Psalm 19 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Verse 2Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
Verse 3There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
Verse 4yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
Verse 5which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Verse 6Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
Verse 7The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
Verse 8the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;
Verse 9the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Verse 10More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Verse 11Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Verse 12But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
Verse 13Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Verse 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Devotion
God’s wisdom surrounds us—from the skies above to the earth beneath our feet. As day and night turn into each other, the very passing of time conveys truth without words or voice. Nothing can hide from the shining and heat of the sun.
Resonating with this wisdom in creation, God’s law and commandments explicitly teach us how to dwell in the sanity God would have for us. Enlightening us, they call us to return to our true selves. Sweeter than honey and more to be desired than gold, they transform our childish reactions into judicious responses. Their wholesome lucidity grounds our ephemeral lives in what remains for eternity.
As we meditate on God’s wisdom in creation and law, we find ourselves grounded in truth. We can acknowledge the shame we would rather hide. And we can stand up to those who would dominate us and keep us from clarity.
Prayer
Permeate our lives with your wisdom, O God. Ground us in the clarity of your truth and just ways. Amen.