Psalm 19 begins with describing how God reveals Himself through creation in verses 1-6 but then switches topic suddenly in verse 7. Psalm 19: 7 God’s Word is perfect in every way; how it revives our souls! His laws lead us to truth, and his ways change the simple into wise.[1]
What would cause this sudden change, why would David combine the thought of God revealing Himself with nature with God’s Word? Did two different Psalms get combined by accident? David gives insight to this sudden switch in verse 12. Psalm 19: Without this revelation-light, how would I ever detect the waywardness of my heart? Lord, forgive my hidden flaws whenever you find them.[2]
God’s Word, like nature, revels who God is. From nature we can surmise there must be a Creator. When we read God’s Word, we receive more revelation. God’s Word tells us about the condition of our heart and thus our relationship with God. David reveals the type of relationship he has with God as he ends his psalm.
Psalm 19: 13Keep cleansing me, God, and keep me from my secret, selfish sins; may they never rule over me! For only then will I be free from fault and remain innocent of rebellion.
14 So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, my only Redeemer, my Protector-God.[3]
David understood that God was a Creator who loved him and as a result, he wanted to obey God. David considers his obedience to God, his servanthood, to be like a sacrifice. We, too, can see God revealed in nature and the Bible. Jesus came to pay the price for our sins so that our relationship with God can be restored. We are saved by our trusting Jesus for this. Our obedience should be done like David, something that flows out of our heart because of our love for God.
To hear more about David and his Psalms, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/david-and-his-songs-the-early-years/today-sets-the-stage-for-tomorrow
[1,2,3] The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC.. thePassionTranslation.com