Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Chapter 1: Psalms 1–17

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Psalm 12 with Valerian – Guard My Mouth Hear the prophet’s voice: “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD” (Ps 141:3). This is a profitable guard for our mouth: not to let our heart easily turn its attention to any words which would disturb the pursuit of peace, or which the immoral acts of some person bring it to utter. No one has regretted keeping silent amid confused speech. For, as we see, the acts which spring from words often result in crime, and those who are quick to dislike others undermine friendships. If a person is either boastful or mean in their speech, how can they fail to be disliked? However, we are not mentioning all this to bring anyone to keep their voice always confined inside a closed mouth, and have perpetual silence shut the sound of their tongue behind silent lips. Just as it is unpleasant to have the wicked talk too much, so it is harmful to have the good always keep silent. Therefore, when need arises, let us speak out the words of justice. Let ours be a speech well flavored. Therefore, let us speak, but with fear and trembling, aware that we must give an account for every word (Matt 12:36). Thus we will ensure that nothing immoral springs from our hearts, nothing blasphemous flies from our lips, nothing harmful remains in our thought. The Prophet condemns not only what offends the ears, but also the attitude which some people cherish in their minds. They flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts (v. 2). Unspoken thoughts, too, then, should be listed among the faults of a disrespectful tongue. Whatever you speak in your heart you are confessing to the Lord, because God is the Searcher of hearts. Since you cannot hide your thoughts from him, can your shouting remain hidden from him or excused? Reflect on this.