WORDS

Today’s OYB reading was a collection of Psalms by David, and the verses that stood out to me, that caught my attention, were on the topic of words, and what it is that we speak or say. Note: other words that refer to what we say would be tongue, lips, mouth.

12:4, Who have said, “With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?”
12:6, The words of the Lord are pure words…
15:1-3, …Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who … speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue… Nor takes up a reproach against his friend…
17:10, They have closed their unfeeling heart, With their mouth they speak proudly.
19:14, Let the words of my mouth… Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord…

A few thoughts. From 15:2 we could conclude that right/true words start with truth in our hearts—that says to me that we need to guard what we think. What we are thinking will come out in our words. Similarly, 17:10 talks about an unfeeling heart, so then “with their mouth they speak proudly.” Not exactly pretty. 12:6 says, “The words of the Lord are pure words…”

Our speech, our words, our comments, in public and in private, are important and noticed; may they be acceptable and pleasing to the Lord!