Psalm 19
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 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,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 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.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 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.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Sermon quotes and references
They tell us that the Bible is the Word of God—a lamp to our feet & a light to our path. They tell us that we shall find in it the knowledge of God & His will for our lives. We believe them; rightly, for what they say is true. So, we take our Bibles & start to read them. We read steadily & thoughtfully, for we are in earnest – we really do want to know God. But as we read, we get more & more puzzled. Though fascinated, we are not being fed. Our reading is not helping us; it leaves us bewildered and, if the truth be told, somewhat depressed. We find ourselves wondering whether Bible reading is really worth going on with after all. – JI Packer, Knowing God
Creation … is before our eyes as a most beautiful book, wherein all creatures, great and small, are as so many letters leading us to perceive clearly the glory of God. – Belgic Confession, Article 2
Disregard the study of God’s Word, and you sentence yourself to stumble & blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction & no understanding of what surrounds you. It is the sure way to waste your life and lose your soul. – JI Packer, Knowing God