Psalm of Revelation

Introduction:

We live in a day when people are listening to many voices that will guide them on their way. Some say God has spoken to them and told me to do this or that. So how does God speak, and why does God speak? I believe, is written for this reason, to help us know that God does reveal himself to us in no uncertain terms.

Text:

Background:

The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version Chapter 19

psalm praises the Lord for His two great gifts to humanity: creation and the law. To use modern terminology, the psalm speaks of God’s general revelation in nature and His special revelation

The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard Version Chapter 19

The psalm praises the Lord for His two great gifts to humanity: creation and the law. To use modern terminology, the psalm speaks of God’s general revelation in nature and His special revelation in Scripture.

Main Idea: Since God has chosen to reveal Himself to us His people, we must take every opportunity to hear His voice.

A. How Does God Speak? (vs. 1-11)

1. God Speaks Through Creation (General Revelation) (vs. 1-6)

a. Creation beautifully declares the Glory of God (vs. 1)

God’s glory (splendor, reputation, high honor) is seen when His attributes are displayed in a way that is unique to him alone, as He carries out proactively His unstoppable, irreversible plan.

b. Creation timelessly reveals the Knowledge of God (vs. 2)

This is not intelligence, but it is revelation that is from God, about God, and for those chosen by God to receive it.

c. Creation extensively reveals the Voice of God (vs. 3-6)

Interesting that creation was “spoken” into existence by the voice of God, and therefore speaks for Him.

Question: How affective is God’s General Revelation?

Romans 1:18–20 ESV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 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.

2. God Speaks Through His Written Word (Special Revelation) (vs. 7-11)

There are 6 different characteristics describing the written word of God and its affect on those who read it, notice that these are not given to God’s general creation, but only to man, created in His image...

a. The Law of the LORD is perfect (blameless) => reviving the soul

Law: God’s perfect, spotless, blameless, instructions, revives, or returns the soul (repentance)

Psalm 23:3 ESV

He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

2

b. The Testimony of the LORD is sure (reliable) => making the simple wise

Testimony: a covenantal statement made under oath driven by a standard. God is covenantal, He swears by Himself and provides the standard.

Hebrews 6:13–20 ESV

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, “Surely I will bless you and multiply you.” 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise. 16 For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation. 17 So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. 19 We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, 20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

The effect is that the simple can become wise as they believe what God has testified is certain. It is like they are infused with God’s wisdom as they read it, memorize it, and live by it.

c. The Precepts of the LORD are right => rejoicing the heart

Precepts: rule of personal conduct, instructions, procedures.

The effect of joy results because our conduct begins to take on God’s original intent for our humanity.

d. The Commandment of the LORD is pure => enlightening the eyes

Commandment: authoritative direction or instruction to do something. The key here is that God’s word has the authority to command us.

Pure: means unalloyed, no unauthorized commands!

Enlightening the eyes: God’s word gives real enlightenment, real direction

Psalm 12:6 ESV

The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

e. The Fear of the LORD is clean => enduring forever

Fear: this word ranges from holy reverence, to stark terror. It is seeing God for who He is and recognizing our littleness in comparison.

Clean: ceremonially clean, not to fear because of evil intent.

Enduring forever: we will always fear God, even into eternity

f. The Rules of the LORD are true and altogether righteous=> warning God’s Servants

Rules: just decrees or measurement, determining right from wrong

True and Righteousness: based on the very character of God

Warning God’s Servants: Since these measurements of right and wrong are a result of the very character of God, they become the standard of our warnings.

B. Why Does God Speak? (vs. 12-14)

It’s as if God has us view creation as that which is doing what God has created them to do, but the height of God’s creation, man, must be instructed specifically in order to be what God created them to be.

1. To keep His people from the domination of sin (vs. 12-13)

Psalm 119:105 ESV

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:9 ESV

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

2. To Allow His people to speak and think in a way that is acceptable to Him (vs. 14)

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

ps 139: