Acceptable Meditation – Psalm 19

This psalm of David’s is part wisdom psalm, part praise psalm.  It is truly remarkable in its theological and spiritually applicable scope.  It is a wonderful devotional prayer, combining honor for God’s revealing of Himself and request for spiritual development.

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.  Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.  There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.  Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.  In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.  Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.  More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?  Declare me innocent from hidden faults.  Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not 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 in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.  (Psalm 19 ESV)

God’s voice has been spoken in two searching and wonderful ways.  His truth can be heard in the heavens where the sun proclaims all day long that Yahweh is the creator God.  His truth is also heard in the Law and it is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true and to be desired above all rewards.  We call these two ways general revelation and special revelation.  God is constantly showing Himself to His world. 

So I should open myself to Him to show me my faults and my deliberate sins that I might want to keep hidden.  I confess them so they won’t control me and so I might be declared innocent and forgiven.  I want both my heart and my behavior to be acceptable to Yahweh, the One who redeemed me.