One day a group of eminent scientists got together and decided that Man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one scientist to go and tell Him that they were done with Him. The scientist walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need You. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't You retire?" God listened patiently and then said, "Very well, but first, let's have a man-making contest, just like I did back in the old days with Adam." The scientist said, "Sure, no problem," and then bent down and grabbed a handful of dirt. God looked at him and said, "Oh no. You go get your own dirt!"

No matter how sophisticated we become, the creature can never surpass the Creator. While we advance in many ways, finding answers to difficult questions, aspects of the universe will always be beyond our grasp. Questions answered produce new perplexing questions.

Have you ever wondered why God put mosquitoes on the earth? Have you ever wondered why some green plants are called weeds while others are called flowers, even when they look the same? Have you ever stood on a starlit night, gazing into the heavens wondering about the vastness of the universe? Have you ever stood atop a great granite crag, surveying the majesty of the mountains?

As amazing and complex as our universe is, as awesome as God’s silent witness to his majestic power is, how much greater is God’s spoken word? Those two aspects of God’s work, the sky and the Scripture, point to God’s glory. Regarding the perplexities of sky and Scripture, philosopher Immanuel Kant said:

"There are two things that fill my soul with holy reverence and ever growing wonder – the spectacle of the starry sky that virtually annihilates us as physical beings, and the moral law which raises us to infinite dignity as intelligent agents."

Revelation is the self-disclosure of God to man as it unveils that which was previously hidden. There are two types of revelation: general and special. General revelation refers to God’s disclosure of himself in creation. As with any human artist, the mind of the painter is reflected on the canvas; so with God, his glory, his greatness, and his grandeur are seen in creation. But it is only by means of special revelation that we can make sense of the general revelation and can know the mind of God. Like the artist, a dozen patrons may express two dozen opinions regarding his mind. But if the artist speaks, then we can better know the painting. When God gave us his Word, the glory of world is explained through the glory of the Word.

These two aspects of God’s self-revelation come together in Psalm 19. We begin with a view of the macrocosm of the universe, looking at the glory of God in the brilliance of the sun and the majesty of the stars. But David turns from the glory of God in the sky to his glory in the Scriptures, moving from macrocosm to microcosm. What does the Law tell us of God and how does his glory reflected there affect us today?

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

God’s revelation in Creation [verses 1-6]

God’s praise is seen in creation [verses 1-4b]

As a youth, David’s days and nights were spent in the fields caring for his father’s sheep. He spent hours meditating on the wonder of God’s creation; his psalm reflects that sense of grandeur. David looks at the macrocosm of the universe, the big picture. He sees the heavens, which we mistakenly call space, as though it contains nothing. David sees God’s power declared.

To "declare" is more than speaking out. The noun refers to a "scribe" and the verb means to recount important facts. The weight of God’s power and the magnificent aspects of his nature are recounted again and again through the wonders of creation. The parallel phrase reinforces the idea that God’s autograph is seen in creation – the skies proclaim his work. To proclaim, in Hebrew, is to make conspicuous, or prominent. Like John Hancock’s signature on the Declaration of Independence, written predominantly with large letters, the universe constantly reminds us that this world belongs to God.

There is a two-fold function of this universe. On the one hand, creation praises its Creator and on the other hand creation reveals knowledge to the rest of creation. By reflecting on creation, we can know our creator even better.

Science, sadly disdained by many modern Christians, is a noble opportunity to see beyond ourselves, and to see who made us. Rather than relegating this field to the unbeliever, this is an area of study ripe for Christian involvement.

This silent sermon of praise constantly speaks without uttering a word.

Every day God’s creation screams at us, leaving no one without excuse that they have never heard, or that they were unaware that they are not self-made men and women. Like a gushing fountain, the universe overflows nonstop with evidence of not only God’s existence, but also God’s creation and providence in the universe. Although nature’s sermon doesn’t consist of audible words, this message penetrates the entire earth. Every language hears nature’s sermon, as creation bubbles with God’s speech and knowledge. It reaches every corner of the earth, from NYC to Katmandu, from London to the rain forests of South America, from LA to the deserts of Africa.

John Calvin said, "Wherever you cast your eyes, there is no spot in the universe where you cannot discern at least some sparks of His glory" (Institutes of the Christian Religion 1.v.1).

The day pours out information about God, and the night spreads the knowledge of God before us. Truth about God pours in from all dimensions, if our eyes are open to see it. But all do not see it, as pointed out by the words of the poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning:

Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush aflame with God;
But only those who see take off their shoes,
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.

