Psalm 19 | Enjoying Your New Home

This month we’ve been looking at Article 2 of our Statement of Faith: The Bible.

We’ve been using the analogy of building a home and how the Bible serves as the blueprint for a life that stands strong in every season.

Jesus is the architect. “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn 6:68)

The Bible is the solid foundation. “And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention…” (2 Pet 1:19)

The Bible is also the blueprint for framing. It contains practical wisdom to shape every area of our lives. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” (2 Tim 3:16)

Just like the joy of enjoying a new home, the Bible is also meant to be enjoyed. “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” Charles Spurgeon

Why live in the Bible?

Psalm 19 highlights a wonderful reality: Our God is a God who speaks.

We see him communicating to us in two primary ways:

General Revelation: God speaks through nature (Psalm 19:1-6)

Special Revelation: God speaks through Scripture  (Psalm 19:7-11)

Let’s read Psalm 19 “1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

This wonderful Psalm tells us that our God is a God who speaks.

We see him communicating to us in two primary ways:

General Revelation: God speaks through nature (Psalm 19:1-6)

Special Revelation: God speaks through Scripture  (Psalm 19:7-11)

General Revelation: God Speaks Through Nature

Nature, without words, proclaims the work the Creator saying, “We are not an accident, we are the product of an amazing artist.” There is a design and there is a purpose.

General revelation provides knowledge of God’s existence, attributes, and moral standards to everyone throughout history so that they are without excuse.

Romans 1:19–20 “19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”

Transition: While Natural revelation tell us about God as a strong, mighty, powerful Creator. But special revelation tell us about God’s heart and plan of salvation for humanity

Special Revelation: God Speaks Through Scripture

Shift in language: General revelation (God) to Special revelation (YHWH, LORD, covenant name)

The Word of God: Its Nature and Character

David uses six different words to tell us about the nature and character of God’s Word: Perfect, sure, right, pure, true, and righteous.

It is God’s Word

These six synonyms apply to all of God’s Word (Lev. 15, Law’s about bodily discharges)

In v.9, David calls God’s Word as altogether righteous.

(1) The law of the LORD is perfect (v.7)

The Law (torah) refers to all of God’s Word. “Altogether” (v.9)

Altogether: perfect, sure, right, pure, true, and righteous.

Perfect. It is flawless and without error. It will never lead you astray but points to the person and work of Jesus.

(2) The testimony of the LORD is sure (v.7)

The Testimony of the Lord is a synonym to refer the entire Word of God. Because it is God’s testimony, then it’s truth attested by God himself (Jn 5:9)

Sure: It is reliable and trustworthy. Like a foundation that goes below the frostline in a world that is constantly changing.

(3) The precepts of the LORD are right (v.8)

The precepts of the Lord is another synonym to refer to the entire Word of God. The precepts are God’s instructions and expectations given to God’s people.

Right: As opposed to crooked. The precepts of the Lord are right because they reflect his character.

(4) The commandment of the LORD is pure (v.8)

The commandment (singular) again is a reference to the entire Word of God with its requirements and provisions.

Pure: Without any imperfection or pollution (pure silver, Ps 12:6)

(5) The rules of the LORD are true (v.9)

The rules, or decisions, or just decrees refers to the rulings of the law that decided cases.

True: Truth is that which corresponds with reality and is therefore reliable.

(6) The rules of the LORD are righteous (v.9)

Another word to describe the rules of the Lord is that they are righteous.

Righteous: God’s word reflects God’s moral character. All of God’s decisions and judgments are right.

Transition: Altogether the Word of God is perfect, sure, right, pure, true, and righteous.

As a result, the Word of God has a powerful effect in the lives of people for it is living and active (Heb 4:12)

(1) It Revives the soul (v.7)

The picture is one of spiritual renewal

Psalm 1, speaks of an individual who delights in the Law of the Lord by meditating in the Word day and night.

This individual is described like a tree that yields its fruit in its season.

