In Psalm 19, David describes God’s “two books” —the book of nature, through which God is speaking of his existence, power, and glory, and the book of Scripture, through which he provides much more extensive knowledge of his works and ways.
David was committed to making a close study of both of these forms of revelation and kept a “pad and pencil” at hand so he could reflect on them. The words he jotted down became the words of this wonderful psalm. His close study of God’s revelation led to the concluding verses, where David prays that God will show him his sins and faults, that God would motivate him to live a blameless and innocent life.
Tozer once said that “an honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is wrong with him very quickly,” and Psalm 19 provides a clear example from the life of David. His closing words are a prayer for each of us: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LoRD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).
