Presented, September 25, 2005 pm
THE PERFECT LAW OF THE LORD
Psalm 19
Tonight, we continue our study of the psalms, having taken a short break while dealing with other topics. This psalm describes the attitude that drives David.
I. The Lord Speaks Through Creation (1-6)
a. David begins this psalm by looking upward. He looks into the heavens as immediately sees the design of our Creator. This prompts him to observe:
b. The heavens and firmament declare God’s glory – The first word refers to that which we can see, “the visible heavens, sky” (BDB), while the other (firmament) refers to the expanse – in this case extending beyond what we are able to see with the naked eye. (WS Dictionary) describes this word as, “everything God made besides the earth.” With the invention of super-powerful telescopes, we are now able to see so much more than we used to be able to see.
c. Vs. 2 speaks of how we see constancy “day after day.” Many things in this world are unstable (note recent hurricanes), but one thing that is constant is to look up at the heavens.
d. Vs. 3 interestingly points out that there is NO language barrier to understanding this. It matters not what part of the world you live in or what language(s) you know – the heavens continue to declare God.
e. Vs. 4-6 speaks of “their line” has gone out through all the earth. The line is reference to a measuring line. As I understand this, it speaks of a set pattern – the sun and moon are on a circuit that never changes. Vs. 5-6 describe this. It is so accurate that we can set the lunar calendar for years to come.
f.
Looking unto the heavens we see
intelligent design. It is just one of many systems in nature that shows someone
had to be behind it – that within itself is a law of nature.
Honest comprehension of such things ought to humble us and help us realize how
insignificant we really are in the scope of things.
TRULY, Paul spoke correctly in Romans 1:20 where he said, “they are without
excuse.”
II. The Lord Speaks Through His Word (7-11)
a.
In observing nature, if we see our
Creator, that ought to prompt us to seek Him further. That is where His word
enters the picture.
In this psalm, God’s word is described with 6 different words, 6 qualities and 6
different effects. While describing different attributes, they are basically
saying the same thing – it is GOD’S PERFECT law of liberty (James 1:25).
b. The law of the Lord (7)
i. It is referred to as “the law” of the Lord. The word in the Hebrew is translated torah and means, “law, direction, instruction (human or divine) (BDB). It is worthy to note that this is not referring exclusively to the Law of Moses, but ALL of God’s laws.
ii.
It is described as perfect – the
word means complete, whole, entire, sound. (Thayer). The word is sometimes used
to describe a lamb without blemish (Exodus 12:5, Lev. 3 – 6) or
upright (Proverbs 28:10, 18). God’s word is WITHOUT FAULT and it is
complete. ANYTHING He says is perfect and absolute – 2 Timothy 3:16-17,
Note Young’s Literal Translation says, “every Writing [is] God breathed”
iii. It converts the soul – the word means, “to turn, to turn back”. The same idea as the result of repentance. It causes a deep down change in our lives to do that which is right. See Acts 3:19 – “repent and be converted…”
c. The testimony of the Lord (7)
i. Testimony – the word testimony is derived from a word that means, “to repeat, do again… and has the sense of repetition and permanence.” (TWOT) What this says of the word of God is that it has been spoken and its effect still remains. Just as a witness would testify in a trial pointing toward the existing results of what he saw, so God has spoken and His revealed will still remains. Interestingly, this word is used to describe, “the ark of the testimony” (Ex. 25:16), the ten commandments on stone, “the two tables of testimony” (Ex. 31:18), and “the tabernacle of the testimony” (Num. 10:11). These were ALL associated with the Law of God.
ii.
Is sure – His law is sure or
certain, enduring and to be trusted and believed (W. E. Vine’s).
Understand that His Law WILL stand and it can be counted upon.
Hebrews 6:18 speaks of the fact that God cannot lie. What He says WILL happen.
2 Timothy 2:19 says, “Nevertheless, the solid foundation of the Lord stands…”,
this spoken after identifying false teachers and troublemakers of the gospel.
iii.
Making wise the simple
There is a reason the one who denies God is called a fool (Psalm 14:1) Much of
the atheist’s life or agnostic’s life is spent in pursuit of that which is
pointless – no only in this life – but according to his philosophy forever.
Proverbs 1:22 says, “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge.”
As you examine the word of God, you see a way of living that WILL work. Man may
not always get his way (which is WHY it works) but it would make for a peaceful,
orderly society. All who are honest will admit this.
d. The statutes of the Lord (8)
i. Statutes – a word that means “to confirm, support or uphold … to be established.” (TWOT) IT describes that which is certain and to be believed. Just as God’s word is sure, it is also established and proven. That means they area not going to change.
ii. Are right – It means, “Upright, righteous … just.” (Vine’s) This does not need much commentary. It stands for itself – they are RIGHT! God’s standard IS the standard. His word IS truth (John 17:17). All else is a lie.
iii. Rejoicing the heart – truly, keeping and trusting God’s word gives us cause to rejoice. It gives us hope, purpose and peace. Paul knew what he was saying when he said, “rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
e. The commandment of the Lord (8)
i. Commandment – a word that means, a command – something you are told to do, here specifically by Jehovah God.
ii. Pure – something that has been purified. Sometimes used of something polished (WS Dictionary OT) – with all its dross removed. Also that which is select as opposed to ordinary. God’s commandments are certainly to be chosen above the commandments of men.
iii.
