CROWN WITH MANY CROWNS
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Opening Prayer
Thank you, Lord God, for the gift of this day. Please help me to spend it in ways that draw me closer to you, in ways that bring glory to you.
Read PSALM 19
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Reflect
What things do you experience that give you greatest cause to praise God?
Two pillars dominate the mental landscape of the psalmist. The first is that of creation, majestic in its own created splendor, testifying of its own accord to the majesty of its maker. Were we to be still and merely allow our senses to see, hear, touch, and feel all that the Almighty has done outside ourselves, we, too, could break out in worship, adoration, and joy. Creation invites indulgent worship! The second pillar is that of the Scriptures: the psalmist encourages obedience to them. The law, the testimony, the precepts, the commandments, and rules of the Torah constitute the God-ordained guardrails of life. The psalmist is clearly praising the God of the Bible out of lived experience and the practice of obedience. He enjoys creation and he also openly praises the law ordained for man by the good God of this good creation. This seems to be a content, satisfied, and fulfilled person.
The psalmist is by no means smug, however. In today’s terms, one may call the psalmist a person of very high emotional intelligence, significant personal insight, and raw honesty. He desires deeper intimacy with the Creator. He does not want the sins that so easily entangle him to affect his walk with the Lord. He knows that he is powerless, but he is also responsible, a man of conviction. It is to the compassionate, personal, and majestic God that this very personal journal entry in the psalmist’s pilgrimage of life is addressed. We are fortunate to be welcome eavesdroppers.
What is your experience with creation? What have your years, weeks, or months of walking with the Scriptures been like? How would you pen your Psalm 19?
Apply
God is no respecter of persons. Invite him to help you to see your past through the prism of this psalm. This will instill genuine hope for a future filled with fulfillment.
Closing prayer
Father, creation proclaims your glory, but without your Word, I would not know who you are; without your Spirit, I would never have understood how much you love me. Through these great gifts, salvation is mine; use them to help me tell others of your grace and mercy.
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