Psalm 19 as Preparation for Advent 2
In the Gospel for this coming Sunday (Advent 2, Luke 21:25-26) Jesus tells us that there will be signs of the end in the sun, the moon, and the stars. He, Himself, will come back in the firmament, riding upon an atmospheric condensation of water. One would do well to contemplate on Psalm 19 in preparation for this Sunday. For in it David begins with signs in the firmament:
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. (Psalm 19:1-4, NKJ).
The signs will be, and are being seen even now, everywhere upon the earth. The daily sign is that of the resurrection. For in the firmament the Lord has
set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat” (Psalm 19: 5-6, NKJ).
From there David moves to a crescendo of specific Divine revelation and grace. He sings:
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes 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 judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. (Psalm 19: 7-10).
But if the signs in sun, moon, and star can be ignored so can God’s Word. Like unto Jesus in Luke 21, David sees a graceful warning in all of this. He writes:
By them (by Your Word) Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward (Psalm 19: 11, NKJ).
The warning ought to have a specific response: repentance, lest we commit the great transgression of unbelief. Thus does David continue:
Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. (Psalm 19: 12-13)
Finally, then, David prays for cleansing and makes a confession that God, Himself, is the strength and Redeemer that is needed:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14).