READ: Ps. 19:1–15: … The heavens declare the glory of God … The firmament shows His handiwork … The law of the LORD is perfect … More to be desired are they than gold … Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.
This Psalm has three parts. The first part (vv.2–7) concerns the glory of God as it is seen in His creation. The second part (vv.8–11) concerns the glory and perfection of God as it is read in His law. And the third part (vv.12–15) describes the effect of God’s written revelation on the life of the believer.
The book of creation, preservation, and government of the world teaches God’ eternal power and deity (Rom. 1:20; Belgic Confession art. 2). It must continually bring everyone and every creature to the highest praise of God: day to day and night to night the heavens declare God’s glory; there is no interruption in this.
That glory remains visible and recognizable to everyone in everything God has created on earth, in the sea, or in the air. Without audible speech this message comes to you unceasingly, wherever you are in the world.
Verses 5–7: the sun has its place in the heavens, yet at the same time runs its course from one end of the sky to the other, continually visible with a glow of exuberant joy.
In order to know God in His glory, alongside the book of creation there is the book of His Word with His law. The Psalm names several divine qualities and effects of it (vv.8–12).
(1) As perfect law it restores (converts) your sinful soul. (2) As testimony for the truth over against the lie it is trustworthy and gives you wisdom. (3) You find joy in following it. (4) As a pure commandment it gives light to your path: you can discern good from evil (Ps. 119:105). (5) God’s law helps you fear the LORD in holiness over against false teaching and ungodliness. (6) God’s judgments are true and righteous altogether.
Let us next to our devotion to God and our glorifying of Him, acknowledge the necessity of God’s forgiving grace and the intercession of His Son (vv.13–15).
God knows our deliberations—do we realize that?
Singing: Ps. 19:1,3