Do you love God? If your answer is yes—and assuming that your answer is true—then you can connect that truth to God’s Word since the Word of God is a reflection of God himself.

How can I grow to love God’s Word more than I currently do?

One night recently, I had trouble falling asleep. So I got up and spent three hours in Psalm 119. I addressed a single question to this amazing psalm: What can I do to increase my love for God’s Word?

Why Psalm 119? This longest psalm (and longest chapter!) in the Bible is chock full of statements of love for God’s Word. Here are a few:

Verse 24: “Your testimonies are my delight”

Verse 48: “I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love”

Verse 92: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.”

Verse 97 “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”

Verse 103: “How sweet are your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

Verse 119: “I love your testimonies.”

Verse 159: “I love your precepts!”

Verse 167: “My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.”

These are wonderful words! But they also highlight a tension many of us feel. We don’t always feel love for God’s Word. Many of us read it out of duty (which is fine on its own)—and even benefit from our reading—but would really love to increase our love for God’s Word.

So what can we do to grow in loving God’s Word more than we currently do?

Ten Ways to Increase Your Love for God’s Word from Psalm 119

1. Regularly praise God for giving you his Word.

“Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.” (164)

“My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.” (171)

Praise, like thankfulness, has a tendency to soften one’s heart toward the person or thing being praised.

2. Pray that God will teach you as you read.

“Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.” (18)

“Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.” (135)

“give me understanding according to your Word!” (169b)

(More: 12, 26, 34, 64, 124, 125)

Start your Bible reading with prayer. Pray on-and-off as you read. Even allow the text of what you are reading to guide you into prayer. Intersecting Bible reading with prayer can soften your heart to the Bible.

3. Consciously engage your affections.

“With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!” (10; cf. 145)

“I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.” (131)

“I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.” (174; cf. 145)

(More: 145)

If you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit is already moving your heart toward love for His Word. Engage your emotions in dependence on the Spirit.

4. Think about the benefits of God’s Word in your life. Consider ways God has changed you through his Word.

“Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.” (98)

“Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.” (104)

“Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.” (140)

“Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.” (165)

(More: 72, 103, 111)

These verses focus on character qualities like wisdom, understanding, consistency, and peace that come about through spending time in God’s Word. There are many other benefits besides these. Repeatedly think about them.

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