Question: Isn't it true that some recent writers have elevated the role of personal desires in decision making based on Psalm 37:4? (Chapter 17)

Answer: Yes. Psalm 37:4 reads: "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart." The line of thought is that as the believer grows in his delight of the LORD, God will transform that person's desires so that they conform to His. Bruce Waltke writes: "When God is in control of your life, He is also in control of your desires. The things you long for in your heart will be put there by the Holy Spirit." John MacArthur says that if you are Spirit-filled, "Do whatever you want! . . . God does not say He will fulfill all the desires that are there. He says He will put the desires there! If you are living a godly life, He will give you the right desires, His desires."

For the traditionalist, the equation of personal desires with God's desires becomes a means for determining His individual will. The writer reflecting the Wisdom view is agreeing with Augustine: "Love God and do what you please."

But this appears to be another exercise in inferring conclusions that go beyond the statement of the text. The passage does not say anything about God giving desires to anyone. In the context, the believer is disturbed because the wicked are prospering and the righteous are being victimized (Psalm 37:1,7). So he pleads his case to God in prayer. In response, God assures him that the godly will receive the land as an inheritance (37:11). Their prayers will be answered and the wicked will fail. In this setting, the promise of verse 4 points to the expectation of answered prayer. Allen Ross summarizes the meaning: "Rather one should trust in the LORD who can answer prayers of the heart (vv. 3-4)". Delitszsch shows a parallel example where delight in the Lord is connected with God hearing prayer (Job 20:26-27). He says that delight in God means desiring the right things which God will not "refuse." The desires in question, then, are those of the believer who appeals to God in prayer - not desires transplanted by God.

In heaven our desires will be perfect. But until then we will need to judge our desires by the Word of God. But when our desires are in harmony with all of God's moral will, they can be followed with confidence. This is not a novel way of finding God's individual will, but simply loving God and thus being able to do what we please. This is the Way of Wisdom.