…To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil (from verse 1).

God doesn’t want all our empty promises or token acts of supposed righteousness. Giving a tithe isn’t buying you any favors with God if your heart is in sin.

God wants the heart, not the sacrifice. God wants a heart devoted to Him not a sacrifice devoted to Him.

He wants us to draw near. He chose us to draw near. We choose to draw near. Jesus said, “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself” (John 12:32). So, all people are drawn, all people have opportunity for salvation through Jesus being lifted up on the cross.

Then we have verses like this from Psalm 65. “Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts!”

In that verse, David acknowledges God’s choice of him and God Himself bringing David to dwell in His presence.

It’s in that presence that there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11).

…God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart (from verse 20).

Joy sounds like a good way to keep yourself occupied. I want my heart and mind so fully occupied with the joy of knowing the Lord is with me that nothing else gets to invade the space.

Draw near to God. Experience the joy. Make your requests if you have them, but here’s Solomon’s wisdom on that.

…nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few (from verse 2).

Thrill in His presence. Let Him be enough.