(Ps 19 extra, expanded, work on later)

INTRODUCTION: The average person people have estimated hears 20,000 to 30,000 words every day. That is a lot of words. We hear that many words every day, of between conversations, the telephone, and the Internet. We hear a lot of words every single day. I wonder – How many of those words are overtly sinful?How many of those words are foolish? Even if most of those words not overtly sinful and overtly foolish – I wonder how many of the words that we hear are wise and worth repeating? Yet further, how many of the words that we hear in our lifetime will truly last into a eternity? Even if we consider written words,how many of those words will last into eternity? When we examine the value of even our wisest sayings, how do they compare to the glorious words of God? will begin to address the purpose and role of the law in the history of humanity. -

​English Standard Version Chapter 7What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means!

I plan to look at this morning as a pretext to understanding . >>>>>This will help us to better understand this chapter. You see we often come to a text like and then looked down upon the law is something worthless. Yet I assure you, the law will stand the test of eternity in ways none of our words will.

​ ESV89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Further, I want us to understand why this would've been a huge struggle for a Jew who is always heard how wonderful the law is. >>>It will help us understand their struggle, and thus struggle today. So serves as a great pretext to jumping in to . While we are lucky if our words last 500 years – God's words will stand forever.And this text will teach us how God’s Law is a glorious voice to humanity. ***************************PRAY***********************************

​ ESVTo 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.

According to this Psalm,

PROP: We ought to Listen to the Glorious Words of God.

TRANS: And David teaches us this in a series of 3 voices.

The first voice.

1) Creations Testifies of the Awesomeness of God’s Words. ()

has been the text for many songs and poems over the years. “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) Verse 1 is a text that captures the imagination when we read it.It is almost like we have to sit down and behold the magnificence of what it declares. Many times we think of God’s glory in creation we think of the mountains or maybe the ocean. But David in this Psalm thought of the sky.

a) The Sky Voices the Glory of God. (v. 1-4)

​ ESV1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

We live in big sky country, and the clouds, and the storms…the vastness of it all demonstrate the awesomeness of our God. (v. 2) Makes the point this is not a literal voice, but is a silent object whose majesty demonstrates the glory of God. But v. 2 also makes the point we so often fail to hear this awesome voice of God. Can’t help but think of

​ ESV18 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.

May I make this point –>>>>>No one rejects God because they don't know God exists. I know what they claim, I just can't see God, I can’t believe in a God I can’t see. Millions and millions of supposed years clearly disprove the God of the Bible. But at the heart of the issue, that is was truly going on in their heart….Is that they are willingly rejecting the obvious truth of God and his awesomeness. - We know that because Paul tells us that in .- We also know that because David tells us that we fail to hear the glory of God found in the sky and the sun. In fact, the point both Paul makes in and David makes an is that we are all without excuse when we ignore the reality of the one true God. Observe,

b) The Sky and Sun’s exhaustive pronouncement of God's awesomeness to the world. (v. 4 – 6)

​ ESV4 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.

David first explains that all people hear the voice of God's glory in the sky. Every one of us.There are no exceptions. DOCTRINAL EXPLANATION/APPLICATION: Which is why the first step to someone coming to know Christ is not the hundred ways I can prove that God exists, but in their ability to acknowledge that they have been suppressing the reality of God. This is why I think the best apologetic method you could ever have is simply to give them God's word. It forces them to deal with the reality that they have suppressed.I know that at times it feels like you need to do more, but remember evangelism is accomplished God (not us)Further, evangelism is about them realizing their need for the God they want to ignore. Yet, and David proves his point by pointing to the sun. How many times has each one of us sat somewhere under the sun? Probably almost every day we have ever lived. He explains that the glory of God found in the in the steadfastness and powerful heat of the sun.It is is like a voice declaring to all the world – I am God, I am awesome, I am one who who deserves praise and worship. I think of

​ ESV23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

The sky and the sun demonstrate to us the glory of God – he is both powerful and he is merciful… He is our awesome God. But what does this have to do with the Word of God? Almost every time of ever heard this Psalm preached I've heard it either focused on the glory of God in creation or the word of God that we should listen to. Yet, David is making a dramatic point about God's word by starting with creation. Just consider, how this world came to be.He Spoke it … and there it was. “And God said, Let there be…and there was...” , , , , , , , Creation testifies to our need to listen to the word of God, because creation itself was created by the very words of God. >>>>Let that sink in there because I think that the major point David is making a point. Creation testifies to our need to listen to the word of God, because creation itself was created by the very words of God. Creation testifies that we ought to listen to the very words of God. Why should we take time to know and follow the word of God? Because the one who wrote it is the one who spoke the world into existence. The subtle point, If God is wise and powerful enough to speak his words into existence….Then his written word also has awesome power and wisdom for our own lives. Do you read your Bible remembering the you are listening to an awesome and all-wise God? Creation testifies of the Glory of God’s Words. The second voice,

2) The Law Testifies of the Awesomeness of God’s Words. ()

The sad reality is how little most Americans have read the Bible. (https://lifewayresearch.com/2017/04/25/lifeway-research-americans-are-fond-of-the-bible-dont-actually-read-it/) According to a study my life way in 2017, a mere 20% of Americans have actually read the whole Bible.More than half of Americans have only read but a few sentences of the Bible. That means most Americans live their whole lives without wisdom and direction of the one he created them, without the wisdom and guidance of our awesome God. Our world is full of choices that can lead to prosperity or destruction.Our world is full of confusion about what is right and what is wrong.Our world is full of hardships and heart aches and leave us wondering if there's more to life than living and dying. It is not a wonder that so many of us live with regrets, confusion, and pain .... we have never heard the words of the All-wise God who made us. Just as glorious as the words that God spoke creation to existence, the word of God stands prepared to fully equip every person who opens their Bible. Are you living today and pain and hurt?Are you struggling with whether something is moral or immoral?Do you feel like there's no meaning in your life? Then, Behold David says that God's word. David gives us a series of 6 descriptions of the word of God.Further each description he uses a different word to describe God's word. The first description,

a) The Word revives our soul.

