For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
1The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
4Their 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,
5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6Its 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.
7The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
12Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
13Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
Read the entire Psalm two times.
Now go back and read verses 1-6. What is this section about? What does it tell us about God? What does it tell us about creation? What does this mean for you as you drive to school, walk through the trees, and study the physical world?
Now read verses 7-11. What is this section about? Write out, in your own words, what the Psalm says the word of God accomplishes. Write out the descriptions of the law as well.
Now read verses 12-13. What is this section about? What does the Psalmist ask God to do (hint: I count 4). Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? Ask God to reveal hidden faults. Ask him what presumptuous (or willful) sins you are engaged in. Are you willing to ask him to remove those from your life? Talk with Him about it.
Now read verse 14. What does the Psalmist ask God to accomplish for him in verse 14? What does he call God? Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? Do you look to God to be your stability and your rescue?
Summary: David saw that the heavens display God’s handiwork and declare His glory. He then saw how the written word of God does the same, yet goes even further, telling us about the LORD (David uses the name “El” or “God” in the first section, a general word for God. He then shifts to the word LORD or “Yahweh” which is the special, covenant-making name God uses when He speaks to His people – see Exodus 3 for God’s revelation of this name to Moses). God is not simply a powerful Creator He is also a personal, covenant-making LORD. God’s display of his attributes in creation is sometimes called “general revelation.” Everyone can know certain general things about God just by looking up! His Word (the Bible) is sometimes called “specific revelation”, because it reveals greater detail concerning what God is like. This Psalm reflects this emphasis. I can see a powerful God in nature and I can know this covenant-making God with greater detail when I peer into His Word.
David’s observation of God’s glory in the world and the Word prompts him to examine himself and ask God to honor Himself in David’s every word and thought. David longs to join creation and revelation in the act of honoring God. David also realizes that the ability to do this comes from God, thus he asks God to keep him from sin, and to make his thoughts and actions worshipful.