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 Click To Tweet
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 Click To Tweet
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 Click To Tweet
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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Hi Jeanne,
Psalm 19 is one of my favorites! I am especially captured by how David talks about the heavens “declaring” the glory of God. When we think about declarations or “pouring forth speech” there’s a tendency to think of that which is heard. However, creation praises God with sounds we cannot detect, yet it is a constant concert of praise. What that must sound like! I try and be mindful every day of the evidence of God’s glory around me. May all our lives reflect His praise!
I love your insights, Sheree.
Thank you! It is like the angels rejoicing–probably all the time, but for brief moments in history, God peels back the curtain of heaven, like the night Jesus was born.
Jeanne, I am awed by your insight. Taking the Word, piece by piece, phrase by phrase……..Seeing creation as HIS voice to us.
Yes, we want our lives to be our testimony….words can sometimes complicate situations.
“That our lives can preach without preaching”
Thank you for using what the Lord has given you.
Love Mom
Thanks, Mom. I appreciate your encouragement and glad that this psalm spoke to you.
%Reading this made me think of the moment when we first drove into Yosemite National Park in California and saw the splendor of Gods creation.It was overwhelming and later when we hiked up to an amazing waterfall the beauty and sound of the rising water plunging over the top. Then climbing to the top looking down. It was a really big WOW that God created something such as this for our enjoyment. There really were no words necessary the woodlands and the waterfall “spoke”of God’s beauty and majestic splendor.
Janice, that must have been an amazing feeling! I haven’t seen that area of our country but I can imagine the grandeur. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.
Amazing post Jeanne. I know I need to go back and re-read because there is much insight and wisdom in it that calls us to stand in awe of God. I never tire of a sunrise. Being an early riser, I rarely miss one. It’s a picture of God’s faithfulness and sovereignty and a kiss that says, “Here I am for you on another day.”
I love that, Marilyn…He is with us another new day for sure. So glad this spoke to you today. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I love the Psalms. There are so many truths and insights of God we can get from reading them. I love your posts.
My favorite Psalm is 18. Like you, the things David wrote about God is mind-boggling. God is mighty and Good all the time.
You made me want to write on Psalm 18 now…
Stephanie, I look forward to reading your thoughts on Psalm 18. Thanks for stopping by and sharing this.
I love this, Jeanne: “Like rocks that will cry out even if no one praises Him, the heavens speak forth the glory of God who created them.” I absolutely love the visual image of creation praising God! And, as one of God’s human creations, I want my life to praise him – with and without words!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping in, Julie and sharing your thoughts. I am with you! I want my life to speak of His glory and goodness also
Wonderful post Ms. Jeanne. We can learn so much from the Psalms. To answer your question as the end though, I think of times when I’ve heeded the Holy Spirit’s urging and I’ve done someone spur of the moment to help someone. When asked, my reply is always the same;, “God has blessed me my whole life it seems. I just wanted to pass a little of it on.” That and and handshake usually suffices. My blessing comes when we’re alone (just me and God) and He gives me one of His “heart hugs.” The joy that brings is indescribable. Thank you for reminding me of how important it is that people see Him in my life with everything I say and do.
I appreciate your thoughts, J.D. I think you’re right; the joy we sense after meeting a felt need is truly a heart hug.
I’m frequently outside in the evening or early morning and see the glory of the night or early morning sky. What an awesome Creation! We are so blessed that God granted us the opportunity to share in His Creation. Love your emphasis on “Let My Life Speak.” Wow! Now that’s a challenge for each of us. Thank you
Thanks for stopping in, Katherine, and sharing your thoughts. We are truly blessed!
My verse this year is Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God. Be still and be silent sometimes because sometimes the silence is louder than words ever could be.
“They have no speech, they use no words, no sound is heard from them.” Amen!
This is right in line with your verse, Barbara. There may not be a sound, but the message is there. Loud and clear.
My prayer too Jeanne. Every day. May my life reflect God’s glory so someone meets Jesus.
He loves your heart, Cathy! Thanks for stopping in and sharing your thoughts
I’ve quoted Psalm 19:14 many times when I pray. Thank you, Jeanne! I enjoyed your post.
LuAnn, the Psalms do make powerful prayers. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
It’s a difficult question to answer, because when God speaks to you, it’s indescribable. The greatest encounter I’ve had with God was a day that He spoke my name. He said, “I have named you, Joshua.” I cannot describe the sensation or the feeling, but it was overwhelming and real. I believe we can still hear God’s voice. God still speaks.
Beautiful, Joshua. I love how personal God is. Thank you for sharing this with me. I had a similar thing happen when the word Amia (didn’t know the spelling) came to me repeatedly. When I looked it up, it means BELOVED. So cool and so humbling at the same time.