Psa 19 | MHCC | e4.org | 1-6 The heavens so declare the glory of God, and proclaim his wisdom, power, and goodness, that all ungodly men are left without excuse. They speak themselves to be works of God's hands; for they must have a Creator who is eternal, infinitely wise, powerful, and good. The counter-changing of day and night is a great proof of the power of God, and calls us to observe, that, as in the kingdom of nature, so in that of providence, he forms the light, and creates the darkness, #Isa 45:7|, and sets the one against the other. The sun in the firmament is an emblem of the Sun of righteousness, the Bridegroom of the church, and the Light of the world, diffusing Divine light and salvation by his gospel to the nations of the earth. He delights to bless his church, which he has espoused to himself; and his course will be unwearied as that of the sun, till the whole earth is filled with his light and salvation. Let us pray for the time when he shall enlighten, cheer, and make fruitful every nation on earth, with the blessed salvation. They have no speech or language, so some read it, and yet their voice is heard. All people may hear these preachers speak in their own tongue the wonderful works of God. Let us give God the glory of all the comfort and benefit we have by the lights of heaven, still looking above and beyond them to the Sun of righteousness.

‏ Psalms 19

* The glory of God's works. (1-6) His holiness and grace as

shown in his word. (7-10) Prayer for the benefit of them.

(11-14)1-6 The heavens so declare the glory of God, and proclaim his

wisdom, power, and goodness, that all ungodly men are left

without excuse. They speak themselves to be works of God's

hands; for they must have a Creator who is eternal, infinitely

wise, powerful, and good. The counter-changing of day and night

is a great proof of the power of God, and calls us to observe,

that, as in the kingdom of nature, so in that of providence, he

forms the light, and creates the darkness, #Isa 45:7|, and sets

the one against the other. The sun in the firmament is an emblem

of the Sun of righteousness, the Bridegroom of the church, and

the Light of the world, diffusing Divine light and salvation by

his gospel to the nations of the earth. He delights to bless his

church, which he has espoused to himself; and his course will be

unwearied as that of the sun, till the whole earth is filled

with his light and salvation. Let us pray for the time when he

shall enlighten, cheer, and make fruitful every nation on earth,

with the blessed salvation. They have no speech or language, so

some read it, and yet their voice is heard. All people may hear

these preachers speak in their own tongue the wonderful works of

God. Let us give God the glory of all the comfort and benefit we

have by the lights of heaven, still looking above and beyond

them to the Sun of righteousness. 7-10 The Holy Scripture is of much greater benefit to us than

day or night, than the air we breathe, or the light of the sun.

To recover man out of his fallen state, there is need of the

word of God. The word translated "law," may be rendered

doctrine, and be understood as meaning all that teaches us true

religion. The whole is perfect; its tendency is to convert or

turn the soul from sin and the world, to God and holiness. It

shows our sinfulness and misery in departing from God, and the

necessity of our return to him. This testimony is sure, to be

fully depended on: the ignorant and unlearned believing what God

saith, become wise unto salvation. It is a sure direction in the

way of duty. It is a sure fountain of living comforts, and a

sure foundation of lasting hopes. The statues of the Lord are

right, just as they should be; and, because they are right, they

rejoice the heart. The commandments of the Lord are pure, holy,

just, and good. By them we discover our need of a Saviour; and

then learn how to adorn his gospel. They are the means which the

Holy Spirit uses in enlightening the eyes; they bring us to a

sight and sense of our sin and misery, and direct us in the way

of duty. The fear of the Lord, that is, true religion and

godliness, is clean, it will cleanse our way; and it endureth

for ever. The ceremonial law is long since done away, but the

law concerning the fear of God is ever the same. The judgments

of the Lord, his precepts, are true; they are righteous, and

they are so altogether; there is no unrighteousness in any of

them. Gold is only for the body, and the concerns of time; but

grace is for the soul, and the concerns of eternity. The word of

God, received by faith, is more precious than gold; it is sweet

to the soul, sweeter than honey. The pleasure of sense soon

surfeit, yet never satisfy; but those of religion are

substantial and satisfying; there is no danger of excess. 11-14 God's word warns the wicked not to go on in his wicked

way, and warns the righteous not to turn from his good way.

There is a reward, not only after keeping, but in keeping God's

commandments. Religion makes our comforts sweet, and our crosses

easy, life truly valuable, and death itself truly desirable.

David not only desired to be pardoned and cleansed from the sins

he had discovered and confessed, but from those he had forgotten

or overlooked. All discoveries of sin made to us by the law,

should drive us to the throne of grace, there to pray. His

dependence was the same with that of every Christian who says,

Surely in the Lord Jesus have I righteousness and strength. No

prayer can be acceptable before God which is not offered in the

strength of our Redeemer or Divine Kinsman, through Him who took

our nature upon him, that he might redeem us unto God, and

restore the long-lost inheritance. May our hearts be much

affected with the excellence of the word of God; and much

affected with the evil of sin, and the danger we are in of it,

and the danger we are in by it