Keep Me from Stupid Sins
Sometimes when I read the Psalms I suspect that psalmist lived in the Outer Banks. Of course all the psalmists lived in Israel, but some of the observations and descriptions of the seas, skies, and land fit my home perfectly. We enjoy unobstructed views of water and sky all the way out to the horizon from many vantage points here, and I am often reminded of a friend’s daughter’s observation on her first cruise: “I can see as far as my eyes can look!” Yup, that’s where I live.
In Psalm 19, the writer extols the beauty of the glorious skies, noting the energy and excitement that come with the morning sun of day-break:
Psalm 19 (The Message)
1-2 God’s glory is on tour in the skies,
God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
Professor Night lectures each evening.
3-4 Their words aren’t heard,
their voices aren’t recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.
4-5 God makes a huge dome
for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun’s a new husband
leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The daybreaking sun an athlete
racing to the tape.
6 That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies
from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts,
warming hearts to faith.
God’s Word is as steady and sure as God’s creation. The sun rises with consistency just as God’s word is a solid and steady guide for us every day. Scriptures warm the heart and explain the right way to go as clearly as signposts, life-maps, and directions.
But directions only work if you stop and ask for them.
7-9 The revelation of God is whole
and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
and easy on the eyes.
God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,
with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate
down to the nth degree.
Let us pause here and consider that. Everything we need to know for a blessed and grace-filled life is spelled out in the Bible. But like the lost, stubborn fellow who refuses to ask for directions, we truly can wander off the right path very quickly if we allow the world to choose our direction for us. The psalmist assures us that God’s Word is better than any GPS or navigation system we could come up with on our own.
10 God’s Word is better than a diamond,
better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries.
11-14 There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger
and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
Here is the hidden treasure of this passage: “Keep me from stupid sins.” I think I have found a new morning prayer!
Keep me from stupid sins,
from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
these are what I chew on and pray.
This psalm is a reminder of the importance of being in the Word and in prayer first thing every morning. When we focus our first hour on God’s direction for our day, we have a better chance of not going astray. What do you say? Should we try it right now?
Accept them when I place them
on the morning altar,
O God, my Altar-Rock,
God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
May the words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing unto you, Oh God, our Rock and Redeemer. Amen.
When Morning Guilds the Sky by Michelle Robertson
At Water’s Edge 