His worlds – His words –His wisdom.
The writer, C.S. Lewis, describes Psalm 19 as the greatest poem in the Psalms.
There are three sections to this Psalm: His worlds, His words, and His wisdom!
His Worlds…
I memorized Psalm 19 years ago, and at night when I look at the sky, I think…
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork (v. 1, ESV).
Verse 1 is a must to memorize if you visit the mountains or seashore this summer and have a vista from which to see the stars at night.
Don’t try to count them, as the universe contains 2 trillion galaxies, and each galaxy has 100 billion stars.
Just look at the heavens and think – the heavens declare the glory of God.
In these heavens…
God has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them (vv. 4-6).
Long ago, many believed the world to be flat (I think some still believe this today), but the Psalmist writing from revelation and not Galileo’s telescope stated – rising from one end and its circuit to the other end!
Sooner or later science catches up to God.
When I look at the stars, I also remember Psalm 14:1, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God!’”
His Words…
God reveals Himself in three ways – through His worlds, His word, and His wisdom.
We get a sense of God’s grandeur and glory by star gazing, but we get the specifics of God’s nature by reading scripture.
Psalm 19 moves from God’s worlds to God’s Word.
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple (v. 7).
Amen!
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes (v. 8).
Amen and amen!
[The precepts of the Lord] more to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold (v. 10).
Amen, amen, and amen!
In keeping them there is great reward (v. 11).
Those who are happy and at peace follow God’s law. From His worlds we get grandeur, but from His Word we know right from wrong.
His Wisdom…
Psalm 19 continues the journey – from God’s worlds to God’s Word to His wisdom for you! Base your life on this wisdom and make great decisions!
Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! (v. 13)
Even King David, who wrote Psalm 19, made mistakes. We need to clearly hear God and have the courage to resist temptation.
The most insightful motto for your entire life concludes Psalm 19:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer (v. 14).
Worlds to Words to Wisdom.
Amen, amen, and amen!