To the chief musician, a psalm of David
19
📚The heavens declarethe glory of God;
and the expanse 📖 shows
his handiwork.
19:1 This psalm speaks of two witnesses for God – creation (vs 1-6), and the teaching God has revealed (vs 7-11). It closes with the desire to be free from sin and to be pleasing to the Creator.⚜
2 📚Day by day they pour
forth speech,
and night by night show
forth knowledge.
19:2 Creation testifies to God’s being and glory. Compare Rom 1:19-20. Christ Himself pointed to nature as teaching God’s wisdom, glory, and care – Matt 6:26-30; 10:29. So it is in vain for any philosopher or scientist to deny it. Those who do so only show their own spiritual blindness or prejudice.⚜
3 📚There is no speech
or language where
their voice is not heard.
4 📚Their boundary line 📖
has gone out through
all the earth,
and their words to
the end of the world.
In them he has set
a tent for the sun,
19:3-4 The heavens, the sun, moon, and stars do not speak words, but their silent testimony is universal and very powerful. It reaches every nation, tribe, and village on earth. These created objects are saying, “There is a Creator, a God of infinite power and glory”. This testimony goes everywhere, including places where no human preacher has ever gone.⚜
5 📚Which is like a bridegroom
coming out of
his chamber,
and like a strong man
rejoicing to run a race.
6 📚Its rising is from
one end of heaven,
and its circuit to the other
end of it,
and there is nothing hidden
from its heat.
19:4-6 The sun is singled out as the brightest object in the sky that declares the glory of God. Men at different times and places have worshiped the sun as God. The writers of the Bible, inspired by God’s Spirit, knew better. The sun is simply an object made by God (Gen 1:1, 16), and points to God as the proper object of worship.⚜
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,
giving joy to the heart.
The commandment
of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
19:8 Two more results of the Word of God received – joy (Ps 119:111; Jer 15:16; John 17:13; 1 Thess 1:6; 1 John 1:4), and light (Ps 119:105, 130; Prov 6:23; 2 Cor 4:4; 2 Pet 1:19).⚜
9 📚The fear of the LORD
is clean,
enduring forever.
The judgments of
the LORD are altogether
true and righteous.
10 📚They are more desirable
than gold, yes,
than much fine gold.
They are sweeter
also than honey and the
honeycomb.
19:10 If men would go after the wonderful truths of the Word of God as they pursue wealth how blessed they would be and how different the whole world would be! (Ps 119:72, 127; Prov 8:10-11, 19). The Word of God is very sweet to the spiritual man (Ps 119:103; Prov 24:13-14). If it is not so with us it is because we are still carnal and sin is powerful in us.⚜
11 📚Moreover by them
your servant is warned,
and in keeping them
there is great
reward.
19:11 As long as we are in this world we will continue to need warnings from God (2 Chron 19:10; Ezek 3:18-21; Acts 20:31; 1 Cor 4:14; Col 1:28; 1 Thess 5:14; Heb 11:7). On “reward” see Ps 17:4; 25:10; 119:9; Josh 1:7-8; Isa 66:2; John 17:17; Jam 1:21; 1 Pet 2:2. Spiritual prosperity and success, safety, God’s loving favor, purity of life, God’s esteem, increasing sanctification, spiritual growth – these are some of the “rewards” of obedience to God’s Word. Besides there will be the eternal rewards to be enjoyed in heaven (Rev 22:12).⚜
12 📚Who can discern his errors?
Cleanse me from secret
faults.
19:12 See Ps 90:8; 139:23-24; Lev 4:1-2. No doubt we all may commit acts which in our eyes may not be errors or sins but will be such in the eyes of God (Jer 17:9-10).⚜
13 📚Keep back your servant
also from presumptuous sins.
Let them not have dominion
over me.
Then I will be blameless,
and I will be innocent from
great transgression 📖.
19:13 See note at Num 15:30-31. Willful or presumptuous sins are extremely dangerous. Any sin will try to get the upper hand and rule over us. See Gen 4:7; John 8:34. But believers now have the promise of Rom 6:14.⚜
14 📚May the words 📖 of my mouth,
and the meditation
of my heart 📖,
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my strength
and my redeemer.