The term "desirest" is an archaic form of the verb "desire," often found in older English translations of the Bible. It is used to express a strong wish or longing for something. In the context of Scripture, desire can pertain to both righteous and unrighteous longings, depending on the object and motivation behind the desire.

Biblical Usage:

1. Righteous Desires:
· In the Bible, desires that align with God's will and purposes are considered righteous. For instance, the desire for wisdom, understanding, and a closer relationship with God is encouraged. Psalm 37:4 states, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." This verse suggests that when one's desires are in harmony with God's will, they are fulfilled by Him.

2. Unrighteous Desires:
· Conversely, desires that lead one away from God or towards sin are condemned. James 1:14-15 warns, "But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." This passage highlights the progression from desire to sin, emphasizing the need for vigilance over one's heart and mind.

3. Desire in Prayer:
· The Bible encourages believers to bring their desires before God in prayer. Philippians 4:6 instructs, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." This reflects the understanding that God is attentive to the desires of His people and that prayer is a means of aligning one's desires with His will.

4. Desire for God:
· A central theme in Scripture is the desire for God Himself. Psalm 42:1-2 expresses this longing: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God." This imagery conveys a deep, intrinsic yearning for communion with the Creator, which is the ultimate fulfillment of human desire.

5. Desire and Contentment:
· The Bible also teaches contentment as a counterbalance to worldly desires. 1 Timothy 6:6-8 states, "Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and neither can we carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these." This passage underscores the importance of finding satisfaction in God's provision rather than in the accumulation of material possessions.

Theological Implications:

The concept of desire in the Bible is closely linked to the condition of the heart. Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This suggests that the desires of the heart are pivotal in shaping one's actions and spiritual life. The Bible calls believers to cultivate desires that reflect God's character and purposes, leading to a life that honors Him.

In summary, "desirest" in the biblical context encompasses a range of human longings, from the pursuit of godly virtues to the temptation of sinful inclinations. The Scriptures provide guidance on discerning and directing one's desires towards that which is pleasing to God, ultimately finding fulfillment in Him.

If Great Wonders Thou Desirest
... No. 100 If great wonders thou desirest. SAINTS, St. Anthony of Padua If
great wonders thou desirest (Si quaeris). Translated by ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 100 if great wonders.htm

On St Barbara's Day, or that of any Other Holy virgin
... Verily, if thou desirest to have the Creator of all creatures, thou must renounce
all creatures; for it cannot be otherwise, but only insomuch as thy soul is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon ii on st barbaras.htm

Preface. And as to Christ Thy Lord
... Desirest thou to know Jesus Christ the Lord of life, either according to his eternal
subsistence in the infinite understanding of the Father, as God, or as to ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/preface and as to christ.htm

Security of Christians.
... Thou desirest to be rid of thy present trouble; the Lord shall rid thee out
of trouble. Thou desirest to be delivered from temptation ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xvi security of christians.htm

Argument. --That Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Truly Man, as ...
... Why comest thou to another man's servant, and desirest thou to solicit another
man's son? Why dost thou strive to take me away from the Lord? ...
/.../chapter x argument that jesus christ.htm

To Him who Wishes for Martyrdom.
... LXII."To Him Who Wishes for Martyrdom. Since, O son, thou desirest martyrdom, hear. ...
Thou indeed desirest that which is a matter suited for the blessed. ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/lxii to him who wishes for.htm

Concerning Heretics: and Faith in the Trinity
... Stand therefore in thy degree, and desire not high things. For if thou desirest
to know what God is, thou desirest to be God; the which becomes thee not. ...
/.../rolle/the fire of love/chapter vi concerning heretics and.htm

Of the Intimate Love of Jesus
... of the spirit! How dry and hard art thou without Jesus! How senseless
and vain if thou desirest aught beyond Jesus! Is not this ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter viii of the intimate.htm

St. Ambrose, Addressing Christ, Complains of the Novatians, and ...
... 32. And Thou indeed, O Lord, desirest that all should be healed, but all do not
wish to be healed. Novatian wishes not, who thinks that he is whole. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii st ambrose addressing.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. vii. 7, "Ask, and it Shall be ...
... Thou hast gold and silver, and thou desirest more gold and silver. Thou both
hast, and desirest to have; thou art at once full, and thirsty. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xi on the words.htm

Desirest (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Desirest (6 Occurrences). Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus answering
said to her, O woman, thy faith is great. Be it to thee as thou desirest. ...
/d/desirest.htm - 8k

Desireth (26 Occurrences)

/d/desireth.htm - 14k

Delightest (4 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY JPS). Psalms 51:16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give
it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/d/delightest.htm - 7k

Acceptest (4 Occurrences)
... they rise not! (YLT). Psalms 51:16 For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give
'it', Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not. (YLT). Isaiah 2 ...
/a/acceptest.htm - 7k

Suffering (104 Occurrences)
... my Father! all things are possible for Thee: take this cup of suffering away from
me: and yet not what I desire, but what Thou desirest." (WEY). ...
/s/suffering.htm - 40k

Desires (151 Occurrences)

/d/desires.htm - 36k

Yet (1244 Occurrences)
... my Father! all things are possible for Thee: take this cup of suffering away from
me: and yet not what I desire, but what Thou desirest." (WEY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/y/yet.htm - 35k

Case (138 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 1 Kings 11:22 And Pharaoh said to him, What then dost thou lack with
me, that behold, thou desirest to go to thine own country? ...
/c/case.htm - 38k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus