Songs of the Soul: A Lent DevotionalSample

Psalm 19 has to be my favorite psalm in all of Scripture. As a Worship Leader and Music Director for more than 16 years, it seems fitting that Psalm 19 starts with the byline "For the director of music". In fact, just reading through the entire psalm now sparks memories of special quiet times with God, church services I attended as a young adult, worship services I've had the privilege to lead, and even a star-gazing party with a few fellow astronomy-nerd friends!

As a Musician, I can certainly appreciate the power of music. But the right melody and harmony, combined with the right words, can have an otherworldly effect on our consciousness.

Words have so much power. Words have a way of inciting memories. They can invigorate us with hope. Words can ruin our day or set us on cloud 9.

David recognized the power of words. It's not surprising that he was chosen to write so many psalms in the Bible — psalms that have lasted more than 3 millennia and are recited at many of our most important moments in life. The way he wrote captures our emotions and raises our minds to focus on what is eternal. And interestingly, Psalm 19 is actually a psalm about words.

Verse 7 is about God's Word. It is literally about God's Commandments and Law but written almost like a preview of the One whom the apostle John would describe as "The Word". Doesn't Jesus refresh our souls and make the wise simple? God's Word is not only Perfect and Trustworthy, but our obedience of it is a practical way to avoid many perils in life.

The conclusion of Psalm 19 reveals more New Covenant Truth. It's a preview of an idea Jesus would share in the Sermon on the Mount a thousand years later. David declares the importance of our heart's meditation as if he had already heard Jesus's warnings that sin isn't limited to just the actions that everyone else sees. Even unspoken words have power!

Jeff Caylor
Worship

Prayer:
Dear God, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.