Psalm 1:1-6
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Who is speaking in these verses? What requests are being made?
Reflect
This week, Psalm 19 has reminded us that God has revealed himself in Creation. He’s also revealed himself directly in his Word where we can discover his will for our lives. At the end of the Psalm, we discover David asking God to reveal something else— hidden sin. It’s the proper response of someone who has been awestruck by the splendor of God’s creation and the righteousness of his Word.
In appreciating the immense value of God’s word, and enjoying the sweetness of what’s been revealed, we can imagine that David desired to know and follow God even more. Yet, he was ever more aware of his own sinfulness. God’s Word isn’t only a window through which we can see God and understand his ways, it’s a mirror that exposes our own pride and rebellion. It challenges us to do the seemingly impossible, love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength and love other people as we love ourselves. As we spend time in God’s Word it will reveal the control that sin tries to assert over us, but it will also invite us to be free.
David asks God for help in discerning his own errors and forgiveness for his hidden faults. He admits that he might not even recognize his own sin. Then he seeks protection from willful rebellion and disobedience. He doesn’t want to be ruled over by sin, but instead be innocent of great transgression. Ultimately, David wants to please God with not just his actions, but with what he says and how he thinks and feels.
Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” What the Spirit reveals through the Word is meant to push us out of our complacency and make us uncomfortable in our sin. It will expose us for not loving God and others as we should. We’ll see that we are as prone to idolatry as the ancient Israelites. We put all kinds of things before God in our lives. Often we’d rather hide in the shadows nurturing our sinful habits than run into the light and meet God.
The Word will show us our selfishness and how often we insist on putting our needs before the needs of those around us, even those we love dearly. We’ll be forced to recognize that we care more about our comfort than the poor and value our reputation more than speaking for the oppressed. God’s Word won’t let us make peace with unrighteousness and injustice.
The Word will slice through all our justifications and rationalizations and leave us exposed. But it doesn’t leave us that way. Because on the other side of recognition and confession is forgiveness and restoration.
David is able to make his request with confidence, because he sees God as his Rock and Redeemer. We could allow our sin to send us into hiding away from God, the way Adam and Eve did when they sinned in the Garden of Eden. But David encourages us to turn to Yahweh because he is a place of safety and refuge, even for the sinners who know God’s commands and break them. Even for the rebels who defy God and go their own way. God redeems slaves sets them free. He fixes what’s wrong and makes it right. God is ready to forgive and restore.
Do you ever pray that God will reveal your errors and keep you from sinning? Why is that a good thing to pray for?
How do you usually respond when your sin has been revealed? Are you quick to seek forgiveness?
Respond
Turn David’s prayer in Psalm 19:11–14 into your own. Personalize the words. Meditate on the truth that Yahweh is your Rock and Redeemer.