Why is it that one can see the fingers of God in the awesome Fjords of Norway or in the intricacy of the human eye, while another sees nothing but chance? Paul quotes from Psalm 19 in Romans 10:18, when he describes how faith comes about by hearing the gospel preached. He quotes from this psalm saying that all have heard the silent sermon of creation; they are without excuse. As Paul pointed out in the first chapter of Romans, in humanity’s sinfulness, ears are plugged and eyes shut tight so as not to hear or see.

God’s power is seen in creation [verses 4c-6]

What does creation show? David gives two analogies that picture the virility and the strength of creation. As Paul says in Romans 1:20, creation shows God’s eternal power, so David here describes this power through the bridegroom and the warrior. Although most ancient religions worshipped the sun, here we find the sun pictured as a circuit preacher, making its way from one end of the horizon to the other, bringing our attention to God’s glory. It is a spotlight shinning on the one who made it, resonating with praise of its creator.

David portrays the sun’s movement across the sky as a bridegroom coming from his bridal tent. Having consummated the marriage, he steps out in the morning, beaming with joy. This is a picture of virility, as there is nowhere else in our universe close at hand where we see such power at work, with the purpose of praising our Creator.

For those who were at the Santana wedding yesterday and as we look ahead to Ron and Anne’s, we see on their faces the excitement of marriage. As their joy expresses the satisfaction they find in one another, so the sunrise every morning reminds us of God’s great glory.

What the NIV calls a champion is a warrior, a man of great strength, one who runs a race or brandishes the sword in battle. The power of the sun is a wonder to see as it overtakes the night, scattering it so that in a matter of moments the darkness is nowhere to be seen. Throughout the day, every day since the dawn of creation, the sun has effortlessly arched through the sky, pointing to the one who made it.

With this picture of the power of the sun in mind, while you can feel the warmth of its rays on your skin, David makes an abrupt change. As God speaks in nature through the warmth of the sun, even more does God speak in his Law. Both are divine, and both proclaim his power, but now we move from the macrocosm of the universe to the microcosm of the law convicting our hearts of sin.

But let me give you a fair warning here. The same sun that warms also scorches and burns. So also the Law, which speaks of God’s goodness, will point out our sin.

God’s revelation in Scripture [verses 7-14]

God’s praise is seen in the Law [verses 7-10]

The law gives life. [verse 7a]

In Hebraic parallelism, David piles up descriptive terms of God’s Word with adjectives and actions that point out that as great as God’s creation is, and as wonderful as general revelation is, it is God’s spoken Word that gives us life. The first term used is that of the Law, the Torah, which is the comprehensive term for God’s revealed will.

When we hear the word "law" we usually think negatively, like the Wisconsin penal code or the jargon in a legal contract. But the Hebrew term for law here simply means instruction or teaching. The Torah expresses God’s love because the law reveals God’s way to live.

God’s Torah is described here as "perfect," which means it’s whole and intact, free of blemish or imperfection. This is the term used of the sacrifices, which had to be flawless. God’s Word isn’t a jumble of confusing quaint sayings through which we must plod along, sifting out truth from error. The Word of God is, as 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us, the breath of God.

In Genesis 2 the breath of God is what made Adam a living soul. So also, the breath of God in his Word and through the work of the Spirit of God is what breaths eternal life into our lives. For that reason, David says the Torah, the law, revives our soul.

The word "revive" means to satisfy one who is hungry, or to comfort one in distress. The transforming power of God’s Word affects us to the very core of our being, to our soul. While creation will shout to you of God’s power and majesty, it is in his Word we find the power to be changed within.

The statutes give wisdom. [verse 7b]

God’s truth is trustworthy and firm. While the ground may at times quake and the heavens roar with storms, the Word of God never fails. And what is its benefit? It makes wise the simple. While we like to pride ourselves on our wisdom, when it comes to living we are often simpletons, bunglers and half-wits. Despite degrees and accomplishments, we all need instruction.

The root of the Hebrew word "simple" is an open door. So to be simple is to be undiscerning, not knowing when to shut the door, and what to close out. Everything comes in. The simple are unlearned, inexperienced, ignorant and naive. But they can be made wise. Scripture takes the naive, undiscerning, and uninformed and brings to that individual wisdom. To be wise is to be skilled in the art of godly, practical living.

The precepts give joy. [verse 8a]

The word precept indicates the precision and authority with which God addresses us. They are right and straight; they give reliable guidance. While our culture seeks to rebel against structure, the word is guidance, direction that we need so much. Such prescriptions are not restrictive, nor do they suck the joy out of life; God’s guidance produces joy.

We’re not left without chart and compass. We’re not left without principles for life. We’re not left to wander around in a fog of human opinion. We have a true word to follow. It follows then that with such guidance we can find out what real joy is all about.

