Psalm 19

God’s natural revelation (vs. 1-6)—God has revealed Himself to mankind in two different ways: through nature and through His word. This chapter brilliantly analyzes both. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (v. 1). Day by day, night by night, “there is no speech or language where their voice is not heard” (vs. 2-3). In other words, humanity has many different languages and most people cannot communicate with each other very easily. But we can all understand the “language” God speaks as represented by the heavens—every place, every where, “to the end of the world” (v. 4). And “in them He has set a tabernacle for the sun” (v. 4). That sun comes forth like a bridegroom from his chamber—everyone awaits—and when Old Sol arises, everyone rejoices “like a strong man to run a race” (v. 5). Nothing on this earth can escape it (v. 6). Again, what David is doing is describing the existence and majesty of God, as revealed through the creation. One has to be really desperate to examine our world and not see a Creator behind it. No one would ever argue that our most sophisticated machinery—for example, a computer—simply happened by chance, or evolved from some primeval junk pile. But the earth, of which the smallest cell is far, far more complex and complicated than anything the human mind has ever fashioned, is the product of blind, chaotic, non-intelligent, purposeless forces! Folks, that is what passes for “knowledge” and “erudition” on college campuses today. The theory of evolution is the most idiotic idea humanity has ever conjured up; but people will do desperate things to avoid obeying God. David’s simple statements here in Psalm 19 about the heavens and the sun are proof enough to anyone with an open mind and an open heart.

God’s special revelation (vs. 7-11)—Yet, there is only so much we can learn about God from looking at nature. We may see His omnipotence, His omniscient, His benevolence and justice—but there is much that nature does not explain to us about Him. Most importantly, nature cannot tell us man’s purpose on this earth. Why did God put us here? Where did we come from? Where are we going? Why is there so much wickedness, heartache, and sorrow here? Is there anything we can do to please this seemingly capricious God, Who blesses the wicked, curses the righteous, sends earthquakes, famines, and pestilence to one people and sunshine and rain to another? This information can only be learned from God’s special revelation, His word. That word is perfect and sure, converting us and giving us wisdom that His natural revelation cannot (v. 7). It is right and pure, giving us a reason to rejoice in the knowledge it provides and enlightening as to why we are here and how we can please and serve Him (v. 8). The word of the Lord produces a reverence that it is clean, “enduring forever,” and pronounces judgments that are true, and righteous (v. 9). The words of God are more precious than gold and sweeter than honey (v. 10). They warn us, directing us from wicked, harmful pathways, and when we obey God’s diktats, “there is great reward” (v. 11). The natural revelation of God and the special revelation of God work hand in hand. In His word, we can see that, much of what is discerned from natural events, is true—for example, if one abuses alcohol, he will often pay the price. Both nature and the Bible tell us that. But again, nature is limited in its revelation. It cannot teach us about salvation in Jesus Christ; that knowledge comes only from God’s special, verbal revelation. We know God from nature; we know how to please Him from His word.

Man’s response (vs. 12-14)—Thus, since can know about God from nature and His word, we learn about ourselves and the ways to honor and satisfy Him. Even man cannot fully understand himself (v. 10); we need His aid to avoid sin. Being blameless is the goal, for God is holy, and we should strive to be like Him (v. 13). We know He exists; nature tells us that. We know He is holy; His word speaks of that. We know we fall short of His glory; our own experiences teach of that. Add it all up, and our prayer should be “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer” (v. 14).