Chronicles of a Journeyman

Psalm 19

This psalm examines God’s glorious works in creation and His transformative Word given as laws, commands, and precepts among other means. It concludes with a personal prayer to be found acceptable to the LORD always.

1-6: His Works Reveal His Glory

David reflects on the majestic glory of creation and what they reveal about the glory of the Creator. The universe not only testifies to the existence of a Creator, it also confirms the splendour of that Creator.

7-11: His Words Perfect His People

David then turns his attention to the Word of the Lord, given as laws, commands, precepts, and judgments. These have an intrinsic capacity to transform and perfect the human soul, presenting us ready to stand in God’s presence.

12-14: A Prayer for Purification

The last stretch of this psalm is a personal application of these observations about the works and words of the LORD. It is a plea by David to be examined and purged in order to be found acceptable to the LORD both in thought and speech. Nothing trumps knowing and being accepted by the LORD.