PSALM 19 THE HEAVENS PROCLAIM THE GLORY OF GOD

 PSALM 19    THE HEAVENS PROCLAIM THE GLORY OF GOD

Sunday 4 October 2020, the 18th Sunday after Pentecost.

 

There are two poems in one in this psalm: the first is a nature poem extolling the wonder of nature as made by the creator, and the second, is a hymn to the Law. Their common theme is God in his creativity and God as the maintainer of order through the gift of the Law. The first part is the older as it reflects some of the nuances on pre-Davidic worship, while the second is post exilic where the God of the Law is worshipped.

1          The heavens declare the glory of God:
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

2          One day tells it to another:
and night to night communicates knowledge.

3          There is no speech or language:
nor are their voices heard.

4          Yet their sound has gone out through all the world:
and their words to the ends of the earth.

Although they have no audible voice and speak no intelligible language, the stars are custodians of a mysterious knowledge which day after day they proclaim to all the earth. They know and declare that they were created and kept in their place by the authoritative word of God. This not the word of science but the word of our hearts as we go outside of a clear night and see the wonder of the stars, but their voice tells us of the creation.

5          There he has pitched a tent for the sun:
which comes out as a bridegroom from his chamber
and rejoices like a strong man to run his course.

This is a lovely picture of how the sun is like bridegroom, full of the joy of life, who runs like a strong man from his tent. We know that the sun does not live in a tent in the sea, but that is imagery that makes us sit up and take note of the creation as it goes about its worshipful activity.

6          Its rising is at one end of the heavens
and its circuit to their farthest bound:
and nothing is hidden from its heat.

The sense that creation enjoys being what it is and no place on earth can be untouched by the sun’s light and warmth – it’s like we feel when the sun is out after two or three cloudy days. In writing this the poet expresses his joy in God and his creation.

 

GODLINESS BASED ON THE LAW

But there is another dimension expressed in deep sincere words that God gives the Law, something to keep us mindful of Him. The sun may warm and give light, but the Law gives purpose in God’s creation.

7.         The law of the Lord is perfect reviving the soul:
the command of the Lord is true and makes wise the simple.

8          The precepts of the Lord are right
and rejoice the heart:
the commandment of the Lord is pure
and gives light to the eyes.

Verse 7 is the basic statement on which the rest is but commentary. The Law is no mass of lifeless ordinances, but a living expression of the totality of God’s will. To obey is to have one’s life renewed. It is God’s self-witness to his will.

9          The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever:
the judgments of the Lord are unchanging and righteous everyone.

10        More to be desired are they than gold even much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey, than the honey that drips from the comb.

‘Unchanging and righteous’, the Law is the fountain which provides everything of supreme value to humankind, and it forms the ultimate desire for us.

11        Moreover by them is your servant taught:
and in keeping them there is great reward.

12        Who can know his own unwitting sins:
O cleanse me from my secret faults.

The reward talked of here is not some gross material prosperity, but the kind of life which the Law promotes and produces. Peoples’ inadequate self-understanding keeps them from this life-giving obedience. They cannot recognize their own errors. They unknowingly violate God’s will.

13        Keep your servant also from presumptuous sins
lest they get the mastery over me:
so I shall be clean and innocent of great offence.

14        May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight:
O Lord my strength and my redeemer.

The Law can be obeyed only on the ground of a non-legalistic reliance on God’s sustaining power. The last verse is a familiar prayer and was spoken at the presentation of a sacrifice. Here the offering is not an animal sacrifice but a hymn expressive of the total dedication (mouth and heart) of the worshippers to their God.

Thank you Fr Graham Alston for your weekly commentary on the appointed psalms.