“Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.” (Psalm 120:2)

There are two ways to look at this verse. One is to think that the writer is the victim of lies and liars. The other is to think that the writer is the one who needs help not to lie or be deceitful. Guess it says something to the reader how he interprets the plea. When I first read this psalm, I have to be honest and say I thought of myself as needing God to protect me from those who lie and those who practice deceit.

After re-reading the verse a few times, I saw that I could read the verse as if it pertained to me. I think the psalmist wants to be delivered from a nation of people who practice falsehood and I certainly do too. On the other hand, it is important that I make sure that I am not in the false prophet camp. I don’t want someone asking God to deliver them from me.

It is important not to lie as God hates liers. It is important not to keep company with those that do. I need to be a person of pure speech, of integrity. I need to be known as one who always tells the truth and never speaks deceitfully. That is how Jesus conducted Himself, and thus it is how I as His follower should conduct myself.

Task for Today: Practice truth speaking. Never lie and never almost lie. Don’t tell falsehoods and don’t be deceptive. Before you speak, make sure it is the real truth and nothing but the truth. Make it a habit. Provide things honest this day before everyone you meet.