The Heart in the Psalms
The Hebrew words leb and lebab both mean "heart." But these words are difficult to translate. They rarely refer to the physical human heart. Instead, these terms usually refer to the center of a person's being. They represent a person's thoughts, reflections, will, and motives. The story of someone's heart shows their commitment and the direction of their life.
The psalms speak a lot about the heart. The hearts of evil people are clever and full of schemes (Psalm 58:2; 64:6; 140:2). They are deceptive, hypocritical, greedy, jealous, and lack honesty (10:3; 28:3; 41:6; 55:21; 62:4; 141:4). Over time, they become more arrogant, careless, and stubborn (14:1; 17:10; 73:7; 78:8; 81:12; 95:8, 10; 101:5; 119:70). Evil people are only loyal to themselves (78:37). Their harmful way of life leads to their own destruction (5:9).
Meanwhile, the writers of the psalms openly express their sorrow, trouble, suffering, and desperation (13:2; 22:14; 25:17; 38:8, 10; 40:12; 55:4; 61:2; 69:20; 73:21, 26; 109:22; 143:4; 147:3). Through their pain, their hearts grow. Their character becomes stronger, and their relationship with God deepens because of these painful experiences. They pray intensely (62:8; 119:145). They desire God (84:2). They trust in him (28:7). They invite God to examine their hearts or motives (7:9; 17:3; 26:2; 139:1–6, 23). Their commitment remains steady, and they have "a pure heart" (24:4; 51:10; 73:1, 13). They are content, even when humbled (131:1).
As God heals their broken hearts (their deep emotional pain, sorrow, or distress), they become strong and confident (34:17–18; 51:17; 27:3, 14; 31:24; 57:7; 108:1; 112:7–8; 138:3). They are full of life (22:26; 69:32). In the end, God satisfies them and fulfills what their hearts desire (20:4; 21:2; 37:4). This brings joy and praise to godly people (4:7; 9:1; 13:5; 16:7, 9; 19:8; 30:11–12; 33:21; 86:12; 89:50; 102:4; 105:3; 111:1; 119:7, 111; 138:1).
Passages for Further Study
Psalms 7:9; 9:1; 13:2; 14:1; 16:7–9; 17:3; 19:8; 20:4; 21:2; 22:14, 26; 24:4; 26:2; 27:3, 14; 28:3, 7; 33:21; 34:17–18; 37:4; 38:8, 10; 51:10, 17; 55:4, 21; 57:7; 58:2; 61:2; 62:4, 8–10; 64:6; 69:20; 73:1, 7, 13, 21, 26; 78:8, 37; 81:12; 84:2; 86:12; 89:50; 95:8, 10; 102:4; 108:1; 109:22; 111:1; 119:70, 111, 145; 131:1; 138:1; 139:1–24; 140:2; 147:3
Passages
Psalm 4:7 Psalm 5:9 Psalm 7:9 Psalm 9:1 Psalm 10:3 Psalm 13:2 Psalm 13:5 Psalm 14:1 Psalm 16:7 Psalm 16:7–9 Psalm 16:9 Psalm 17:3 Psalm 17:10 Psalm 19:8 Psalm 20:4 Psalm 21:2 Psalm 22:14 Psalm 22:26 Psalm 24:4 Psalm 25:17 Psalm 26:2 Psalm 27:3 Psalm 27:14 Psalm 28:3 Psalm 28:7 Psalm 30:11–12 Psalm 31:24 Psalm 33:21 Psalm 34:17–18 Psalm 37:4 Psalm 38:8 Psalm 38:10 Psalm 40:12 Psalm 41:6 Psalm 51:10 Psalm 51:17 Psalm 55:4 Psalm 55:21 Psalm 57:7 Psalm 58:2 Psalm 61:2 Psalm 62:4 Psalm 62:8 Psalm 62:8–10 Psalm 64:6 Psalm 69:20 Psalm 69:32 Psalm 73:1 Psalm 73:7 Psalm 73:13 Psalm 73:21 Psalm 73:26 Psalm 78:8 Psalm 78:37 Psalm 81:12 Psalm 84:2 Psalm 86:12 Psalm 89:50 Psalm 95:8 Psalm 95:10 Psalm 101:5 Psalm 102:4 Psalm 105:3 Psalm 108:1 Psalm 109:22 Psalm 111:1 Psalm 112:7–8 Psalm 119:7 Psalm 119:70 Psalm 119:111 Psalm 119:145 Psalm 131:1 Psalm 138:1 Psalm 138:3 Psalm 139:1–6 Psalm 139:1–24 Psalm 139:23 Psalm 140:2 Psalm 141:4 Psalm 143:4 Psalm 147:3