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   In the first mention of the heavenly bodies, the purpose of the Creator is clearly stated. In Gen.1:14-19 reveals the fact that they were created, not only "to divide the day from the night, and to give light upon the; but, they were set "for signs, and seasons, and for days and years".

   The Figure Polysyndeton empathizes these four purposes, and bids us single them out and consider them separately and independently.

   They are "for SIGNS"

   Heb. 'oth, from 'athak, to come. Signs, therefore, of something or some One to come. Those who understand them are enlightened by them. Those who do not may well be "dismayed" (Jer.10:2).

   The stars are numbered and named. There are twelve signs of the Zodiac, called "the stars" in Gen.37:9 (eleven of which bowed down to Joseph's twelfth). The word Zodiac means the degrees or steps, which mark the stages of the sun's path trough the heaven's, corresponding with the twelve month's.

   The stars were all named by God (Ps.147:4). Most of these names have been lost; but over 100 are preserved through the Arabic and Hebrew, and are used by astronomers to-day, though their meaning is unknown to most of them. Many of them are used in Scripture as being well known, though the translations are somewhat speculative; example JOB 9:9. Heb.'ash (Arcturus, R.V. the Bear), kesil (A.V. Orion), kimash (Pleiades's). JOB 38:31,32 mazzaroth (margin, and R.V., the twelve signs; margin, the signs of the Zodiac). Cp. 2 Kings 23:5, 'ash (Arcturus with her sons, R.V. the Bear with her train, both versions being incorrect as to the names). See also Isa.13:10. Amos 5:8.

   These names and the twelve "signs" go back to the foundations of the world. Jewish tradition, preserved by Josephus, assures us that this Bible astronomy was invented by Adam, Seth, and Enoch.

   We see evidence of it as early as Gen.11:4, where we read of the Tower of Babel having "his top with the heavens". There is nothing about the wrongly supplied italics "may reach unto". The words doubtless, refer to the signs of the Zodiac, pictured at the top of the Tower,like the Zodiacs in the Temples of Denderah, and Esneh in Egypt.

   The Babylonian "Creation Tablets" refer to them, though there primitive meaning had been either corrupted or lost. It is the same with Greek mythology, which is corruption of primitive truth which had been lost and perverted.

   We have to remember that our written Scriptures began with Moses, say in 1490 B.c.: and thus, for more than 2,500 years, the revelation of the hope which God gave in Gen.3:15 was preserved in the naming of the stars and their grouping in Signs and Constellations.

   These groupings are quite arbitrary. There is nothing in the positions of the stars to suggest the pictures originally drawn around them. The Signs and the Contellations were first designed and named; then, the pictures were drawn around them respectively. Thus the truth was enshrined and written in the heavens, where no human hand could touch it. In latter years, when Israel came into possession of the written "Scriptures of Truth", there was no longer any need for the more ancient writing in the heavens. Hence, the original teaching gradually faded away, and the heathen, out of the smattering they had heard by tradition, evolved their cosmogonies and mythologies.

   Ps.19 contains a vivid reference to these two Books of revelation. That is why there is a very sudden change of subject at v.7; a change which still perplexes and baffles all the skill of "commentators".

   The teaching is preserved in the structure of the Psalm, where we have

A | 1-4-. The Heavens
  B | -4-6. "In them, the sum".
A | 7-10. The Scriptures.
  B | "In them, Your servant".

In this structure every line emphasizes the elaboration of the design: for, while, in the first half, all the terms are literary, in the latter half they are astronomical, thus welding the two portions of the Psalm into one harmonious whole.

   For the meaning of the words, references must be made to the Psalm itself. We can only note here that the first part does not refer to the wonders of creation, but to the eloquence of its teaching and revelation: they "declare", tell, or narrate (Gen.24:66. Ps.71:15), they "utter speech", but without words (omit "where" in v.3); Heb.= they "show forth", exhibit (Gen.3:11. Ps.97:6; 111:6); they prophecy "day by day", "night by night". The question is: What do they prophecy? What knowledge do they show forth? What glory do they tell of?

   The answer is - Gen.3:15. The one great central truth of all prophecy - the coming One, Who, though He should suffer, should in the end crush the head of the old serpent, the Devil.

   But, where are we to open this book? Where are we to break into this circle of the Zodiacal signs?

   Through the "precession of the Equinoxes" the sun gradually shifts its position a little each year, till in about every 2,000 years it begins the year in a different sign. This was foreseen; and it was also foreseen that succeeding generations would not know when and where the sun began its course, and where we were to open its first page. Hence the "Sphinx" was invented as a memorial. It had the head of a woman and the body and tail of a lion, to tell us that this Book, written in the Heavens, began with the sign "Virgo", and will end with the sign "Leo". The word "sphinx" is from the Greek sphino, to join; because it binds together the two ends of this circle of the heavens.

   The number of the Signs is twelve, the number of governmental perfection or "rule": cp. Gen.1:18. They are divided into three books of four chapters (or signs) each: twelve being the product of 3 X 4, i.e. of Divine truth working in the heavens and in the earth (see next page for Biblical Numerics).

   Each book, therefore, consists of four signs; and these are all arranged, by structure, in exactly the same way. Each in an introversion. Thus we have the three books:

A | VIRGO. The prophecy of the promised seed.
  B | LIBRA. The Redeemer's work (grace)
  B | SCORPIO. The Redeemer's conflict.
A | SAGITTARIUS. The prophecy fulfilled.

C | CAPRICORNUS. The prophecy of
                                deliverance.
  D | AQUARIUS. Results of work bestowed.
  D | PISCES. Results of work enjoyed.
C | ARIES. The prophesied deliverance
                    fulfilled.

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E | TAURUS. The prophecy of coming judgment.
  F | GEMINI. The Redeemer's reign in glory.

  F | CANCER. The Redeemer's possession
                        safe.
E | LEO. The prophecy of triumph fulfilled.

   Each of the four chapters in each of these three Books consists of three sections; ad each section is represented by a Constellation. There are thus 36 (3x12) Constellations, which, with the twelve Signs, make 48 (4x12) in all.
   They may thus be set forth:

1. COMA (=The desired). The woman and the child desired of all nations (in the most ancient Zodiacs).
2. CENTAURUS (with two natures). The despised sin-offering.
3. BOOTES. The coming One with branch.

1. CRUX. The Cross endued.
2. LUPUS. The Victim slain.
3. CORONA. The Crown bestowed.

1. SERPENS. Assaulting the man's heel.
2.OPHIUCHUS. the man grasping the serpent.
3. HERCULES. The mighty man victorious.

1. LYRA. Praise prepared for the Conqueror.
2. ARA. Fire prepared for his enemies.
3. DRACO. The dragon cast down.

1. SAGITTA. the arrow of God sent forth.
2. AQUILA. The smitten One falling.
3. DELPHINUS. The dead One rising again.

1. PISCIS AUSTRALIS. the blessing bestowed.
2. PEGASUS. The blessings quickly coming.
3. CYGNUS. The Blesser surely returning.