Throughout the tortious life of David, the Lord was with him. He knew he was indebted to God in righteousness so the Lord would not hear him. His physical substance or wealth was insufficient to pay off. Reminiscing throughout Psalm 51, he recounted his transgressions, acknowledged God’s compassion, and asked for pardon so he would be in good standing with the Lord.
Though David was desirous to show gratitude to God, he was doubtful to be heard with sin in the heart. Psalm 66: 18 says, if I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. In preparation to be heard on his praise to God, rather than being silent upon God’s goodness upon his life, he said in Psalm 51: 15, Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise.
When are our lips closed?
He asked God to open his lips because sin seals our lips from God when we pray. Micah 3: 4 says, then they will cry out to the Lord, but he will not answer them. At the time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done. Our lips are opened spiritually only by confession and repentance. 1 John 1: 8-9 say, if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not with us. If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
David knew that it is the Holy Spirit who enables our communion with God through prayer. He (Holy Spirit) unseals the lips of repented hearts to commune with God just as David prayed for. Paul affirmed in 2Peter 1: 21, for prophecy never had its origin in human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. So, prayer is not enabled by human ability but the Holy Spirit.
What should be the source of praise?
David had a repentant heart so he wanted God to unseal his lips to enable him to speak praises with a pure heart. Jesus said in Matthew 15: 18, the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile him. The prayer of a sinner is defiled from the heart except with repentance. Jeremiah 17: 16 says, what passes my lips is open before you. Jesus retold it in Matthew 12: 36, but I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
Paul wrote in Romans 8: 26, the Spirit helps us in our weaknesses. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through worthless groans. A sinner’s groaning is worthless and weakened by sin, hence, we need the Holy Spirit to lead us on what to pray, and how to pray just as David sought help from God. Proverbs 8: 8 says, all the words of my mouth are just, none of them is crooked or perverse. By what lips or mouths do we praise God? Galatians 6: 7 says, do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. May the words in Proverbs 8: 8 be our prayer in Christ Jesus!
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we desire to praise you for your goodness. Our sins have sealed our lips and serve as a barrier to our praises. Our groaning is empty without effect because of our sins. Cleanse our hearts in your blood and open our lips. By your Holy Spirit, enable us to offer our thanksgiving of praise to you. We pray in your blessed holy name, we pray, Amen!!
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