by Kevin Morgan
One of the foundational truths of the Christian faith is that God has revealed himself. He did not create the universe only to retreat into mystery and silence, waiting for us to stumble our way to him. He knows that, if we were left to ourselves, we’d never be able to reason ourselves to knowledge of God. That’s why he chose to make himself known.
God, in his grace, has revealed himself.
Christianity usually speaks of two forms of God's revelation: general revelation and special revelation.
General Revelation
In general revelation, God reveals himself through what he has created. This includes both the created world around us and his image in human beings.
General revelation gives every person a basic knowledge of God. Paul writes in Romans 1:19–20 that God's "eternal power and divine nature" have been clearly perceived through the things he has made. Psalm 19 begins with a similar declaration:
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."
General revelation leaves every person without excuse before God, because through it, he reveals something of himself to everyone. For believers, general revelation is a continual source of worship. As we behold God's creation, we see something of his wisdom, beauty, power, and glory, and our hearts are lifted in praise.
Special Revelation
While general revelation tells us that God exists and displays his glory, it cannot tell us how sinners may be reconciled to him. For that, God has given us special revelation.
In special revelation, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work together to reveal God's Word to mankind. God graciously reveals himself on a human level so that we may truly know him.
Throughout history God has revealed himself this way through:
- spoken words
- visible appearances
- mighty acts in history
- the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh
- and the teaching and writing of the apostles
The Holy Scriptures are therefore the inspired, written record of God's self-disclosure throughout history. They are the very Word of God.
Three Kinds of Revelation in Psalm 19
Psalm 19 provides a beautiful, poetic framework for understanding these deep theological truths. The psalm naturally falls into three sections:
1. The Revelation of God by His Creation (Psalm 19:1–6)
2. The Revelation of God by His Word (Psalm 19:7–9)
3. The Response of God's People to His Word (Psalm 19:10–14)
Together these sections show not only how God reveals himself, but also how his people should respond. The latter is something we don’t typically spend enough time thinking about when considering the doctrine of God’s revelation.
The Revelation of God by His Creation (Psalm 19:1–6)
Psalm 19 opens with one of the most beautiful, poetic declarations in all of Scripture:
"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." (v. 1)
David's language is unmistakably the language of revelation: The heavens declare God's glory. The sky proclaims his handiwork. Words such as speech, words, and voice are repeatedly used.
David writes:
"Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge." (v. 2)
Creation is constantly speaking. Day after day and night after night, God's revelation never ceases.
This testimony is not limited to one location, either. It extends "through all the earth." (v. 4) Whether you find yourself in the Scottish Highlands, the North Carolina mountains, or the Australian Outback, you are never away from a world that displays the careful craftsmanship of its Creator.
David especially highlights the sun in this section (vv. 5-6). In its magnificent course across the heavens, we see something of God himself:
- Like a joyful bridegroom leaving his chamber, the sun speaks of God's happiness and delight.
- Like a strong man running his race, it displays God's strength.
- Because "nothing is hidden from its heat," it reminds us of God's presence throughout the world.
For this reason, God's general revelation is often called natural revelation. It comes through God's ordinary works of creation and providence and is received through our ordinary senses and reasoning.
B. B. Warfield described it beautifully:
"There is the revelation which God continuously makes to all men: by it his power and divinity are made known... adapted to man as man... communicated through the media of natural phenomena, occurring in the course of nature or of history."
General revelation is therefore continual, universal, and unmistakable.
It also teaches believers how to enjoy God's world rightly. Near the end of his Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin asks:
"Do we think that our Lord would have endowed flowers with such beauty for the eye to see, if it was wrong to experience pleasure when we saw them?... Has he not, finally, blessed us with many things which we ought to prize, even though they are not necessary to us?"
Creation is not merely functional. It is beautiful, because it is the work of a Creator who delights in beauty. Christians should be known as those who enjoy God's world with joy and gratitude, because they know that every good gift reflects something of their Father in Heaven.
The Revelation of God by His Word (Psalm 19:7–9)
Beginning in verse 7, David shifts his attention from creation to God’s own words.
In verses 7-9, he fills his verses with phrases that refer to God’s direct self-revelation through his word:
"The law of the LORD is perfect...
the testimony of the LORD is sure...
the precepts of the LORD are right...
the commandment of the LORD is pure...
the rules of the LORD are true..."
Notice the qualities David attributes to Scripture: it is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true. These are the qualities that show the Scriptures to be God's own Word.
Christians do not grant authority to Scripture. Rather, we recognize Scripture as divine revelation because it possesses these qualities. Since it is God's Word, it bears the authority of God himself. Indeed, it is our highest authority and our only infallible authority.
These verses also remind us of what has often been called the perspicuity of Scripture. Ironically, the complicated-sounding word perspicuity refers to the wonderfully simple Protestant doctrine that the basic message of the Bible message is clear enough for any believer to understand it without being an expert in theology or biblical languages.
It is worth noting at this point that there is an important difference between God's two forms of revelation: In General Revelation, God displays his glory and majesty as Creator. In Special Revelation, he displays his moral perfection, faithfulness, righteousness, and saving purposes.
Most importantly: God's Word reveals his will for his people.
David doesn’t actual say anything about general revelation having the power to transform us on its own. But notice what he says God’s word does:
- It revives the soul.
- It makes wise the simple.
- It rejoices the heart.
- It enlightens the eyes.
Only God's Word has the power to bring spiritual life and transformation.
The Response of God's People to His Word (Psalm 19:10–14)
The final section of Psalm 19 shows us that God's revelation always calls for a response from God’s people. Believers are those who, through the work of the Holy Spirit, respond to God's Word with faith.
David describes the believer's attitude toward Scripture:
- He treasures it more than gold (v. 10)
- He delights in it more than the sweetest honey (v. 10)
- He listens to it as God's servant (v. 11)
- He values it as both a warning against sin and a trustworthy guide to great reward (v. 11)
God's Word also produces prayer. David cries out: "Who can discern his errors?" (v. 12) Because, when he is confronted with God's holiness in creation and in his word, it shines a bright light on his own iniquity, so he comes to the Lord to confess his sin.
See the wholehearted plea for pardon that God’s word has produces in him: "Declare me innocent from hidden faults." (v. 12), as well as the zeal to grow in holiness: "Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me." (v. 13) Finally, the believer in whom God’s word has worked longs for nothing more than to please the Lord: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight."
The psalm concludes with one of the most beautiful confessions of faith in all of Scripture:
"O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." (v. 14)
It is easy to miss how meaningful this statement is. These are words of faith.
Throughout Psalm 19 the covenant name of God (Yahweh, translated “LORD”) is used repeatedly. This is the name by which God reveals himself as the faithful covenant Lord and Savior of his people. In the New Testament, these covenant promises find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, God's Word calls us not merely to information, but to faith in Christ.
