Psalm 19

Psalm 19
1The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
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,
5which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hidden from its heat.
7The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
8the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring for ever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
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.
14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

The servant of the Lord. It is a hard concept to grasp. You may have heard preachers say the final verse from Psalm 19 before they preach. I have heard Charles Gardner say it on the occasions in which he preaches. People who do this are not only asking for God's presence, but reminding themselves of the service to which they have been called in Christ.

The whole psalm is a song or prayer of someone who wants to do God's will. It is a lasting prayer. It is a lasting psalm. It has mystery in it. There is paradox: "There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the winds of the earth, and their words to the end of the world."

How can this be possible? I am reminded of the words from the American artists, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel--"People talking without speaking. People hearing without listening." The beauty of the poetry of both "The Sound of Silence" and the psalm express one truth: God communicates to us in many different ways. The heavens telling of the glory of God with the only thing they know how to. They speak the only language that God has given them. As God's servants, how will we tell of the works of God's hands not only with our actions, but with our silence?

Pray Psalm 19.