Psalm 19

Introduction

English Standard Version Psalm 19

The Law of the LORD Is Perfect

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.

This week we turn to Psalm 19, a wisdom psalm. As I’ve noted before there are multiple kinds of psalms in the Psalter. There are psalms of thanksgiving, psalms of lament, psalms of praise, psalms of confidence, wisdom psalms, royal psalms, and hymns. If you’ll recall, Psalm 17 was a psalm of lament, and that Psalm 18 was a psalm of thanksgiving, so as we unpack psalm 19 today you’ll be able to compare and contrast some of these different types of psalms. Psalm 17 was an expression of David’s fears amidst his immediate circumstances, a psalm of lament. In Psalm 18 David reflected upon God’s faithfulness to him throughout his life as king, a psalm of thanksgiving. And now, in Psalm 19, David teaches us amid his praise and meditation. First, he describes how God’s creation bears witness to God’s glory, then, how the law of the Lord is perfect, and finally David concludes by saying that his desire is that his own heart and words would be acceptable in God’s sight. These are three parts of Psalm 19 that build upon one another.

Now, Psalm 19, is like most psalms, that do not include a historical background. We don’t know when David wrote this psalm, or from what historical context. And in this case, it’s unnecessary for us to know, because what this psalm teaches us is manifestly clear without any historical context. Often, historical context can illuminate the meaning of a particular text, or deepen our understanding of it, but here it’s not necessary. Psalm 19 is very didactic, it’s very instructive, it’s meant to teach, and we do not have to investigate it’s historical context to understand it’s meaning. It’s much more akin to the Book of Proverbs, hence why it’s regarded as a wisdom psalm.

The differences lie in how the content is communicated. Here, David is communicating in the form of a prayer, and rather than merely a short pithy style, his words are far more poetic. Most of the psalms are meant to be sung, which is why the heading of Psalm 19 reads, “To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David”. They were intended for liturgical use, to be used in corporate worship. In some churches they’ll provide a psalter for use during worship, a book that specifically includes the psalms meant for corporate singing.

Heavens declare the glory of God

Now, as we get started, let’s read verses 1-6 again together,

English Standard Version Psalm 19

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.

David begins the psalm by asserting the heavens declare the glory of God, that the heavens proclaim his handiwork, that everyday the heavens pours forth speech and knowledge. Now, the obvious question becomes, “How do the heavens do this?” “How can the heavens declare the glory of God when the heavens cannot speak?” Yet David says there in verse 4 that “their voices go out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”

Well, obviously, the heavens, in one sense, cannot speak like we do, but that isn’t to say that they do not communicate. And while the heavens do not posses a mind or have thoughts, the heavens remain a constant a reminder, that God did this. While the universe does not have a mind, that there’s a mind behind the universe. Like a painting reminding us there’s a painter. The heavens are evidence of God’s handiwork, and therefore declare his glory. The heavens give us a glimpse into the mind of God and declare his splendor. We look at the heavens and we marvel, ultimately because God is marvelous.

God’s the creator

The fundamental idea here is that all of creation declares the glory of God, that creation bears witness to God’s existence. That the universe did not create itself, that the universe is not eternal, and that the universe is not divine as some might claim. Something did not come from nothing, life did not come from non-life, and mankind is not the product of millions of years of evolution, of time and chance acting on matter. Instead, the creation has a creator.

Genesis 1:1 says,

English Standard Version Chapter 1

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

then in John 1:2-3, speaking of Jesus, it says,

English Standard Version Chapter 1

2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

and again in Colossian 1:16, the Apostle Paul writes,

English Standard Version Chapter 1

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

God is not only the creator of all things but also the sustainer of all things; everything’s existence depends upon him. Hebrews 1:3 describes Jesus as the one who “upholds the universe by the word of his power.”

Creation glorifies God

Many ask, “Why did God make the heavens so immeasurably vast?” Well, the answer is, so that we might get a taste of just how big God is. The heavens are intended to communicate the greatness of God, the grandeur of God, to communicate his transcendence. Yet, in our fallenness, mankind looks at the heavens, misses God entirely, and wonders, “Are we alone in the universe?” “Are there aliens out there?” Well, the vastness of the cosmos is not that we might wonder if we are alone or whether there aliens on distant planets. No, we’re meant to see God and his infinite greatness.

In fact, listen to what the Apostle Paul says in his letter to the church in Rome, in chapter 1, verse 20. Referring to God, Paul says,

English Standard Version Chapter 1

20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.

In other words, when we look at creation, whether it be the heavens, or things on the earth, God’s eternal power and his divine nature are on display. The incalculable nature of the created cosmos points to God’s eternal power, and to his divine nature. That only a divine being of infinite power could have done this.

No one can hide

And more than that, listen to what else David says there in Psalm 19, in verses 4-6,

English Standard Version Psalm 19

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.