The commands give direction. [verse 8b]

The word command focuses on the aspect of authority, the non-optional nature of Scripture. God does not suggest how we should live, nor does his Word offer suggestions; his Word is clear and conclusive. When we line up with those commands, we can see clearly.

God’s Word is perspicuous and clear, and therefore gives us clear sight to see. It enlightens the darkness. When there is darkness in the world and you can’t understand what’s going on, and you don’t know why things are happening the way they are, the Word of God makes things clear, in contrast to the muddled muddy musings of men who themselves are blind.

To conclude, David makes it clear that the best creation has to offer, as good as it is, and as much as it proclaims God’s glory, still it pales in comparison to the benefits of the Law.

More than external enjoyment, more than the gold that people strive to attain, the Law provides riches of far greater value.

More than internal pleasures of food and drink, of the sweetness of the best with which we can fill our stomachs, the Word of God will satisfy us far, far more.

God’s power is seen in the Law [verses 11-13]

The law of God warns. [verses 11-12]

Just as we have warning sirens which erupt into a wail when conditions are ripe for a tornado, so also God’s law sets before us the lines which we must not cross without there being tremendous consequences to pay. To listen to the warning provides reward. But God’s Word does not just warn of impending sin, it also reveals the presence of sins committed [verse12].

Self-righteousness comes partly from pride, but mainly from ignorance of God’s law. Self-righteousness and hypocrisy flourish when a superficial knowledge of the law is maintained, so that people foolishly imagine they are really good before God. The law reveals our own errors, those hidden faults that we have covered up so well in our lives.

What frightens me is not just the sins that I know I commit. But what about vices I’ve spent a lifetime dressing up as virtues? The brilliant sunlight of God’s laws shines its searching rays into the darkness of my soul. We need to remember that all sin is sin, whether we see it or not. The toddler who unknowingly wanders away from his parents at the beach is still lost and in danger. The law informs the kid that he’s lost and points him home.

When we omit the good, we still need to be told what we have left undone. Some sins are not known not because they are so small, but because they are too characteristic to register.

The law drives us to repent. [verse 13]

Once the hidden sins are revealed and we know that we do not measure up the perfect standard that God demands, then repentance may come. Notice the change of tone; the initial praise of God in nature and law evokes in the psalmist an awareness of unworthiness.

The psalmist began by looking at the heavens and reflecting on the divine law, and such reflection naturally evoked praise; but, as his eyes turn back from his double and glorious vision to gaze upon himself the shock is almost too much. He becomes aware of his own insignificance and unworthiness in so glorious a context, and can only pray.

Just as we are brought to our knees when we stand in nature and are awed by the majesty of God’s creation, so also we are brought to our knees and know we are condemned when the magnificence of God’s law shines on our hearts. What is the only solution?

The answer is found in the covenant that God establishes with us through Christ. There is a subtle change in the flow of this psalm that should not go unnoticed. In the first six verses David refers to God’s work in creation by the more generic name, "el". But when he speaks of the power of the law, the name changes to the personal, covenantal name, Yahweh (LORD).

When we know someone by title we know about them, but when we know them by name, we have a relationship with them. Nature’s sermon, for all its wonder and beauty, can’t tell us God’s name. Only God speaking beyond nature can move us from knowing God as our creator to knowing God as a person.

Rock and Redeemer.

The final hope is found in the concluding prayer by David in verse 14. David concludes not with a promise to avoid sin and do what the law commands. He knows that that is hopeless. The only hope is to cast himself not on his own record of perfect law keeping, but on the mercy of God. Yet the one in whom he trusts tells us something about that mercy.

God is not the sinner’s accuser or judge, but his refuge and champion. David uses a term from creation as well as redemption to express his ultimate trust. The God from whom he seeks help is none other than the Rock.

To call God the rock gives a picture from creation of reliability, and this word was often used of God. It recalls the type of Christ from Exodus 17 where the rock was Christ who followed his people throughout the desert, and who provided them with water when they were thirsty, despite their grumbling. Christ is that rock struck and split, spewing forth life-giving water. David knows to pray to the only one who will provide for him the righteousness he needs.

This one who will guarantee that the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart be pleasing to God is also called his redeemer.

The redeemer (go’el) was the nearest kinsman, whose duty it was to look after the interest of his less fortunate relatives. This might involve avenging one’s relative, protecting them from harm, or paying a price to free a relative from slavery. David concludes this prayer with the acknowledgement that purity of word or heart is beyond his ability, so that he must rely on another to pay the necessary price for his freedom.

The glory of God expressed in sky and Scripture points to his greatness, his power, and his majesty. As we gaze upon the splendor of his world we see his glory. When the Word gazes into our hearts it sees our sin. For this reason, we look to Christ as our only Rock and Redeemer.