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Psalms

Psalm 19

By Pastor Doug
The works and the word of God.
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

 1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
         And the firmament shows His handiwork.
The Heavens declare the Glory of God.  Even to look with the naked eye at a night sky just loaded with stars is truly awesome.  Now, in our lifetime, we also get to look at the Hubble pictures and see a picture of something only the angels had previously seen.  It is truly incredible! 


 


As a kid, I watched as man walked on the moon.  I remember going outside and looking up at the moon and studying it.  Were they really there?  It was so far away and all so breathtaking and amazing for a kid to try to take in.  Now we see pictures from satellites and from little robots that landed on mars. 


 


What is ironic is that the scientific community uses these pictures and data to try to prove that man wasn't created but that he evolved.  They show us breathtaking pictures and give us phenomenal numbers of stars and galaxies that seem to go on forever and each new data point seems to point to God all the more.  The more science discovers the more design we see.  Behind each amazing design and delicate balance of life is an amazing creator that spoke it into existence and holds it all together by His power.


 


 2 Day unto day utters speech,
         And night unto night reveals knowledge.
 3 There is no speech nor language
         Where their voice is not heard.
 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth,
         And their words to the end of the world.
        In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
 5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
         And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
 6 Its rising is from one end of heaven,
         And its circuit to the other end;
         And there is nothing hidden from its heat.


Day after day the heavens declare the glory of God.  They never stop testifying, yet they have never uttered a word.  There is no language and there is no word, but that doesn't make it any less important for us to hear.  To ignore the creation of God and act as though it all happened by accident is stealing God's glory and giving it to another.  Even worse, to act as though it were all an accident is even worse.  That is denying God's glory without even acknowledging glory is deserved by someone.


 


The heavens cry out that there is a God who created it all.  Yet there is no speech and nothing is really heard.  But the message has gone out to the entire world.  This is fascinating that the sun is referred to in scripture as if it were the only one.  God has set the tabernacle for the sun among the heavens.  All the other suns are secondary even if they are bigger, appear to be older, burn brighter or bajillion miles away.  The sun is still the center of life as we know it.  It marks the days, it brings life, it determines the temperature and it sets the mood for a day.



 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul;
         The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
 8 The statutes 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 judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
 10 More to be desired are they than gold,
         Yea, than much fine gold;
         Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
         And in keeping them there is great reward.
After reading this your first response might have been to see if you were still on the same Psalm.  It seems to shift gears so radically that some bible scholars think this is really two Psalms joined together.  However, others believe it is a two part message. 



  1. You can see God in the heavens.
  2. You can hear God in his words.

Both speak profound messages and both tell of the majesty and holiness of the Lord God almighty. 


 


God gave us His word by the law, the testimony, statutes, commandments, judgments and reverence.  It is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true and they are desired.  The word converts, makes wise, rejoices the heart, enlightens the eyes and endures forever.  God's word is fine and desired like gold and sweet like honey and to be eaten.  When the word is possessed it serves as a warning but also as a reward.


 


God's law is perfect.  It's so simple and makes so much sense we don't give it the credit it deserves.  We think of it as a list of things we can't do.  When it's proven time and again that the things God ordained lead to good health, wisdom, knowledge, joy, and a fulfilled life.


         
 12 Who can understand his errors?
         Cleanse me from secret faults.
 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
         Let them not have dominion over me.
         Then I shall be blameless,
         And I shall be innocent of great transgression.
It could be overwhelming to try to remember all of God's precepts and all of God's laws.  Even though we are saved by grace and are not under the law, we still desire to please God and be obedient to all his ways.  We know that we are incapable of keeping the law.  Our sinful nature gets us in trouble.  We commit errors and secret sins we don't even realize or know about. 


 


David said if God would cleanse him of the secret or hidden faults and keep him from the presumptuous sins then he might be blameless.  David is not claiming to be sinless or innocent, only blameless.  And that comes from God's protection and guidance and forgiveness.


         
 14 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 should be the prayer and intent of every Christian.  All the words that come out of our mouth and the thoughts and intents of our heart should be pleasing to the Lord.  He alone is our strength and redeemer.