King David, one of our great heroes in the Bible, had many enemies. He spent many years fleeing from them, and praying that God would deliver him from their evil plots. In our psalm today we see David not only beseeching God for safety and deliverance from his enemies, but he also prayed that he would not fall into their wicked ways, that he not become like them. Often when we have enemies attacking us, whether it’s in the workplace, people in the neighborhood, relatives causing problems, or like in David’s case, people out to actually harm us, it’s easy to stoop to their level. David did not want to descend to wicked and sinful ways in any attempt to get back at them. Here is his prayer that God would both protect him from danger and from sin.
As we look at this psalm together, one of the first things we read is David asking God that his prayers be like incense coming before Him (vs 2). God loves to hear our prayers. In Revelation 5:8, we read that our prayers are like bowls of incense, rising up before Him as a scented aroma. Jesus wants us to talk with Him and to pray constantly (I Thessalonians 5:17). We can pray about everything in our lives (Philippians 4:6). Jesus cares about everything in our lives, whether they are large concerns or small ones. He wants us to bring everything before God in prayer. Jesus treasures our prayers. They are precious to Him.
The next thing that King David prays is that God would set a guard before his mouth, for him to watch what he speaks (vs 3). David entreats God to keep him from speaking evil. It is so easy to lash out with strong and angry words when someone comes against us, words that are a poor testimony, and ones we often later regret. When Jesus was being attacked by the Jewish religious leaders He kept silent before these accusers (Matthew 26:63), which is a good example to follow. The tongue is small but powerful (James 3:5-6). Not only should we watch out against speaking angry words, we also need to be careful against lies. The more in-tune we are with God, the more truth we will speak. If we are only speaking truth, there is no room for lies. This verse is a good prayer to start each day with, and also when an argument threatens to erupt. We need to ask God to guide what we say so that our words bring honor to His Name.
In addition to watching over our mouth, we also need to ask God to guard our heart (vs 4). Evil acts begin with evil desires in our heart. It is not enough to ask God to keep us away from temptation, we need to be changed on the inside, where our desires come from. Jesus clearly taught us that our sinful acts and behavior comes from what is in our heart (Matthew 15:18-20). King David prayed that he would not learn the ways of the wicked. He wanted his heart protected from their evil examples.
David proceeds to pray that he will take the criticisms and rebukes of the righteous with a good spirit (vs 5). Nobody likes criticism, but we can benefit from it when it is given wisely and taken humbly. David tells us to not refuse criticism, but instead to consider it a kindness. When good and godly people correct us when we are wrong we should be willing to accept their correction with grace. In addition, if we ever need to give godly criticism or correction to another it should be given with love, like honey, and not like vinegar.
No believer should ever want to follow the example of their enemies and that of the wicked. We should follow David’s prayer and ask the Lord to guard our lips and our heart, and to be willing to take godly counsel and correction. God wants our prayers to come before Him just like the smoke of incense which continually rises.
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