ETB Psalm 19:1-11

Session 3: God’s Glory - p.25

The book starts off with the statement, “There are a number of ways we can get to know people.”

How do you tend to get to know someone?

Do you talk with them, watch them, spend time around them?

It is impossible to fully know someone as there is always something more to learn because with each passing day, that person is different. I think God made us that way as an example of Himself whom we will spend an eternity getting to know better.

Transition: In today’s session we’ll look at how Psalm 19 offers a hymn of praise to God for His creation and His Word. Both the beauty of creation and the instruction of His Word can draw us into a closer relationship with Him

Understand the Context

Today’s Psalm was the first complete chapters in the Bible that I memorized when I became a Christian. It was partly a challenge by a mentor and also a learning experience for me to understand the process I need to go through to memorize Scripture. Even when I read the verses today out of the ESV Bible, some of the KJV words that I learned many years ago still go through my mind.

King David wrote Psalm 19 as he beheld God’s creation and studied God’s Word. Because David submitted his life to the Lord’s leadership, he ruled over the kingdom of Israel well. God also gave him a gift for writing psalms. With his psalm, David put spiritual impressions into the everyday words of Hebrew poetry. Accordingly, Psalm 19 captured what he experienced when he found himself worshiping the Lord who both created the sky and provided His instruction for His people.  [LifeWay Adults (2025). Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide, Winter 2024-'25]

Explore the Text

Psalm 19:1–6 ESV

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 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, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 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.

The heavens declare

Verses 1 and two restate similar concepts with different words within each verse, but they also mirror each other in their references.

The heavens are the night sky, and they proclaim, declare, and reveal the glory of God. This is God character and holiness. Literally His “heaviness.”

What are some things that we see at night that the Psalmist also saw that speak to God’s glory?

During the day we call the space above the earth sky. The Psalmist notes how this reveals or shows His creative work and order. During the day we not only see this handiwork above us but also all around us on the earth.

What part of God’s creative work draws you into the worship of Him? What part of nature makes you consider the greatness of God?

Day to day

In verse 1 we had night and day, now in verse two we have day and night. The sky was proclaiming His works it continues to speak to us about God if we are willing to listen. The night also continues to proclaim the glory of God by revealing His knowledge to us. People have been looking up at the sky and wondering about the stars for millennia. Astronomy and astrophysics have been a study for scholars since Galileo and Copernicus. Although the science and observational capabilities have greatly improved since their time, the universe and its components have only gotten bigger and precision of detail and balance more intricate.

Some look at the vastness of all the galaxies and think that there must be other planets with life on them. If so, I believe God would reveal Himself to them as well and tell them of His Son’s death for them too. If there is not more sentient life in the universe, then it points to how incredibly valuable humans are in God’s eyes as He created all of it for us to marvel at and hear of His mighty works on our behalf.

There is no speech

Verse 3 and 4 shows us even further of the greatness of God’s work because all of the declaring, proclaiming, and speech is done with a single word being spoken, but every person in the world is able to understand their language.

This is amazing when you think about how God did all of this creative work at the beginning, knowing that in a few generations that all “human speech” would be “confused” at the Tower of Babel. God established His glory and proclamation of it in a way that translates into every human heart and mind.

Life Application Bible Notes Chapter 19

While nature points to the existence of God, the Bible tells us about God’s plan of salvation. God’s people must explain to others how they can have a relationship with God. Although most people believe in a Creator because of the evidence of nature around them, they need to know about his love, mercy, and grace. What are you doing to take God’s message to the world?

he has set a tent for the sun

At the end of verse 4 a more specific example of this universal speech is given. The “them” is the heavens and sky which already declare God’s greatness on their own, but the sun is given it habitation, dwelling place, or more literally a “tabernacle” within their confines.

The Psalmist then describes the sun in a way that shows its glorious display in two masculine ideals.

The biggest day in a man’s life that draws the most attention to himself is his wedding day. It is still a big event even in today’s cultures. In ancient times they did not have church buildings and “bridal rooms” for to prepare before coming to the altar with everyone watching. He is usually dressed the best and the most “made up” that he will be in his life. That is the sun every morning. New and full of life, bursting forth in great energy. But instead of just standing, waiting for the bride - this bridegroom - the sun begins running.

runs its course with joy

A strong man, or what we would call and athlete, are usually the most fulfilled when they are able to do the competition for which they have trained and excel in doing. The sun is a runner, with a literal “all day” course to cover. But like a well-trained athlete it is not burdensome but a joyous occasion.

What are some things that you find bring you joy, that others might think is tiresome or “not fun?”

rising is from the end of the heavens

The beginning of verse 6 describes the “course” of the sun in more detail. From the end of the heavens, could be another way of saying dawn, or the end of night. Then it goes to the other side of the sky and the heaven returns. Could equally be a description of the “ends of them” as being the horizons that could be seen. The Psalmist’s intent however it to link the sun’s global effects to all life on earth and God’s blessings.

nothing is hidden from its heat

Some version, like the NIV, have the word “warmth” instead. I do not think that is the best word for the translation since does not reflect the power and purifying effect that heat, or God's glory and His Word has. This statement of God’s purifying heat is the transition to the next part of the Psalm which focuses on God’s Word and its effects on those who read it.

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 19

The word hidden shows the flow of thought in the psalm: just as the sun’s heat searches every nook and cranny so that “there is nothing hidden from its heat” (v. 6), so too the law searches all the hiding places of the soul; the honest faithful can only ask God to declare them innocent.

As evidence of the Word of God penetrating our hearts, David uses the same word again later in verse 12 as his prayer for God to cleanse the “hidden faults” within his soul.

Discuss: What misconceptions about God might people draw if they only depend on what they see in creation—apart from His written Word?

