Read Psalm 19.
Preachers are in a position where they can imagine that they’re important. In old churches, the pulpit is high to elevate the importance of the word. But preachers need to be humble. It’s the word that is important, not the preacher.
My husband, David, used to play music at an evening church in the city. They sang a Matt Redman song. A key line was, “It’s all about you, Lord”. Matt Redman understood that the singer often gets the limelight, when the task is instead to reveal the light from the Lord. Even people who present this song can forget the words that they are singing!
Psalm 19 is a beautiful piece of work. Its structure is well thought out. It has great images. It’s lovely poetry. The author was probably pleased with how it turned out. Maybe he needed to add this line to the prayer. A way to say, “It’s all about you, Lord”.
What does the structure of this psalm show us?
The first section is about the evidence of God in nature. What a wonderful image there is of the sun starting the day with the same vigour as a young, newly married man after a night with his bride! That brilliant vigour warms the earth.
The second section moves to the gift of God’s law. The sense of celebration continues. The law is something to delight in! “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart”. The law is also useful for clear insight. It’s as if the sun’s brilliance now comes through the word: “The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes” (v 8).
There are so many positive aspects to the law. Each aspect has a positive effect – a benefit for the faithful follower: refreshment, wisdom, endurance ... taken together, they are more precious than gold, sweeter than honey (v 10).
Do we regard the law with such admiring wonder? Do we even respect the world the Lord has given us? Perhaps we find the sun overbearing in a long, hot summer. Perhaps we squirm when God’s word directs away from our preferences.
Climate scientists tell us we get too much sun because of unwise human actions. Yet we may curse God’s sun on a radiant day. Likewise, if we approach the law with a judging heart, we will not learn from it.
The final part of this psalm shows humility. “Who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults” (v 12). And by asking for forgiveness, we’re reminded that there is more to consider than a positive attitude to God’s world and God’s law.
The psalmist is singing the praise of a God who forgives – a God who believes in relationship. It’s not “about us”, but God does care about us. The Psalmist can confidently pray that this psalm will be received by God, not because of its art, but because it’s humble and heart-felt. In fact, it’s OK to appreciate the art of the psalm: the creative power for it comes from God. Still, the biggest celebration is that God wants relationship. The final word – “Redeemer” – had an Old Testament purpose – purchasing back family rights when the system broke down. But for us, the word “Redeemer” foretells that great act of grace when God sent Jesus. God really wants us! We have plenty to be positive about!
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