Scripture Daily

Context No. 3706 of 4322 · Psalms

Context · Reflection

Psalms 19:1-14: in context

1The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. 2Day after day they pour out speech, and night after night they display knowledge. 3There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. 4Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5which is as a bridegroom coming out of his room, like a strong man rejoicing to run his course. 6His going out is from the end of the heavens, his circuit to its ends. There is nothing hidden from its heat. 7The LORD’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. The LORD’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple. 8The LORD’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. The LORD’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The LORD’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. 10They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. 11Moreover your servant is warned by them. In keeping them there is great reward. 12Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors. 13Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my rock, and my redeemer.

This psalm celebrates two ways God speaks. First, creation: the heavens declare the glory of God, day and night pouring out a wordless speech that reaches to the ends of the earth. The whole cosmos testifies to its Maker. And second, more clearly still, God's written word: the law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.

The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; his precepts rejoice the heart; they are more to be desired than gold, and sweeter than honey. Where creation shows God's glory, his word shows his will and revives the soul. And the psalm ends in humble prayer: who can discern his errors? Cleanse me from hidden faults; keep back your servant from presumptuous sins. The one who delights in God's word is drawn to honest self-examination and to a longing to be kept from sin, both the hidden faults we do not even see and the willful sins that would master us. It closes with a prayer that our words and thoughts be acceptable to God.

Do I hear God speaking both through his creation and his word, and does delight in his word lead me, like the psalmist, to seek cleansing from hidden faults and to be kept from willful sin?

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