The Heavens Declare the Glory of God: an Exposition of the 19th Psalm
The nineteenth psalm is majestic and begins with lofty words. The Holy Sprit who inspired the psalmist to write these words speaks in beautiful poetry. The use of poetry paints a picture that lifts our soul to God. The King James Version goes to great length to make this Hebrew poetry sound as if it were spoken in English. As the book of Psalms is the Hebrew hymn book, it is only proper that it sing a song to our heart. We should also It also teaches us much about who God is. When we speak about God in the West, we tend to reduce this poetry to theological propositions. This can be proper as well as it speaks to a different part of our brain. So let us look further into what this psalm teaches us.
John Calvin, among countless others loved this psalm. He used it in his writings to teach us that God speaks to us in creation. God has revealed Himself in His creation. This psalm tells us that He speaks through Creation in a universal language. It was not restricted to the boundaries of language. The revelation of God in Creation also speaks clearly. Cornelius Van Til in his book on apologetics compares the revelation of God in creation to that of Scripture including what he calls in Reformed jargon “perspicuity.” It is strange why such a big word is used when the word means “clear.” It is necessary that God speak in creation and that He speaks sufficiently and authoritatively. Everyone who sees the majestic panoply of heaven should understand that there is a God who created it. The majesty of creation should declare that this God is glorious. Paul will remind us of this clear expression of God which renders all who deny this without excuse.
The human response to revelation is theology. In this case, natural revelation is responded to by natural theology. If man were as he was before the fall, then this theological response would be in harmony with this revelation. But Paul in Romans tells us that fallen man willingly suppresses this revelation. Even though God speaks clearly and infallibly in Creation, people do not respond to this revelation properly. There is always the human tendency to make the glory of creation and end in itself rather than being a sign to the One who is infinitely more glorious. The theological response to this natural revelation, and every one is a theologian of sorts, will cause one to worship the Creator. But the unconverted become the worshipers of Creation. As glorious is the sun which makes its circuit through the skies, the runner who skillfully races, and even the beauty of the wedding are, they point to God who created the Sun, the man who runs skillfully, and the joy of the wedding feast as it is He who ordained marriage.
But he 19th Psalm does not stop with natural theology. Theology, especially systematic theology, tends to compartmentalize topics, talking about natural revelation in one place, and Scriptural revelation somewhere else. But here they are put together. God speaks in creation in a universal language that transcends words, but God also speaks in the revelation of Scripture. Here, revelation is spoken through the restrictions of human language in a particular tongue, in this case, Hebrew. The response to this revelation is also theology. Like natural theology, the perfect revelation of Scripture is clouded by fallen human beings to one degree or another. It behooves the Christian to realize the possible distortions we create in our theological task. When we translate the Scripture into the tongues of the world, we have to strive that when our task is done, people can hear God speak. The same is true of our doctrine which we derive from Scripture.
When the teaching (Torah) of the LORD is clear, one result will be that people will be converted. Theologians cannot save anyone. The best we can do is to be as clear a sign to the truth of God as we can be. One proof that we are doing this task correctly is that people are genuinely saved and they glorify God rather than the preacher or the theologian. When we are lifted up or worshiped for our cleverness, then we are robbing God of His glory. Let them instead see that God has raised us up and gifted us by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the Word and, then, glorify God who gives the gift. We need to speak beautiful words, encouraging words, and the converting words of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Word of God also makes us wise. Wisdom goes beyond the knowledge of facts or being familiar with theological argumentations. It produces confidence in God. Wisdom involves the correct use of knowledge. We should know as much as we can, and that rightly. But knowledge is not an end but the means to wisdom. If one wants to be wise, the Scripture reminds us that it begins with the fear of the LORD. Scripture also says that the one who denies God is a fool, regardless of how much he or she knows.
When the Word is correctly taught and understood it brings joy. Joy is a sign that one has been converted. The unconverted are unthankful and unholy. They might have transitory joy based upon a happy circumstance like winning the lottery. But many lottery winners in the long run are more miserable than before. But Christian joy cannot be quenched by even persecution. The Apostles rejoiced when they were considered worthy to suffer for the name. We learn that a more topical and systematic treatment of Scripture can be helpful. We can compare Scripture with Scripture so long as we also appreciate the individual contexts as well.
David has already told us about how the sunshine gives light to the natural world. In a similar matter, what God enjoins us through the word gives light to the soul. The fear of Yahweh cleanses the soul. God’s judgment are entirely just and are more valuable than fine gold which is one of the most precious and desired goods of creation. It is sweeter than honey which is the sweetest food in all creation, at least in David’s day. The LORD’s judgment also give clearer warning of danger than the color of the sky which warns us of impending storms, The wages of a right relationship with Yahweh is greater than any human wage.
So far we have talked about natural revelation and Scriptural revelation. When properly understood, Scriptural revelation is far superior. There is another revelation which applies natural and Scriptural revelation. This is the revelation to our souls. It reveals the gulf between us and God. God cannot be rightly accused of error, so whatever discrepancy is revealed is in us. If we accept that the problem is in us, then we are indeed open to God’s mercy. As John MacArthur has noted, the world teaches us that problems come to us from outside and that the answer to these difficulties are in us. The truth is that our true problems are in us, and the answer comes from above. The light of God’s revelation needs to shed light on the dark areas of our heart, even areas we are not aware of. It is not just the faults we know about that trip us up. The worst faults are the ones we are blind to. Then David talks about presumptuous sins, the ones we intentionally commit. These are far worse than sins of ignorance Surely David knew that committing adultery was wrong, and that it was even more wrong to have Uriah killed to cover it up. David did not follow his own advice here in this psalm and indeed committed two great transgression. But even here, God showed David mercy and brought him back to his right senses. Yahweh did not allow David’s sin to remain secret but sent Nathan with a message of judgment to reveal openly the sin. The exposure of sin becomes the means of repentance and forgiveness. But when suppressed, it leads to destruction. We have to realize that God’s revelation of our sin is indeed an act of mercy, and act we best not despise.
Jesus bore our blame and shame on the cross as though He had committed the great transgression. It is through faith in Jesus who shed His blood on our behalf that we can be innocent of the great transgression which would eternally condemn us to darkness. This revelation of Christ was at certain times and places revealed in the Old Testament, but the bulk of this revelation would not come until 1000 years after David. But He has been revealed to us as the final and perfect Word of God. By the light of Christ, we are no longer blameworthy. David would find forgiveness in advance of this cross. He believed in the One who would come from His loins, the Eternal Word who became flesh in Jesus Christ.
We come to the benediction of this psalm which is often used as a benediction for our church services. Can it be said that at the conclusion of our service that God’s word has been clearly proclaimed? Have the burdens of sin been released? Are hearts joyful? Have people been converted? Have people been restored? If not, perhaps we need to hold off on the benediction until we see these things happen. Do not let the desire to get to the restaurant or the golf course suppress the needed cleansing of God’s word.