The Christian life is a life of growth. During the fruit season you’ll see fruit. That is, you can see the evidence of God’s work in your life. But then there are the winter months. There is no fruit, but I argue that there is growth.

In an article titled, “What are trees doing in the winter,” we read the following: “Take a look outside at your trees. What are they doing? There’s no buds forming, not flowers growing—their brown, bare branches seem to just be creaking in the occasional gust of wind. You may think your trees are hibernating just like the bears who roam our yards in the spring and summer. You may think your trees are dying. You may even think your trees are doing absolutely nothing in the winter, but that’s where you’re wrong. Winter is a big growing season for trees… well, for their roots that is. While your tree seems dormant above ground, the underground system of roots is busy at work growing, searching, and retaining nutrients to help get your tree through the winter and to prepare it for the spring.”

The word of God is living and active. It has the power to revive the soul.

To revive means to restore. It is the same word in Psalm 23:3 where it says that the God the Shepherd restores our soul.

That’s right, to revive is to restore. God’s Word speaks and our souls are restored in right relationship, first with God and also our neighbors.

Our souls at times feel like something is off. There is pressure from within and pressure from without. It manifests in anger, anxiety, restlessness, discouragement, depression, hopelessness, weariness.

The word of God restores:

it offers forgiveness to to those who carry the weight of their sin and guilt

It offers healing to those whose hearts are wounded

It offers encouragement to those who are weary

It offers direction to those who don’t know what to do

It offers joy to those in the pit of discouragement

It offers hope to those going trough severe trials and tribulations

The word of God revives the soul. Often times nothing changes, yet everything changes. Joy is not the absence of trials, but the presence of God. When God speaks, our souls are revived.

(2) It makes wise the simple

The simple is the uninstructed, which by nature is all of us.

Here’s how powerful the word of God is. Psalm 119:99 says, “I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.”

How can this individual be more advanced than his teachers? The Word of God gives him greater wisdom than age or experience alone can offer.

You don’t need a high IQ to become successful in God’s eyes. “Visit many good books, but live in the Bible.” Charles Spurgeon. “Visit many good podcasts, but live in the Bible.” Hector Franco.

“The simpleton desperately needs wisdom, which is the skill to live a life that is disciplined and productive, bringing honor to the community, the family, and to God. By entering into the covenant with the LORD and living according to its stipulations, the simple may become wise; but without Scripture, there can be no godly wisdom.” Allen Ross

Paul uses the word wisdom (Gk. sophia) 28x times.

Wisdom is the skill to understand and live according to God’s plan. It is revealed in God’s Word, rooted in the power of the cross and imparted by the Holy Spirit to equip believers to think, live, and love like Jesus.

Wisdom in action:

Ephesians 5:15–18 “15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,”

Men’s wisdom: Doing life my way

Holy Spirit Wisdom: Doing life God’s way

The wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:18-31)

1 Corinthians 1:18–21 “18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

The wisdom of God operates differently from the wisdom of the world.

Jesus the king did not come in power. He was not born in a palace to a wealthy family. Instead, Jesus the king came in weakness, born in a manger to a poor couple. He was born in the unknown little town of Bethlehem. His birth was announced to poor shepherds.

The wisdom of God operates differently from the wisdom of the world.

Jesus spoke to his disciples about God’s plan for him to die on a cross. His disciples did not understand this. Peter rebuked Jesus, “You will not die on the cross! That’s not how this works.”

The cross nullifies every human system and method.

The Spirit of Wisdom is for those who want more of God.

(3) It rejoices the heart

There is joy in living a life of righteousness, it pleases God. On the other hand, living for myself leads to a life of sin and misery.

Joy, this is a language of relationships.

Learning from George Müller

“The first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not how much I might serve the Lord, but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished. For I might seek to benefit believers, I might seek to relieve the distressed, I might in other ways seek to behave myself as it becomes a child of God in this world; and yet, not being happy in the Lord, and not being nourished and strengthened in my inner man day by day, all this might not be attended in a right manner.”

