When we read Psalm 19, even without any commentaries, we will likely notice that the psalm can be divided to two or three different themes or topics.
Usually, most will agree that verses 1-6 describe how creation reflects the glory of God while the rest focus on the theme of Torah or God's commandments being perfect and good for us.
For me, I like to propose three sections to this Psalm.
1. Creation declares God's glory (v.1-6)
2. Torah or the commandments of God being perfect & good (v. 7-11)
3. Focus on psalmist's plea and reliance on God to keep him right (v. 12-14)
Regardless whether we see two or three sections in this psalm, I like to ponder why this is so.
Why did the psalmist compose these themes into his psalm?
Since by tradition, Psalm 19 is attributed to David, the most relevant thing to do is to read about his life in 1 and 2 Samuel in order to understand the historical and cultural context of his time.
In addition, anyone who is familiar with Paul's letter to the Romans will highlight the similarity of the theme found in the first six verses of the psalm with the apostle's argument in Romans 1:18-23.
And more likely, you will quickly point out that the apostle quoted Psalm 19:4 in Romans 10:18 when he argued that his fellow countrymen had no excuse for not hearing the gospel concerning the Messiah, Jesus. In Paul's mind, Jesus' ministry and the events in Jerusalem are akin to the psalmist's contention that the heavens sing the glory of God even though they don't articulate it in human language.
Paul extended this by arguing in Romans 1 that we actually understand this heavenly song and it's message, but we choose to reject it and deny God's glory in order to free ourselves from worshipping Him.
This mindset of the Greeks in the first century is similar to the Israelites in Samuel's time as seen 1 Samuel 7 and 12. In fact, from Joshua to Judges to Samuel and right down to the events leading to their exile in Babylon, the Israelites and their kings had not stay faithful to the LORD. (Something to reflect on in the history of the church as God's people.)
Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Astartes from among you. Direct your heart to the Lord , and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” So Israel put away the Baals and the Astartes, and they served the Lord only.
1 Samuel 7:3-4 NRSV-CI
And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil, yet do not turn aside from following the Lord , but serve the Lord with all your heart; and do not turn aside after useless things that cannot profit or save, for they are useless.
1 Samuel 12:20-21 NRSV-CI
This brings me back to my question. Why did the psalmist write in such manner in Psalms 19 i.e. the three different themes that divide the psalm?
I like to propose that the psalmist was not simply extolling God's glory via his observations of the sky and the sun. Rather, I suggest that the psalmist was presenting the argument, like Paul did in Romans 1, that his fellow countrymen cannot ignore God's glory as seen in nature and continue to worship idols instead of serving the LORD alone.
Like how Paul charged his fellow Jews for not listening to the call of Jesus in Romans 10:18, the psalmist was saying the same about the Israelites. The sky and the sun spoke of God's glory, and the Israelites had no excuse, but to understand their message even though it's not spoken in human language. This reminds me of Jesus' charge against the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.
Matthew 16:1-3 NRSV-CI
After this challenge for his listeners to hear what the heavens were declaring, the psalmist turned to the commandments of God (v. 7-11) as a continuation of his charge and persuasion for his people to turn away from idols and serve the LORD by observing His commandments and fear Him because this would bring them blessings and restoration.
This is just like Samuel's warning against the Israelites when the prophet and judge delivered his final address in 1 Samuel 12.
If you will fear the Lord and serve him and heed his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord , and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well;
Hence the psalmist's emphasis on God's ordinances and fearing Him. Both Samuel and the psalmist had the same way of thinking. The same mindset or worldview when it comes to God and worshipping Him. Fear God and worship Him.
the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
This brings us to the last section (v. 12-14). The theme changed from God's glory in nature and the requirement to fear and obey Him to the psalmist's plea to the LORD to keep him away from committing sins against Him. Even though the psalmist feared and served the LORD, he knew that only God could keep him away from wrongdoings. He acknowledged he needed God's help to turn away from sins and stay blameless before Him. The psalmist knew he could not do this on his own without God's help even though he feared and kept God's commandments. Perhaps, the psalmist was echoing the fact that the heart was extremely deceitful and who could understand it except the LORD.
The heart is devious above all else; it is perverse— who can understand it? I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all according to their ways, according to the fruit of their doings.
But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
It's easy for the psalmist and all of us to turn away from the LORD even though we know what's right and what should be done. Sin's enticing hold on our hearts is still there as long as we live until the Lord's return to bless us with new and incorruptible bodies. We might not worship wooden idols, but we have plentiful of other idols in the form of money, sex and power to name a few. Until then, all of us will suffer the same plight and need to cry to God for His grace in resisting what we know is wrong and do what's right. God knows and gave us His Spirit that we may be empowered spiritually to continue follow our Lord Jesus Christ.
The psalmist's petition at the end can easily be turned into our daily prayer asking God to keep us from wrongs that we may live right for God, our fellow human beings and our environment in a time of sociopolitical turmoils and ecological uncertainties.
Keep 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. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord , my rock and my redeemer.
I hope this reading of Psalm 19 will be helpful.
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