Read
Psalm 19
Meditate
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Psalm 19:1 (ESV)
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:7 (ESV)
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ John 1:17 (ESV).
This is one of the psalms of David that speak to us about the importance of the law of God, the Torah. The Torah is God's instruction to his people given through Moses. It consists of the first five books of the Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
There are three "Torah" psalms: Psalm 1, Psalm 19, and Psalm 119. These Torah psalms remind the people of God how central and foundational God's Law is to their worship and daily living.
Psalm 19 begins with a beautiful description of the glory of God being made known through creation (Ps. 19:1-6). The middle section of the psalm is a celebration of the Torah emphasizing its great value (Ps. 19:7-11). The final section is a prayer to the Lord for protection from sin, disobeying God's instruction (Ps. 19:12-14).
This psalm reminds us that God has spoken through his creation and through his Torah. It is through his Torah that we realize our sin and need of a redeemer. God sent his only Son to be our redeemer. He is the living Word that has spoken God's saving truth to us (cf. John 1:1-18).
The writer of Hebrews describes God's Son, the Word, like this:
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, … (Heb. 1:1-3; ESV)
The glory of God is made known to us through creation, his will is made known to us through the Torah, but the fulness of his grace and truth are only found in Jesus Christ, his Son. "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (Jn. 1:17; ESV).
As the psalmist celebrated God's revelation to his people through the Torah, we celebrate as Christians the revelation of God's salvation in Jesus Christ. With the angels, the holy apostles and prophets, and all the saints, we bow before Jesus and proclaim him our Lord and God (John 20:28).
Pray
O Lord our God, we praise you today with all of your creation. We proclaim that you are our great creator; you are our rock and redeemer. We thank you for sending to us your revelation in Scripture and through your Word, Jesus Christ your Son. We exalt you and give you thanks for your great mercy. You alone are God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Rest
Listen to an ancient hymn celebrating the coming of the Word, Jesus Christ.
"Of the Father's Love Begotten" (Performed by a traditional a capella choir) Click here.