Pastor and Parishioner Disagree on Bible Interpretation by Pastor Walter Snyder Religion Columnist Q: I'm a baptized, confirmed, communicant member of the Lutheran Church---Missouri Synod. I'm also a prodigal daughter who has realized what is most important in life. In a recent Bible class for adults we were discussing the Psalms. When it came to Psalm 19:1, I don't remember the exact interpretation the pastor gave, but it was based on the LCMS Bible study outline. I've interpreted this passage as: "The heavens declare the glory of God": I've cross referenced this to the angels praise in the Book of Revelation "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lamb..." and Revelation 19. "The firmament showeth His handiwork": I think of the points of light in the sky (stars and planets), how we can only see white dots when in fact they are multi-colored and more numerous than the eye can see. Since my interpretation of Psalm 19:1 was/is different than what the pastor explained in Bible class, do I have to change my way of thinking as an individual and only go by what is taught in Bible class? Blessings to you and yours. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless your work. A: I kept much of your question so people could compare my answer to it. I'll answer your stated question first, then comment a bit on the unasked question; that is, what does this verse mean? Nothing binds you to a specific interpretation except for the passage itself, its interrelationship with the rest of Scripture, and how it points to Christ. I don't know exactly what your pastor said, what was mentioned in the study you use, nor exactly how you interpreted this information. Because of this, I urge you to not only ask others but also tell your pastor what you thought you heard him say as well as what you think the passage means. A mere restatement or rephrasing often clears up misunderstanding. The Word of God tells us that the pastors are the spiritual leaders and overseers, clearly stating that their listeners owe them obedience (Hebrews 13:7). In our church's Rite of Installation, a congregation pledges to show its pastor "that love, honor, and obedience in the Lord which you owe to the shepherd and teacher placed over you by the Lord." However, this is based upon the pastors' remaining faithful to God's Word and to our Savior. Thus, if you think your pastor mistaken, the loving thing is to privately go to discuss your differences first. If this doesn't work, ask if he will talk over your divergent interpretations with brother clergy. Don't casually or without full study and deep thought choose to disbelieve what the pastor Christ gave to you says. Now you (and this column's other readers) may think that I've really piled a lot on considering that this passage isn't "necessary" for salvation. Nevertheless, how you receive and perceive your pastor and his teaching here has an impact on your entire relationship and life in the Faith. As for the passage itself, I already mentioned that I don't have the fullness of either your interpretation nor that of your pastor. Thus, I'll begin with the verse and lightly touch on possible meaning(s). Since the Psalms are poetry, there is more "flexibility" in form and an increased possibility of multi-layered interpretation. The full verse in the ESV says, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork." Literally, the text reads, "The heavens are declaring the glory of God and the work of His hands the firmament is causing to be proclaimed." The participles show that these are not past or one-time expressions. The declaration and the proclamation are ongoing and continuous. As for what the words mean, the second half seems to be less a point of contention for you, so I treat it first: The firmament (usually rendered sky in modern translations) is that which separates the earth from all outside it. Its root means to beat, stamp, beat out, or spread out. One gets a picture of a piece of metal hammered or pressed into a thin sheet. The proclamation is a state of being: When you look to the sky, you see the order that God created and maintains. The first half of the verse appears to be the point in question, especially the interpretation of the word "heavens." The word is used as a place in the visible universe, the highest realm, the sea in which the stars swim; it also means the permanent dwelling place of God, a spiritual realm. In a way, "heavens" and "firmament" are parallel expressions (a normal facet of Hebrew poetry). Thus, David says the same thing twice, using different words. Also, since we're dealing with something the psalmist appears to be able to see, I lean toward the physical explanation. Thus, in essence he says, "When I look up, everything there tells me that there is a glorious God who made everything I see." Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are from ~The Holy Bible, English Standard Version~, © 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Ask the Pastor, © 2002 by Walter P. Snyder. It may be reproduced in totality, including this disclaimer, by anyone, provided that no profit is generated by said republication and redistribution. Translations into other languages should similarly note the United States and any appropriate international copyrights, as well as God's Scriptural injunctions concerning the property of others. Walter Snyder is the pastor of Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Emma, Missouri and coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe."