Psalm 19: Good God. Good Revelation.

The heavens declare the glory of God, 
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 
2    Day to day pours out speech, 
and night to night reveals knowledge. 
3    There is no speech, nor are there words, 
whose voice is not heard. 
4    Their voice goes out through all the earth, 
and their words to the end of the world. 
       In them he has set a tent for the sun, 
5        which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, 
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 
6    Its rising is from the end of the heavens, 
and its circuit to the end of them, 
and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 
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7    The law of the Lord is perfect, 
reviving the soul; 
       the testimony of the Lord is sure, 
making wise the simple; 
8    the precepts of the Lord are right, 
rejoicing the heart; 
       the commandment of the Lord is pure, 
enlightening the eyes; 
9    the fear of the Lord is clean, 
enduring forever; 
       the rules of the Lord are true, 
and righteous altogether. 
10    More to be desired are they than gold, 
even much fine gold; 
       sweeter also than honey 
and drippings of the honeycomb. 
11    Moreover, by them is your servant warned; 
in keeping them there is great reward. 

12    Who can discern his errors? 
Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 
13    Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; 
let them not have dominion over me! 
       Then I shall be blameless, 
and innocent of great transgression. 
14    Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart 
be acceptable in your sight, 
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 
 
Meditation
Everything flowing from God reveals the character of God, ultimately manifest in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Word of creation, the fullness of the law who secures covenant relationship, and the love of the Lord connecting with us personally to comprehensively transform.
 
Creation speaks God’s glory (1-6), proclaiming His wisdom and revealing His knowledge throughout the earth (1-2). Love undergirding this revelation is illustrated by a bridegroom (4-6). Through creation God reveals His sovereignty, order, regeneration, and faithfulness. After winter- spring. After darkness- light.
 
“The Lord” is God’s covenant name, an invitation for people to know God in covenant relationship (7-11). To know God personally in covenant relationship is to see God’s revelation as an invitation to personal transformation, renewed by grace to reflect God's image. God and His revelation are:
Sure, satisfying the soul! 
Right, rejoicing the heart! 
Pure, enlightening the eyes! 
True, more desirable than gold! 
Sweet as honey, offering great reward!
 
The distance between our understanding of God and His revelation in these ways is relational. God Himself is sure, pure, righteous, true, sweet… and to know Him is to be satisfied, rejoice, enlightened, and a great reward. Know God's grace is reflected in a life embracing God's revelation, His very character.
 
Connecting with the Lord personally is the goal (12-14). The song of revelation ends in celebration of the Lord as “My Rock! And My Redeemer!” Both metaphors signify security and salvation, the strength and love of which finds fulness in Jesus. Jesus is the full revelation of God’s character, the creator and fulfillment of God’s law, and grace invites connection with Him personally through a covenant relationship He has sealed with His blood.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you about God’s revelation in creation, covenant, and connecting with Him personally? Specifically, the majestic descriptions of God’s law?
 
-How do these descriptions reveal that you may not know God as intimately as He intends?
 
-Why is it essential for the work of God in Jesus to be the foundation of connecting with God personally? How does His grace and love invite you to begin again in knowing Him in these ways? 
 
Key Verse
7  The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;