Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 119:37

"Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, And quicken me in thy ways." — Psalms 119:37 (ASV)

Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity—Vain things; wicked things; things which would be likely to lead me astray from what is real and true. Compare Isaiah 33:15; Job 31:1. The margin here, as in Hebrew, is “make to pass.” Make my eyes pass rapidly from such objects, so that I may not look at them, may not contemplate them, may not dwell upon them.

There is danger in looking at sin steadily, in surveying its features, in returning to contemplate it. An ugly object loses much of its deformity when we look often at it; and this is a benevolent law, lest we should be miserable when we are obliged to look at it. Sin follows this general law, and is to be avoided altogether, even in its contemplation, if we are to be safe.

A man should be thankful in this world that he has eyelids; and as he can close his eyes, so he should often do it.

And quicken me in your way—Endow me with life, energy, vigor, so that I may walk in your way.