Psalms 1 - 50

by Mike Raiter

Day 19

Read Psalm 19

Christian writer C. S. Lewis once said about Psalm 19: ″I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.″5 It's a symphony of praise to God's Word in three movements.

The danger for us is that we, too, can be deaf to the glorious music of creation that the Lord plays for us every day

First, we hear the silent voice of God (vv. 1-6). The heavens declare, proclaim, and pour forth divine knowledge. So, when David says, ″they have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them″ (v. 3), he is saying that while creation's voice is inaudible to the human ear, its message can be clearly heard: God still speaks through it. That's why, says Paul, men and women have no excuse for not giving Him the glory (Romans 1:18-20). The danger for us is that we, too, can be deaf to the glorious music of creation that the Lord plays for us every day.

Second, David rejoices at the voice of God in His Word (Psalm 19:7-10). Of course, both voices-creation and Scripture-sing the same song: the glory of God. Where creation reveals God's glory, Scripture follows by providing greater detail. While David is focusing on the Law of Moses (v. 7), what he says is true of all Scripture. David describes the Bible's life-changing impact: it refreshes the soul, makes us wise, gladdens the heart, and gives light to the eyes (vv. 7-8). No wonder David sings that the Word is worth more than the world's gold, and tastier than the most delicious food (v. 10).

Finally, David responds to the God who speaks (vv. 11-14). He describes one feature of the Word's ministry in the life of the righteous: the conviction of sin. David asks God for forgiveness for both his hidden faults and his deliberate sins (vv. 12-13). God's Word announces our sinfulness and speaks of our need for cleansing. But the wonderful climax of its message is that God's Word became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). This living Word made us clean by His death and rules us by His gospel. By His Word and Spirit, God changes lives, and by reading and obeying all of God's word, ″there is great reward″ (Psalm 19:11), even into eternity.

5C. S. Lewis, Reflections on the Psalms (New York: Harper One, 1958), 73-74, https://reiterations.wordpress.com/2017/07/26/c-s-lewis-on-psalm-19/.


Think through:

How much thought do you give to the ″symphony of creation″? What does creation teach us about the God we worship? What can we do to create a greater awareness of the voice of God in creation?

How has reading God's Word affected your life?

COMMENTS

JOURNAL


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About Author

Mike Raiter is a preacher, preaching trainer and former Principal of the Melbourne School of Theology in Australia. He is now Director of the Centre for Biblical Preaching and the author of a number of books, including Stirrings of the Soul, which won the 2004 Australian Christian Book of the Year award.

Author of Journey Through Series:

Our Daily Bread Journey Through® Series is a publication of Our Daily Bread Ministries.

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