Be Pleasing Before God

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

Psalm 19

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 themhe 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.

In writing Psalm 19, David used a cause-and-effect motif to illuminate God's glory and the effect God has on those who put their faith in the Lord. The magnificence of creation displays God’s glory, and David reminds us that God controls it all.

David reminds us that God's law is perfect and that those who live a life pleasing to Him are rewarded. Our devotion is rewarded through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit, enabling us to perceive God's glory in our surroundings. The simple are made wise, learning how to live a life that pleases God. Over time, every aspect of our lives, from our actions to our speech, is shaped to be pleasing to God.  

We learn that a healthy fear of God is akin to wisdom. We know our place in the order of creation. David knew he was a sinner and proclaimed it often to God. Through our faith in Christ and repentance of sin that we are justified and made righteous before God, and it is through Jesus Christ that we are sanctified and able to turn from our sins more and more the more devoted we become.

Let us all, like David, seek God's grace to guide our thoughts and words, making them always acceptable to the Lord. It is only through God's grace that we can be forgiven daily for our sins. In all our daily activities, whether at work or at home, let us strive to do everything for the glory of God. Without Him, we are nothing but dust.

Grace and Peace!