“O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips! Do not let my heart incline to any evil, to busy myself with wicked deeds in company with men who work iniquity, and let me not eat of their delicacies! Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it. Yet my prayer is continually against their evil deeds.” (v1-5)
This psalm has a similar theme to one we read a few days ago – David is pleading for help to not be misled and influenced by those who commit evil acts. The theme is rounded out with David asking for God to guard his lips (keep him from sinning with his mouth) and to send righteous people to correct him if/when he sins (which God did through the prophet Nathan).
This could be my prayer as well each and every day – asking God to keep me from following those I shouldn’t, keep me from hurting people/God with my words, and correct me when I sin. These requests are just as valid for us today, as they were for David 3000 years ago.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t take any effort whatsoever to follow a bad influence, hurt someone with our words, and sin against God – this are our default behaviors in the flesh. Paul says: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” (Gal 5:19-21)
As absolutely bleak as that sounds, Paul also gives us absolute hope: “And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air… we all once lived in the passions of our flesh… But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ… For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:1-10 abr)
Now, how do we resist the “delicacies” of this world and keep the “door to our lips” locked? By the grace of God, and by His grace alone. Paul is clear that we are lost without God, and being saved from sin is not by our own doing. Praise be to Jesus, the one who redeems and saves us from our sin, and cleanses us from all unrighteousness, so that we may continue in God’s works, not the works of this world.
Father, most gracious and loving God, we humbly ask for Your favor upon us today. We confess our sin and brokenness, for we were born into a corrupt flesh. Father please forgive us through Your son Jesus’ redeeming act, and please cleanse us of all unrighteousness. Spirit please be our guard and our guide, keeping our hearts and mouths from sinning against our Father. Please correct us when we sin, so that we may be drawn back into a right relationship with You. To You be all honor, glory and praise, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training