The Gift of the Law – Psalm 19

Psalm 19

19:1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
19:2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
19:3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
19:4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
19:5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
19:6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;
19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
19:9 the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
19:11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
19:12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
19:13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

A reflection:

This psalm starts with the amazing created world of God pouring forth speech and knowledge, and then settles into the law and decrees of the Lord, also creations of God. The psalmist sees the law as a beloved gift from God – a perfect and life-giving gift. But why? Many of us, in our more selfish moments, think we would like nothing better than to be free of the law of God – no one telling us what to do.

But the law establishes order, because it warns us when we are about to make a wrong step or a fault. God’s law was intended to protect God’s people from doing wicked things, from engaging in bad deeds that lead to more bad deeds that lead to destruction. The psalmist asks God to keep the insolent away from him – those who are arrogant and lack respect – because above all the psalmist wants his thinking and feeling to be acceptable to the Lord who has redeemed him and kept him safe. 

But here’s one beauty of the law: it guides. If you’ve ever been without your GPS and had to navigate by what you may remember from a map in a book somewhere at home, you might relate to the psalmist’s verses 7-10. As you travel down that road, looking for some sign – a landmark, a mile marker, a route number – and then after a long while of nothing you see a small billboard for a hardware store in a town, named on the sign, that will be found 23 miles ahead! At that moment you know what it is to discover that you are on the right road. Your soul IS revived. Your simpleness IS wise, all of a sudden. Your heart IS rejoicing and your eyes ARE enlightened. You are 23 miles from a place you know, on a map you don’t have, but where your guidance system will kick in again. The law, your route, will get you there. It is a gift.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving us your law, which brings order out of chaos and helps us to live in such a way that we appreciate it and you as its giver.  Amen.