Monday
Monday
Psalm 19—God’s Self-Revelation
The heavens declare the glory of God…. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul.
Psalm 19:1, 7
According to C. S. Lewis, Psalm 19 is “the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.” From the Christian point of view, it contains the clearest summary of the doctrine of revelation to be found in the Old Testament, namely that God has made himself known to all humankind as Creator (vv. 1–6), to Israel as Law Giver (vv. 7–10), and to the individual as Redeemer (vv. 11–14).
Firstly, there is general revelation (vv. 1–6), so called because it is made to all people everywhere. This witness is given in nature, especially the heavens. It is continuous and universal. In dramatic imagery the psalmist likens the sunrise to the emergence of a bridegroom, and the sun’s daily course across the sky to the running of an athlete.
Secondly, there is special revelation (vv. 7–10). Abruptly the subject changes from God’s general revelation through nature to his special and supernatural revelation through torah, the Old Testament. The excellencies of the law are set forth in perfect Hebrew parallelism. It revives the soul, makes wise the simple, gives joy to the heart, and gives light to the eyes. Indeed, the commandments of the Lord are “more precious than gold” and “sweeter than honey” (v. 10), because they reveal God to us.
Thirdly, there is personal revelation (vv. 11–14). The psalmist now mentions himself for the first time and expresses his personal spiritual aspirations as God’s servant. He prays for forgiveness and for holiness. And he concludes with a prayer, which is frequently echoed by Christian preachers, that all his words, and even his thoughts, will be pleasing in the sight of God, whom he now declares to be both his Rock and his Redeemer.
For further reading: Psalm 19:1–14