Psalms 19 - Introduction

A.M. 2944. B.C. 1060.

This Psalm sets before us the two great books which God has written and published for the instruction and salvation of mankind, the book of Nature, and the book of Scripture, to the excellence and utility of both of which it bears testimony. As they both proceeded from one and the same perfectly wise and gracious Author, who is the Sovereign of the universe; so they are both perfect in their kind, stand on the same authority, and declare, though in different ways, the will of the same great Lawgiver to his intelligent offspring. Their grand design is to show forth the divine perfections of their author, the former to the whole world, the latter to God's church and people, that all mankind may adore and serve him, and thereby become holy and happy. The psalmist first opens to our view the book of Nature, and shows us how the glory of God shines forth from the works of creation, particularly from the heavens which surround us, and, above all, from that great luminary, the sun, placed therein, Psalms 19:1. Secondly, He leads us to the book of Scripture, on which he passes still higher encomiums, and shows that it produces still better and more important effects, effects more closely connected with our salvation, Psalms 19:7. Thirdly, He addresses a prayer to God for pardon and restraining grace, and for the acceptance of these and all other his devotions and meditations. “The piety of this Psalm,” says Bishop Sherlock, “is so natural, and yet so exalted; so easy to be understood, so adapted to move the affections, that it is hardly possible to read it with any attention without feeling something of the same spirit by which it was endited.” May the reader find this to be true by experience!