30 Days in the PsalmsSýnishorn

Day #5: Psalm 19

In Psalm 19, the poet prepares himself for prayer by reflecting on two beautiful ways that God has revealed himself to human beings. First, he contemplates the wordless witness of creation (vv. 1–6). In language reminiscent of Psalm 8, the psalmist notices how the heavens reveal the glory of the creator God. Both the night sky and the blazing sun “pour forth speech” and “declare” God’s glorious handiwork throughout the entire earth. This witness is without language, but it’s visible and accessible to every human being in every place on the planet, so it’s a good starting point.

Next, the writer turns his thoughts to the more explicit revelation of God found in his Word (vv. 7–11). The poet piles up terms for the specific expression of God’s will and character in human language—law, decrees, precepts, commandments, ordinances. Rather than a heavy or onerous burden, the clear expression of God’s will in God’s Word is perfect, sure, right, clear, pure, true, wholly righteous, and highly desirable. God’s ways, as expressed in God’s Word, have life-giving, restorative effects: souls are revived, the foolish are made wise, hearts rejoice, and eyes are enlightened. Living according to God’s Word is sweet, rich, and rewarding.

Having contemplated the wordless witness of creation and having recognized the life-giving, restorative power of God’s Word, the psalmist is ready to lift up his prayer (vv. 12–14). It’s essentially a single petition, expressed from three different angles; repeating it three times in three parallel ways underscores how important the prayer is. The psalmist is pleading with God: “Keep me from sin, so that nothing disturbs my relationship with you.” First, he puts it this way: “Clear me from hidden faults” (v. 12). He knows that sin is deceitful and that we often cannot see our own errors, so he asks for the enlightening grace of God in order to see himself clearly. Second, he prays to be kept from the insolent (or the proud), so that he won’t take on their arrogant ways (v. 13). Finally, he submits his speech and thoughts to the scrutiny of God’s Word and God’s Spirit: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (v. 14, ESV).

Today is a good day to place your life before the Lord in prayer, to welcome the scrutiny and correction of the Spirit-inspired Word!