Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
7The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
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Thoughts: This is one of my favorite Psalms. The heavens point not just to the existence of God- which is plain, but to the glory of God. The stars point to the height and depth of the ability of God to create but also to care. The Master mind behind it all, and the precision that the universe balances despite moving at a rapid pace (492,000 miles per hour or 220 kilometers per second). The earth itself moves at 1,000 miles per hour- rotating every 24 hours- yet we do not fall off. There are 200 billion trillion stars in the universe. God made them all- which shows His greatness. We can only see between 1,000 to 10,000 with the naked eye and about 5 million through telescopes. God's greatness is amazing. We will have much to explore in heaven.
While the heavens point to God's glory, the Word of God is even more precise and sweeter for us. They warn us, correct us, and keep us in the right path that is healthy for us. Calvin pointed out this third use of the law- that it doesn't just convict us and show us our need for grace- but it also can guide us to making right decisions in this life.
The Psalmist ends with a call for God to bless his musings and thoughts- that they would also please Him. God the creator of all and of His Word is also our Rock- steadfast and faithful; and also our Redeemer- who rescues us from trouble and our own sins. This is another reason to be a missionary- to point people to His greatness in creation and His Word. Everyone needs a rock. Everyone needs someone who can lift them up when they cannot lift themselves.
Prayer: Lord, help me to meditate on your greatness and your Word. Give me grace to point everyone to your greatness and Word.
