Psalm 19

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above [expanse] proclaims his handiwork.

2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

I wish I could see the night sky like David did. Like most people alive in the world today, we probably never will. The amount of light pollution from electric lights has dimmed the evening spectacle. It is better than any TV show, yet watch TV is what we do every night. I love electricity, but every technological advance that makes something possible also makes something else impossible or very difficult. Seeing the full glory of God in the heavens is one of those things. The “heavens” referred to the stars, the moon and the sun, set high above everything, absolutely unreachable. The “sky above” or the “expanse” referred to the realm of the weather, the clouds and the rain, watering the earth and causing it to flourish. You can look up any time of day and learn something by listening. The elements are speaking. The heavenly bodies are revealing knowledge. This of course is literally true. We have studied these heavenly bodies throughout human history and learned much. We are even now harnessing the power of the sun some 93 million miles away. However, the primary truth they are revealing is the answer to them most important questions of all -- How did all of this get here? What is the meaning of it all? The celestial bodies, the cycles of the seasons, and the consistency of the weather all reveal an ordered universe, one that does not operate at the whims of the gods, but one that can be studied and depended upon. This suggests the existence of one who orders chaos and who cares for this planet. I recognize that others will draw different conclusions, but this one has always made the most sense to me based on what I know of life. Organization comes from organizers. Intelligence comes from intelligence. Order does not come from chaos. Organized information does not come from ignorance. That the universe can be studied and not worshiped is one of the major contributions of Judaism to humanity. Yet there are still people who worship the universe -- some out of ignorance, others out of blindness to the obvious. “The Cosmos is all that is or ever was or evil will be” (Carl Sagan). That is a statement of faith that leaves me quite cold. 

3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.

4 Their voice [measuring line] goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

These verses read something like a riddle. The heavens and skies cannot speak using human language. They have no capacity to vocalize in any way, and yet what they communicate is universal. There’s not a square inch of the surface of the planet that cannot receive their communication. The created world is a universal spokesperson for the glory of God, proclaiming “God made this!” There seem to be only two answers to the question of, “how did everything get here?” Either some great and powerful intelligent mind made it as the work of his hands or it is all one happy accident with no purpose in mind. There may be other mystical options out there, but the psalmist doesn’t leave us any other options. We know there is a God because of what he has made. We know something about him because the kinds of things he has made and the way that the world works. First, there is vast diversity -- from topography, to climate and biodiversity -- that’s creativity. Second, there is synchronization -- all of these things work together and in fact need one another to exist and thrive (the water cycle and oxygen cycle come to mind, but there are many more. Third, there is life -- everywhere life -- from the darkest caves to the deepest oceans, from the peaks of mountains to the frozen Antarctic. It is in the air that we breath, God is pro-life. Fourth, there is beauty. Everything could be drab and gray, but God made color and ever changing forms to enchant the eyes. Sunsets, snow-covered mountains, forests and streams -- they are all three dimension, ever-changing canvases for God’s glory. The alternate translation “measuring line” may suggest the universal vastness of the heavens -- there is no place where they come to an end. Take time today to look up. Don’t take for granted all the beauty around you, but listen for a few moments each day to the voice of God in his handiwork. 

In them he has set a tent for the sun,

5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. In some cultures people worshiped the sun, but here the sun is portrayed as a servant of God as God provides a place for the sun to sleep each night. The tent consists of clouds stretched over the horizon in the western sky. They are the blankets under which the sun goes to bed for the night, waking again and emerging from its blankets the next morning. The sun comes up in the morning like a newlywed getting out of bed after consummating the marriage. It is the first day of married life after an exhausting wedding ceremony and a night of rest and pleasure. He has united with the one he loves and in their union there is the promise of life, the miracle of children. He’s absolutely beaming! He can do anything -- even run a marathon like an athlete. He brightens the day of everyone and everything. His strength cannot be contained. As powerful and glorious as is the sun, he is still the servant of God. He still must do YHWH’s bidding. Nothing is hidden from its heat reminds me of what the writer of Hebrews said about the all-knowing eye of God. Nothing in all creation is hidden. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before Him to whom we must give an account (4:13). Take opportunities to contemplate the sun today. Consider its beauty and glory upon rising in the morning and setting in the evening. Consider its warmth streaming on your skin from 93 million miles away. Be grateful for its light that nourishes life on this earth. We couldn’t make it long without it. A world without a sun is an impossibility, and ours happens to be just the right size and distance here in the goldilocks zone. Even at night the sun is still at work, reflecting its light off the moon to give us a night light. The sun is a metaphor for God himself, not the object of our worship, but evidence of one greater than the sun. We take the sun for granted, but here the psalmist writes a couple verses for us to contemplate on its glory which is reflective of the glory of God. 

