Psalms

Psalms 19: God reveals His glorious truth

Begin in prayer

Before we look up at the heavens and listen to God's perfect instruction, let us ask Him to search our hearts. Pray for eyes to see His glory and faith to come to Jesus for cleansing.

For, behold, he who forms the mountains, and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought; who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the high places of the earth: Yahweh, the God of Armies, is his name.”

Amos 4:13

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God's perfect Word exposes sin and leads His servant to seek cleansing. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David looks at the heavens and hears the glory of their Maker declared through every day and night. The sun runs its course like a joyful bridegroom and a strong runner, reaching everywhere with its heat. The song then turns to the LORD's perfect instruction, which restores the soul, gives wisdom and rejoices the heart. God's words are more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey, warning His servant and giving great reward in keeping them. That servant asks forgiveness for hidden errors, restraint from wilful sin and a mouth and heart pleasing to his Rock and Redeemer.

As you read Psalms 19, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God declares His glory in creation and restores His people through His perfect Word.

The heavens direct attention to their Maker, whose handiwork is displayed through the changing days and nights. The sun's bright course displays His glory across the earth, reaching even places where people do not hear spoken instruction. The song then names what God's written instruction does, restoring, teaching, gladdening and enlightening the person who receives it. Its truth has a greater worth than gold and a sweetness the picture of honey helps us understand. The same Word warns its hearer, so David becomes a praying servant who knows he needs cleansing. Hidden errors are sins he cannot fully discern, while presumptuous sins are wilful acts he asks God to restrain. His last request joins the words others hear to the thoughts only God sees, placing both before his Redeemer.

How does Psalm 19 show us that God declares His glory in creation and restores His people through His perfect Word?

God's creation declares the glory of its Maker.

Day and night keep displaying the work of God's hands. The sun is a creature running the course God gives it. Its brilliance and reach direct praise to the One who made it.

The LORD's perfect Word restores and warns His servant.

God's instruction brings wisdom, joy and light because it is true and right. Its worth surpasses the gold people prize and the sweetness they enjoy. Hearing it brings David to ask for forgiveness, restraint and a heart acceptable before God.

Memorise

Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what sin am I refusing to bring into the light of Jesus?

David prays, “Forgive me from hidden errors.” The heavens declare God's glory, and His perfect Word exposes the servant who hears it. We cannot even discern all the sins that need His cleansing.

Jesus kept His Father's Word in heart and speech without sin. At the cross He bore the punishment of His people, including sins hidden from their own sight. The obedient Son was raised to life beyond the reach of death. The Saviour's perfect obedience and once for all offering have secured His people's acceptance, supplying the righteousness their own hearts lack.

Turn from sin and rely on this Redeemer. He gives forgiveness to everyone who comes to Him in faith. Ask Him to search the words you speak and the thoughts you hide. Then receive His instruction as a gift more precious than gold, from the Lord who knows how to restore His people.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's perfect Word exposes sin and leads His servant to seek cleansing. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for declaring His glory and giving His perfect Word. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.

John 15:7

Lord our Maker, thank You for the glory displayed in creation and the truth of Your Word. Forgive the sins we see and those we have failed to discern. Please bring us to trust Jesus for cleansing. Guard our thoughts and words, and keep wilful sin from ruling us this week. Amen.