Keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. (Verses 1-3)

The apple of the eye is also known as the pupil or center of the eye. When we look at the back of the eye, the center of the retina maintains a ratio of sight receptors (rods and cones) for increased acuity for the center of vision and decreased acuity for peripheral vision (this is why we can see movement in our side vision, but not necessarily have well defined details). The apple of the eye is to be the center and focus of the vision. It is our goal, our aim, and the fine detail of attention.

Also, if we think about our body’s adaptation to protect the eyes, we see that our whole body is tuned to protect the pupil from harm. Our eyelids reflexively close to protect the pupil when something comes too quickly towards our face. Our tear ducts bathe the eye in fluid to cleanse the eye and decrease irritation. Our nerves measure and gauge the pressure in the eye.

If wisdom is to be the center of our attention, the apple of our eye, we should use as much care to protect wisdom’s teachings as our body’s care to protect our eyes.

May we focus on these teachings, and may we be careful to follow/apply them in our lives. And may we be reminded to do so every time we blink as something flies towards our face and as we tear up with seasonal allergies or cutting onions.