Psalm 19:14
“14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
Today, I want to speak to you about something deeply personal, profoundly spiritual, and yet often misunderstood in Christian life: meditation. And I want to do so through the lens of a single, powerful verse—Psalm 19:14.
This verse is a prayer. It is a humble plea for purity, for alignment, for God’s pleasure in not just what we say, but in what we think. It invites us into a life of reflection that is not passive or empty, but intentional and filled with God.
The Power of Words and Thoughts
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable…”
David, the author of this psalm, understood that both our speech and our inner thoughts matter to God. Not just our outward actions, not just our visible worship, but also the unseen stirrings of the heart.
This tells us something profound: our spiritual life doesn’t begin at the altar or end in the pew. It continues in the silence of our thoughts, in the hidden chambers of our heart. It is there—when no one is watching—that meditation takes root.
And so David prays, “Lord, let even that—the internal dialogue, the quiet reflection, the things I dwell on in secret—let it be acceptable to You.”
What Is Biblical Meditation?
Let’s define meditation—not as the world defines it, but as the Word defines it.
Biblical meditation is not about emptying your mind. It’s about filling it—with God’s truth, His promises, His presence.
In Joshua 1:8, God tells Joshua:
“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.”
To meditate biblically is to ponder, to chew on, to roll over in our minds the living Word of God. It is to sit with Scripture until it sinks deep into our soul and begins to shape our desires, our decisions, and yes—even our vocabulary.
Why Meditation Matters
The Bible tells us that “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Our thoughts are not neutral. They are forming who we are becoming.
If we constantly dwell on fear, anxiety, bitterness, or lust, we cannot expect to bear the fruit of peace, joy, or purity. But if we choose to meditate on the goodness of God, the beauty of His law, the grace of Jesus, and the comfort of the Spirit—then transformation begins.
Romans 12:2 tells us we are “transformed by the renewing of our minds.” That renewal happens through meditation.
Practical Ways to Meditate Biblically
So how do we do it?
- Start with Scripture
Begin each day with the Word of God. Choose a single verse, a psalm, or a passage. Read it slowly. Read it again. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes. - Ask Reflective Questions
What does this verse teach me about God? What does it reveal about me? Is there a command to obey? A promise to cling to? A truth to rest in? - Write It Down
Keep a journal. Let your heart speak through the pen. Writing helps focus the mind and deepen your understanding. - Memorize It
As Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Carry the verse with you. Let it guard and guide you. - Turn Meditation Into Prayer
That’s what David does in Psalm 19:14. He doesn’t just think—he prays his thoughts. He surrenders them to God. This is the key: Meditation should lead us into communion with God.
A Meditation That Pleases God
Let’s return to David’s prayer:
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight…”
This is not about earning God’s love. It’s about walking in relationship with Him. It’s about loving Him so deeply that we care what He hears—not just from our lips, but from within our hearts.
Jesus said in Matthew 12:34, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” So the meditation of our heart will eventually become the words of our mouth. If we want our speech to honor God, our thoughts must be rooted in Him.
And how does David end the verse?
“…O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
This is not a call to strive in our own effort. It is a call to depend—on the Lord who strengthens us, and the Redeemer who forgives us. When we fall short, we can come back to Him in grace, and start again.
To God be all the glory, now and forever.
Were you able to glean and grow from this message so God can be further glorified and His Kingdom magnified? If so, I would love to hear from you. Follow this link to get in touch… Let’s pray!
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of Your Word and the quiet moments when we can draw near to You.
Teach us to meditate on Your truth day and night, to fill our hearts with Your wisdom, and to let our thoughts be shaped by Your Spirit.
May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord—our strength and our Redeemer.
Help us to slow down, to listen, and to rest in Your presence. Let Your Word take root in us, bearing fruit that honors You.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.
This message was written by Daniel St.Pierre
