First Thoughts on Psalm 19

So, I hope some of you have decided to join me in memorizing Psalm 19 this month. If you haven't, don't worry. There's still time. I only started memorizing it a couple days ago myself. My wife put it on the mirror so we could look over it while we brush our teeth and wash our hands. Having it in a place that we're sure to see it every day seems like it will be a helpful encouragement to keep at it.

As for Psalm 19, the verses that have really stuck out to me so far are the first four:

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.

This section of the psalm speaks of how the heavens are constantly telling how great and awesome God is. They "declare the glory of God" and "proclaim his handiwork." To whom are they giving this powerful declaration? Verse 4 says these words go "through all the earth...to the end of the world." So, all around the world, wherever there is sky above, God's glory is being proclaimed.

This reminds me of Romans 1:18-22 where Paul tells us that everyone can clearly see God's "eternal power and divine nature," but they do not give him honor. This makes them guilty before God because they can see the heavens above (together with the rest of creation) constantly proclaiming that God is there and He is glorious. But, in their sin, they refuse to acknowledge this amazing God and turn to worshiping other things.

This celestial praise is offered to God day after day and night after night, as sure as the sun rises and sets. This is fitting because God rightfully demands unceasing worship. The sky, like the rest of creation, is faithful to do this with complete constancy.

But we - the only part of creation made in God's image - have failed to follow suit. We have worshiped everything but God and ignored the voices of praise around us. We have stopped our ears, slammed shut our eyes and bit our tongues in rebellion. We have kept our gaze below the horizon so that we can't be reminded that Someone is above us. We have kept our minds and hearts distracted by lesser things.

This is the condition we have put ourselves in and, without the sacrifice of Jesus, we will remain this way. But praise God that He is not content to only be praised by the heavens and trees and rocks and streams. He has sent His Son to save us and invited us to join the rest of creation in praising Him.

We would do well to listen to sky.