THE THREE BOOKS
Psalm 19
Introduction
Read Psalm 19 / Song This Is My Father’s World
Spurgeon wrote, “In his earliest days the Psalmist, while keeping his father’s flock, had devoted himself to the study of God’s two great books - nature and Scripture.” (via Faughn) Our Psalm for today seems to be devoted to two main ideas about how God speaks to us. “This approach, however, failed to detect that there are actually three separate sections to the psalm.” (McCann) Thus Adam Faughn named his chapter ‘The Three Books’. “Notice that these two great books - nature and Scripture - are both from God, and it is our duty to add our voices to exaltation of the Almighty. It will be by our hands that a third book will praise the Creator of all things.” One commentator called Psalm 19 “…one of the most memorable psalms in this or any other part of the Psalter.” (Wilcock). C. S. Lewis said, “I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalms and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.” (Via Wiersbe)
1. The Book of Nature: The World God Has Created (1-6)
Nature constantly praises! (19:1). What is the most beautiful, breath-taking view of nature that you have ever seen? Genesis 1:1 NIV In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. God’s glorious creation functions as a witness or testimony to His power and strength. German philosopher Immanuel Kant: “Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing wonder and awe…: the starry heaven above me and the moral law within me.” (Via Wiersbe)
Nature Declares God’s Gifts (19:2). Night and Day, there is an unceasing testimony to the power and glory of God. The Message: “God’s glory is on tour in the skies…” The night sky reference reminds us of Psalm 8 we studied last week. Briscoe: “The fact that the days come and go with total consistency and reliability says
something about God’s fidelity and reliability. That is something else we need to know in today’s unstable world. We need to be reassured that the God of immensity is also the God of fidelity.”
Nature Offers praise universally (19:3-4). How do the heavens speak without language? What do the heavens say? Spurgeon: “Although the heavenly bodies move in solemn silence, yet in reason’s ear they utter precious teachings.” (Via Smith) Everyone, regardless of nationality, language, or economic status, have all marveled at the display of God’s glory at one time or another. Johnston: "If you are a believer, God has surrounded you with a hymnbook. Wherever you are, day or night, you can look up and see the majesty and power of your God. And you can praise him." Paul reminds us that the many wonders of nature do not allow us to ignore the involvement of the divine hand. (Romans 1:18-20 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.) How can you become more attentive to what God is declaring through creation?
Nature Serves as proof of God’s power and Glory (19:5-6). David’s description is vivid. David is likening the appearance of the sun with the revelation of a handsomely dressed groom. … The sun is unwavering in its circuit across the sky, just as a groom strides purposefully to the altar. (Faughn). The athlete image speaks of power and determination. Smith: From these amazing verses we can draw at least five important applications. From creation we can know God exists. All people everywhere have this visual knowledge. Creation informs all that God is a powerful and glorious Creator. The superstitious who are enslaved to the worship of nature and the deception of astrology, see more in the stars than is there. The modern secularist and atheist actually see less than the heavens reveal. Swindoll: “Every intelligent being lives every waking moment under the constant reminder of God’s presence, sovereignty, and power.” What part of nature do you find most awe-inspiring? God revealing himself in nature is wonderful, but it is limited. What are some things we would never know about God and our relationship to him through nature alone? Nature is a mere testament to something greater, which we are privileged to see day after day, night after night. Swindoll: “The heavens may declare God’s power and glory, but they do not declare His will or His plan and promise of salvation. God communicated those marvelous truths only in His Word - the living Scriptures, the Bible.”
