150 Days in the Psalms--Psalm 141

Good Morning Friends!

We are reading Psalm 141 this morning, and it is certainly filled with important instruction for us to follow!  I recorded verse 3 in my Bible notebook:

"Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips."  Psalm 141:3

Do you think very much about the words that come out of your mouth?  Most of us do not.  It is so EASY for us to talk, and often we find ourselves blabbing on without really thinking about what we are saying.  And once we start talking in a certain direction, well, it just seems to come and come and come.  My daughter has a tendency to be very analytical, which CAN often times turn easily into complaining about things that are not "perfect."  (Life is hard for perfectionists, because we do NOT live in a perfect world any more!)  I will try and help her realize what she is doing, and I often refer to it as a "waterfall of complaints" because once she starts complaining about something it just seems to go on and on and on.  Are we not all guilty of this?  Or of something similar?

My study Bible had a note to go along with verse 3, which spoke very pointedly on this subject, and I thought I would share it with all of you here as well:

"Every day of life is freighted with responsibilities which we must bear.  Every day, our words and acts are making impressions upon those with whom we associate.  How great the need that we set a watch upon our lips and guard carefully our steps!  One reckless movement, one imprudent step, ad the surging waves of strong temptation may sweep a soul into the downward path.  We cannot gather up the thoughts we have planted in human minds.  If they have been evil, we may have set in motion a train of circumstances, a tide of evil, which we are powerless to stay.
"On the other hand, if by our example we aid others in the development of good principles, we give hem power to do good.  In their turn they exert the same beneficial influence over others.  Thus hundreds and thousands are helped by our unconscious influence.  The true follower of Christ strengthens the good purposes of all with whom he comes in contact.  Before an unbelieving, sin-loving world he reveals the power of God's grace and the perfection of His character."

Prophets and Kings, by E. G. White, p. 348

What an awesome responsibility, this gift of speech is!

Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth!

~Susan