The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. ~ Psalm 19:7-14
The last verse of this Psalm is one you may be familiar with. Many of the pastors I know say this before they preach. And, a little insight into me: I pray this silently to God before every sermon I preach.
For the Psalmist, the words of God in the law are perfect, and so it should indeed be intimidating to consider putting God's words in our own mouths.
It's intimidating even to put them on the page of a blog.
Getting God's words wrong is something that scares me every time I teach, write, or preach. I need to take it very seriously.
It seems so important these days when God's words or God's law is thrown around so easily. How simple is it to slip into condemnation and use God's word to do it. I think in particular of a certain church that protested at funerals with signs that said, "God hates f*gs" and "You're going to hell."
God's law - God's Word - is sweeter than honey, the Psalmist tells us. It is perfect. And we are reminded to be very, very careful how we use it.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen
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