Psalm 19
Psalm 19 expresses to man the Divine Creator. It focuses on the first two great creations of God: the heavens and the firmament, or earth, both of which reveal God to all mankind.
The heading, "To the Chief Musician, a Psalm of David," informs us that David wrote it, and that it was intended to be used in worship in the sanctuary.
The first six verses of Psalm 19 are a general revelation to all mankind of the existance of the Almighty God. They reveal Him as the Divine Creator of all things, and all
His creation reveals His glory, His might, and His majesty. These verses are an unwritten, non-verbal revelation to every person, everywhere, in every era.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament shows his handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
and night unto night shows knowledge.
There is no speech nor language,
where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
and rejoices as a strong man to run a race.
Its going forth is from the end of the heaven,
and its circuit unto the ends of it:
and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
(Psalms 19:1-6)
Everything that can be known of God is clearly seen in His creation, and can be known by all.
What God has revealed of Himself in the heavens is enough to both convince mankind of God's existence,
and condemn all who reject this general revelation. The Bible is clear: because of the glories of creation, it's order, and it's continuity,
mankind has no excuse for not believing in God.
For the invisible things of Him from the creation of
the world are clearly seen, being understood by the
things that are made, even His eternal power and
Deity; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20)
While the first six verses refer to the unwritten, non-verbal presence of God, verses 7-11 are specifically referring to the written word of God.
This refers not merely the law of Moses, but the whole body of Scripture.
God has given a revelation, through the Holy Spirit, to those who have received and accepted the
general revelation of the first six verses. These verses reveal all that is necessary for salvation - and the blessings it holds for those who receive
it.
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:
the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever:
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is your servant warned:
and in keeping of them there is great reward.
(Psalms 19:7-11)
In these few verses we see six different, descriptive titles which collectively refer to the Word of God, six characteristic qualities revealed about Him,
and six benefits for our obedience to them.
Six different words, all referring to God's written word, are used in these verses:
- Law (torah) = Divine instruction.
- Testimony (eduwth) = witness; God's own witness about Himself and His relationship with us.
- Statutes or precepts (piqqud) = doctrine; how we are to live.
- Commandment (mitzvah) = Divine decree; what God requires of us.
- Fear (yirah) = reverential awe and worship; How we are to relate to God; not in abject terror but with full knowledge of His Sovereignty, His love, and His perfection.
- Judgments (mishpat) = Divine verdict; God's dealing with sin.
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These verses also reveal six unchangeable, immutable, eternal characteristics of God:
- His law, revealed in Scripture, is perfect, without error or mistake. The basis for this inerrency is it's inspiration: although written down by about forty
different human authors; each was inspired by God, who is infallible, inerrant, and perfect.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)
- His testimony is sure, absolute, and trustworthy. We can believe everything He has revealed with absolute conviction, because God himself is sure, absolute,
and worthy of trust.
Your testimonies are very sure: holiness becomes
your house, O LORD, forever. (Psalm 93:5)
- His statutes are right; they are moral and ethical, and are apllicable to every generation. Like Him, they are unchanging. No one will ever err following Scripture; no one will ever truly succeed without it.
And I will put My spirit within you, and cause
you to walk in My statutes, and you shall keep
My judgments, and do them. (Ezekiel 36:27)
- His commandments are pure; the radiance of God's truth enlightens us. God cures the natural blindness of the soul, gives the light to walk by,
giving us discernment and clarity.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and
a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)
- Fear of the Lord is clean and endures forever; The pure truth of God's law is causes us to realize our own uncleanliness and our need for His cleansing.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness. (1John 1:9)
- His jugments are firm, true, and righteous. God is no respecter of persons. He is never biased, partial, or led by human emotions and shortcoming.
Then Peter opened his mouth, and
said, Of a truth I perceive that God is
no respecter of persons. (Acts 10:34)
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God's commands to us are not merely a list of "Thou shalt nots".
David also specifically names six benefits from God's laws and commands as revealed in His Holy Word:
- They convert us, back to the fellowship we originally had with our Creator, prior to sin.
- They make us wise. Scripture gives us Godly wisdom, insight and discernment. God's Word endures forever, and never changes. It offers us a steadfast and sure foundation. In our uncertain, sometimes crazy, often unpredictable world, it is comforting to know that
the throne of God is unshaken. He is still Sovereign over all, and His law unaltered.What a blessing to have such a sure foundation in an uncertain, ever-changing world!
- They give us joy. True joy comes from obeying God's word, allowing us to be at peace with God in our hearts, regardless of circumstances around us.
- They enlighten us. We begin to see more and more things from God's perspective, rather than our own, and realize how faulty our own perspective is.
- They cleanse us. That reverent fear of Almighty God leads us to confess our sinfulness to Him, and He faithfully cleanes us from our sin.
- They make us righteous - not by our own actions, but by our belief: His judgments are true and righteous. His judgments are more precious than gold, sweeter than
honey, and His justice is unimpeachable. They give warning of the consequences of rejecting God and His word,
yet promise of great reward for all who believe.
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The Bible, the inerrant written word of God, is forever the perfect model for our lives. It is perfect for us to follow in faith and practice, melding belief and actions. It
makes all who follow it wise unto salvation; teaching us we cannot trust in our own righteousness, but only upon the atonement, righteousness, and intercession of Christ.
No other work in history has a greater author, offers a better way to live, or a more certain guarantee of salvation.
David then closed his psalm with a prayer to be conformed, both inwardly and outwardly, to God's perfect rule; in his thoughts, in his heart, and in his actions, that
he would be obedient to God's word and thus would not be put to shame before his Maker.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse me from secret faults.
Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright,
and I shall be innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
David knew what we all need to learn: No one can be made acceptable to the Almighty God by their own righteousness. Even if our words and thoughts are accepted by man,
it is all worthless if it is not acceptable in the sight of God.
No one can trust in their own thoughts, or their own hearts. Our thoughts are often subject to outside influences, people and circumstance. Our knowledge is
inevitably incomplete, and thus subject to change.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are
higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your
ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)
We cannot trust in our hearts, or our feelings, either.
Our hearts are deceitful above all things, as the prophet Jeremiah made clear:
The heart is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jer. 17:9)
David was known as "a man after God's our heart", despite his many shortcomings and failures, (see I Samuel 13:14)
He knew that the Lord does not look at us like
others look at us, for others look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at our hearts. (see I Samuel 13:16).
There is much to learn from David's inspired words of this Psalm.
Indeed, David's closing prayer should always be our prayer as well.
Let the words of my mouth, and
the meditation of my heart, be
acceptable in your sight, O LORD,
my strength, and my redeemer.
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