Psalm 19 (NIV) - Lord keep me from my sinful ways, that they not rule over me

From Psalms

Psalm 19
(New International Version, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica)
(For the director of music. A psalm of David.)



¹The heavens declare the glory of God;
      the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
²Day after day they pour forth speech;
      night after night they reveal knowledge.
³They have no speech, they use no words;
      no sound is heard from them.
⁴Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
      their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
      like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶It rises at one end of the heavens
      and makes its circuit to the other;
      nothing is deprived of its warmth.

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect,
      refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
      making wise the simple.
⁸The precepts of the LORD are right,
      giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
      giving light to the eyes.
⁹The fear of the LORD is pure,
      enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
      and all of them are righteous.

¹⁰They are more precious than gold,
      than much pure gold;
      they are sweeter than honey,
      than honey from the honeycomb.
¹¹By them your servant is warned;
      in keeping them there is great reward.
¹²But who can discern their own errors?
      Forgive my hidden faults.
¹³Keep your servant also from willful sins;
      may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
      innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
      be pleasing in your sight,
      O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Today temptation is all around me. I am out of town for work..."on business," as it were. This used to be my great downfall. I could isolate and watch porn or visit new and adventurous strip clubs. I would dig myself deeper into my addiction. Today, though, it is different - I know that I am dealing with a progressive disease that will strike in new ways everyday - even in recovery. So I must be prepared. In fact, my own sponsor recently relapsed after more than 6 months of sobriety despite being at this recovery game much longer than I have. And so I learned that none of us addicts can become complacent lest we fall back into the hole of our addiction. In my preparation I was even ready to find a meeting in this town away from home to help me find fellowship in my recovery - because I know that is our best means in fighting this disease.

And this is the context for which I am looking at Psalm 19, again. The ways of the Lord, His decrees, His law, His word, His precepts, His statutes, His commands, and even the fear of the Lord are great and valuable. More valuable than gold. Sweeter than honey. This I know because in following them, as difficult as it may be, bring joy, beauty, love, and richness of life that is hard to measure.

Knowing this I pray that the Lord forgive my most sinful faults, which I try to hide. Knowing this I pray that the Lord keep me from addictive ways (or willful sins), help me avoid being sucked into the temptations around me, and that they not rule over me.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in the sight of the Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Thanks for letting me share.