Psalm 19:14

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

-Psalm 19:14 ESV-

Let’s look at the context of the verse first and answer a few key questions.

Who wrote it? David 

When was it written? It is unknown as to when David wrote this psalm.

To whom was it written? We are unsure if it was written to any human audience or if it was a written word of meditation to God.

For what purpose?  To praise God’s glory in creation and his law

Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

In this verse, the psalmist, David, is offering his words and the posture of his heart to God as a sacrifice and is asking God to find it acceptable. In the MacArthur commentary, John explains that the term “Be acceptable” is ‘often associated with God’s acceptance of properly offered, literal sacrifices. David asks for grace and enablement as he lays his “lip-and-life” sacrifices on the “altar”.’1

While reading through my study bible, the question was posed, “Would you change the way you live if you knew that every word and thought would be examined by God?”2

How would your day change if you began it by asking God to find your words and heart a pleasing offering? Would you be slower to anger and quicker to forgive? Would you go out of your way to speak kindly to and about others? Do you think the more your words changed, the more your heart would be affected? I have always believed that our words are an overflow of what is in our hearts.

Matthew 12:34 says, “You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” The word abundance here could also read overflow. Out of the overflow of our hearts, the mouth speaks. If our words are coming out harsh and impulsive, and we ask God to help us, He will. The change He wants is a heart change, and that’s where the work of grace begins. 

Have you been struggling with your attitude about a situation or relationship you are in? I would challenge you to invite God into that situation or relationship and ask Him to help you change the words that you speak (to yourself and others) about that area of your life. See how quickly He begins to work in your heart, creating a heart of gratitude and appreciation for where He has placed you through His infinite grace. There is never an ounce of our pain that is wasted. He has brought you to this situation and wants you to learn from it and grow more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

Cross references: Ps. 104:34, Ps. 78:35, Ps. 18:2, Is. 47:4, Luke 6:45, Matt. 12:34, Joshua 1:8,

1 The MacArthur Bible Commentary, Copyright 2005 by John MacArthur

2 Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.