Psalm 19:12-14
12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Note how in verse 13 the psalmist prays that he would refrain from "presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me". The phrase "presumptuous sins" is sometimes translated as "willful sins", and refers to blatant wrongs that we knowingly commit, even when we know
it is wrong. That is what happens when we become addicted; to be addicted means that we seemingly cannot help ourselves, the desire has "dominion" or "rule" over us. This is why it is important to submit to God's commands (as in the earlier verses of this psalm), least we instead end up submitting to our sin. Verse 14 reminds us that the goal is not just to control our outword actions, but also our thoughts, "the meditation of my heart". This is a high calling, but it is what true healing and wholeness looks like.
God, keep me from willfil sins, and forgive my hidden faults. May my thoughts and deeds be acceptable in Your sight.
12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Note how in verse 13 the psalmist prays that he would refrain from "presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me". The phrase "presumptuous sins" is sometimes translated as "willful sins", and refers to blatant wrongs that we knowingly commit, even when we know
it is wrong. That is what happens when we become addicted; to be addicted means that we seemingly cannot help ourselves, the desire has "dominion" or "rule" over us. This is why it is important to submit to God's commands (as in the earlier verses of this psalm), least we instead end up submitting to our sin. Verse 14 reminds us that the goal is not just to control our outword actions, but also our thoughts, "the meditation of my heart". This is a high calling, but it is what true healing and wholeness looks like.
God, keep me from willfil sins, and forgive my hidden faults. May my thoughts and deeds be acceptable in Your sight.