Prior to electricity and tech devices that occupy our eyes a significant part of the day, the world looked up and around. The stars gave direction, the clouds spoke of rain, the earth between our fingers spoke of growing potential and more. When one gazes at the world, it’s not hard to believe in that which is greater.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
The intricacy, beauty and intelligence in all of creation is always talking, beyond any language, tribe or tongue. It speaks of something greater–the glory of God.
Then this psalm talks what seems to be a jolting switch and begins to talk about the law of the Lord:
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,and all of them are righteous.
Why jump from talking how the natural world points to the glory of God, and then start talking about the law and statues of the Lord? It’s because why the world brings us general revelation of the grandeur of God, the Word makes Him more specifically known. This is even alluded to by the words used.
When the creation is talked about, the word “God” (El) is used which is the most generic word for God. And then when it goes to the more specific picture of God, the word “LORD” (Yahweh) is the more specific form for God.
The world gives us revelation and so does the Word. With that we have full knowledge of God. Therefore we must live in the knowledge of the glory of God.
That means asking God to cleanse us from unintentional sins, and praying for God to keep us from willful sins.
And David ends with this:
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer” (Ps 19:14).
