Just as I wrote yesterday, I decided it was high time I got back into personal reading instead of looking for someone to read to me and give me their perspective, I would gain understanding by what God had to say to me.
Since I hadn’t read in quite a while, I didn’t know where to start, so I did the close-eyes-random-page decision. It landed on Psalm 19 and it was a wonderful way to start up again – being reminded of God’s workmanship.
Verses 1-4 – Even if we are silent creation will speak out to “proclaim the work of his hands“
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
Verses 7-11 – These verses put a twist on the way we may look at law, precepts, commands, fear, statutes and ordinances. These are spoken of to:
Endure
Give a Joyful Heart
Make the simple wise
Radiant
Provide righteous
And to Warn and yet reward.
Not my idea of what these ‘authoritarian’ words mean to me, I don’t see them in the positive light that the writer does and though I can see a perspective that one may have of them. It just seems that law, precepts, commands, fear, statutes and ordinances are words that are all about the negative, anger and punishment.
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.
Verse 12-14 came across to me, just like the writer saw, that the awesomeness of God make us look inadequate, lack holiness and quite imperfect in comparison to how God sees things. Ultimately the writer realizes that they are also a creation of God and hopes to be pleasing to the one who is holy and forgiving.
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.
This ’s splendid. Ps 19 one of my favrtes b’cause I love nature so.
God bless.