CSB Study Bible: Notes Psalm 19

The shift of subject between vv. 1–6 and vv. 7–14 seems abrupt. However, the common element in both cases is God’s revelation of himself and his purposes to mankind. In the first part of the psalm, it is God’s creation (general revelation), whereas in the second part, it is the words that God specifically communicated to his people (special revelation).

As we read through this next set of verses, take note of the adjectives that David uses to describe God’s word and the verbs that he uses to describe its work.

Psalm 19:7–11 ESV

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Ask: What do these terms (adjectives and verbs) suggest to you about the function of the Bible?

perfect and reviving

God’s Word is complete and contains everything necessary for redemption and “reviving” the soul from death to life.

1 Peter 1:23 “since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;”

sure and making wise

God’s Word is without error and is totally trustworthy, therefore we can gain great wisdom from it. The beginning of wisdom it to acknowledge our lack of it compared to God and approach His Word with a simple attitude and a desire to learn.

Psalm 119:98–100 “Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.”

right to rejoice the heart

All of us are able to rejoice more easily when the going is “smooth and straight.” Our hearts are lifted up because we see how blessed we are and that it is God who has done it.

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

pure and enlightening

The pure light of God’s Word reveals things to us that no other resource on earth can. The Spirit uses the Word to penetrate deep into the recesses of our hearts to show us how we are not following His precepts fully. But this is also done in mercy and long with a pure desire to help and improve our lives never to burden or punish without cause.

Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”

Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

clean and enduring

The awe-inspiring fear of God the His Word creates within us as we read it changes us to accept and align our lives to His ways. It cleans us up for Him to use us more fully. And once He has made a change in us, it cannot be undone for His work endures forever. Although His creation will one day be burned up and replaced, the adjustments made in our hearts towards Christlikeness will never be removed for He is eternal and eternally within us.

John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!”

true and righteous

The Psalmist reiterates one more time how truthful and full of truth God’s Word is and that it is the morally pure directive for any that are willing to accept and follow them.

Psalm 119:160 “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.”

desired and sweet

The pursuit of God’s truth in His Word and creation is to be sought after more than any other thing on earth. Gold as the most precious thing of the day would be understood as that which provides everything else for life. Money is the heart pursuit of many today, but God’s desire is for it to be Him and His Word. Once that pursuit begins, the “sweet tooth” we all have kicks in, and we want more and more of it. Thankfully although God’s word sweeter than the purest honey or the ripest sugar cane, it will never run out, make us fat, or rot our teeth. We can enjoy as much of it as we possibly can take in and still have room for more.

Proverbs 24:12–14 “If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work? My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”

warns and rewards

God has written all of this down so that we have no excuse to and can “know” when we are not obeying. He has also given it to us so that we can plan ahead and be “warned” of those temptations that may cause us to stumble. When we do heed His Word and obey through those trials, the rewards of His mercy are joyous. The greatest reward however is yet to come when we finally see Him as He is and will be for eternity because we have accepted His Word, and His Son who ransomed us to Himself.

Proverbs 6:22 “When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.”

James 1:25 “But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

Danger may emerge from our circumstances or their relationships, but we will never regret heeding His warnings. Avoiding the foolishness of wrong turns and walking in the wisdom that sheds His light on our path proves to be most rewarding for us.  [ETB:ALG Win'25]

Life Application Bible Notes Chapter 19

When we think of instructions, decrees, and commandments, we often think of rules that keep us from having fun. But here we see the opposite: God’s laws revive us, make us wise, bring joy to the heart, give insight, warn us, and reward us. God’s laws are guidelines and lights for our path, rather than chains on our hands and feet. They point at danger to warn us, and then point at success to guide us.

Transition: God’s Word reveals the way to a relationship with Jesus Christ, an awareness of our sin, and a pathway for righteous living.

Psalm 19:12–14 ESV

Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 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. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Verse 14 is the memory verse for this week which is an excellent verse to start your day with.

Confession led David to pray with resolve. As the king prayed, he committed himself to the Lord in two important ways. He sought to please the Lord with every word that he uttered. Just as important, he yearned to please the Lord with his thoughts. He affirmed that the thoughts nourished in his heart would determine the words that came from his mouth. [ETB:ALG Win'25]

The Psalmist gives us some very practical insight into an appropriate perception of sin. He understands that the sins committed voluntarily and willfully are directly against God and “we know it.” He calls them “presumptuous” as we are presuming to know better than God. It is the willful acts against God that cause the patterns of sins that we read about in the last two Psalms. These “heart issues” are what develop and eventually dominate our lives if we do not consistently confess them to God. The devotional I am reading this year often speaks about “preaching the gospel to yourself.” The “greatest transgression” we can make is not accepting Christ as Savior in our lives, but we can “dethrone” Him from His proper place if we do not daily come to God in humility, seeking His mercy and redemption.

The NIV Application Commentary on the Bible Psalm 19:1–14

Having wondered at the revelation of God declared through heavens and sun and having rejoiced in the admonition and guidance offered through God’s torah, the psalmist turns at last to the appropriate human response of those who adopt the proper attitude of “fear of the LORD” (19:9). The final statement is a model of the kind of submission to the will of God admonished in the whole psalm.

Apply the Text

The Life Principles Bible Psalm 19

The God who made the universe by His almighty power offers to exercise that same power on our behalf to help us speak and think in a way that honors Him. He wants to be involved in every aspect of our lives.

Pray: Creator God, thank You for revealing Yourself to us through all of your wonderous works that You have placed us within. Lord, help us to learn even more about You and Your works as we examine, study, and pray about all Your works. Redeeming Father, thank You for giving us Your written Word that we can see and hear from You in a special way. Holy Spirit guide us as we learn from it and show others from Your works and Your Word how You desire a relationship with all those around us.