Even before a word is on my tongue,
Behold O Lord, you know it altogether. (139:4, ESV)
Words are complex things
I think this psalmist knew about the "Freudian slip" before Freud. What we intend to say--or think we intend to say--is not always what comes out to others. As Freud pointed out, what we think we want to say is not always as true as what you say.
1.what we intend to say (our reason) 2.what other people think we are saying (truth or filter) 3.What we are really saying. Once you say something you bounce off someone else's reaction, and think "Was that what I meant to say?" and "Why are my words making me look bad?" Or "Did I just say what the other person wanted to hear?" or "Why did I reveal so much bitterness and anger?" Ahh...talking to other people can get really messy. I have spent many nights awake saying "NOOO..." and rethinking, "Is this my fault or theirs?"....And sometimes--though rarely discovered--it is neither persons' or all because it is G-d's. For those who are not Presbyterian, let me explain.
Freud's Uncontrolled Data
There are uncontrolled data thrown in our mess of talking (a.k.a. G-d). This is generally credited when you gave a really amazing testimony you didn't intend or said something so beautiful that you wanted to write it down.
We know things must work opposite too, like when you were trying to prepare an important testimony, have Bible study, a prayer session, or non-Christian friend you are trying to witness to and you lose your temper or something and say the "wrong things." OK so the devil works against us through our own weaknesses (or bizarre disastrous events) or against us through other people who "think we said blah" when we didn't. (unfortunately many liberals are subject to hearing things that nobody said but implied. e.g. what you said: "but doing blahblah is not a good thing" what they hear: "You said G-d hates blah and that you want to kill blah!" ?)
Then there are those times the Freudian slip didn't make sense, and you wanted to blame the devil, like when you wanted something so bad and something happened through your incredible mouth that seemed to "ruin" your incredible plans? Like when you were trying to impress someone (a career, possible love-interest, possible friendship etc.) and you said something you normally didn't say--something that later worked for the better? AHA, G-d can interfere with even our own words sometimes to our present dismay but always to our later joy.
Yes, it's me and them and G-d, and G-d assures us that He knows all these factors.
Which leads us to ask if G-d knows everything, why pray?
Need we pray?
How come G-d knows what we want even before we ask Him--but He desires that we speak?
If you think that is odd think about this:
1. In the garden of Eden G-d breathed into Adam and then gave him an order to name all the creatures, BUT G-d already spoke the creatures into existence AND G-d speaks to Adam apparently every day. Does G-d speak the same language (or does this even matter?) to Adam, and if so, why does He command that Adam name the creatures when G-d already did?
2. In the New Testament, Jesus even tells this to disciples to pray right after he says that G-d already knows it:
“And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: Our Father..." (Matt6:7-9)
3. Finally, Jesus who is God (And says he is God), prays regularly notably in His last hours "Not my will but Yours be done" and sweats drops of blood in anguish over what He knows He has to do, He knows will be done, and knows that He will conquer death victoriously just as He told His disciples on numerous occasions.
And many more... Abraham argues with G-d over the destruction of Sodom (and kind loses but wins his request), Moses argues, Sarah scoffs, Hannah weeps, Mary questions, Zechariah denies, Jacob wrestles!, and so on.
Conclusion
G-d likes to talk, wants us to talk to Him, and likes to argue (if not, He'd let us win every time!) So pray. Amen.
You hem me in behind and before
and lay your hand upon me.
(ps 139:5)
