May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing before You, O Lord, my Rock and my Savior.
The psalm ends with David’s prayer that not only the words of his mouth, but also the thoughts and intentions born in his heart, would be pleasing to God. He understands that the Lord sees not only a person’s outward conduct, but also what is hidden within. Therefore true holiness concerns both speech and the heart. The phrase “may they be pleasing before You” recalls an offering acceptable to God. David desires that his whole inner and outer life would be acceptable to the Lord. In the end he calls God his “Rock and Redeemer,” showing in whom he places his trust. Self-examination does not lead him to despair, because in his weaknesses he relies on God, who establishes and saves him. For the believer, this verse can become a daily prayer, asking that the Lord would cleanse the heart and shape thoughts and words so that they would be pleasing before the Lord.