Let the Words of My Mouth: Living with a Heart Aligned to God - Psalm 19:14
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."
Introduction:
Today, we are going to dive into a powerful verse found in the Psalms—a verse that speaks to the deepest parts of our spiritual walk with God. Psalm 19:14 (NLT) says, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
This verse is often used in prayers, and rightly so. It’s a heartfelt cry for God to take hold of not just our actions, but our speech, our thoughts, and our desires. It’s a prayer of surrender, seeking God’s approval and guidance. As we break this verse down, I believe God will challenge and encourage us to examine our own hearts and our lives, to see if they align with His will.
Point 1: The Power of Our Words
"May the words of my mouth..."
The psalmist, King David, understood that our words carry weight. What we say can either build up or tear down. In Proverbs 18:21 (NLT), it says, “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Our words have the power to either speak life into others or bring harm.
In Hebrew, the word for "words" in this Psalm is "???????" (imrei), which refers to spoken expressions. This includes everything we say—our conversations, our prayers, even our complaints. David is acknowledging that every word that comes from his mouth should be examined and submitted to God.
The truth is, we live in a time when words are thrown around carelessly—both in person and online. But as followers of Christ, we must ask ourselves, "Are the words I speak, and even the words I write or post, pleasing to God?" Do they reflect His love, His truth, His grace? James 3:9-10 (NLT) reminds us: “Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!”
Words are like seeds. Once they are planted, they grow into something—either something good or something harmful. Have you ever had someone say something to you that lifted your spirit? Maybe it was a word of encouragement or affirmation. On the other hand, have you ever had someone say something that crushed your spirit? Words have the power to shape lives, and we need to take that responsibility seriously.
Christian author Paul David Tripp once said, “Our words reveal our hearts. The way we talk reflects what we desire, what we value, what we want to get out of life.”
Point 2: The Meditation of Our Heart
"...and the meditation of my heart..."
David not only asks God to guide his words but also the meditation of his heart. The heart in the Bible is often a metaphor for our inner being—the seat of our emotions, desires, and thoughts. Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) says, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
The Hebrew word for "meditation" here is "????????" (hegayon), which means thoughts, musings, or contemplations. It refers to what occupies our mind when we’re not speaking. David is asking that even his inner thoughts, the things nobody else sees, be pleasing to God.
It’s easy to focus on our outward behaviour while ignoring our inner life. But God is just as concerned about our thoughts as He is about our actions. Philippians 4:8 (NLT) instructs us: “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”
Our thoughts shape our character. If we are constantly meditating on negative, impure, or sinful things, it will eventually show in our lives. But if we fill our minds with God’s truth, His Word, and His promises, it will transform our lives.
Think of your mind as a garden. If you plant seeds of anger, bitterness, or lust, you’ll reap a harvest of sin. But if you plant seeds of love, grace, and truth, you’ll see the fruit of the Spirit growing in your life.
Rick Warren reminds us, “Whatever you think about the most is what you are becoming.” What are you meditating on? What occupies your mind during the day? Ask yourself, "Are my thoughts aligned with God’s will?"
Point 3: Pleasing God in All Things
"...be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."
David’s ultimate goal in this verse is to please God. He acknowledges that God is both his rock and his redeemer. The Hebrew word for "rock" here is "????" (tsur), symbolising strength, stability, and security. A "redeemer" is someone who buys back, who rescues, and restores.
David’s use of "rock" and "redeemer" reflects his deep relationship with God. God is the unshakable foundation of his life, and the One who has rescued him from sin and death. David’s desire is to live a life that is pleasing to the God who saved him.
If we truly grasp that God is our rock—our unshakable foundation—and our redeemer—the one who paid the price for our salvation—then our response should be a life lived to please Him. The decisions we make, the words we speak, the thoughts we think—they should all reflect our desire to honour God.
Romans 12:1 (NLT) says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” A life that pleases God is one that is offered to Him in full surrender.
Think of a child who looks up to their parent. They want to make them proud, not out of fear, but out of love and gratitude. In the same way, we should live in a way that pleases our Heavenly Father, out of love for Him and gratitude for all He has done for us.
John Piper once said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” When our satisfaction, our trust, and our hope are in God alone, our lives will naturally reflect His glory.
Conclusion: A Life Aligned with God’s Will
So, what does it mean to live a life where the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts are pleasing to God?
It means guarding our words—recognising the power they hold and using them to build others up and glorify God.
It means guarding our thoughts—being intentional about what we allow to dwell in our minds, fixing our thoughts on what is true, pure, and lovely.
It means living in a way that pleases God—acknowledging that He is our rock and our redeemer, and living in full surrender to His will.
Call to Action:
Today, I challenge you to examine your heart and your mind. Are your words and thoughts pleasing to God? What changes do you need to make to align your life with His will? Let’s commit to guarding our hearts and minds, living in a way that honours our rock and redeemer.
Invitation to Faith:
If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, today is the day to make that decision. God desires to be your rock, your foundation, and your redeemer. Will you surrender your life to Him today and allow Him to transform your heart and mind? If so, come and speak with us after the service. Jesus is waiting with open arms.
Communion Reflection:
As we come to the Lord's Table, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made to redeem us and align our hearts with the will of God. The bread and the cup are tangible symbols of Christ's body broken and His blood shed for us.
When we think about Psalm 19:14, it calls us to live in such a way that our words and the meditations of our hearts are pleasing to God. But we know, in our own strength, we cannot fully achieve this. That is why Communion is so significant—it reminds us of the grace available to us through Jesus Christ. It reminds us that our Redeemer has made a way for our hearts and our lives to be aligned with God’s will.
As we partake of the bread, let us remember His body given for us.
As we drink from the cup, let us remember His blood poured out to cleanse us, to forgive us, and to make us whole.
Take a moment to reflect on your own heart. Are there words or meditations that need to be surrendered to God? Is there an area of your life where you are seeking your own way instead of following His will?
Let us take this time to confess, to reflect, and to surrender. And as we eat and drink together, may we remember that in Christ, we are not only forgiven, but empowered to live lives that honour Him.
