This chapter is two-fold, a celebration of creation and the Creator.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (v1-4,9-10,12-14)
David sets a great example in this Psalm – he is simply sitting in the Lord’s creation, taking notes of its wonder, and praising God his Rock and Redeemer. That sounds like a great way to spend some time. When was the last time I just sat in God’s presence, in His creation, and simply meditated on who God is? It has been too long, unfortunately.
David talks about the heavens/skies, and the sun, and how they are glorious, revealing knowledge in their own way and their own voice without ever speaking a word. Job has a similar conclusion “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?” (Job 12:7-10)
David talks about God’s laws, statutes, precepts, commands, and decrees, as wonderful things that are purer than gold and sweeter than honey. God longs to give us these symbols of luxury as an example of His love and glory “So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen.” (Eze 16:13, describing how God treated Jerusalem like a like royalty)
David concludes by requesting deliverance from sin, even the sins he willingly commits, and praises God his Rock and Redeemer. I too long to be delivered from the willing sins that I commit.
Father, I know that Rom 6:1-7 says we died with Christ and You raised us back to life with Him, so that we are no longer slaves to sin, though apparently I will still willingly sin despite it no longer being my master. Please God, lord of heaven, earth and all that is within it, may I find your laws and decrees freeing and more precious than gold, and sweeter than honey, so that I would learn to keep them without any hesitation. Jesus, my Rock and Redeemer, please help me to do this. Thank you for the gift of salvation – in my past, my present, and my future. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training