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Psalm 141:1-4
A psalm of David.

I call to you, LORD, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.

Reckless words pierce like a sword (Proverbs 12:18). The emotional weapon forms in our hearts and the blade shoots from our lips. There are times we enjoy watching the pain. Our words are premeditated and purposeful. There are also times when we wish with every ounce of our being that there was a way to delete every syllable that poured from our lips. 

David knew the danger of reckless words. That’s why he prayed, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” David knew his weakness, his propensity. He needed God to stand like a soldier guarding the camp, like a watchman on a wall.

This should be our daily prayer: O Lord, guard my words! Keep watch over my lips! Shut my mouth. Help me think before I speak. Don’t let those I love go through life with the wounds of my reckless words. 

Father, David’s prayer is mine – Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil. In Jesus’ name. Amen.