Summary
“If God existed, he would give me a sign.” This phrase, and others like it, express the idea that God has not revealed himself sufficiently for people to know he exists and to give him the due honour and worship he deserves as Creator.
But though the distance between God and us, the creature, is so great that we could never know of the blessings found in him unless he revealed himself to us (WCF VII.1), we are not left to wonder of God’s existence. God has revealed himself to all men as Creator, and to his people as their Covenant Lord. Psalm 19 praises God for this truth.
Our passage explained
v1-6
In the first six verses of Psalm 19, we read of God’s Glory revealed in nature. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (v.1). All of Creation declares the existence and glory of God to all of us. God’s glory is revealed both “day to day” and “night to night” (v.2) as Creation metaphorically shouts from the rooftops of God’s existence and majesty.
The revelation of God is not limited by time, nor by location. In verses three and four we read that “there is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.” Nobody is able to escape the proclamation of God’s glory, wherever they are.
The revelation of God’s glory is further described in verses four to six, compared to the sun. The sky is described as a “tent” which God made for the sun to dwell in (v.4). The sun races across the sky like an excited groom heading to meet his bride, or an athlete running his course (v.5), reaching all people (v.6). If the sun, which is so powerful (and was often worshiped) is set in place and limited by God, how much more glorious must God be!
v7-9
From describing God’s glory described in nature, the psalm moves to God’s glory revealed in Scripture. Noticeably now, God is described by his covenant name (translated “LORD”) rather than as the generic “God”. Scripture is described (using various synonyms such as Law, commandment, testimony) in verses seven to nine as “perfect … sure … right … pure … clean … true”. That God’s revelation in Scripture is like this demonstrates God’s glory, because what can really be perfect or clean or true unless it comes from one who is himself the same?
In the same verses, what Scripture does is described. It is described as “reviving the soul … making wise the simple … rejoicing the heart … enlightening the eyes … enduring forever” and are “righteous altogether”. Scripture teaches and wisens our simple hearts, brings rejoicing and true satisfaction, and demonstrates the character of God in its nature, enduring forever and being wholly righteous.
v10-14
The precious character of God’s revelation in Scripture is declared in verse ten. God’s words are “more to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.” Gold is desirable but more so Scripture. In ancient times nothing was sweeter than honey, but God’s word is sweeter to the taste.
The psalm concludes by encouraging our response to God’s revelation. If God’s Word is the sweetest and most valuable thing, then we must desire it. Reason is given in verse eleven, “by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” Scripture corrects and promises blessing for obedience.
No wonder David seeks forgiveness from God for his “errors” and inadvertent sins, his “hidden faults” (v.12). Even more so, David asks that God “Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!” so he would not be found ruled by sin, instead of whole-hearted devotion to God (v.13). Instead, David asks that “the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (v.14).
Our passage applied
That concluding prayer ought to be ours too, as we trust in God our fortress and our redeemer from sin. Not only has God graciously revealed himself as the Creator of the world which screams of his glory, but he has revealed himself personally to us and revealed his nature to us especially in his Word.
Through nature and through Scripture, we are confronted with the God who Is There but does not leave us blind in our sin. He is the God who steps down to relate to us by revealing himself through his Word and through Jesus (who is God dwelling with us). Through Scripture, we are able to see God as he is, and what he has done for us, and respond to his mercy and grace.
As we celebrate and rejoice in God’s Word, we rejoice in the God whose perfections and wonders it proclaims, just as all Creation speaks of his handiwork.
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