​English Standard Version Psalm 19The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul;

He begins by using the word, Law. Word law probably is being used as a title for the first five books of the Old Testament. David's day there were only five books of the Old Testament, the word Torah meaning instruction or teachings is what they were called. According to David the law is perfect. This has the idea of being complete or finished. In other words, the law has everything it needs to have. There's no missing parts. Therefore, the Word can revive our soul. In other words – it gives us life. When you're hurting, the Bible gives you everything you need to comfort you.When you're overwhelmed, the Bible gives you everything to meet your needs. This verse teaches us that the Bible is complete and sufficient and answering the issues and struggles of life. If you are hurting today, go to God's word. If God can speak you into existence, then he certainly can refine your soul with his words.

b) The Word gives us wisdom.

​English Standard Version Psalm 19the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

David begin by using the word testimony. The idea testimony here is that the word of God's truth that you can count on. It is a sure bet. ILLUSTRATION: I've never owned a business, but one struggle I've heard many business owners repeat is the struggle to find reliable employees.>>>> It is hard to find someone who lives wisely. God is one you can rely on… God is trustworthy. Do you ever struggle with knowing what is wise?Do you wish you knew for sure what is right and what is wrong. A common theme that I have found among Christians who are not in God's word… Is a constant struggle with knowing what is right and what is wrong.What is wise and what is foolish. According to David, even if you were the most simple minded person in the whole wide world… God's word can make you wise. ILLUSTRATION: I've heard many people say … even I have said, .... if I only knew then what I know now… I would've made a different decision. In many ways, the more we get into God's word, the less we will regret our decisions because we will live wisely.

c) The Word gives us joy.

As I got older one of the things I realized is how many ways I could have destroyed my life. From drunkenness,to racing my car at 90 miles an hourto the consequences of immoralityto the person I decided to marry There are literally thousands of ways, I could have destroyed my life. If you ever want to know if doing things God's way is worth it… Then go and talk to all the people who did it another way and now face the consequences of that other way. ILLUSTRATION: Pastor Skaggs and I met with one man who called the church for some help. As best as we could tell he was telling the truth. This man was a committed homosexual who came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. Today he would tell you that his choices were wrong.He would tell you that is trying to tell every person he knows about the gospel.But his days are very limited because he now has AIDS and he faces the consequences of his sin. Certainly there is no one who cannot receive the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ.

​ ESV16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

But in this life he hurts because of his own choices.

​English Standard Version Psalm 19the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart;

The Word precepts is the idea of rules or commands. Last time you read Deuteronomy did you rejoice? Let’s be honest. No!!! Yet, According to this passage, because the words of God are right, our hearts rejoice. The idea of right is that God’s precepts correctly judge good and wrong. When we live our lives the way God tells us to live our lives… We don't earn our salvation... Because none of us perfectly obey God's law.Yet, the more we live the way God tells us, the more we reap the benefits of living a wise life… And we rejoice in the blessings of doing it God's way. This isn’t work salvation or even having a good name as Christian. This is just the joy that comes from doing things in a good and right manner and reaping those consequences. The Word gives us Joy.

d) The Word enlightens our eyes (to righteousness).

Do you ever wish you knew, without a shadow of doubt, what is wrong and what is right? Sometimes in life we are faced with ethical decisions we have to make. Who should I vote for?Is environmentalism acceptable? Perhaps a more practical level, What should our marriage look like?What should parenting look like? Recently spoke to someone who was struggling with whether alcohol is right or wrong. In the host of life's questions, how do we know what is right and wrong? The more we know God's word...the more our eyes will be enlightened to what is right and what is wrong.

​English Standard Version Psalm 19the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;

The word pure has the idea of clean, right, and good. This is really a contrast about us because we're unclean people with unclean lips. So how could we possibly know what is right and what is wrong? Because God's word is pure, it is capable of enlightening our eyes to what is right and what is wrong.

e) The Word helps us be in Awe of God.

Technically, this is a reference back to the commands of God. I've made this at some point because I do believe this is a product of God's word. We often don't fully appreciate the importance of understanding how big our God is.Yet often our struggles and our heresies come back to the living God is too small.

​ ESV7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

We don't know anything about anything until we fear the Lord. This idea fear is not that I should be afraid, but that I should be in awe of God is.In this case, that is what that word fear means. But how do you get a fear of God?

​English Standard Version Psalm 19the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;

f) The Word helps us know what is moral and what is immoral. You saying you want to see God work in your life… And have you listened to his words. 3) Human nature testifies of our need for the glory of God: The law and The gospel. () CONCLUSION V. 14 Focus You might compare humanity's wisest words to God's words this way- COMPARISON: Man's wisest words are no valuable then grass clippings being thrown into the garbage, and yet God's words as magnificent as the most beautiful diamonds you can ever find, lasting for eternity.