Let My Life Speak More Than Words – Psalm 19
As I’m reading Psalm 19, I think of how powerful silence can be. I picture David sitting on a darkened hillside watching over his sheep while marveling at the night sky. This psalm prompts me to say, let my life speak more than words.
David prays:
The heavens declare the glory of God…
Creation Speaks
Like rocks that will cry out even if no one praises Him, the heavens speak forth the glory of God who created them.
As I'm reading #Psalm19, I think of how powerful silence can be. #GodSpeaks Share on X
Where are David’s Words Coming From?
David wrote this psalm after the death of Saul and his son Jonathan. Saul’s house tries to maintain power but his reign is unraveling. David sees Saul’s house weaken, and after years of running finally takes his place on the throne (2 Samuel 1-4).
Saul’s rebellious reign spoke of defeat. God not only removed him from the throne, but He also took the Holy Spirit from him.
David didn’t want to follow that path. I believe this prayer gives insight into David’s heart as the new king.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm 19:1-4a NIV
I could stop right there! The concept of the creation speaking without words is mind boggling. I can imagine David after spending night after night on a hillside as a shepherd boy, and on the run from Saul year after year; he had plenty of time to hear the heavens speak in the silence.
David begins his prayer by acknowledging the magnificence of God as he looks upon the wonder of the galaxies. And how God uses it as a platform to echo His majesty throughout eternity.
Then he seems to draw a parallel from the eternalness (is that a word?) of the creation and God’s law given to us. Both proclaim who He is and point us to Him.
The concept of the creation speaking without words is mind boggling. #Psalm19 #TheHeavensDeclare Share on X
God’s Law Speaks
Yet as I continued to read, I caught a message, a message of his heart. In verses 7-13 David explains the power of God’s law to:
Refresh the soul
Make wise the simple
Give joy to the heart
Give light to the eyes
His truth is more desirable than gold.
David’s Heart Speaks
Then David cries out to the Lord to watch over his actions and decisions saying:
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer, Psalm 19:14.
What I Hear David Saying is, Let My Life Speak
As I read the whole of Psalm 19, I hear the essence of David’s prayer to the Lord…
“Let my thoughts and words speak of Your glory in the same as the silent messages in creation and spoken words of the law. Let my life—the way I speak and live and act—tell of Your glory too. The only way that is possible is by embracing Your words and living by them.”
Let my life—the way I speak and live and act—tell of Your glory too. #Psalm19 #MyLifeAsWorship Share on X
David bows his heart to God who has spoken over his life and protected him from so much. From lions and bears, giants, and Saul’s army. He prays from the heart and his speech pours forth as God anoints him to walk worthy.
I want this to be my prayer too
May my actions speak loudly to those who are watching. And you are the only one who can make me walk rightly with you. So let your truth be my compass. And my life speak of your glory whether or not I speak a word.
How Has God Spoken to You – With or Without Words?
Share a time when God’s glory was evident around you. What did this feeling evoke in your spirit? Leave your comment by scrolling down below.
See you next time,
Jeanne
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