The verse in Psalm 37:4 invites us to deeply reflect on our relationship with the Lord and how our goals and desires align with His will: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” But what does it mean to delight in the Lord? Does it simply imply having faith in Him, or does it call us to live in a way that transforms our desires to match His? Within the context of the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this scripture takes on a profound meaning, pointing to the power of obedience, righteousness, and active faith in our Heavenly Father.
Delighting in the Lord: A Restored Perspective
The concept of "delighting in the Lord" may sound poetic, but it has very practical applications in the life of Christ’s disciples. According to the teachings of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, delighting in the Lord is much more than a fleeting emotion; it is a way of life. In his talk, "The First Great Commandment," Elder Holland taught, “When we love the Lord with all our heart, we delight in His will and find joy in serving Him.” This principle ties into the idea that our actions should reflect our love for God and our willingness to follow His plan.
In Mosiah 2:41, we learn that service and obedience to the Lord lead to happiness: “Consider the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God…” This delight in the Lord is not theoretical; it is a joy that comes from obedience and personal sacrifice. As we live according to His will, our desires are transformed, and we begin to seek that which truly benefits our souls.
The Power of the Desires of the Heart
We often interpret Psalm 37:4 as a promise that the Lord will give us anything we ask for if we delight in Him. However, from the perspective of restored doctrine, this doesn’t mean that the Lord is a genie granting wishes. Instead, it means that our desires are refined as we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, as taught in Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
The idea of transforming our desires is a central teaching in the Book of Mormon. In Ether 12:27, Moroni reminds us that the Lord gives us weaknesses so that we can be humble and come unto Him. When we bring our weaknesses and desires to the altar of sacrifice, He transforms us, and our desires align with His divine will.
A key example of this in the scriptures is the young Alma, who initially sought to destroy the Lord’s work. After his conversion experience, as recounted in Alma 36, his desires completely changed. No longer seeking destruction, he dedicated his entire life to preaching the gospel and bringing souls to Christ. His heart was transformed as he delighted in the things of the Lord.
Conditional Promises: The Relationship Between Desire and Action
The restored gospel emphasizes that promised blessings are always conditional upon our obedience. In Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21, we learn that all blessings are predicated upon obedience to the laws on which they are based. This directly applies to Psalm 37:4. Delighting in the Lord is not a passive act; it is an active commitment to live according to gospel principles.
President Russell M. Nelson has repeatedly taught that blessings come when we do our part. In his talk "The Power of Salvation," he declared: “The Lord loves effort because effort brings blessings, and blessings bring miracles.” Therefore, if we want the desires of our hearts to be granted, we must be willing to act with faith and sacrifice.
A modern example of this conditional promise is the law of tithing. In Malachi 3:10, we are invited to prove the Lord by paying our tithes, with the promise that He will open the windows of heaven. Many members of the Church have experienced financial and spiritual miracles by obeying this sacred law. By delighting in the Lord through faithful tithe-paying, we see how He grants the desires of our hearts.
The Power of Faithful Prayer
Another key to understanding Psalm 37:4 is the connection between delighting in the Lord and prayer. The Savior taught in 3 Nephi 18:20: “And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.” The key here is the righteousness of our petitions. When we delight in the Lord, our prayers become less about selfish needs and more about God’s eternal purposes.
A moving example of this in Church history is the sacrifice of the Latter-day Saint pioneers. They prayed with faith as they faced unimaginable challenges crossing the plains to settle in the western United States. Although many of their immediate desires, like comfort or relief, were not granted right away, their hearts were purified, and their faith allowed them to receive eternal blessings, including the prosperity of Zion.
Faith and Delight in the Second Coming
One of the greatest desires of the hearts of the Saints is the hope for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. In Doctrine and Covenants 45:39, we are reminded to “be ready” for that glorious day. Delighting in the Lord means living with our eyes fixed on that event, preparing ourselves spiritually and helping others to do the same.
Elder D. Todd Christofferson taught that “when our lives are centered on Christ, not only are we happier, but we are also more prepared to face life’s challenges.” This is part of delighting in the Lord: trusting in His plan and remaining steadfast in our hope for His return.
Personal Examples and Applications
In my own life, I have seen how Psalm 37:4 is fulfilled when I seek the Lord first. As a husband and father, I often pray for my family, desiring the best for them. However, I’ve learned that true blessings come when I seek to understand and follow the Lord’s will rather than insisting on my own desires. For example, when I faced challenges at work, I found peace by focusing on spiritual things and trusting that the Lord had a plan for me.
In Evanston, Wyoming, where I live, I’ve met many people whose lives are a testament to the power of delighting in the Lord. From faithful members of my ward to friends who face trials with faith, I’ve learned that this principle is universal: when we prioritize God in our lives, He transforms our desires and grants us what we truly need.
Conclusion: Delight and Trust
Psalm 37:4 is not just a reminder that God grants blessings; it is an invitation to transform our lives through obedience, faith, and service. When we delight in the Lord, our desires align with His, and we begin to see His hand in everything we do. As stated in Doctrine and Covenants 59:23: “But learn that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.”
May we delight in the Lord not just with our words but with our daily actions. As we do, we will find that He not only grants the desires of our hearts but also transforms us so that those desires reflect His divine will.
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