My friends, do you need healing this morning? Is your heart hurting, confused, and angry at the state of our country? Are you unsure how to respond? Are you at a loss as to how to explain it all to your children and grandchildren? Do you have a friend who just needs to talk about it, but you feel like your head will explode if you hear any more? Or your heart will if you feel any more?
Friends, the answer is clear, and it is in this psalm. God works in this way, you know. He speaks to us when we open our hearts to Him, when we are silent long enough to hear His voice. He promises this.
Listen to Him.
Psalm 19: Creation & Scripture- God’s two great works
Read Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David
I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.
CS. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms, 1958
David is not talking about heaven in this poem; he’s actually talking about the sky and the sun. David looked up to the sky and saw the handiwork of God, his Father.
And was blessed by it.
No one knows for certain at what point in David’s life this was written, but Charles Spurgeon reminds us of this interesting piece:
In his earliest days the psalmist, while keeping his father’s flock, had devoted himself to the study of God’s two great books- nature and Scripture; and he had so thoroughly entered into the spirit of these two volumes in his library that he was able with a devout criticism to compare and contrast them, magnifying the excellence of the Author as seen in both.
Charles Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834-1892
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we look up to the sky, and on a nice day you will often hear, “the sun is out” or “the mountain is out.” I realize this may not be a thing in other parts of the world, but here we all understand this. We see the sun and the blue sky, feel the warmth of the sun, and we feel blessed.
David proclaims the sky and sun are evidence of God. Do you believe this?
Do the day and the night sky speak to you? Do they reveal who God is to you?
Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge.
Psalm 19:2 NKJV
This is so beautiful. The day and the night sing the praises of God, the Creator. The Hebrew word used for “pours out” is something like a great fountain. The beauty of the sun and the clouds and the expanse of the sky is a great, gushing fountain proclaiming the mightiness of the Creator.
The night sky- where would mankind be without the night sky? The moon and the stars guide our lives and have throughout time. The night sky also reminds us of our insignificance. We study the stars and the constellations; we long to understand them.
Is there something else out there? We can’t possibly be alone in this great unknowable expanse. Yes, God!
Even in David’s time, they knew this truth:
Read Psalm 19:1-2 in a different translation. I recommend the International Childrens Bible or the Complete Jewish Bible (all available on the bible app)
In verses 7-9, the psalm shifts from the glory of God as revealed in His creation to the awesomeness of who He is as revealed through Scripture.
He is wisest who reads both the world-book and the Word-book as two volumes of the same work, and feels concerning them, “My Father wrote them both.”
Charles Spurgeon, English preacher, 1834-1892
The law of the LORD is perfect . . . The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy . . . The precepts of the LORD are right . . . The commands of the LORD are radiant . . . The fear of the LORD is pure . . . The decrees of the LORD are firm . . .
Also, did you notice the shift in verse 7 to a different Hebrew name for God? In this section, David is using the most holy of names, YHWH (Yahweh or Jehovah).
David felt very strongly in the beauty and sanctity of the Word of God. But let’s remember that David would have only a portion of the Bible that we know today.
At that time in history, David would possibly have in his hand- or the priests in the tabernacle would have- the first five books of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy). Historians call this book the Pentateuch- meaning “five books” in Greek. The Jewish people call this the Torah. Some may just refer to these books at “the Law.”
Other scholars believe the Pentateuch weren’t even “books” at this point. That David may have only had bits and pieces of each. Much of what he knew was still primaryly oral history.
And actually, Spurgeons calls the portion of scripture that David would have during his life as compared to the whole that we have, “the darkest and most historical portion.”
And yet, David sings of the beauty of whatever Scripture he does have. This psalm glorifies God in His awesome creation, then praises Jehovah in the holiness of His word, then asks for help as a lowly sinner, and ends with these glorious word . . .
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:15
Today, as uncertainty creeps around every corner, seek the beauty of God in His creation.
As fear of illness and unrest in our world threaten to suffocate us, look to the heavens to see the handiwork of God. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Nothing that is happening today, no worry of our hearts, is new to Him.
As sadness burdens our souls at the injustice in our world and we do not know what to do or where to turn, open God’s Word. The answers are there. The hope is there. The healing is there. The ability to love others is there.
God has written two great masterpieces for you and for me. They both tell us of His great love for us. They remind us that we are never alone; that He goes before us. And they draw us into relationship with Him . . . if we let them.
Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. -Jesus Matthew 11:28
Father in heaven, give us strength today. As this world seems to be falling apart around us, your words remain the same. As our country struggles in so many ways, your creation cries out to you, its Creator. As we read from your two great masterpieces today, reveal your heart to us, give us direction and love for our neighbors and for those who are different from us in appearance and in beliefs. Help us to see others through your eyes. Heal our land, keep our loved ones safe, and strengthen your church. Amen.
Heidi xoxo