Psalm 19

This is a great psalm. It echoes so many other passages of Scripture but it's really compact here. For instance, The Preacher writes in Ecclesiastes that the Lord has placed eternity in our hearts. And Paul writes in Romans, that man knows in his spirit that there is a God. We are told here that everything in Creation talks about God. Not just talk, mind you...but praises!

This means that the end of all knowledge will lead to God. Astronomers who know their stuff should end up knowing about God; same thing with those who speak the language of oceanography, biology, physics, chemistry, anatomy, etc.

All of Creation rejoices in the duties the Lord of the Universe has given it. Even the sun!

Then he talks about another way in which we can know God: God's word, the Bible, the law of God. This is a very succinct version of Psalm 119, a very long psalm which talks about the greatness of God's word.

My favorite verse in psalm 19 is the last one: It is one of my most heartfelt prayers. I want all my thoughts to be worthy of God -- to be about his love, his power, his faithfulness, his kindness, his holiness, his mercy. I want all my words to be like the rest of Creation...to declare God's power and love in my life and to not speak as if God is not alive and working in our lives.


Psalm 19

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard. [a]

4 Their voice [b] goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure
and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Footnotes:

Psalm 19:3 Or They have no speech, there are no words; / no sound is heard from them
Psalm 19:4 Septuagint, Jerome and Syriac; Hebrew line