Psalm 19:1-14 “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”

Text Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight.”

Within this psalm, David identifies two things that greatly impacted his life with respect to his relationship to God. In verses 1-6, he identifies the creation of God. As a lad tending his father’s sheep, he was privileged to be tutored by the creative acts of God! An old writer once said, “For those who have eyes to see, the world is aflame with burning bushes.” In verses 7-13, he identifies the commandments of God. Within the psalm, he speaks of their converting effect, comforting effect, cautioning effect, cleansing effect, and controlling effect. Having spoken of the impact of creation and the commandments; David closes with his ultimate desire, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight.” The word “acceptable” means the showing of delight, and comes from a word that means to be pleased with, specifically to satisfy a debt. David felt like he owed it to God to live a life that was satisfying unto the Lord and he magnified two aspects of that life; “words of his mouth” and “meditations of his heart.”  While attention should be given to both; the cultivation of one will guarantee the fruit of the other! The word “meditation” means a murmuring sound or a musical notation and comes from a word that means to ponder. In a confrontation with the Pharisees, Jesus said, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). That which proceeds from the lips was first pondered in the heart! If you want to clean up your mouth begin by cleaning up your heart! Whether it’s the message or the meditation, “It’s a matter of the heart!”