The psalmist longs to praise God. His lips will pour forth praise. The image is abundant and overflowing. Instruction from the Lord does not end in information. It ends in adoration. He praises God for teaching him. The ability to know and understand the word is itself a gift of grace. When God grants insight into his statutes, he opens the mind and warms the heart. Right knowledge rightly received produces worship. Matthew Henry writes, “All that are taught of God are taught this lesson; when God opens the understanding, opens the heart, and so opens the lips, it is that the mouth may show forth his praise. We have learned nothing to purpose if we have not learned to praise God.” Spurgeon adds, “The best possible praise is that which proceeds from men who honour God, not only with their lips, but in their lives. We learn the music of heaven in the school of holy living. He whose life honours the Lord is sure to be a man of praise.” So the psalmist’s lips overflow because his life is being changed by God’s word. When the Lord teaches us, praise should follow. Knowledge that does not lead to worship has not yet reached the heart.
