Who can discern their own errors?

Cleanse me from,  and forgive my secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me (Psalm 19:12, 13a).  David had just waxed eloquent about the Law, “the commandments of the Lord are pure, enlightening the eyes” (verse 8), that is revealing unknown or unacknowledged sin. It seems that David got to wondering what else was hidden, and in the process cries out to God for forgiveness and cleansing from such. Paul could declare that he knew nothing against himself, but that did not mean that he was blameless (1 Corinthians 4:4). He gives the example that we don't know that covetousness is wrong until the Law told us it is (Roman 7:7). We tend to believe, to conform to,  what our family of origin and/or out culture tells us what is right and wrong. And this is pretty bad, because our culture believes nothing is wrong. At least it says it believes that! It's also bad, because we suppress truth by our unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).

So David is talking both about our hidden faults,  but also about out “presumptuous” sins. The word literally means 'that which boils or bubbles up,' it is a picture of hot emotions ruling the day. He petitions the Lord to restrain him from them. Perhaps David was remembering that the Lord had sent Abigail, Nabal’s wife, to intervene in David's hot intention to revenge Nabal's refusal of help  (1 Samuel 25:4 – 39). The problem with our acting out of anger, or of other passions, is that it tends to weaken both our consciences, and our ability to resist the temptation the next time. In this way, these presumptuous and arrogant sins soon “have dominion” over us. Indeed “he who sins is the servant of sin” (John 8:34). This phenomenon is likely the reason that drug abuse is of such  epidemic proportions in our society.

The Psalm continues with “Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer” (verses 13b, 14). “Then,” when the Lord has answered these petitions, David will be blameless, and in particular innocent of the grosser transgressions. It is about learning the discipline of self control. For the Christian this is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:24), and comes as a result of abiding in Christ.  David's last petition in this Psalm is that his thought life and his speech might also conform to blamelessness. Jesus tells us that it is out of the  abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45 ). And James tells us that “if anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2).

Father, there is nothing more freeing Lord than to know that there is nothing hindering our fellowship with You.  So please Lord, give us hearts this morning, to please You. Search our hearts Lord,  and see if there be any wicked way within us and lead us in the paths of life (Psalm 139:23, 24). In this way Lord may we perfectly love You and glorify You Holy Name in Jesus Name Amen