The Meditation of My Heart
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3 (NKJV)
Today we will use Psalm 19, a psalm of David, to proclaim and pray. Psalm 19 begins with praises to our Creator God, who made the heavens and the earth. Whose glory and handiwork are seen in His creation. His creation is His divine, inaudible speech, His revelation that gives knowledge and understanding to mankind. His glory in creation displays His all-encompassing wisdom and almighty power. His omniscience and omnipotence compel us to honour and worship Him (Psalm 19:1-6).
The psalmist then goes on to talk about divine revelation through Yahweh’s perfect law that restores and refreshes the soul, gives wisdom to the simple, brings joy to the heart and insight for living.
Psalm 19:7-9 (NLT)
The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Psalm 19:7-9 (NLT)
Proclaim & Pray: Lord, Your instructions are perfect. May my soul be revived through them. Your decrees are trustworthy. May I receive divine wisdom. Your commandments are right. May they bring joy to my heart. Your commandments are clear. May they give me insight for living.
Psalm 19:10 (NLT)
They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.
He says the Word of the Lord is sweeter than honey. It is something we should desire more than gold. For those who obey God’s revealed Word, great reward is promised (Psalm 19:11) – salvation, forgiveness, cleansing, freedom, healing.
God’s revelation through creation and His Word is a cause for reflection. The psalmist reflects on the state of his soul. He looks at the state of his heart and asks Yahweh to protect Him from deliberate sin. Not to allow sin to rule over him.
The psalm begins with God revealing Himself to mankind: His omniscience and omnipotence in creation and His Word. God has spoken, and the psalmist responds. He responds with a request. He asks God to help him be mindful of his thoughts. To guard his mouth so that his words and thoughts will please His Rock and Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NLT)
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
This response should be our response to God’s revelation of who He is through creation and His Word: a desire to please Him in everything we say, think and do.
Proclaim & Pray: Set a guard over my mouth, Lord. Keep watch over the door of my lips. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to You, my Rock and my Redeemer.
O Lord, keep our hearts, keep our eyes, keep our feet, and keep our tongues. William Tiptaft
