The Gift that is God's Law
A Study of Psalm 19
Hello, friend!
Spring was blooming all around me at the time of writing this, so I decided to take the opportunity to look at nature with the eyes that David did before writing this psalm. What I saw fit his musings well - beauty without flaw, every part working as it was intended, each living in the rhythm set for it by an intelligent and magnificent Creator. The hues of the sky have, to this day, stood just out of reach of the world’s most insightful artists; the trees stand firm and tall, providing oxygen for all breathing life and homes for the birds that pollinate, seed, and act as natural pest control for the land; insects and birds alike work diligently at the work they have been given, singing and buzzing and humming all the way. Surely the one who put all these things into their place, who put the sun on its course and gave it it’s position over all things, also has provided a place and guidance for mankind. David saw the beauty of the intelligence and care in nature reflected in the laws set forth by his God, and gave thanks and showed his appreciation for all they do for each one.
Join me as we take a look at what God’s laws provide for us, and what it says about our place in this world.
What we learn about God -
The skies and heavens are his handiwork, and they declare it night and day to all the world
He has put the sun in its place of rule over nature and set it in its course
His law is perfect, causing the soul to turn back to him and to righteousness
His testimony is sure, making the simple wise
His statutes are right, causing the heart to rejoice and be glad
His commandments are pure, causing our eyes to be brightened and filled with understanding
The fear of the Lord is clean*, enduring forever
His judgments are true and righteous, each and every one the same
He warns us and protects us by giving these things
He will judge each one according to these things
He is our strength and redeemer - no one else
What we can learn about a man of God -
He sees the creation and understands its declaration of God, and is awed by it
He is converted by God’s law
He is made wise by God’s testimony
His heart is made glad by God’s statutes
His eyes are enlightened by God’s commandments
He fears the Lord, recognizing his judgments as true and righteous
He desires God’s law and its benefits far above any material pleasure or satisfaction
He finds great reward in keeping them
He is warned and seeks God for protection and cleansing, seeking to be made blameless and innocent before the Lord
He offers up his speech and heart to the Lord for judgment
He finds strength and redemption in the Lord
Nature evidences to us the wisdom and logic and intelligence of its designer. The God who set the laws of nature in perfect motion has given man a law to follow that is just as perfect, sure, right, and pure. It changes our hearts and turns us toward God; it teaches us wisdom; it gladdens us and lightens our burdens; it brightens our eyes, opens them to truth and makes them shine with wellness and peace. We can trust in his judgments and be sure in our standing with him when we keep them, finding the strength to do so and redemption from our wretchedness in the Lord our God.
This psalm, which I have so often read and sung and has reminded me of the importance and perfection of God’s law, today has admonished me to take time to be still and observe, and to look deeper. I was rewarded with richer understanding and deeper appreciation for the wholeness of God’s design, for his plans that are so far above what we can comprehend and design ourselves. I encourage you to stop and take a moment to look - really look - at the world around you and see where it points you. Who knows what you might discover?
In Christian love, Haylee.
*This line in the Psalm stymies me a bit. I’ve taken some time to meditate and study it out a bit, and the conclusion I have reached is that it means that the fear of the Lord - true, righteous, reverent awe inspired by the knowledge of who he is - is clean in the sense that it is not tainted by terror or uncertainty or oppression. If you have more to add, I would love it if you shared your thoughts in the comments or a message to me. Thank you! - H