Cheri Fields
The Bible is filled with praise and recognition of God as our Creator. For example, Psalm 100 is clear as day that we are creatures who owe allegiance to our Creator. But perhaps no other passage outside of Genesis 1 is as dear to the creation minded as Psalm 19. The entire chapter focuses first on the created world and its praise of God and then turns to a doxology in honor of the written Word of God.
Isaac Watts, one of the founding fathers of modern hymns, took inspiration from this passage for one of his poems. I find his lyrics particularly delightful because it actively compares and contrasts the splendor of the natural world with the power and beauty of the Bible.
Over the years Watts’ words have been set to different tunes. I’ve chosen to reset them to resonate more with our modern ears and gave it a short chorus to drive home the centrality of Jesus as Creator, Word, and Savior!
The heavens declare Thy glory, Lord,
in ev’ry star Thy wisdom shines;
but when our eyes behold Thy Word,
we read Thy Name in fairer lines.
The rolling sun, the changing light,
and nights and days Thy pow’r confess;
but the blest volume Thou hast writ
reveals Thy justice and Thy grace.
Refrain:
Jesus, Savior, Sun of my soul.
Word of God in flesh I see you!
Sun, moon, and stars convey Thy praise
round the whole earth, and never stand:
so when Thy truth began its race,
it touched and glanced on ev’ry land.
Great Sun of Righteousness, arise,
bless the dark world with heav’nly light;
Thy gospel makes the simple wise;
Thy laws are pure, Thy judgments right.
Refrain
Thy noblest wonders here we view
in souls renewed and sins forgiv’n;
Lord, cleanse my sins, my soul renew,
and make Thy Word my guide to heav’n.
Refrain 2x
