Psalm 19 — The Heavens Declare!
Introduction: This Psalm begins by telling us that God’s creation speaks volumes about his glory in a visual display that is understandable without any limitation presented by spoken language. Next the law of the LORD has been recorded for us by spiritually inspired words in the scriptures for specific instructions for life. But without accepting the truth of that law in our hearts, we cannot realize the benefit to our soul no matter what language translation might be used.
NOTE: Scripture passages are from the 1769 King James Bible.
A — The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
Psalm 19 “1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.”
Comments: The vast expanse of the heavens and the incredibly numerous components of the earth provide examples of the creative works of our God beyond any measurable number. Every day and every night there are changes to observe as the dynamic creation pours out speech without words thus providing a universal language that can be received and understood by all people groups of the earth. Therefore knowledge and discernment of the existence of the Creator God is clearly available to all who will receive it. The first point of rejection of the LORD God is to deny that he is the creator of the heavens and the earth. Psalm 97 “6 the heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.”
B — Their Line Has Gone Throughout All the Earth
Psalm 19 “4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.”
Comments: The lines spoken in this universal “language-of-display” are comprised of speech which goes to every point throughout the earth. The daily evidence is unmistakable in the cycle of the sun that seems to pass over the earth in the sky above in the manner of a tireless one who runs an endless course without losing strength. The Lord has designed this to be a cycle of joy as if we would observe a bridegroom exhilarated on his wedding day. The sun described as a bridegroom also has the generative power to produce lavish growth that would not exist without its light and heat. The Apostle Paul gave the result for those who reject the universal language of the creation. Romans 1 “20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” Isaiah 60 “19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. 20 for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.”
C — The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
Psalm 19 “7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
Comments: The opening of the Book of the Law declares the LORD God to be the creator of those things which should evoke praise from all people of the earth. Genesis 1 “1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” The Apostle John revealed to us that the Lord Christ Jesus is that God of creation. John 1 “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” Since the teaching found in God’s Word is absolutely complete, we have assurance that through it we can develop the faith that will draw us back to our Maker. It is the absolutely reliable way for the humble to become wise. The statutes of the LORD are righteous and just, and they cause the heart to rejoice in their keeping as they open our eyes to the LORD’s truth. Psalm 1 “1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly. 2 But his delight is in the law ofthe LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
D — The Judgments of the Lord Are True and Right Altogether
Psalm 19 “9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”
Comments: Obedience and respect of the LORD is morally and ethically pure, and that concept will endure forever. His manner and execution of judgments are faithful to his nature and altogether righteous. They are to be desired more than the greatest material riches such as much pure gold, and they have a sweetness to our inner being more than fresh honey gives to our sense of taste. But the greatest benefit is the warning they provide to the servant of God, because there will be great reward in keeping them. Psalm 111 “10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.” Proverbs 14 “26 In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. 27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.”
E — Cleanse Me and Keep Me from Presumptuous Sin
Psalm 19 “12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.”
Comments: The psalmist poses the rhetorical question when he asks who can consider or mark all errors. Knowing he cannot be fully aware of all past transgressions through his actions or inactions, he asks the LORD who knows all secret things to cleanse him from all past sins. We need to do that as well. Then we need to ask the LORD to keep us from being presumptuous in future sins, for it is only through the power of God that we can resist the exercise of control that sin can have over every person. With all glory to God, we can have integrity and be innocent from the great transgression that had previously separated us from the LORD. Psalm 119 “133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”
F — The Lord Is My Strength and My Redeemer
Psalm 19 “14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Comments: After we have confessed our past sins to the LORD and asked him to cleanse us and keep us from presumptuous sins, we should then be prepared to let the words of our mouth, and the meditation of our heart be acceptable in the sight of the LORD. Psalm 5 “1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. 2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. 3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalm 28 “7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Isaiah 44 “24 Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself.”
Reflections in Prayer
I believe LORD that you are the creator of heaven and earth, and of all living creatures. The beauty and complexity of your creation is an amazing and unfathomable display of your infinite wisdom, power, majesty, and glory. Your creation provides the first lines of your Word, to all people, and they are an essential part of the written Word you have given by your Spirit in the Holy Scriptures. May I come to your Word in complete humility as I explore the perfection of your commandments and testimonies given to make the believer wise. I am blessed LORD by knowing that your statutes are righteous and just, and that they cause the heart to rejoice in their keeping as they open our eyes to your truth. I believe that obedience and respect of your commands are required because they are morally and ethically pure, and your manner and execution of judgments are faithful to your nature and they are altogether righteous. I want to conduct my life to demonstrate that I truly believe they are more precious than any fleshly pleasure or the greatest of material possessions. I know that my past sins are manifold, and I praise you for your gracious forgiveness. I desire to submit to your Spirit within me so sin will not have dominion over me. Keep alive in me the hunger for your word to renew my mind in order that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart will be pleasing in your sight. LORD, you are my strength and my redeemer, and I want to offer to you my highest praise! Hallelujah and Amen.
Published 30 May 2013