, ask yourself if you seek God with a true sense of desperation.   

Continued