Psalm 19 is a song of praise to God. It gives us insight to David’s life and faith. The first six verses proclaim the majesty of God seen in His work of creation. Then follows the description of God’s perfect law and its purpose in verses 7-11. In verses 12-14, David requests forgiveness and protection from sin, and calls on God’s grace with a request that his life honors God. This short section of scripture gives us a picture of David’s devotion to God and his desire to live faithfully being conformed to God’s holiness, leaning upon God’s power.
Psalm 19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
What is referred to when we read about ‘the heavens’?
According to Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary, the heavens <shamayim> refer to the sky, perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move. It also refers to the entire celestial universe which we cannot conceive. When we speak of something being ethereal it is intangible and immeasurable.
Consider your reaction on a clear night as you look upward to the starry sky, are you able to see its boundaries? It goes on and on, so much farther than our human eye is able to focus. In great contrast, the limit of our observation is opposite to the realm of God’s infinite time and grand creation.
Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God”. The heavens declare God’s glory. The verb used is an intense announcement, a record or numbering of the stars, a celebration of God’s glory. The sheer number of heavenly bodies in the sky above, point towards our Creator God.
Genesis 1:16-17 And God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; [He made] the stars also. And God placed them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth,
Jeremiah 10:12 [It is] He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens.
The heavens, although beautiful, have no mind or intelligence. Yet, they set forth God’s glory for all to see. God made the heavens, He holds the stars in place, His wisdom and power is on display as we look above. God’s glory is clearly seen in His creation.
Romans 1:20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Psalm 8:3-4 When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man, that Thou dost take thought of him? And the son of man, that Thou dost care for him?
God’s glory is magnified in His heavens. Consider that which we see and then realize it goes beyond what is visible to our eyes. God’s existence and power is undeniable as we look to His creation.
Psalm 33:6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host.
Ps 148:3 Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, highest heavens, and the waters that are above the heavens! Ps 148:5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, For He commanded and they were created.
Read Psalm 19:1 again, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God, and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands”.
What is your response? The heavens are God’s creation and speak boldly of His glory. You are God’s living creation, formed by His artistry and hands, made for His glory and purpose. Do you shine for Him? Are others drawn towards His truths through your life?
Psalm 19:2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
We become excited about certain events that have happened and events we are looking forward to in the future. However, once they pass, their significance dwindles and eventually is lost to the next circumstance approaching. In contrast to our human experiences that ebb and flow, each day and night continues in their succession to glorify God. As day turns into day and evening into evening, the sun rises and the moon sets, all according to God’s plan set in motion at the beginning of time. God’s hand in ordering the days and nights speak of His power and give us knowledge of His greatness and goodness.
Did the sun rise today? Praise God. Did the moon give light to our evening? Praise God. How often do we take the time to consider that God is directing the day to happen and the night to take place? God holds all things in place and determines all time – every moment in each day and night. Do we see God’s glory in the sunrise of the morning, the sunshine of the day, the moon light at night? Each day is a testimony of God’s existence and authorship of the world.
Psalm 74:16 Thine is the day, Thine also is the night; Thou hast prepared the light and the sun.
Psalm 136:7-9 To Him who made [the] great lights, For His lovingkindness is everlasting: The sun to rule by day, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, the moon and stars to rule by night, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Genesis 8:22 "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."
“The original has in it the thought of pouring out or welling over, with speech; as though days and nights were but as a fountain flowing evermore with Jehovah's praise. Oh to drink often at the celestial well, and learn to utter the glory of God! The witnesses above cannot be slain or silenced; from their elevated seats they constantly preach the knowledge of God, unawed and unbiased by the judgment of men. Even the changes of alternating night and day are mutely eloquent, and light and shade equally reveal the Invisible One …” Treasury of David
Psalm 19:1-2 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
Are we led to praise God for all things day and night, continuously? The heavens speak of God’s glory. Do our lives shine for His honor?
