Bible Version: New International Version (NIV)
Application Notes: Life Application Study Bible (NIV)
PSALMS 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
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 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.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Application Notes
19:1-14 In this psalm, David's steps of meditation take him from creation, through God's Word, through David’s own sinfulness, to salvation. As God reveals himself through nature (19:1-6), we learn about his power and our finiteness. As God reveals himself through Scripture (19:7-11), we learn about his holiness and our sinfulness. As. God reveals himself through daily experiences (19:12-14), we learn about this gracious forgiveness that frees us from our guilt.
19:1-6 We are surrounded by fantastic displays of God's craftsmanship—the heavens heavens give dramatic evidence of his existence, his power, his love, and his care. To say that the universe came into being by chance is beyond reason. To argue that mind-boggling beauty and complexity can come out of nothing and was created by no one seems absurd. The design, intricacy, orderliness, and life-giving environment of our world clearly point to a personally involved Creator. As you look at God's handiwork around you in nature and in the heavens, thank him for such magnificent beauty and the truth it reveals about the Creator.
19:3-4 The apostle Paul referred to this psalm when he explained that everyone knows about God because nature proclaims God's existence and power (Romans 1:19-20). This does not cancel the need for missions and outreach because the message of God's salvation found in his Word, the Bible, must still be spread to the ends of the earth. Jesus commanded us to make disciples by sharing the truth of the gospel with others (see Matthew 28:19-20). While nature points to the existence of God, the Bible tells us about God's plan of salvation. God's people must explain to others how they can have a relationship with God. Although people everywhere should already believe in a Creator by just looking at the evidence of nature around them, God still needs us to explain his love, mercy, and grace. What are you doing to take God's message to the world?
19:7-11 When we think of statutes, precepts, and commands, we often think of rules that keep us from doing what we want to do. But here we see the opposite: God's laws revive us, make us wise, bring joy to our hearts, give light to the eyes, warn us, and reward us. That's because God's laws are guidelines and lights for the path rather than chains on our hands and feet. They point at danger and warn us and then point toward success and guide us.
19:12-13 Guilt plagues many Christians. They worry that they may have committed a sin unknowingly, done something good with selfish intentions, failed to put their whole heart into a task, or neglected what they should have done. Guilt can play an important role in bringing us to Christ and in keeping us doing what is right, but it should not cripple us or make us fearful. God fully and completely forgives us—even for those sins we do unknowingly.
19:14 Would you change the way you live if you knew that every word and thought would be examined by God? David asks that God approve his words and reflections as though they were offerings brought to the altar. As you begin each day,· determine that God's love will guide what you say and how you think.
Taken from Life Application Study Bible - Third Edition - (NIV)