Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wondrous things from your instruction. (Psalm 119:18 CSB)

The writer to the Hebrews described God’s word as living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (4:12). Paul instructed Timothy: All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). That word inspired there does not mean inspirational. It is a compound Greek word actually invented by the Apostle Paul: God-breathed. The Bible was written by men as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. It is divine: the word of God to men and women, to boys and girls.

God’s word thus has the power, through the work of the Spirit, to bring one to the point of conviction of sin, profession of faith in God, and confession of the truth and power of God. It gets down inside us and shines light on our darkness, piercing our hearts that we may turn away from sin and turn to God. And this word tells us that as we confess our sin he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from unrighteousness (see 1 John 1:9). God’s word teaches us the way of salvation and how to live as one thus saved. It tells us what we ought not do and what we ought to do. It shows us our errors and how to recalibrate our lives. It trains us in righteousness, that is, in the ancient path—the good way—where we find rest for our souls (see Jeremiah 6:16 and Matthew 7:13-14; 11:28-30).

The ESV translate today’s verse, Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. This is a prayer to God that as we read and encounter the Bible, and the God of the Bible, our spiritual eyes would be opened, our hearts would be filled, our minds would be sharpened, and our souls would be strengthened. It is a prayer to experience the joy of our salvation. Pray this prayer with the psalmist. Read God’s word. Meditate on the Scriptures—the Holy Bible. God will answer this prayer. And you and I will be changed and made for fit for God’s purposes for us.