Psalm 19, The Stars and Law Speak Out

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

Psalm 19: 1-4a, The heavens declare...

The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language 

where their voice is not heard. 

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

As in Psalm 8, the shepherd who has spent nights looking at the dark night sky, expresses awe at God's creation.  In these first four verses, God's work is evident in nature; in nature God "displays knowledge."

Another "nature lesson" occurs in Job chapters 38-41 where God challenges Job to match His creativity and power.  Read Job 38.  (I love this passage!)

The exact rendering of the Hebrew in verse 4 varies across the ancient documents.  According to the NIV translation, the Septuagint, Jerome translation and Peshitta Syriac manuscripts have the word for "line" instead of "voice" in that verse.  The meaning is, however, unchanged.

Psalm 19: 4b-6, A bridegroom comes out of his tent

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, 

which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, 

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.  

It rises at one end of the heavens 

and makes its circuit to the other; 

nothing is hidden from its heat.

The sun is an example of God's creative work.  Some commentators see an echo of a pagan sun god myth; if so, David's pointedly describes the sun as a representative piece of God's creation.

Psalm 19: 7-9, The Law of YHWH

The law of the LORD is perfect, 

reviving the soul. 

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, 

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right, 

giving joy to the heart.  

The commands of the LORD are radiant, 

giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure, 

enduring forever. 

The ordinances of the LORD are sure 

and altogether righteous.

Suddenly, in verse 7 ("The Law of the Lord is perfect...") we have a sharp change, so sharp that some suggest this is the beginning of a new psalm. But most likely, David's awe of the heavens leads him to examine his heart and to describe what he has learned about God.  As a Jew, he sees the Old Testament teachings ("Law") as a rich guide to joyful and successful living.

Psalm 19: 10-11, Sweeter than honey

They are more precious than gold, 

than much pure gold; 

they are sweeter than honey,

 than honey from the comb.  

By them is your servant warned; 

in keeping them there is great reward.

God's word, applied by the servants of God, leads to "sweet" reward.

In the New Testament, Paul echoes this, arguing that there are two "voices" of God, the external general revelation of creation and the divine revelation of God's teaching.

In Romans 1:18-20, Paul argues that God's creation is visible to all and so all are accountable to God. In Romans 3:19-26 Paul argues that the Law (this "second voice") has brought, to the Jew, an understanding of sin and of a need for salvation.  (Compare Paul's reaction to the Law and David's reaction here in this psalm.)

Psalm 19: 12-13, Hidden faults

Who can discern his errors? 

Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins; 

may they not rule over me. 

Then will I be blameless, 

innocent of great transgression.

Now we see a period of self-examination. In other places, David insists that he has been completely righteous. Here he seems aware that there could be hidden faults and errors of which one is unaware. In addition there are "willful" sins, deliberate cases of disobedience. And so he asks to not be ruled by those sins and to be blameless.

Psalm 19: 14, Words and meditation

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 

be pleasing in your sight, 

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

At the end of his self-examination, David asks that not only his words but his inmost thought be pleasing to YHWH, the One who protects him and redeems him.

This last verse is worth memorizing.