Psalm 141:1-2

Ps 141:1-2 "O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. 2 May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice."

Psalm 141:1-2 is such a powerful image of a heart of passion being released to God in prayer. “May my prayer be set before you as incense…” this heart cry creates an image of the fragrance of our prayers arising before God as a pleasing aroma! In Ge. 8:20 Noah sacrifices a burnt offering to the Lord and God’s response in verse 21 states “the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in His heart…” From the very beginning of biblical history the fragrance of offerings given to the Lord arose like incense before God and influenced his heart. What is important to realize about such passages is that it is not the smell of burning flesh that touches the Lord’s heart, but the knowledge of the costly sacrifice surrendered willingly to the Lord that creates the pleasing aroma and moves the heart of God.

David understood this concept as he cried out to the Lord in Psalm 141:1-2. His desire for his prayers to be set before God as incense reflects his understanding that God finds pleasure in a heart lifted up before Him in humility and faith. His cry is a longing to be received, a desire to find favor with the Lord, as if to say “let this sacrifice of my heart’s cry be acceptable to you.

It seems of great significance that David’s son captures the essence of this passion in the bridal imagery of Song of Solomon. It seems that David must have allowed his son to see this aspect of his walk with God because on two occasions in Song of Solomon, Solomon illustrates the pleasure that our hearts bring to the Lord through the images of a lover. Song 4:10-11 “How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much more pleasing is your love than wine, and the fragrance of your perfume than any spice! 11 Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue.”

Oh that we would understand the pleasure that God finds in a right heart expressed through worship and prayer. Listen to the language of Solomon: “How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride…” This passage is the Lord talking about you! He loves your love! When we worship Him it brings him joy, not because we have fulfilled our duty but because we have offered ourselves freely as an expression of our love. “How much more pleasing is your love than wine…” Do you realize that your love for God is intoxicating! He is talking about you!!!!! Consider verse 11 “Your lips drop sweetness as the honeycomb, my bride; milk and honey are under your tongue.” This is how the Lord views the words of worship and prayer that come forth from your mouth. “Your lips drop sweetness…” Every loving word, every song of praise, every prayer of remembrance that strengthens the bond between your heart and His heart is like sweet honey to the heart of God. When we speak life giving words to the Lord in the secret place of His presence we bond our hearts to him more and more completely. Understand who you are to the Lord and lift up a fragrant offering to Him today!