(Ps 19) Abiding in the Revelation of God

INTRODUCTION:

is a Psalm that has been favorite of believers, Pastors, song writers, poets, painters.

In fact,

Montgomery Boice noted that in his His Living Hymnal, was the source text for no less than at least 7 hymns.

I discovered no fewer than seven hymns developed from this one passage.

Here is a list (with authors) identified by their first lines:

“The spacious firmament on high” (Joseph Addison)

“The heavens declare thy glory” (Thomas Birks)

“The heavens declare thy glory, Lord” (Isaac Watts)

“Lord, thy Word abideth” (Henry Baker)

“Jehovah’s perfect law restores the soul again” (Psalter, 1912)

“The law of God is good and wise” (Matthias Loy)

“Most perfect is the law of God” (Psalter, 1912)

In many ways, is the of the Old Testament.

Many of the ideas we hold to based on can also be found in .

Notice the Parallel’s -

Psalm 19 ESV

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 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.

From this text,

the most obvious conclusion is that -

the most obvious conlclusion

PROPOSITION: God’s Revelation must be the Wisdom of your life.

TRANSITION: And this text shows us two places God’s revelation should be our wisdom.

Now what do I mean the wisdom of your life?

What are the

values,

the knowledge,

the expertise,

the understandings,

philosophies,

assumptions,

and discernment of your life.

And what that composes is the wisdom that guides and shapes the choices of your life.

ILLUSTRATION:

Just like computer programming,

dictates how a computer will operate.

or how a machinery will work.

We must make the Revelation of God the Wisdom of our lives.

Now this Psalm is almost universally though of when we speak of God’s specific revelation - that is his word.

And for Good reason because it is a powerful text about the Word of God.

But,

notice that David does not describe God’s Word alone as edifying.

The First Source of Revelation that should be our wisdom is:

1. The Testimony of Creation.

Here in a few weeks we will begin to look at the book of Romans on Sunday Morning.

And the end of is important in how we treat unbelievers.

And the end of is important in how we treat unbelievers.

- summarized declares that every person knows that God exists because of the power and glory found in Creation.

- summarized declares that every person knows that God exists because of the power and glory found in Creation.

Many believe that Paul carries this idea from .

Notice the testimony of Creation regarding God.

Psalm 19:1–6 ESV

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.

Verse 1 begins declaring the Glory of the Heavens.

David then describes this glory being spoken through the Earth.

David then describes this glory being spoken through the Earth.

And then he finalizes on one aspect of Creation that displays the Glory of God - the Sun.

And then he finalizes on one aspect of Creation that displays the Glory of God - the Sun.

What power does the sun show?

Not only is it larger, but fiercely hotter than anything humanity could handle.

But what else does the sun show us?

The constant nature of the sun’s rotation

- demonstrates that the God who made

is constant>>>>

in righteousness

and in judgement

Creation displays his glory, and specifically the sun declares the unchanging nature of God and his Wisdom.

That revelation may not be the Word

Or teach us about the Gospel.

But it for sure teaches us that God is glorious, powerful, and unchanging.

And that should motivate us to seek His Wisdom.

As Great of a testimony as Creation is -

at the same time it is not the same as the Word.

David then describes from v 7-12,

7 ways God’s Word makes us wiser people.

Notice the

2. Help of the Word in the Christian life.

Psalm 19:7–12 ESV

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.

A. The Word Revives the Soul. (v. 7a)

B. The Word Gives Wisdom. (v. 7b)

C. The Word Causes Joy. (v. 8a)

D. The Word Enlightens Eyes. (v. 8b)

E. The Word Causes Enduring Fear of God. (Preserves the Believer) (v. 9a)

F. The Word is Desirable Truth. (v. 9b-10)

G. The Word Warns. (v. 11-12a)

1) The Word Rebukes.

2) Humanity's Inability to Self-Evaluate.

CONCLUSION:

At this point in the Psalm,

David now seeks to respond to God’s Testimony.

He see’s God as a constant - always Glorious, always powerful, always righteous, and always judging.

He see’s God as a constant - always Glorious, always powerful, always righteous, and always judging.

And he knows His wisdom and power are to weak to help him live in a constant state of righteousness.

So in Response to the

And he knows His wisdom and power pale

Power of God found in creation

and the Teaching, Correcting, Rebuking, and training that the Word accomplishes

He concludes with this plea.

Ps 19:12:14

Psalm 19:12–14 ESV

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.

Now I understand,

this is not a new doctrine.

You are seasoned believers who know the value of God’s Word.

But so did David.

May we not be foolish in thinking we are everything we need to be

Or that we do not have ability to take our life of faithful living - and ruin it with sin.

Or that we do not have ability to take a life of faithful living - and

We all desperately need God to use His Word to transform us.

ILLUSTRATION:

Last year at the Men’s retreat I spoke to the speaker,

and we both believe this.

One prevents us from having the relationships God called us to have

Or more broadly - to live a life sanctified and purposed in God.

What prevents us from doing that?

It is our failure to see the World as God see’s it.

What is going to open up our eyes to

our sin of commission - that is actively sinning against another person.

and our sin’s of omission - that is failing to do what God has called us to do.

His Revelation - both Creation and Scripture.

His Revelation - both Creation and Scripture.

- From this text,

may we exalt God for his righteousness and the help of His Word.

- From this text also,

From this text also,

may we plea that God would change us, preserve us, and make us acceptable to him.

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Doesn’t that picture how David desires God to work in his life.

May we with praising, let God’s revelation be the Wisdom we live by.