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Psalm 19

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Lord, I love to watch the sky you have created; the vastness of it compared with my smallness. You above all and yet so close to me. Your glory revealed in the firmament, in the formation of clouds, in the sun and the colors we see. Lift my eyes, O Lord, to the  heavens above and remind me of your magnificence, your power, your greatness. That I may never forget how small I am and how much of a need I have of you.

The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.

More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

And even though contemplating the beauty of the heavens fascinates me, nothing compares with the perfection of your law.

Lord, the truth is that many times when we feel weary and fool, we draw away from your law. Oh, how foolish we are! It is only your law that can revive our heart. It is only your law, your perfect law, that can make us wise. Lord, many times when we are sad, we go looking for a friend, but Oh God, who can really turn our tears into laughter? Only you. Your precepts bring true joy to our heart. We seek advice from many and yet, we barely come to You in prayer, seeking you with all diligence, longing to hear from You in your Word. Lord, you alone can enlighten our path because You are the Light, and your Word is a lamp into our feet. Father, that I may fear your Holy Name, that I may walk upright before You all the days of my life; that I may seek your Word and your precepts above all.

It makes my soul good to examine the things that I value the most. Do I really desire your law more than gold? More than all the comforts I enjoy? More than any material things I have, because of your grace towards me? Do I really find it sweeter than honey? Is it my greatest delight?  Lord, you know my answer: No. Not always. Transform this heart of mine, that I may grow in love for you. Deliver me from the lie that knowing in my mind is enough. I want to love you, and your law, and your precepts, and your Word. I want to LOVE YOU more and more. Lord, that I may take heed of your warnings and abide in your Word; that I may rejoice greatly in the rewards you have promised to those who keep your Law and love it.

Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.

Father, I am so feeble, so simple at times, and so arrogant in my heart at other times that I don’t even see my sin. Other times come when I love my sin so much that I just don’t want to see it. Who can discern his own errors? Certainly not me. Thank you for the Holy Spirit that whispers me through the Word pointing to my sin and granting me repentance. Thanks for the conscience that is not easily put to silence. Deliver me, deliver me, Oh God, from all presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Cleanse me with the blood of Jesus, my Savior, and remember my sin no more.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

These three lines sum it all up…Yes, and amen to every word in them:

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

In Jesus’ name, my Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer,

Amen.

Becky