Psalm 19

One of the goals I set for myself is to read through the Bible each year.  I hesitate to write that because I don't want to sound like I'm beating my own drum, but I share it if for no other reason than to encourage others to do the same.  I have found that the Discipleship Journal Bible Reading Plan fits my schedule and my desire best.  There are 25 days worth of reading each month, which means that if you miss a day here or there it won't put you way behind and if you do finish the readings on time then you have a few days to look back over what you've studied before the next month begins.  Also, if you enjoy having a Bible application on your phone, let me suggest YouVersion, a wonderful Bible program that lets you read the entire Bible in a multiple of translations.  It's also available online.

One of the challenges I have undertaken has been to read the Old Testament in an alternate translation than the one with which I study the New Testament.  The Message version provides and excellent version that really makes the Old Testament come alive and today, when I read Psalm 19, I knew it was something I had to post for all to see.  Read this carefully and deliberately and behold our great and awesome is our God and His Word to us.

1. God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
2. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.
3. Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded,
4. But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome!
5. The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, the daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.
6. That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
7. The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. the signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.
8. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes.
9. God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree.
10. God’s Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.
11. There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure.
12. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool?
13. Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
14. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.