Psalm 19

Introduction

Psalms, Volume 1: (Psalms 1–41): An Expositional Commentary Psalm 19: The Big Book and the Little Book: Part 1

C. S. Lewis, who called it “the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.”

Two Revelations

Revelation through Creation

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.

Does anyone struggle with the conflict between creation and evolution?

Do you struggle with Genesis 1 referring to literal days or a day = 1000 years?

I solve this conflict by thinking about Judgement Day. God will not condemn me for believing what the Bible says. The exact means of creation is not something that bothers me. I am created by a Creator. That Creator has further revealed Himself to me through His scripture. If you believe in Jesus’ death and resurrection as the means by which your sins are forgiven, then believing God created the world is not a problem. The same method can be applied to Noah and the Ark, Jonah...

Creation points to a Creator. Creation is sufficient evidence of a Creator, but one cannot gain salvation through the revelation in creation alone.

Romans 1:18-32 contains concepts found in Psalm 19:1-6.

In summary, God’s eternal power and divine nature are revealed in creation, but the sinful nature of man prefers to worship creation rather than the Creator. This leads to a mindset which professes to be wise, yet is growing more and more ignorant.

Does this verse apply to us today?

Romans 1:32 ESV

32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Revelation through Scripture

Psalms, Volume 1: (Psalms 1–41): An Expositional Commentary Psalm 19

It would be hard to discover in all the Bible a more perfect example of Hebrew poetic parallelism than verses 7–9. There are six parallel statements in these verses, and each contains three elements that are likewise parallel. There are six terms for the written revelation, six adjectives to describe it, and six statements of what the Bible does.

Psalm 19:7–9 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.

law = “torah”

What is in the Torah?

10 Commandments, Stories, Poetry, Promises, Warnings...

The word law, literally Torah, is the most embracing term. It is not limited to specific legal commands, as our use of the word law is. The root meaning of Torah is “instruction.” It has to do with everything God has revealed or says. Our best equivalent would be Scripture or the Word of God.1

Parallels in 7-9

Law - Testimony - Precepts - Commandment - Fear - Rules

Perfect - Sure - Right - Pure - Clean - True and Righteous

Allow time for discussion of the different parallels.

We constantly war against “the grass is greener” mentality. We erroneously think our faith would be stronger if we could see miracles… We have it backwards. God’s Word is the greater revelation!

David displays this truth in the way he crafts this Psalm. He begins with creation, but the Law of the LORD is the greater of the two. God’s Word is the way which He reveals Himself.

Examples of Scripture as the greatest revelation.

Luke 16:29–31 ESV

29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Luke 24:25–27 ESV

25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

2 Peter 1:16–21 ESV

16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.