Lord, set up a guard for my mouth;
keep watch at the door of my lips.
How many things do we simply destroy with our mouths? How many things have we spoken in anger or disgust or frustration or feigned concern that have led to the character assassination of another? With our lips we praise Father God and with our lips we speak ill of our brother. It is a crazy, evil irony that we would curse others with the same mouth that we bless God. The desire to speak poorly of others arises from some dark place in our heart and soul. It is a deep mystery that we would draw some satisfaction from speaking ill of those we know and love. This is what comes to my mind when I hear the Psalmist pleading with Lord God to guard his mouth and watch his lips. We bring so much hurt with our words and the writer knows this potential in himself as I️ know it so well in myself. He is not blind to this evil within and pleads for Father God’s help in controlling it. Being aware of this potential and seeking God’s help in controlling this evil is Biblical and good. By His power alone can we control our tongue. He alone can change the salt water of our soul into the sweet water of faith. All of our fresh springs are in Him.
Father God, put a guard on our mouths and watch over our words that we might be people who bless your servants and who cast no aspersion upon any of your children.
Ventanas 