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, [blameless] reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

There are few things in this world that are perfect. Look close enough at just about anything and you’ll see its flaws. But not the law of the LORD. It is blameless, perfect and unassailable. It has been scrutinized like no other book in human history. Every word and syllable has been parsed and reflected on backwards and forwards. Countless books and commentaries have been written to illuminate its pages. Scholars have devoted their entire lives to its study. Critics have done their best to destroy its credibility, but it still stands perfect 3,000 years later. Yes, you can point out the human marks on it and there are a few passages who authenticity is in doubt, but for its age, scope and authorship it is a miracle that it has a high level of cohesion. In fact, the more I study the more I see the connectedness of it all. Reading a bit of it every morning revives my soul. It’s beyond counting the number of times that the words of scripture have energized me, given me faith and confidence, and sustained me with truth in the midst of cultural lies. The truth of God gives life to the deepest parts of us. The testimony of the LORD is sure. His story can be trusted. He’s not lying. You can stake your life and eternal destiny on its message. And in this life, study and application of the law will make the dullest person wise. It is from the mouths of infants and children that the LORD has ordained praise and there are low IQ individuals who have more common sense and moral sense than Peter Singer. This is the promise for me and anyone who will heed its words: You can gain wisdom. This doesn’t mean that you are the smartest person in the room, but you can be the wisest. Consider the proverbs and the moral teachings through the Bible narratives. Consider the life and words of Jesus. There is more truth and wisdom in them than one can digest in an entire lifetime. May I rest today in knowing that you can do much with a wise simpleton like myself. May I trust in your sure and perfect word that gives life.

8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

The adjectives “right” and “pure” describe the precepts and commandments of the LORD. I’m sure that there are those who would be quick to disagree, citing examples of barbarism in the narratives and unreasonable restrictions on behavior in its teachings. The Bible contains the truth not only about God but about human nature -- hence the barbarism. Because it gets human nature right, its rules and restrictions are necessary in promoting human flourishing. The Bible teaches a way of living that balances both the individual and collective needs by restraining both the individual and the collective from dominating. These are the two errors that societies can fall into -- elevating the individual (do whatever makes you happy) and elevating the collective (sacrifice your individuality for the greater good). The Bible teaches us how to rightfully serve both of those needs by first submitting to God and imitating his moral character in how we treat others and ourselves. The result of abiding by the LORD’s precepts and commandments is a joyful heart and enlightened eyes. The joyful heart suggests a person that it at peace with herself and others. Enlightened eyes suggests wisdom and insight into reality. Enlightenment is sometimes thought of as some spiritual experience where one becomes aware of transcendent reality (I’m thinking Buddhism here), but that’s not the biblical sense. I think it is more along the lines of awareness, clarity, and understanding of that which is truly real, the truth. This is what is offered us if we meditate on his law and align our lives with its decrees -- a joyful heart and enlightened eyes. 

9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules [just decrees, judgments] of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.

The word for clean in this phrase is used of ceremonial cleanliness but also physical and moral cleanliness. The phrase “fear of the LORD” refers to reverence, holy respect, and the sterling reputation of God. God’s reputation is clean, spotless, beyond reproach. He cannot be rightfully accused of anything unethical. (He will be accused, but the charge will not stand). There is no sin in him, and this is reflected in his law, his revealed standard of ethical purity. This fact lasts forever and is unchanging. It doesn’t shift with cultural whims. For example, the sexual mores of our culture have drifted dramatically libertine in my lifetime. What was once unthinkable is now unquestionable. But God’s standards have not changed, and despite our justifications and rationalizations, sin and its consequences have not changed. You are free to break God’s laws, but you are not free from the consequences of breaking them. If you break them you will be broken by them. They endure forever. In addition, his decisions are true and completely right, beyond dispute. Again, we’re prone to argue with God about them, but 95% of them are crystal clear. By that I mean that there are ethical dilemmas that require balancing two or more ethical principles. As Mark Twain said, “it’s not the things in the Bible that I don’t understand that trouble me, it’s the things that I do understand.” What ethical standards are you violating today that you have rationalized to the point where you don’t even think about them anymore? It’s easy to judge others on this and point out their sins, but what about your own ethical purity? What about your own behavior and thoughts? Measure your life by the unchanging, pure, and true words of God. You’ll always come up short, but this is the process of sanctification, becoming more Christ-like.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Having described the benefits of observing the law, the psalmist now demonstrates their value. They are to be more desired than gold that has been refined, a metaphor that speaks of its worth, beauty, and position in one’s life. Most human beings desire wealth because it means security, comfort, and pleasure. The same is true of the word of God. Living life the way God’s word defines it grants security to those who follow is path. It is not the safe path in that it doesn’t guarantee you freedom from suffering, but it is one in which you are not alone. God is with you in the journey, and that makes it secure. Gold doesn’t satisfy when real trouble comes in your life. The word of God provides comfort as well. Money allows you to experience the comforts of life, but with it also comes stress -- the more you have, the more you have to care for. The word “comfort” at its root contains the idea of strengthening (com + fort = with fortitude/strength). Believing in God’s promises and putting them to the test brings comfort in every circumstance. The believer has something solid on which to stand when the world is moving beneath their feet. And finally, wealth can bring pleasure and entertainment. You can afford nice things, vacations, and experiences that bring a smile to our faces. This is even more true of the word of God as in fact the second metaphor develops. The law of God is sweeter than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Honey is still one of the sweetest substances you’ll find -- so sweet you can’t eat it straight up. You’ve got to put it on a hot biscuit and let it soak in. In an ancient world where food was much more of a chore to acquire, prepare and store, honey must have been a special treat. It was difficult (painful?) to acquire, it took time to process, and it was messy. Are these also aspects of the word of God? It takes effort to draw out the rich sweetness it contains, a painful and time-consuming process that yields small but potent pleasure to those who put in the effort. Honey is also a quick energy food. Your word O LORD is a treasure untold. May I pursue it like the desire that I have for economic security and sweet foods. 

