Psalm 19

Dear Friends,

We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk. We give thanks to Rev. Dr Linda Stargel, Academic Dean and Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies and Biblical Language, for writing this devotional.

You are welcome to share this and include it in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author. Thank you!

Psalm 19 (NLT)

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.

God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.

14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Devotional

The natural creation proclaims God’s glory. The psalmist exemplifies this in detail by means of his dramatic imagery of the sun portrayed as a bridegroom and an athlete. Nothing is hidden from the sun or escapes its effect (6).

The psalmist then depicts God’s Word in the same stirring manner as a source of all that is perfect, trustworthy, right, clear, and pure. The effects of God’s Word are life-giving and uplifting. It revives us, makes us wise, gladdens our heart, and brings insight to our lives. This instruction is neither oppressive nor threatening but rather attractive, precious, and delicious. It is the fountain of human life and well-being. Like the natural creation, the Word proclaims the true glory of God and his character.

In the final section (12-14), the psalmist reminds us that when we encounter the fullness of God’s glory in the ways just mentioned—in his natural creation and through his Word—all is revealed and nothing within us can remain hidden (12). (How much more for New Testament people who have also received God’s proclamation through his Son!)

Our only fitting response to God’s self-revelation is one of humble confession and surrender, so that we too might become proclamations of God’s glory and handiwork.

Prayer

May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Because Psalms were written to be sung, feel free to sing this using the metered words and tune provided at https://psalms.seedbed.com/psalm-19/#1466804648612-c19979b7-86503606-b638


Shalom,

Linda M. Stargel