Read Psalm 19:
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Understand Psalm 19:
I. God’s Glory is Declared in the Heavenly Realms (vv. 1-6)
The Lord has revealed his glory in the handiwork of his creation (Rom 1:18-25). His invisible attributes are unveiled throughout the universe; His eternal power accessible to finite beings; His divine nature perceptible to mere mortals; His grandeur made clear to those he has formed from dust. We are therefore called to worship him (Rev 4:11), for his glory is an unceasing, unspoken testimony which reaches all mankind “to the end of the world” (see Rom 10:18).
The sun depicts God’s glory (vv. 4c-6) like a bridegroom emerging from his honeymoon suite or a mighty champion rushing headlong into battle. Day after day, he completes his circuit. Night after night, he returns with satisfied pleasure. His enduring faithfulness resounds with every sunrise and every sunset. “And there is nothing hidden from its heat.” No one on earth can ever say they have not felt the warmth of the sun. No created being can make excuses before God. We are all witnesses of God’s majestic glory.
II. God’s Glory Brings Delight through His Holy Word (vv. 7-11)
The Lord’s perfect law brings life (John 3:16; 10:10) and his trustworthy testimony teaches the gullible. His precepts set a straight path and bring joy to the heart (Prov 3:5-7). His Word makes us alive, makes us wise, and makes us glad. The purity of his commandments enlightens the eyes (Ps 119:105). Fear of him cleanses our soul and declares us righteous. His rules are true and his judgments firm.
These parallel truths give six reasons to trust and obey God’s Word with our time, our effort, and the devotion of our lives. God’s words are more to be treasured than all the world’s wealth and strike to the heart like honey on the tongue (19:10). Even the warnings of Scripture are filled with promises as we are blessed when we obey (v. 11).
III. God’s Glory Shapes Desire in the Human Heart (vv. 12-14)
God’s law reveals our sin and our need for a Savior (v. 12). It restrains our sin to keep us from doing worse (v. 13). Then it leads us to remove our sin through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (v. 14).
David prays that his life might be a pleasing sacrifice to the Lord—his strong refuge and his kind Savior. So also, we embrace Jesus as our Rock of safety in times of trouble and our Redeemer who pays the fine we can’t afford. He is our Lord and Savior, the meditation of our hearts and the Word upon our lips. He is the One who makes us blameless and acceptable in God’s sight. He is the Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe which shouts his glory. He is the main character in Scripture’s narrative and our source of greatest joy. May God’s created world and his perfect Word fill our hearts with continuous praise!
Apply Psalm 19:
- Observe and learn about God’s handiwork in his creation. What part of nature fills you most with awe? How does it lead you into praise for your Creator?
- Cast your gaze on the sun—not directly, but by observing its testimony:
- Its rising and setting each day reveals that God is faithful and consistent.
- Its light reveals his wisdom and knowledge and truthfulness.
- Its warmth reveals his goodness and common grace to both the just and the unjust.
- Its beauty reveals God’s beauty and the creativity of his design.
- Its unrestrained course reveals his joy in the universe he has made.
- Its distance from the earth reveals his majesty and sovereign rule.
- Its governing of the planets reveals his intricate planning and masterful precision.
- Its fiery heat reveals his wrath and judgment against sin.
- And its eventual dissolution reveals that God alone is eternal and everlasting.
- All this God spoke into place by the word of his power. “And God saw that it was good” (Gen 1:18b; see Heb 1:3).
- How much time each week do you devote to reading God’s message to you in his Word? Compare this to the amount of time you listen to other “voices” (i.e., friends, TV, social media, etc.). Do you pursue God’s Word more than money and material gain?
- How does general revelation (vv. 1-6) declare the same message as special revelation (vv. 7-14)? How does Scripture speak louder than nature on the truths of salvation and sanctification?
- Consider how the truth of Romans 1:18-25 informs the way you share the gospel with unbelievers.
Pray Psalm 19:
- I praise you, O Lord, for your handiwork in creation (vv. 1-3).
- Help me to live each day with joy like a bridegroom, determination like an athlete, and faithfulness like the sun (vv. 4-6).
- Make me delight in the endless blessings of your Word (vv. 7-11).
- Show my hidden sins (v. 12) and convict me of my blatant ones (v. 13).
- Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer (v. 14).
Counsel Psalm 19:
God has revealed himself to all people in both his created world and in his perfect Word. Your counselee has access to this divine revelation for salvation in Christ, sanctifying grace, forgiveness of sin, wise living, and joy-filled worship. Learn to use both “books” from God appropriately and effectively. For further help, see Counseling with Psalm 19.
