Psalm 141:3 "Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips."
In this particular Psalm, the writer is concerned about his thoughts, words,
and actions becoming like those of the world. Isn't that a real danger still
for us today? Jesus taught us that, a little leaven will affect the whole
lump. In other words, we are affected either positively or negatively by
those in which we surround ourselves. If we hang with people who drink
and cuss, then more than likely we will be tempted to take a drink and say
those words that are not honoring unto the Lord. Oh, we want to think we
will influence them, but it rarely works that way.
The Psalmist knew the danger was real, so he prayed fervently that he would not
be affected by the people that were not diligent in their actions. "Set a
watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips." He was
asking the Lord to place a guard over his words. This was not the first time he
had made this request. Let's look back at Psalm 19:14, "Let the
words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight,
O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." A proper guard, or
watchfulness, for our words begins with our thoughts. This is why in Psalm 19,
he includes the meditations of his heart. Let my thoughts be proper so
that my words may follow.
But then in our text, he goes a step farther. If I may word it in my own way,
he was saying, "Lord, if my thoughts aren't correct, then please keep the
door of my lips closed." Don't let me say it if my thought process has
been incorrect. It is not a coincidence that there are two gates in front of
our tongue. The lips and the teeth both are in front of the tongue to help us
keep quiet when our thoughts are not proper. But sometimes those gates
fail to function properly and I then open my mouth and insert foot by speaking
when I should have been listening. So the proper prevention comes by seeking
the help of the Lord that my thoughts and my words are guarded by His grace and
mercy. Paul would say it in this manner, "Let your speech be alway with
grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every
man." (Colossians 4:6)
We seek grace and mercy from our Lord; therefore, let us extend the same to
others.