Psalm 19

I’ve read this psalm a hundred times. It’s probably one of the most famous psalms—perhaps second only to the 23rd Psalm. Yet, as I read it slowly and carefully in preparation for this blog, something jumped out at me that I had never noticed before.

David begins this psalm by speaking very eloquently about nature. I love how he says that the heavens talk continuously about God, even though they don’t make a sound. But then, all of a sudden, he switches topics abruptly and starts talking about God’s law. I had never noticed how he sort of smashed those two topics together. What does one have to do with the other?

I don’t think David was suffering from ADHD. Instead, I think he was pointing out something beautiful about how God reveals Himself to us.

First, David says that God can be seen in nature—in all the things He has created. He says the heavens and skies boldly declare the truth about God. He talks about the sun and how it operates so orderly—doing just what God designed it to do.

And if we know of a God who can make nature operate in such an awesome, marvelous way, why wouldn’t we believe that He can also help us operate in an awesome, marvelous way? I think David does believe that, and that’s why he abruptly switches to talking about God’s law. The God who is revealed in the magnificence of the heavens is interested in more than just the sun, moon, and stars. He is interested in His intelligent creatures, and the laws we have been created to operate upon are no less important than the laws on which nature operates.

In so many ways, God reveals Himself to us. He reveals Himself in the world. And He reveals Himself in the Word. And both methods are equally beautiful and awe-inspiring.

So, if you have ever looked up at the night sky or marveled at a glorious sunrise or sunset, remember that the God whose artistry is revealed there is the same God who longs to make something just as beautiful out of you. And He can do it, just as surely as He has done it in the heavens.