Psalm 19:1–6
David has packed a lot of great theology into a short space in Psalm 19. Unfortunately, we can hit only the highlights of these 14 verses because neither time nor space permits us to dig into the depths of each one. However, I urge you to take the outline and use it as a guide in your own, personal study of this magnificent composition. It is a veritable treasure house of truth.
For six verses, David looks heavenward. He ponders the vast universe surrounding our little globe, that realm we call deep space.
The World God Has Created
The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
Their line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat. (vv. 1–6)
David celebrates the power and majesty of God, saying He uses "the heavens" and "their expanse" to declare His greatness (v. 1). Then, the poet-king reminds us that this declaration is (1) consistent—"day to day...night to night"; (2) silent—"no speech, nor...words...Their voice is not heard"; and (3) universal—"all the earth...to the end of the world." According to this song, God's majestic universe contains a message. It is, in fact, a bold announcement! Regardless of the time of day, location, or our native language, if we look up, we are able to "hear" His message! We have a Creator whose power supersedes all human kings and governments. Because authority implies accountability, we can be reasonably sure this ultimate ruler will require everyone to stand before Him to be judged.
As the Apostle Paul wrote,
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:18–20)
Did you grasp that? God reveals "His eternal power and divine nature" so clearly that everyone is left "without excuse." Don't let anyone tell you that God has hidden Himself from the world! Every intelligent being lives every waking moment under the constant reminder of God's presence, sovereignty, and power. Stubborn unbelief causes humanity to miss God's persistent message. Anyone who struggles with the mystery of divine silence—whether it's while picking up the pieces after a disaster, or recovering from the loss of a loved one, or trying to find a burst of hope to go on beyond a divorce—needs only to look up. God is speaking!
More specifically, consider the sun's symbolism in Psalm 19:4–6: both its appearance and activity provide ample information to anyone who asks: "Is there a God?" No one other than our God could create, sustain, and employ such a heavenly body as the sun. Its size, temperature, and distance from us (thanks to the perfect filter system of our atmosphere) provide us with just the right level of heat and light.
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Adapted from Charles R. Swindoll, Living the Psalms: Encouragement for the Daily Grind (Brentwood, Tenn.: Worthy Publishing, a division of Worthy Media, Inc., 2012). Copyright © 2012 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved. Used by permission.