Enlightening the eyes. Possibly a
reference to the word meaning polished, because it means to give light to the
eyes – or to gain a better understanding.
As we obey the commandments of God, in time we WILL understand their purity.
Psalm 119:104, “Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate
every false way.”
f. The fear of the Lord (9)
i. Fear – a word that can mean fear, terror or respect and reverence. (BDB) In times past we have studied both and noted how they apply in our relationship with God. This attitude is a part of God’s word in our lives – Ecclesiastes 12:13 – the conclusion of the “whole matter” Without either or both as needed – His word would be treated as any other novel.
ii.
Is Clean - a word that means
ritually cleaned, or morally pure. (TWOT) Used often in describing the
religious ceremonies of the Israelites.
Our proper fear of God is healthy, from a clean source and it can cleanse us.
There is nothing about His commands that can corrupt morals or defile our
souls. That comes when we FAIL to keep them.
It also requires us to cleanse ourselves from all ungodliness.
iii.
Enduring forever - As with things
mentioned above, it is everlasting. Who God is will NEVER change. How to
reverence and fear Him will NEVER change.
ALSO, in our lives, it is a characteristic that must endure. We cannot cease to
be clean and still pleasing to Him.
g. The judgment of the Lord (9)
i. Judgment – the deciding of a case. (BDB) God has made the decisions and they are to be kept. One day, all will stand before God in judgment and then we will be judged BY His word – (John 12:48, Revelation 20:12)
ii.
True and righteous – the word true
means “firm, faithful” (BDB) and righteous means “just or righteous” (BDB). As
with everything else said about His word, we know it is unchangeable and good.
God has NEVER demanded anything of us that was not for our best.
When He acts in the affairs of men, He knows what is best. This is what Paul
had in mind in Romans 8:28 when he said, “And we know that all things work
together for good to those who love God…” Therefore, DON’T QUESTION HIM –
EVER!
iii. Altogether – all His judgments are all alike true and righteous. Everything about them is true and righteous. As such, His judgments will produce truth and righteousness in our lives – hence the result.
h.
More to be desired than anything in
this world (10). When we fully comprehend God both in creation and through His
word, we ought to desire and cherish them more than anything else in this
world. Jesus spoke of the man who gains the whole world and loses his own soul
– Matthew 16:26. “What is a man profited if he gains the whole world…?”
Matthew 13:44-46 – the parables of the great pearl and hidden treasure – show
the value of the kingdom of heaven. How much do we cherish “the law of the
Lord”?
i.
Through His word we learn (11) and
look forward to great reward. Who will inherit eternal life?
He who heeds His commands and obeys to the end. 2 Timothy 4:7-8.
j. Of course for all these qualities to take effect we HAVE TO HEED the whole word of God!
III. David’s Response to The Lord’s Speaking (12-14)
a. David began this psalm by looking upward at the heaven and then at God’s word. Now he concludes this psalm by looking upward.
b. He prays to God – a sign of his humility. Consider the greatness of God – he truly is humbled. As he said in another psalm, Psalm 8:4, “What is man that you are mindful of him?”
c. His prayer is another study within itself. Briefly we note his requests:
i.
Cleanse me from my secret faults.
(12) David realizes he might do something against God he is not aware of. He
desires to know and understand his errors. He prays for wisdom (James 1:5).
As he confesses his sins, he also asks forgiveness of anything sins he is not
aware of. It is possible that we might be doing something wrong that we think
is right. NEVER be so arrogant as to think you cannot sin (1 John 1:9-10) or
are now perfect.
While such can be abused by one not taking time to think about what he has or
has not done or professing that “ignorance is bliss” and thus avoiding adequate
study – the truth is we ought to crave forgiveness and righteousness in our
lives so much that we will do ANYTHING to get it – including constant searching
and evaluating (2 Corinthians 13:5), and those EARNEST prayers, “just in
case” we forgot something.
ii.
Keep back your servant from
presumptuous sin. (13) David KNOWS he
cannot go on sinning and still be pleasing to God. Paul addressed this attitude
in Romans 6:1-2, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” He answered,
NO!
Both Hebrews and 1 John warn that if we continue to live in sin, we CANNOT be
forgiven (as long as we remain that way) (Heb. 6:4-8, 10:26-31; 1 John 3:4-9,
etc.)
It was such presumptuous sins that caused God to turn His back away from Israel
and Judah.
iii. May my words and thoughts be acceptable to you! (14) Brethren, it IS about our attitude! A humble heart that fears God in reverence and strives to do all we can to stand before Him ready.
As we consider God in creation and in His word, are our hearts humbled and is our resolve to do all that we can to be acceptable to Him? If not, change whatever needs to be changed.