John Trapp on Psalms 19:1

PSAL. XIX.

THe Heavens declare the glory of God] The World, ſaith Clemens Alexandrinus, is Dei Scriptura, the firſt Bible that God made for the inſtitution of man. The Heavens (here inſtanced as a chief part of that Mundi totius machina) are compared to a Scroul that is written, Rev. 6.14. As in a Horn-book, which little ones carry, there be Letters in a paper within, which appear through the ſame; ſo under the blew ſaphire of the Firmament, is ſpread a ſheet of royal Paper written all over with the Wiſdom and Power of God. This Book was imprinted (ſaith one) at the New Jeruſalem, by the Finger of Jehovah, and is not to be ſold, but to beſeen, at the ſign of Glory, of every one that lifts up his eyes to Heaven; where he may plainly perceive, Deum eſſe mentem, Architectricem, intelligentem, ſapientem, potentem, &c. This leſſon is fairly lined out unto us in the brows of the Firmament, which therefore we are bidden to behold and diſcern; ſith therein God hath made himſelf viſible, yea legible, even his eternal Power and God-head; ſo that men are left without excuſe, Rom. 1.20. But becauſe this Book of Nature (with its three great Leaves, Heaven, Earth, and Sea) though never ſo diligently read over, cannot bring a man to the ſaving knowledge of God in Chriſt, nor make him perfect, throughly furniſhed unto all good works; behold another and better Book, even that of the Holy Scriptures, ſet forth, verſ. 7, 8. &c. of this Pſalm, that like as where the Philoſopher endeth, the Phyſician beginneth, ſo where Nature faileth us, Scripture may inform and comfort us. In this excellent Pſalm then we have the ſum of all true Divinity, ſaith Reverend Beza, the end whereof is to give us that knowledge of God, and of his holy Worſhip, whereby we may be made partakers of eternal life. Here then in the ſix firſt Verſes the Prophet ſheweth, that God manifeſteth his glory to Mankind by his Works; and firſt by the Work of Creation, verſ. 1. Next, of Government, verſ. 2, 3, &c. and that, 1. In the revolution of the ſtarry Sky, which revolution, firſt cauſeth a perpetual viciſſitude of Days, and Nights, and ſo declareth the glory of God. 2. It beſpeaketh all people at once as a Catholique Preacher of Gods glory, verſ. 4, 5. Secondly, In the conſtant courſe of the Sun (that common Servant as his Name importeth) verſ. 4. who with his motion, verſ. 5. enlightneth all things with his Light,Foord. and pierceth all things with his Heat, verſ. 6. Thus the Heavens declare the glory of God; that is, they yeeld matter and occaſion of glorifying, him according to that Pſal. 145.10. All thy Works praiſe thee, O Lord, but thy Saints bleſs thee. Some Philoſophers, and with them ſome Rabbins, have deemed,Maimonides or rather doted, that the Heaven was a living Creature, and did actually praiſe and ſerve God. But this conceit is exploded by the wiſer ſort; and that Axiom maintained, Formica coelos dignitate ſuperat, a Piſmire (becauſe a living Creature) is more excellent than the whole viſible Heavens. As for the Saints and Servants of God, it is truly affirmed by Divines, that there is not ſo much of the glory of God in all his Works of Creation, and Providence, as in one gracious action that they perform.

And the Firmament ſheweth his handy-work] The Expanſe or out-ſpread Firmament. It is taken both for the Air, Gen. 1.6. and for the Sky, Gen. 1.14. the whole Cope of Heaven, which ſheweth, Quàm eleganter & ad amuſſim operetur Deus manibus ſuis.; Vatablus, how neatly and exactly God worketh with his hands, which are attributed to him for our weakneſs ſake.