God's work revealed in the Psalmist's heart

The Contrite Heart

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Psalm 19 has first shown us how God is displayed in creation. (vv 1-6)

Then we have seen Him revealed in Scripture. (vv 7-11)

Now, the final verses of Psalm 19 reveal the heart of the contrite believer.

Psalm 19:12-14

¹² But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.
¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins;
    may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
    innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

The Holy Spirit uses Scripture to serve as a magnifying glass for the sin in our lives. Sometimes we intentionally do what we should not. Other times we don’t do what we should. Sometimes we come to a crossroads in our lives and we rationalize, using the lenses of sinful humanity, why we should take a certain path instead of faithfully following the path God has intended us to take. And sometimes we get caught off guard and slip into sin quite unintentionally. Regardless of how we get there, all have sinned and fall short of the expectations of the Lord. (Romans 3:23) What we do with this sin is of extreme importance.

When Nathan came to David and pointed out his sin to him, he could have done any number of things in response. But he recognized what the Holy Spirit was telling him through the prophet, admitted the truth about his sin, and faced the consequences to be delivered by his Heavenly Father. As is reflected in Psalm 19, we must search our souls for the sin that separates us from the Lord and deal with them before the throne.

How wonderful it is that once we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9) The result: peace.

LORD, May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.