What makes you rejoice? David in Psalm 19 alerted us to the nature of the best kind of rejoicing, one that is “sweeter also than honey” and “even much fine gold”. We read of this in Psalm 19:10, but from verse 7 we read “The Law of the LORD is perfect reviving the soul”. Do you need reviving? Not physically, no, it means, mentally.

Then we read, “the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” and we thought of those disciples Jesus called to follow him who were simple fishermen (Matthew 4:18-22), becoming “wise” to the ways of God as a result, and then committing their lives to a far greater cause, though the world might still see them as fishermen. The same happens today.

Verse 8 continues, “the precepts of the LORD are right rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes”. We sometimes speak of ‘heart and mind’ – are they different? Yes. David invites God to “try me; test my heart and mind” (Psalm 26:2). The way our mind works shows whether our heart has been enlightened to embrace the real meaning of life that the testimony of the Lord (the Bible) makes known to us – only then is there true and lasting “rejoicing (of) the heart”. Verse 9, “the fear (awe) of the LORD is clean (cleansing?) enduring for ever”, not just for 2021, or even just for January! Verse 11 tells us that “Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward”.

Those who take notice of the warnings in God’s word of the coming judgements of God in the last days will still have rejoicing in their hearts when the rest of the world is experiencing increasing fear.

Let us memorise the last verse of this Psalm of David. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” May we join David in saying that.