For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech, And night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their voice has gone out through all the eretz, Their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, Like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heavens, His circuit to its ends; There is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The LORD's law is perfect, restoring the soul. The LORD's testimony is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The LORD's precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. The LORD's mitzvah is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The LORD's ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright, I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my rock, and my redeemer. - Psalms 19:1-14 HNV
Perhaps you are familiar with the saying, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” Admittedly, there are ways to speak of people that can honor them. But this saying highlights our darker experiences. In a world of ever-present media—social and professional—we are continually confronted with people’s lives at a level of intimacy that can be inappropriate.
Worse, this tidal wave of personal information about others could become grist for our conversational mills to the point that gossip becomes the norm—and not just about the rich and famous. People in our workplaces, churches, neighborhoods, and families can also be targets of sharp tongues and feel the pain of discussions that never should have happened.
How can we escape our inclination to use words to hurt others? By recognizing that the ultimate Hearer of our words is God, who longs for us to be better than that. With the psalmist, we can pray, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord” (Ps. 19:14). When we seek to please God with our conversations about others, we honor Him. With His help, we can glorify Him through what we talk about.
Forgive me, Father, for the times my speech
crosses the line of that which is appropriate.
Help me to understand the power of words,
and give me the wisdom to use them well.
It is better to bite your tongue than to make a biting remark.
