Psalm 51:15

Are you tongue-tied?

When our son was just over one year old, the doctors told us that he was tongue-tied. We sort of had an inclination of this as he never stuck out his tongue and he did have some troubles eating. Even though the doctors said it was a simple little procedure, we were still concerned. After a brief but nervous stay in the waiting room, it was all over and our son was back with us, “better than ever.” His eating improved and yes, now he sticks out his tongue, even sometimes when he shouldn’t be doing that.

In the words of Psalm 51, King David admits he had a problem that no medical doctor could fix. He heart was full of sin – many sins – sins surrounding his affair with Bathsheba. He tried to cover up those sins by being self-tongue-tied, but that failed. His guilt was crushing him to the point of despair. Something had to be done, so David confessed his sins and turned to God in repentance and sorrow. God forgave him and restored to him the joy of salvation.

Because of that soul-saving surgery, rescuing David from his sin, David also prayed that God would also open his lips and his mouth. David asked God to loosen his tongue so that he could be God’s instrument and voice before others, and that’s exactly what happened in this Psalm.

How thankful we are that God instructed David to write down all these words. No doubt it was painful to publically write down his sins for all to read and know. Yet, how wonderful these words are, for who of us has a pure heart and has kept ourselves free from sin? Who of us hasn’t dealt with tongue-tied guilt, hoping no one finds out? Who of us aren’t in desperate need of God’s forgiveness and salvation? God granted that to David – and he holds that out for each repentant sinner.

Through David’s loosened tongue, we know that God is gracious and forgives our sins. What greater thanks can we offer to God, than to tell others and declare the wonderful works of our God!

O Lord, open my lips – always, that I may declare your praises!