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
The other night I walked outside my front door and was overwhelmed with the brilliance of the full moon. It was nestled amongst some clouds that framed it with glowing glory. That scene popped into my mind as I read Psalm 19 today.
The light of the full moon connects to this text in two ways. First, the psalmist begins by proclaiming that the heavens are telling of the glory of God. The psalmist focuses on the glory of the Sun in its daily pattern. Yet, the moon is more like us. It has no light of its own, but when it is fully facing the sun it is brilliant.
Second, the moon shines in the midst of darkness. The second half of Psalm 19 talks about how the psalmist is surrounded by the lawless, but he knows that if he follows the word of the LORD, he will continue to reflect God’s glory.
Prayer
God of Promise, give us the wisdom to focus on your Word today. Give us the strength to keep the course and not be distracted by all the voices that surround us and seek to pull our attention away from you. Amen.