2. The Book of Truth: The Truth God Has Communicated (7-11)
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. (7a)
What is your reaction to the word “law”? Do you immediately think of the law as precious like gold or sweet like honey? It comes from a perfect source, so everything about it is perfect. Wilcock “We need to grasp that here in the Old Testament ‘law’ is a wonderfully comprehensive word, meaning all that God wants us to know about himself. There is no life for the soul without that.” It has an effect on our soul. Refreshing (NIV) Restoring (AMP) Reviving (NRSVUE, ESV). Johnston: This phrase “reviving the soul” is also used for food that restores strength and vitality. There is the sense here that the Law of the Lord is our spiritual food. This was true for Jesus, of course. When he was tempted in the wilderness, he quoted the Scriptures. … ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’ (Matthew 4:4). The Scriptures were bread and meat for Christ. How much time do we devote each week to reading God’s message? What is yourScripture reading habit? What are some good ideas to get into the habit of spending time in the Word every day?
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. (7b).
Statutes are the firm principles to whole validity the Lord testifies. Wiersbe: “For the Old Testament Jew, the statutes related to what they ate, how they dressed, how they kept clean, and so forth… The New Testament epistles repeat nine of the Ten Commandments for believers today, omitting the fourth commandment, and then give applications of these principles.” Briscoe: “Knowledge is the amassing of facts. Wisdom is knowing what on earth to do with the facts we have amassed. This distinction can help us understand why some remarkable, erudite people are in such quandaries and why some relatively ignorant people have peace of mind and demonstrate integrated living.” The path to true wisdom is to spend time considering the ways of God. God rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. (8a)
Precepts are those things we are obligated to do, those specific commands we must observe. Wilcock “Precepts are precise rules for living: a new thought for some, perhaps, that detailed obedience is the right way to joy.” These are given to us to obey so that we can experience joy in our hearts. Briscoe “Without the voice of Scripture, much of creation would be a complete enigma to us; but when both voices speak, they reveal the mysteries of God and earth with great clarity.”
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. (8b)
“the commandment of the Lord is pure and bright” AMP. “the Lord is clear” NRSVUE. Pure, clear, bright, radiant - all references to perception from the eyes - the light we receive (reminds us that it is like the sun - always present and universally seen). Briscoe: Statutes, precepts, commands, ordinances - these terms have an authoritative ring to them that must not be overlooked. When God speaks in Scripture, he says what needs to be said, and he really means what he says.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. (9a)
The fear of the lord “cleanses out the love of sin, sanctifying the heart in which it reigns” (Spurgeon via Faughn). Wilcock “Fear means that what his voice tells us is, in both senses of the word, venerable: time-honored truth, permanently valid, and therefore to be revered.”
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. (9b)
Wilcock: "Ordinances are in Moffatt’s translation rulings, God’s decisions on practical questions of human behavior. They are righteous…”
The law of God is desirable (10) Gold - the most precious of metals, ultimately worthless in comparison to the gifts given to us by the Lord. Swindoll: “As the king of Israel, David knew the value of gold. He had plenty of it!” Honey represents the Promised Land and other sweet gifts of God to His chosen faithful. Swindoll: “For much of his early life, David lived in the wilderness and learned how to live off the land. Ask any survival expert today, and he’ll tell you that finding a honeycomb is like finding treasure. Pure calories in the most delectable form.”
The law of God enlightens (11)
Vs. 11 AMP Moreover, by them is Your servant warned (reminded, illuminated, and instructed); and in keeping them there is great reward. Again we are enlightened like the light that comes from the sun … we see that there hope in keeping the laws of the Lord. Peace, Joy, Mercy, and other blessings.
3. The Book of Faith: The Faith God Has Invited (12-14)
David addresses two kinds of sins in this Psalm: hidden faults and willful sins. Which of these are more dangerous to your spiritual health? Which is more difficult to deal with? When we encounter the books of Nature and Truth, we respond by seeking forgiveness.
-Forgive hidden faults. The Psalmist asks for forgiveness from hidden faults. Hidden faults are those things unknown to others or perhaps forgotten by David himself. David wants purity in his actions and thoughts. Briscoe: “This is the kind of response God expects from the person who hears his Word and allows it to sink deep into his or her heart.”
