making wise the simple” –Psalm 19:7.
The Law of the Lord is Perfect–Psalm 19
The first and last verses of Psalm 19 describe the speech of the Heavens and words of the psalmist. Both can declare the glory of God; the difference is this:
Creation glorifies the Creator by its very being—“pouring forth speech” day after day revealing knowledge of the Holy One (v. 2); humans can only glorify the Creator by embracing the Lord and His precepts (v. 8).
And, the Psalm closes with this prayer (v. 14):
“May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in Your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
At the heart of God-pleasing meditations and words are the ways and precepts of the Lord, upon which we are all invited to dwell (vv. 7-10):
“7 The Law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The [reverent] fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.”
As the Heavens and the skies declare the glory of our Creator, may we also join their witness, as we embrace God’s ways and testify to their perfection, trustworthiness, rightness, radiance, purity, firmness, preciousness, and sweetness with our ways and words.
In so doing, we join the Chorus of Creation with the meditations of our hearts and the words of our mouths, pleasing to the Lord and healing for the world.
[How does this Psalm speak to you today?]
Insights written by Professor Paul Anderson
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