“Now in brotherly love and affection I would give a few hints to my younger fellow-believers as to the way in which to keep up spiritual enjoyment. It is absolutely needful in order that happiness in the Lord may continue, that the Scriptures be regularly read. These are God’s appointed means for the nourishment of the inner man. . . . Consider it, and ponder over it. . . . Especially we should read regularly through the Scriptures, consecutively, and not pick out here and there a chapter. If we do, we remain spiritual dwarfs. I tell you so affectionately. [He wrote this when he was 71]  For the first four years after my conversion I made no progress, because I neglected the Bible. But when I regularly read on through the whole with reference to my own heart and soul, I directly made progress. Then my peace and joy continued more and more. Now I have been doing this for 47 years. I have read through the whole Bible about 100 times and I always find it fresh when I begin again. Thus my peace and joy have increased more and more.”

He lived for another 21 years after this and his biographer said that by the end he had read the Bible from end to end 200 times. Which means that between 71 and 92 he picked up his pace.

It’s now 8 weeks into the new year. How are you doing in your resolve to read the Bible this year. Be encouraged.

(4) It enlightens the eyes 

The Word of God gives people spiritual clarity, understanding and discernment on how to please God in the midst of a corrupt world.

Another way to put it is “illumination.”

Ephesians 1:18 “having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,”

The Lord has appointed His Word as the primary means by which the Holy Spirit is going to illuminate the eyes of our hearts.

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law (Psalm 119:18)

(5&6) It Warns and Rewards

V. 11 “Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

David reflects on the wonderful impact the Word has on a person’s life, particularly his own life.

It warns. Take a look at the book of Proverbs. They are filled with warning after warning about the choices we make in life. “My son listen to me…”

On the other hand, the Word of God rewards. Can we talk about rewards? I know that sometimes in our desire to be all about Salvation in Christ alone by faith alone by grace alone, we forget verses like this. The word of God rewards those who follow its instruction.

“The laws of God were sweet and desirable—they prevented people from ruining their lives and the lives of those around them, and they promised a good outcome for abiding by the [Word of God]” Allen Ross

What are some of the rewards? Revives the soul, gives wisdom, rejoices the heart and gives discernment just to name a few.

Transition: we are encouraged to enjoy the Word of God. It is not about will-power, try harder.

Psalm 19:10 “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.”

THREE QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN READING THE BIBLE:

What does this passage teach us about God?

His character (who he is)

His works (what he has done)

What does this passage teach us about humanity?

How we are supposed to live

How sin corrupts God’s original design.

What should our response be to this passage?

What has God done about this?

What does he expect of us in light of what he has done?

Is this a promise to treasure?

Is this a warning to heed?

Is this a command to be obeyed?

Is there a lie I need to replace with God’s truth?

Is there something the Lord is showing me to release?

Is there something the Lord is showing me to embrace?

Conclusion: Come to God’s Word with an open, humble spirit.

Here’s how David prayed in vv.12,13,

Psalm 19:12–13 “12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.”

Hidden faults: Sins you can’t see

Pride

Greed

Defensiveness

Resenment

Harshness

A critical spirit

“The sins that most dominate you, and most hurt you, and most hurt other people are the ones you justify.” Tim Keller

Come to God’s Word with an open, humble spirit.

MAIN IDEA: The Bible is God’s wonderful gift to us; the more we humbly seek Him in His Word, the more it transforms us.

Here’s why. You don’t need to pretend in the presence of God. You don’t have to feel like a fake. When God sees you, he sees you clothed/covered in the righteousness of Christ.

Psalm 19 points to someone greater.

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

Jesus is the only one whose words and meditations were perfectly acceptable before God. The gospel is wonderful news. Jesus lived the life that none of us could ever live (a sinless life). He completely obeyed God’s Word. Yet he died a death we should have died (a sinner’s death.

Don’t you see what this means? You have nothing to prove.

You are in Christ.