Accept, I beseech Thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Thy judgments.
An aspiration of piety
This short prayer cries out for two things.
I. For Divine acceptance of true worship. “Accept, I beseech Thee,” etc.
1. Worship is an offering. It is the soul offering its highest devotions.
2. Worship is an offering proclaimed “of my mouth.” The soul rings out aloud in speech and song its devotion.
3. Worship is an offering of “freewill.” No constraint; it goes out as the aroma from the rose, as the beam from the sun.
II. For Divine instruction. “Teach me Thy judgments,” or laws.
1. Knowledge of the laws of God is the most important of all knowledge.
2. This most important knowledge can only be imparted by God. (Homilist.)
God’s acceptance of our sufferings
It is a great grace that the Lord should accept anything from us, if we consider these three things. First, who the Lord is. Next, what we are. Thirdly, what it is we have to give unto Him. As for the Lord, He is all-sufficient, and stands in need of nothing we can give Him. As for us, we are poor creatures living by His liberality; yea, begging from all the rest of His creatures; from the sun and moon; from the air, the water, and the earth; from fowls and fishes; yea, from the worms; some give us light; some meat, some cloth; and are such beggars as we meet to give to a King? And thirdly, if we well consider, what is it that we give? Have we anything to give but that which we have received from Him? (Bp. Cowper.)
Sincere offerings
There is nothing so small but if it come from a good heart God will accept it: the widow’s mite; a cupful of cold water; yea, and the praise of our lips, although it have no other external oblation joined with it; but, where men may do more and will not, it is an argument their heart is not sincerely affected toward Him, and their praises are not welcome to Him. (Bp. Cowper.)