Psalm 141 — Guarding Our Mouths — Aneel Aranha
I call to you, LORD, come quickly to me;
hear me when I call to you.
May my prayer be set before you like incense;
may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.
Set a guard over my mouth, LORD;
keep watch over the door of my lips.
Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil
so that I take part in wicked deeds
along with those who are evildoers;
do not let me eat their delicacies.
Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness;
let him rebuke me —that is oil on my head.
My head will not refuse it,
for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.
Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,
and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.
They will say, “As one plows and breaks up the earth,
so our bones have been scattered at the mouth of the grave.”
But my eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign LORD;
in you I take refuge —do not give me over to death.
Keep me safe from the traps set by evildoers,
from the snares they have laid for me.
Let the wicked fall into their own nets,
while I pass by in safety.
David pleads, "Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips." It is a sentiment that feels so deeply human, doesn't it? It's a recognition of our habit of speaking without thinking, letting our emotions dictate our words, and sometimes (often?) regretting what we've said.
David, a king, a warrior, and a poet, understood the weight and power of words. He wasn't just concerned about casual conversation; he was deeply aware that his words could shape destinies, influence the masses, and alter the course of history.
Why would such a powerful figure ask for a guard over his mouth? Because David knew that unchecked words could lead to unnecessary conflicts, misunderstandings, and even wars. He was seeking divine intervention to help him exercise restraint and wisdom in his speech.
The apostle James dedicates a significant portion of his letter to the power and potential danger of the tongue. He writes, "Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless" (James 1:26).
Later, he adds, "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness" (James 3:9). James, like David, emphasizes the dual nature of our speech: it can be used for great good or great harm.
Both David and James urge us to be mindful of our words, to recognize their power, and to seek divine guidance in controlling them. In an age of social media, where our words can be broadcasted globally in an instant, this ancient wisdom feels incredibly relevant. They were both wise men; let us heed their advice.
God bless you.
