The Words of My Mouth — sacred illustration
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Guidance & Decisions

The Words of My Mouth

Psalm 19:14

Psalm 19:14 is the closing prayer of a psalm of David that praises God’s glory in the skies and in His Law, and ends by asking that David’s words and thoughts please the LORD.

Lord, before I speak to anyone today, I speak to You. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Guard what I say at home, at work and online. Cleanse me from my hidden faults, and keep me from willful sins. Let my words build others up, and let my thoughts stay with You. Amen.

Psalm 19:14 is the closing prayer of a psalm of David that praises God’s glory in the skies and in His Law, and ends by asking that David’s words and thoughts please the LORD.

The Scripture

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

— Psalm 19:14

Prayer points from Psalm 19:14

  1. Offer God your words for today before you say them (v. 14).
  2. Offer Him your thoughts, the meditation of your heart (v. 14).
  3. Ask Him to cleanse you from faults you can’t see in yourself (v. 12).
  4. Ask Him to keep you from willful sins, especially with your tongue (v. 13).
  5. Pray about one conversation today that you need help with.
  6. Thank Him that He is your Rock and your Redeemer (v. 14).

About this verse

Psalm 19 moves in three steps. First, “The heavens declare the glory of God,” and the skies speak day after day without a sound. Then David turns to God’s Law, which is perfect and revives the soul; it is “more precious than gold” and sweeter than honey. Last, the light turns on David himself: “Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.” Verse 14 is where he lands, a prayer that both what he says and what he thinks will please God, the One he calls “my Rock and my Redeemer.” Many preachers pray this verse before they preach. This prayer is for anyone who wants to start the day by guarding their words and thoughts, before work, a hard conversation, or anything they will say or write.

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