Psalm 119:33-40

Psalm 119:33-40 
English Standard Version (ESV)

  When we talk about faith, we focus a lot on issues of the heart.  In many churches, we can go too far, making faith a purely emotional exercise.  In other churches, we lean too far the other way, making faith an intellectual exercise and forget to bring the emotions into faith. 
  Here in the Psalms, we're called to bring both the heart and brain into our faith.  We ask for understanding, that our minds might be led into obedience and understanding, and we ask that the teachings of faith might lead our hearts, might transform what we look at and how we act.  This mindful obedience leads our lives and teaches us to desire righteousness and a proper life.
  As a church, we need people who are on the emotional side of things, and we need the intellectuals as well -- we balance each other, and the body as a whole is richer for it.  We need to be in the middle, growing in knowledge and finding space for our hearts to be captivated by the love and wonder of God.  We incline our hearts to God, and we grow in understanding, and we learn how to become a whole person in the light of God's wonder and love.