Nature has a profound effect on our perception of God. People of different nations seeing the same beautiful night sky and being moved to prayer in many different languages. One particular Psalm expresses the awe and wonder of God’s greatness.

God’s glory is on tour in the skies,
       God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
Madame Day holds classes every morning,
       Professor Night lectures each evening.

Their words aren’t heard,
       their voices aren’t recorded,
But their silence fills the earth:
       unspoken truth is spoken everywhere.

God makes a huge dome
       for the sun—a superdome!
The morning sun’s a new husband
       leaping from his honeymoon bed,
The day-breaking sun an athlete
       racing to the tape.

That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies
       from sunrise to sunset,
Melting ice, scorching deserts,
       warming hearts to faith.

The revelation of God is whole
       and pulls our lives together.
The signposts of God are clear
       and point out the right road.
The life-maps of God are right,
       showing the way to joy.
The directions of God are plain
       and easy on the eyes.
God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold,
       with a lifetime guarantee.
The decisions of God are accurate
       down to the nth degree.

God’s Word is better than a diamond,
       better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring,
       better than red, ripe strawberries.

There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger
       and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
       Or know when we play the fool?
Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh!
       Keep me from stupid sins,
       from thinking I can take over your work;
Then I can start this day sun-washed,
       scrubbed clean of my grime of sin.
These are the words in my mouth;
       these are what I chew on and pray.
Accept them when I place them
       on the morning altar.
O God, my Altar-Rock,
       God, Priest-of-My-Altar.

Psalm 19, MSG

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For designer Eva Winters, the night sky provided inspiration for a new cover of The Message Bible’s compact line. This edition is titled Starry Sky.

“My idea for the design came from my love of stars,” states Eva. “Starry nights are, by far, my favorite part of nature as I can so easily see God’s hand at work. The enormity of the universe reminds me of the omnipotent power and glory of God.”

The Psalms have been a source of inspiration artists, poets, and musicians for generations. Well-known lead singer of U2, Bono, has been an outspoken fan of Eugene Peterson’s translation of Psalms. In a 2016 interview with Fuller Studios, he shared, “In the dressing room before a show, we would read the Psalms as a band and then walk out into arenas and stadiums—the words igniting us, inspiring us.”

The new Starry Sky compact edition of The Message is now available. It is ideal for everyday Bible reading—convenient size for carrying everywhere, even in the great outdoors. The single-column layout, easy-to-read type size, and satin ribbon marker make it practical for on-the-go reading. With a durable premium leather-look cover, it fits neatly in a backpack, messenger bag, or purse.