Psalm 19 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 19 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Verse 2Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
Verse 3There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
Verse 4yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
Verse 5which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
Verse 6Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and nothing is hid from its heat.
Verse 7The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
Verse 8the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;
Verse 9the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Verse 10More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
Verse 11Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Verse 12But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
Verse 13Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Verse 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Devotion
Like this psalmist, we have all been awed by the splendor of nature, and in that splendor we recognize the hand of God.
Like the psalmist, we recognize God’s care for humanity in the revelation and gift of God’s Word for direction in our lives.
Like the psalmist, we recognize God’s care for us as individuals.
Like the psalmist, we are then aware of our sinfulness before the awesome God of all creation.
Like the psalmist, in honest self-reflection we realize our failure to recognize all of our sins (“who can detect their errors?”) and ask God to “clear me from hidden faults.” The psalmist knows that God sees the hidden faults even if we don’t, and the psalmist knows that, on our own, we cannot wipe those sins away.
Finally, like the psalmist, we recognize God as our rock and redeemer.
Prayer
Awesome God, your handiwork in nature and your love for us knows no bounds. In your boundless mercy forgive our sins – known and unknown – and open our eyes to your loving presence in every moment of our lives. Amen.