C.S. Lewis called Psalm 19 “the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.”
It divides naturally into three sections:
1. God’s glory revealed through creation (vv. 1-6)
2. God’s revelation through his Torah (his Word)
. . (vv. 7-11)
3. A prayer for cleansing (vv. 12-14).
The Psalm serves as,
an indirect witness to the need for a greater “servant” (vv. 11, 13) than David, who could keep the law (cf. vv. 12-14), who would be “blameless” (v. 13) and “pleasing” in God’s sight (v. 14) (VanGemeren, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, on Psalm 19).
While God’s revelation of himself in creation and in his Torah is glorious, his revelation of himself through his son, Jesus, is even more glorious (Hebrews 1:1-3).
God’s Word (Torah) is described by six synonyms. These synonyms are described then paired with four corresponding benefits (vv. 6-9):
| the Law of the Lord | perfect | reviving the soul |
| the testimony of the Lord | sure | making wise the simple |
| precepts of the Lord | right | rejoicing the heart |
| commandment of the Lord | pure | enlightening the eyes |
| fear of the Lord | clean, enduring forever | |
| rules of the Lord | true and righteous altogether |
This section of Psalm 19 reaches its climax in vv 10-11, where the emphasis is on delighting in the treasure God has given us in his Torah. David finds God’s Word to be precious (vs. 10a), sweet (vs. 10b), and extremely beneficial (vs. 11).
Soul-searching, isn’t it? Do I delight like this in God’s Word? or in his even greater revelation, Jesus the Son?
