"Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, My Strength and My Redeemer." Psalm 19:14
I first learned that verse as a very young girl, and we called it "David's Prayer." I'm so glad the desire David expressed in that verse has been a part of my consciousness for so many years. It is, after all, what I want. It is my hope that the words I speak/type/text/tweet will honor God and meet His approval. But, I confess to often needing a reset button to keep that hope and the day-to-day reality in line.
A piano tuner recently came to my house, and I'm ashamed to admit it, but it had likely been at least five years since my piano was last tuned. He spent about two hours checking each key and bringing every string up to its proper pitch. What an amazing difference! When he left, I sat down, played for a while and basked in the loveliness of the tones and sounds the instrument could now produce.
My oral speech -- but probably even more so, my written speech -- needs a constant tune-up. I'd dare not go five years without the convicting/correcting power of God's Word to be sure my words are lining up with His will and His truth.
My dad became a member of the Rotary Club in the late 1960's and kept his membership in good standing until his death in 2016. I remember that he carried around a card with the Rotary Club's 4-Way Test written on it. The test consisted of 4 questions members were to ask themselves regarding their thoughts, words and actions.
Is it the TRUTH?
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
All of those questions have a solid basis in Scripture. Consider these verses (all in the Book of Proverbs and written here from the New Living Translation) --
Proverbs 11:9 - "With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous."
Proverbs 11:12 - "It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet."
Proverbs 15:1 - "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare."
Proverbs 15:4 - "Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."
Proverbs 16:24 - "Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."
Proverbs 18:4 - "Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook."
Proverbs 18:20 - "Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction."
Proverbs 20:15 - "Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies."
Proverbs 25:18 - "Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow."
My words were in need of a "tuning" today, and I hope this reminds and encourages you, as well.