Psalm 19
A Psalm of Praise and Thanksgiving
Psalm 19
Introduction:
We do not have to read far into this Psalm to see that it is another Psalm of praise and thanksgiving.
David looks all over the world and finds two things to bring into his praise
1. The fabric of creation
2. The divine law of God given to man
Yet the main object of his praise is the glory of God!!
I. The Glory of God as the object of David’s praise vv. 1-6
1. The glory of God is readily declared
1) Heavens declare: all that is in the universe and beyond
2) Firmament: Sky/clouds/etc. above us
Audience is the whole world. There are none who cannot look up and see the special handiwork of God. So widely seen that Paul declares that the whole world is without excuse (Romans 1:20).
People that look into the universe and cannot see the handiwork of God have to be willfully blind.
Can take it beyond that and look at the workings of creation on the earth’s surface as well.
Changing seasons
Animal life
Human life
2. The glory of God clearly declared
1) Day unto day utters speech, etc. Each new day declares His testimony. It goes on without end.
Most faithful declaration that there is: All other “preachers” eventual die, yet the workings of nature continue.
Night after night knowledge is revealed.
*Night is always a special time of contemplation
2) There is no language or speech where it is not heard or understood
Pulpit commentary: “The speech which they utter is not common speech—it is without sound, without language, no articulate voice is to be heard.”
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse….
3) The scope of this declaration v. 4
Line goes out to all of the earth
Words go to the end of the world
Again we think of Paul’s words, “they are without excuse.”
4) The illustration of the sun
ð It is obvious to all: Like the going forth of the bridegroom
ð It covers the whole earth
ð It effect is felt by all: none escape from its heat
3. The glory of God reacted to
Some hear, and others hear not. Some recognize God’s presence and working, and give him praise, and others deny that in all they see there is anything more than the evolution of matter, and the play of cause and effect.
Similar to Acts 17:32-34 when Paul preached at Athens
II. The Word of God that has been given to mankind vv. 7-11
The revelation of God in nature is not enough, it does not point out man’s sin and the proper way to deal with man’s sin. We need more than just the revelation of God in nature, we need the Word of God as well!!
1. Names given to the Word describe what it is:
1) The Law of the Lord v. 7
It is God’s “rule of life”
God’s law as given to the Jews consisted of what God expected of the Jewish people. When given the people understood that God expected them to keep the letter of His law.
Today God Word is God’s law, it is what God expects of His people in regards to their conduct and way of life.
2) The Testimony of the Lord v. 7
Testimony: Dictionary
The Law is “sure” — i.e. fixed, firm, stable — in comparison with the fleeting, shifting, unstable judgments of human reason.
3) The Statutes of the Lord v. 8
Statutes: dictionary
They are right: there is no error found in them
I always listen intently when I hear of errors found in the Word of God. All that I have heard pointed out are “errors” as a result of either out of context understandings or lack of the full understanding of Scripture.
4) The Commandment of the Lord v. 8
It is not mere counsel or instruction, but has all the authority and awfulness of “commandment.”
Pure: Crystal clear
5) The Fear of the Lord v. 9
Not so sure but what this means is that the Word of God should cause “fear” in the hearts of believers.
At Mt. Sinai it should have caused fear in the hearts and yet they very flippantly responded, “All that the Lord says, we will do.”
6) The Judgments of the Lord v. 9
Judgments has the idea of God’s carrying out His Word
What God says is true and right, it will be carried out!!
2. The effect of God’s Word
1) It converts the soul v. 7
restoring from disorder and decay
from sorrow and affliction
from moral blindness to the light
from sin to righteousness.
2) It makes wise the simple v. 7
Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
As we get into the Word and have a greater understanding of who the Lord is, we fear Him, which is the beginning of wisdom!
Can’t help but think of the disciples in Acts. Once they understood the things of God, they grew in great wisdom.
3) It rejoices the heart v. 8
The preaching, teaching, reading of the Word of God causes the hearts of believers to rejoice.
Illustration of my experience at services, meetings, etc.
4) It enlightens the eyes v. 8
Adam Clarke:
Showing men what they should do, and what they should avoid. It is by God’s commandments that we see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the necessity of redemption, so that we may love the Lord with all our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. For this is the end of the commandment, and thus to enlighten the eyes is Its use.
5) It endures forever v. 9
Matthew 5:18
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
2 Timothy 2:8-9
Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
3. What the Bible deserves
1) It deserves to be valued v. 10
More than gold: It accomplishes more than great riches in people’s lives.
Riches are here one minute and gone the next
2) It deserves to be loved and delighted in v. 10
Remember dad finding honey comes in hollow logs, that was something to be delighted in and enjoyed
3) It deserves to be studied and obeyed v. 11
Blessing in keeping them and being warned by them
III. David closes with some requests vv. 12-14
1. Cleanse me
2. Keep me
3. Make me