Psalm 19 – A Perfect Prayer

I try to be creative in my methods for selecting a Psalm for Psalm Sunday. Because I had so much else on my plate yesterday when I scheduled this, and only a few minutes to do so, I decided to make it simple. I thought to myself, “What’s the date tomorrow?” It’s the 19th of June, so I selected Psalm 19.

If you had asked me what is in Psalm 19, I could not have told you. But when I read it I was pleasantly surprised to find some of my favorite verses, and so much praise for our Lord. The final verse is actually one I’ve prayed many times without knowing its exact location in scripture. I think now I will always remember that my prayer that “the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” comes from Psalm 19:14.

Psalm 19

    For the director of music. A psalm of David.

 ¹ The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they display knowledge.
³ There is no speech or language
   where their voice is not heard.
⁴ Their voice goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world.

   In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
 ⁵ which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
   like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
   and makes its circuit to the other;
   nothing is hidden from its heat.

 ⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect,
   reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
   making wise the simple.
⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right,
   giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
   giving light to the eyes.
⁹ The fear of the LORD is pure,
   enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
   and altogether righteous.
¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,
   than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
   than honey from the comb.
¹¹ By them is your servant warned;
   in keeping them there is great reward.

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

 ¹⁴ May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
   be pleasing in your sight,
   O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.