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Psalm 19 says a lot about Heaven! Psalm 19:1 begins by telling us what the “heavens declare.” They declare “the glory of God.” This can be taken literally or figuratively. God created everything. What we see in the heavens is a reflection of Him and His glory. The sun shines bright and warms our skin. It declares His glory. Birds glide effortlessly. They declare His glory. The very air we breathe sustains our bodies. A declaration of His glory. Therefore, the beginning verses of Psalm 19 confirm that we can see a representation of God’s glory in everything we see on earth.

Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary explains that God’s glory, when speaking of it as a physical manifestation, “is something that appears, is revealed, or can be seen.” We see examples of this in the plagues of Egypt, the miracles of Jesus, and the resurrection of our Savior Himself. The dictionary goes on to explain that God’s glory exists without a physical representation as well. His glory exists in His presence and powerful hands holding the earth.

What are the Heavens in Psalm 19?

While we certainly can see God’s glory in the physical sky, Gill’s Exposition of the Bible explains that the heavens can represent the church and its people. Believers who have put their trust in Jesus are heaven-bound. Their communities can give a glimpse of heaven on earth in the way they worship God and declare His glory. 

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: ‘To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’” —Revelation 5:13

This idea can also be applied to the second part of the verse, which states, “the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Again, while we can see God’s physical work in the sky, His followers also proclaim the work of His hands. Jesus came to earth to offer us salvation. His hands pierced as He hung on the cross. The work He did, dying on the cross for our sins, is to be proclaimed by His followers. 

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever” —Daniel 12:3

What Does Psalm 19 Say the Heavens Do?

“Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” —Psalm 19:2

Psalm 19 continues to reinforce the idea of God’s glory being shown by the heavens in the form of day and night. We can see the physical manifestation of God’s glory in the sun during the day and in the moon and stars at night. The transition from day to night continues effortlessly and without fail. Likewise, Christ’s apostles spread the Gospel throughout the earth. They continued to preserve, and now even though they have passed away, their message and the knowledge of Christ remain. It continues to be spread by God’s people, transitioning from one generation to the next.

“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 19:3–4a

As the apostles spread the message, they did so in every language and tongue. The Gospel is not restricted to one language. Whether Greek, Spanish, or Hebrew, it’s the meat of the message that matters, not the specific words. Additionally, God can speak to us inaudibly. We can feel His presence and glory that the heavens proclaim. The sun doesn’t speak but proclaims His glory in its rays. The moon doesn’t speak but spreads His glory in its quiet light. 

What effect do the Heavens in Psalm 19 Have on God’s People?

“In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.” —Psalm 19:4b–5

The sun sits in the heavens, rising every morning without fail. We can approach the new day like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber. When a happy couple emerges on their wedding day, they are beautiful and full of light. Their joyous presence is contagious to those around them. Likewise, we can take joy in the presence of the sun, displaying God’s glory every morning. We can take that joy and, like the sun’s rays, continue to let it spread, sharing the Gospel with others as Christ commanded (Matthew 28:19).

“It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth” —Psalm 19:6

Like the sun’s rays that warm our physical bodies, the Gospel message warms our souls. As Christians spread the message of Christ, His love is spread to people from the East to the West. Everyone that comes in contact with God can feel His warm embrace. His love can melt hardened hearts and warm souls that have gone cold. Those affected by Christ continue to spread the message, passing the warmth on to people worldwide.

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