This psalm, Psalm 19, is one of the psalms that many Christians instantly recognize or one from which many can cite. The psalm has two halves and you can read the whole psalm after the jump. The first half is about creation and how it speaks of God; the second half is about the Torah. The Word in creation, the Word in Scripture/Torah.

The language is metaphorical and poetic for the sky: the big idea is that though the sky does not speak, it speaks. Its inaudible voice tells a message and it speaks about God’s immense glory. They do this because they are God’s handiwork. Our task is like creation’s: as it declares God’s glory, so we are to praise God for his glory.

Day and night, not just during the daytime hours, the sky keeps on talking. Like a piece of artwork, say Van Gogh’s Starry Night, it speaks without words. The sun emerges as if from a bridal chamber. The sun rides the sky daily (unless you are in Seattle, of course). It runs its course from one end to the other.

Psalms 19

Psalm 19

For the music director; a psalm of David.

19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God;

the sky displays his handiwork.

19:2 Day after day it speaks out;

night after night it reveals his greatness.

19:3 There is no actual speech or word,

nor is its voice literally heard.

19:4 Yet its voice echoes throughout the earth;

its words carry to the distant horizon.

In the sky he has pitched a tent for the sun.

19:5 Like a bridegroom it emerges from its chamber;

like a strong man it enjoys running its course.

19:6 It emerges from the distant horizon,

and goes from one end of the sky to the other;

nothing can escape its heat.

19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect

and preserves one’s life.

The rules set down by the Lord are reliable

and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.

19:8 The Lord‘s precepts are fair

and make one joyful.

The Lord‘s commands are pure

and give insight for life.

19:9 The commands to fear the Lord are right

and endure forever.

The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy

and absolutely just.

19:10 They are of greater value than gold,

than even a great amount of pure gold;

they bring greater delight than honey,

than even the sweetest honey from a honeycomb.

19:11 Yes, your servant finds moral guidance there;

those who obey them receive a rich reward.

19:12 Who can know all his errors?

Please do not punish me for sins I am unaware of.

19:13 Moreover, keep me from committing flagrant sins;

do not allow such sins to control me.

Then I will be blameless,

and innocent of blatant rebellion.

19:14 May my words and my thoughts

be acceptable in your sight,

O Lord, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.

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