The Heavens and the Law – Psalm 19

A text – 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 one’s own 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:

Here is a psalm of praise for two of God’s gifts: the heavens and the Law. The psalmist describes both gifts with great love and poetic imagery: 6 verses for the heavens and 6 for the Law. Then the writer asks protection from the one thing that might stand in the way of appreciating both gifts: insolent people, know-it-alls who arrogantly believe they need not be taught anything – they have all the answers.  The desire of the writer to be kept from arrogant unteachable folks brings us to the closing verse we so often hear a preacher say before embarking on a sermon: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” It is a plea, humbly, for the Lord to look favorably on the work the psalmist is doing.

This psalm beautifully describes the brilliant big works of God – creation in all its heights, and the Law, made to teach human beings how to live in creation – and appreciates everything the Lord put into them.  The Law is what the Maker of heaven and earth has written for us to follow as we live our lives within heaven and earth. The Law is our instruction book, given to keep us from injuring ourselves or others. And the psalmist loves it.

Only a God who loves every one of the human beings on the planet would take the trouble to care about how they treat one another. God loves us and has asked us to care for the world and one another. As we live this week in Creation and observing the Law, may the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to the Lord, our rock and our redeemer.

A prayer:

Lord God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for being our Creator and Lawgiver.  Help us to be grateful every day for Creation and for the Law. Help us to care for the world and your beloved children in the world. Let us not be overwhelmed by arrogant folks but be humble before our Creator and Redeemer. Amen.