PSALM 19 - THERE IS A GOD

Text: The entire Psalm

19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.

The heavens and the firmament say, “there is a God”. Although there are unseen and unknown things about Heaven, the heavens and firmament, referred to here, are the things in the sky above us that are visible and known to mankind. We know this is true because they tell us something every time we observe them. It is this creation, as well as all other elements of the creation, that tells us, “there is a God”.

19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.

The heavens and firmament constantly declare "there is a God." The sun shines on the earth every day. The moon, stars and other heavenly bodies, shine forth every night. At no time during a full 24-hour day is there lack of evidence of our Creator, the God of Heaven and Earth.

19:3 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.

The declarations made by the heavens and firmament is spoken in a universal language. There is no language barrier when observing God’s creation. In every language and dialect known to mankind, the heavens and firmament says, “there is a God”.

19:4 There is a line gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath He set a tabernacle for the sun.

From one end of the earth to the other, throughout the entire world, evidence of our God and Creator is seen in this portion of His magnificent creation. Due to our relationship to it, the sun is here given a position of prominence. It gives the earth motion, heat, and light – all things that sustain life here on earth.

19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

The sun is regaled in splendor, similar to a bridegroom making his appearance. Every creature on earth should rejoice each day at the appearance of the sun on the eastern horizon, because with it comes all things that sustain life.

19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

We know that the earth rotates around the sun, but, this verse describes the rotation of the earth that appears to cause the sun to circumvent this entire planet, supplying its life sustaining benefits on all people, animals and plant life throughout the earth.

19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The first six verses show the visible testimony of God through His creation. Here begins another form of testimony – God’s law. This is the divinely inspired writings contained in the Old and the New Testaments that make up the Bible. His creation establishes the fact that there is a God. The Bible gives us the perfect knowledge of God’s will and tells us of our responsibility to it. Its acceptance, and dedicated study of its contents, will result in the recognition of the eternal soul of mankind. Obtaining the knowledge of God’s will and applying it to our lives makes us wise, in God’s way, to the eternal salvation of the soul.

19:8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

All should rejoice in the fact that God has placed His plan of eternal salvation before us in His word – the Bible. God’s commandments tell us both what to do and what not to do. All lead to purity in the conduct of our lives. We are all enlightened by the knowledge of God’s word that allows us to recognize the difference between good and evil, between right and wrong, and between righteousness and sinfulness.

19:9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

It is the reverence a person has for God that will keep them as pure as possible. Without this respect there is a tendency, even a likelihood that one will fall away from obedience to the will of God. Having put into effect His commandments according to inspired scriptures, each person will be judged on their individual obedience or disobedience to them. These judgments of God are righteous, because we already know the rewards that result from obeying them, as well as the punishments for disobeying them.

19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb.

Throughout the annals of history, gold has been most desirous, especially fine gold, the purest available. And honey? Although honey is sweet, but when it comes immediately from the honeycomb, we find it to be the sweetest. These are two examples of things that are extremely desirable by mankind. However, more desirable than these are God’s law, testimony, statutes, commandments, fear, and judgment. Why? It is because, with the knowledge and the wisdom to be obedient to them, one has a hope of eternal life. The finest gold and the sweetest honey, although desirable, cannot fill the spiritual needs of mankind.

19:11 Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Here we find the reason for the statement posed in the previous verse. Why is the will of God most desirous? Because with knowledge of God’s will – its warning of punishment as well as its promise of a great reward.All men and women of the world have full access to God's instructions to find eternal salvation. Wisdom is found in those that observe and obey God’s will completely.

19:12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Who on earth is perfect? Who is free from faults? The answer is, no one. This thought is carried into the following verse.

19:13 Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins: let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Not only does the Psalmist recognize the need for forgiveness of public as well as secret sins, but he recognizes that one can be overtaken by impure thoughts. Each person needs to recognize that unguarded thoughts can result in the outward commitment of sin. Not only should we be constantly on guard against such, but continually pray for God’s guidance that we may avoid presumptuous sins.

19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer.

What a beautiful and powerful closing prayer by the Psalmist. He realizes the need for God’s guidance in every facet of life – in what individuals do, what they say, and what they think about. All these things need to be constantly observed and compared to the commandments of God, with corrections being made, were needed, to conformour will to the will of God.

His magnificent creation says, there is a God. The Bible confirms there is a God. His law, testimony, statutes, commandments, fear, and judgments contain His will. Faithfully following His will leads us to eternal salvation. Blessed are those that recognize, before it is too late, there is a God!