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

The value of the law is stated in both positive and negative terms, risks and rewards, a carrot and a stick. The law serves as a warning against behaviors that are destructive of the individual and of society. It provides moral boundaries, guardrails that keep us on a path where we can move forward and flourish. By both command and story, the law prescribes behaviors that will keep us out of trouble. On the positive side, there is great reward to obeying the law. The laws of God were instituted by our designer for our good. The one who knows us best has prescribed the behaviors and attitudes that will give us the good life. The good life doesn’t mean freedom from suffering of course, but it allows for joy in the midst of suffering. Tim Keller speaks of active discipline and passive discipline and how they each develop character and spiritual maturity. Active discipline is essentially obedience (things that we do), while passive discipline comes in the form of trials (things that happen to us). The wise person grows through both of those means. The obedient and faithful one experiences deep and abiding joy along with deep sorrow. This maybe the reward that the psalmist is speaking of -- that deep abiding shalom or peace of God when all is well internally. I have experienced the reward of keeping the law. I recall difficult moral choices that I’ve made along the way, and I’m better for it, my life is better for it. I can also recall times when I ignored the warnings. I read the label and ingested the poison anyway, and I suffered for it, all the while believing that I would be exempt from its effects because I’m generally a good person. Truth is truth. Poison is poison. Believing it otherwise doesn’t make it so. 

12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

The truth of God’s word lays us wide open. It discerns our thoughts and attitudes. Our secrets are laid bare before God as his word teases them to the surface. We can’t see these on our own, blinded as we are by our pride. So the psalmist asks, “Who can discern his errors?”  “Declare me innocent from hidden faults.” If God’s word warns and rewards, it will begin by revealing the truth of who we are. May I be open to listening to the voice of God for correction of my path. The next level of behavior that the Word addresses is that of presumptuous or willful sin -- those activities and attitudes that I indulge knowing that they are forbidden by God, conscious that they are not on the path of doing what is right, but believing that I will avoid detection and consequence. These are not matters that are up for debate, rationalization or justification. They are presumptuous in that I am presuming to know more than God. I’m putting myself in the place of God, “becoming like God” as the original temptation in the garden stated it. Keep me from these because this kind of behavior will come to dominate your life, becoming the framework through which you see and do everything, believing that you are God and justifying immorality with pride. Which leads us to the third level of turning away from the truth -- great transgression. Refusing to listen to the truth of God and justifying your actions by your own authority, there’s nothing for the force of others stopping you from doing whatever you want. Society and government try to keep behaviors in check, but the individual can still do just about anything his heart can justify and society it left cleaning up the carnage. I believe these three prayers contained in these two verses became biographical for David, this man after God’s own heart, this boy wonder who could do it all. Pride leads us to deadly places, and it’s likely that David wrote this psalm before engaging in his famously great transgressions. This means that it can happen to anyone. Be on your guard. By the grace of God align yourself with the truth of God and the truth about yourself. Any one of us is capable of great transgression. It begins will small steps, so watch each one. 

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

The psalm begins and ends with words. The heavens are declaring and proclaiming the glory of God in a universal language. The truth of God is expressed in human language via the scriptures as God speaks to all who will listen. Having listened for eleven verses, it is now the psalmist’s turn to speak. He prays for his behavior to be aligned with the reality of God in verses 12-13, and now he prays that his words and thoughts would be as well. David is bringing his whole being into sync with nature and nature’s God by obeying, speaking, and thinking about the LORD, his rock and redeemer. The word meditation has hagah as its root and is also found as a musical term in Psalm 9:16. It means to mutter, mumble or muse -- in this case, in one’s heart, internally. May my thinking about God and may the words that I speak be in agreement with the truth, the reality of who he is and what he has done in Christ. He identifies the LORD with two metaphors. The rock suggests stability, strength, unbreakability, an unchanging nature, security (as in hide behind), high ground for a sure defense against attack, and a permanent landmark for orientation. A redeemer is a person who buys something or someone back from ownership by another. It involves an exchange, a sacrifice, a cost to the redeemer and a free gift to the recipient. It’s not too difficult to see how these two words point us to Jesus, the chief cornerstone (rock) of our faith and the one who exchanged his life for ours (redeemer), transforming us in the process. David understands even before Christ, that YHWH is a redeemer, one who pays a price to restore us to our rightful place as sons and daughters, a free people.