“I can get just as close to God on my deerstand as I can in church.” Perhaps you’ve heard, or even expressed such sentiments. And, shepherd and soldier that he was, David would not completely disagree. After all, in this psalm, he speaks how God’s glory is revealed in the heavens (verse 1). Yes, at night, the innumerable stars give us a glimpse of God’s grandeur, stretching as they do into infinity. By day, we marvel at the powerful heat of the sun, even as we rejoice in its light which shows us our way and which gives life to all the plants of the field (verses 5 and 6).

But because the stars and the sun can’t speak in words (verse 3), human beings have gotten the wrong ideas about them for years. Some, like the ancient Egyptians, worshipped the sun, and the Pharaohs even claimed to be descended from the sun god. Others came to the conclusion that the only way to make sure the sun and the stars brought about the necessary changes in the seasons was to offer sacrifices to them – sometimes even sacrifices of human beings.

That’s why David says we need the Word of God to clear up our thinking. For while the sun’s heat can restore the earth after the winter, it is only the Law of the Lord that can restore our souls (verse 7). While the sun’s light can help keep our feet from stumbling, it is only the Lord’s commandments that can truly enlighten us, guiding us in all the choices we have to make (verse 8). Yes, while we rejoice in the regular movements of the sun and stars, it is the precepts of the Lord that give us the greatest reason for rejoicing (verse 8).

And why is that? Why should God’s Word be so desirable, so sweet to us (verse 10)? Because God’s Word doesn’t just warn us away from sin (verse 11), cutting through the rationalizations that allow us to presume upon God’s grace (verse 13). It also shows us the way to be acquitted of all our sins (verses 12-13), the way to become acceptable in God’s sight (verse 14) – faith in Christ.

So sure, let’s spend as much time as we can enjoying and marveling at God’s wondrous creation. But may the lenses of God’s Word clarify what we see, drawing us closer to the One Who made it all.

Psalm 19 (NASB)

For the choir director. A Psalm of David . The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2 Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.
4 Their 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,
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6 Its 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.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
13 Also keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.