What David is saying is that the heavens declare the glory of God day after day, night after night, and that it goes out through all the earth, even to the ends of the earth. Like the sun that runs its course every day, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. Notice that last line, “and there is nothing hidden from its heat.” In other words, no one can hide from the glory of God anymore than they can hide from the affects of the sun. And as David considers this, his heart responds in praise and worship.

Suppress & exchange the truth

But unfortunately, this isn’t how fallen man responds. Instead we’re told that by nature fallen man suppresses this truth about God, and exchanges the glory of God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. In other words, fallen man worships the creature rather than the creator. The Apostle Paul puts all of this together for us in Roman 1:18. Turn there with me if you would.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Notice Paul’s repeated use of the word ‘exchange’. He says they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man; he says they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the creator. He emphasizes that fallen man does not want God in his thinking, and therefore they suppress the truth about Him, the truth that’s clearly perceived in creation, and they worship the creation rather than the creator. And that they are therefore without excuse.

This is why the prevailing worldview of our day is secular humanism, it deifies man and rejects God. It exalts man’s intellect and reasoning as though mankind were the ultimate source of truth and morality. It’s why mankind turns to idols and deifies nature, calling the creation Mother Earth, as if she were divine and the source of all life. It’s why so many scientists, who make investigating God’s handiwork their profession, reject the very existence of God.

And it’s because of sin that the natural man suppresses the truth about God, it’s a moral problem. It’s why David says elsewhere in Psalm 14:1, “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”” Why is he a fool? Because to deny God is to deny the obvious truth. You see, to be foolish is not to be unintelligent, rather, to be foolish is to be immoral. As one commentator put it, “As the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, so the denial of God is the height of foolishness.” (Divine Revelation, RSB, p. 850)

Ungrateful

It’s remarkable to me how popular the Thanksgiving holiday remains in our increasingly secular society. The world knows that it should be thankful, yet it refuses to honor God and give him thanks, so the world’s thankfulness becomes empty and directed at no one. Or its thankfulness is directed at created things. How often have you watched unbelievers give thanks to an animal for feeding them.

We were watching a reality TV series the other day, and the entire show was based on which participant could live in the wilderness on their own, for the longest. And so the series chronicles the struggles of each participant along the way, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats wondering who will outlast the other. And after we had watched several episodes I noticed that every participant, whenever they caught a fish or shot a deer they thanked that particular animal. There was no acknowledgement of God, there was no thankfulness rendered to him, instead they thanked the creation as though it were divine. They actively exchanged the glory of the immortal God for created things.

Natural revelation

And so the atheist actively denies the obvious, the agnostic pleads ignorance as though it were impossible to know, and the pagan worships idols made by their own imaginations, but the creation condemns them all. The glory of God that is revealed in creation is unavoidably prevalent and manifestly clear enough to condemn man for his sin and his rebellion. However, this kind of revelation, as David describes it here in Psalm 19, while it’s sufficient to condemn mankind for his rebellion, it is not sufficient to save him. Theologians have long described this kind of revelation as general or natural revelation. The idea is that mankind requires more, specific revelation to escape the wrath of God, to escape condemnation.

Special revelation

This is why we need more than scientific inquiry, we need theology. We need to know God, we need to know that he has sent a redeemer, we need to know what we must do to be saved. And it’s through God’s word that we’ve been given these answers. We don’t get them by marveling at the heavens, but by hearing the word of God. This why Paul says in Romans 10:14-17,

English Standard Version Chapter 10

14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

It’s this specific information that’s necessary for salvation, it’s God’s ordained means for saving his elect. Theologians describe this kind of revelation as special revelation. This is the kind of revelation that David describes there in verses 7-11, it’s God’s law, it’s his testimony, his precepts, his commandments, his rules, and his words, all of which culminate in the Gospel - the news that commands every man everywhere to repent and believe on God’s Son for the forgiveness of sins. That God has not left us without a redeemer!

Use words

This is also why we must share the Gospel using our words. There’s a common misconception that we witness with our lives, that we can win people to the Lord merely by our actions. While many who think so may be well meaning, no one will be converted solely on the basis of your kindness. We must open our mouths, we must do so with our children, with our family, with our friends, our coworkers, and everyone around us. Yes, our actions should substantiate what we say, but do not think that the Gospel is proclaimed without a word.

Conclusion

Now, we’re going to have to leave the rest of this psalm for our next time, but let me leave you with this. While the unbelieving world exchanges the glory of God for images resembling mortal man, the Christian, like David, see the glory of God in creation. When we see the stars we marvel at his handiwork, because they declare the glory of God, the glory of whom we love. When we feel the sun on our face we’re reminded that even in a fallen world God’s goodness pervades our every circumstance. When we look at creation it speaks of God’s eternal power and divine nature, which prompts our hearts to worship. It’s the Christian who looks at creation and says, “This is the Lord’s doing; and it’s marvelous in our eyes.” To the one who fears God the heavens elicit praise.

Prayer