Psalm 19
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After World War II between the years 1945 and 1959 there was a secret government mission carried out by the United States Intelligence Program known as Operation Paperclip. The objective was to secure top Nazi German scientists, engineers, and technicians who were formerly worked on Nazi Germany technology and weaponry. The primary purpose was to gain a military advantage during the 'space race' with the Soviet Union. One of the scientists acquired was Wernher von Braun (Wernher Magnus Maximilian Freiherr von Braun) who was most known for his work on the V-2 long-range ballistic missile. He was a top Nazi aerospace scientist and his work in rocket science and other aerospace developments built the foundations for much of the knowledge we have today in the field of Rocket Science. When he died on June 16, 1977 he left a very interesting verse on his tombstone which has been piece of controversy to this day. Psalm 19:1.
The Chief Musician noted in the superscription is the Choir Master or Director. The title also tells us that David wrote this Psalm.
Many versions translate the word 'firmament' to 'sky', or 'expanse'. I think it is critical here for the text as the usage of firmament in the Bible has referred to the barrier in which God created to separate the bodies of water in Genesis 1:6-8. It would have been regarded by Hebrews to be have been solid.
This Psalm celebrates God's Law and is classified as a 'Wisdom Psalm' or we could call this a Torah Psalm which is a Hebrew term for the first five books of the Bible.
Interestingly here the usage of the Hebrew name el gives emphasis on God as Creator, while yhwh is God's personal covenant name.
God Speaks in the Skies
God Speaks in the Skies
God’s wisdom, power, and glory are seen in His creation. Modern science would have us study “natural laws” and leave God out, but the psalmist looked at the marvels of heaven and earth and saw God.
Psalm 19:1 as part of Theology Proper shows Natural Revelation, which is when God has used Nature to reveal Himself. Romans 1:19-20 is another great example of Natural Revelation.
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Much of this Psalm reminds us of Psalm 8 where the psalmist glories in God’s marvelous work and yet His thoughtfulness on man.
2 Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Shows how creation reveals the knowledge of God’s supremacy. It is creation speaking to man of God’s glory, power, and authority.
I like how commentator Joseph Exell states:
The Psalms, Vols. I–V Ver. 1
Nature exists not for a merely natural, but for a moral end; not for what it is, but for what it says or declares.
He goes further to state:
The Psalms, Vols. I–V Ver. 1
The marks of mathematical and geometric law in nature are conspicuous. The more we explore the different departments of nature, the more we find it pervaded by strict arithmetical and dynamic laws.
All that point us to a Divine Creator.
4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Faithlife Study Bible Psalm 19
in all the world The expanse of the heavens declares God’s glory to the entire earth. Paul may have had this psalm in mind when he spoke of God’s invisible attributes (Rom 1:19–20).
It is this fact that Paul used in Rom. 1:18–32 to prove that all people everywhere are under the wrath of God.
A tabernacle for the sun; In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the sky was believed to be a dome-like structure encircling the earth.
Faithlife Study Bible Psalm 19
In ancient Near Eastern cosmology, the sky was believed to be a dome-like structure encircling the earth.
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Gives us the imagery of a Bridegroom adorned with fine clothing like unto a joyful procession that would accompany a bride and bridegroom.
Strong man here most likely describes an athlete who runs a race with strength and vigor.
Faithlife Study Bible Psalm 19
The two analogies—bridegroom and strong man—emphasize the radiance and power of the sun.
God Speaks in the Scriptures
God Speaks in the Scriptures
Wiersbe puts it like this:
The heavens declare God’s glory, and the Scriptures declare His grace.
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;
The law, testimony, and word are a personal revelation from God. The name LORD is used here and not God.
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Faithlife Study Bible Psalm 19
pure The Hebrew word used here, bar, emphasizes moral purity.
The Bible is:
The Perfect Law - without error in historical fact or in spiritual truth. Psalm 119:128, 160.
In fact:
Faithlife Study Bible Psalm 19
The Hebrew word used here, tamim, means to be “perfect” or “blameless”; it emphasizes personal integrity.
A Sure Testimony - God’s Word does not change, it is God’s testimony to man that He is true and right. Psalm 119:89.
89 LAMED. For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.
3. The phrase here in verse 9 ‘fear of the Lord’ is another reference to ‘the Law’ since the Word of God produces a reverence for God. Deut 4:10.
10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the Lord thy God in Horeb, when the Lord said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: A good understanding have all they that do his commandments: His praise endureth for ever.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
4. Better than Gold
a. Moses considered faith to be greater than all the treasures of Egypt (Hebrews 11:26).
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
5. Sweeter than Honey — It is satisfying nourishment to the believer.
In Fact:
Honey (Heb. dĕḇaš) is one of the seven characteristics of the “good land,” Israel (Deut. 8:7–10)
What the Scriptures do:
Converts — The Hebrew word here means to ‘restore’ or ‘to change’ It changes the sinner and restores their fellowship with God.
Makes us wise — The book of Proverbs reminds us continually that the teaching a simple person can make them wise and that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. 2 Timothy 3:15 reminds us that the scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation.
Makes us Rejoice — God’s people should find joy in the Word of God! Jeremiah 15:16 “16 Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts.”
Enlightens — The idea here is that it gives light, God’s Word is a light (Psalm 119:130 “ The entrance of thy words giveth light; It giveth understanding unto the simple.” ).
Endures — God’s Word will stand forever Matthew 24:35 “35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”
Satisfies — Honey satisfies the body and God’s Word satisfies the soul (Psalm 119:103 “103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” ).
Warns — God’s Word is the preventative for sin and instructs us to avoid trouble. Knowing and obeying the Word of God will guide the believer on a safe path.
Rewards — Money can never replace or purchase the rewards of a godly life. The blessings of God go far beyond monetary value. A godly life produces a clean conscience, a pure heart, peace, joy, and answered prayers. Money can never buy those fruits.
God Speaks in the Soul
God Speaks in the Soul
No one can understand their heart as Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us:
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
James reminds us that we need to view ourselves in the mirror of God’s Word to reveal our sins in James 1:22-25.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
We should also note that within the soul is our self-conscience. God’s Word speaks to our conscience by His Spirit and our conscience receives the Word into our soul which is our self-conscience.
David asks not only to be cleansed of secret faults, but to be restrained from running head-long into open sin. “Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation.”
The word for Cleanse here means to “leave unpunished” or “to acquit”.
The prayer of v. 14 ought to be on our lips and in our hearts all day long.
The meditation of the heart controls the words of the mouth
34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
The word for Meditation here has the image of a musician plucking the strings of a harp.
I like how Wiersbe stated it:
Who controls the music of your heart, God or Satan? Meditation is to the heart what digestion is to the body; it is the taking in of the Word of God and making it a part of the inner being.
The word for Acceptable often indicates God’s acceptance of a sacrifice.
Is the Meditation of my heart pleasing to God?