Willful Sins (Presumptuous NIV, ESV; Insolent or from proud thoughts (NRSVUE). Swindoll: “The individual who really knows (and applies!) his Bible is kept from numerous sins simply because he believes God’s warning signals.” Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained
themselves to distinguish good from evil. Swindoll: “God’s word also reveals error, sin, presumption, and transgression to those who ponder the pages of Scripture.”
When we encounter the book of God, we respond by asking for purity in word and heart.(14)
Swindoll: “These three lines are some of the most familiar in the entire book of Psalms.” God is our rock - rocks are elements of nature that provide protection and strong foundations. Wiersbe: “The Word is a light (119:105) and a mirror (James 1:22-25) to help us see ourselves, search our hearts (Hebrews 4:12), and recognize and acknowledge our sins.”
Psalm 19 ends with one of the most beautiful and powerful prayers found in all the Psalms. If you memorized only one verse from the Psalms, this would be a good one! Pray it over and over when your mind is free. Meditate on the phrases in this verse. Ponder what God desires from you. Ponder on what God wants to give you.(Young)
Keller’s Three reflective questions for devotional meditation
-Adore - What did you learn about God for which you could praise or thank him?
-Admit - What did you learn about yourself for which you could repent?
-Aspire - What did you learn about life that you could aspire to, ask for, and act on?
Conclusion
Swindoll: “Stay in the Word this week, my friend. Claim His blessings - dare Him to fulfill His promises. The “words of your mouth” and “meditation of your heart” will take on a whole new pattern of godliness and power. Furthermore, He will no longer seem distant from you or silent to you.”
Francis Schaeffer (1912-1984), one of the Christian intellectual giants of the twentieth century, taught us that you can be a Christian without abandoning your mind. … ‘The infinite-personal God is there, but also he is not silent; that changes the whole world … He is there and is not silent, nor a far-off God.’”
“Oh Lord, thank You for Your Word. May Your Word have its perfect work in my life. I will take Your Word and sing it out, I will say it loud that it would have its perfect work in my life. Lord, Your Word is perfect in every single way; it revives my soul and it leads me to truth. It changes the simple to wise. Your words, Your commands, they make me joyful; they cause me to radiate and shine with a great light from the inside. Your Word is pure; it challenges me to keep close. Oh Lord, thank You that Your Word brings joy, it brings gladness as I follow Your Word. It’s perfect. It’s forever and it remains the same. Your Word is constant; it’s true. Your Word brings peace to my soul. As I seek and go after Your Word, it keeps me on the right path. Your Word is a promise. It’s a guarantee. If I follow Your Word, it’s a pathway to success in this life. It’s a gateway to You. Oh Lord, help me to desire Your Word more than gold. Your Word is my prize. Your Word is the prize of a lifetime. To carry these words in my heart as I sing and pray Your Word—it revives my soul. Your Word leads me to truth. It leads me to You. Lord, Your Word it is what I want. It’s what I need, and it’s what I cling to.” — 30 Days of Praying the Psalms: King David’s Keys for Victory by Julie Meyer
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References
Briscoe, Stuart. What Works When Life Doesn’t. Howard, 2004.
Faughn, Adam. Hymns of the Heart. Start2Finish, 2015.
Holloway, Gary. Psalms, Hymns of God’s People. Leafwood, 2022.
Johnston, James A. Preaching the Word: The Psalms (Vol. 1). Crossway, 2015.
Keller, Timothy and Kathy Keller. The Songs of Jesus. Viking, 2017.
McCann, J. Clinton, Jr. The New Interpreters Bible Commentary, Vol. 3, The Book of Psalms. Abingdon, 2015.
Meyer, Julie. 30 Days of Praying the Psalms: King David’s Keys For Victory. Destiny Image, 2021.
Smith, J. Josh and Daniel L. Akin. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: Exalting Jesus in Psalm 1-50.
B&H, 2022.
Swindoll, Charles R. Living the Psalms. Worthy, 2012.
Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Worshipful. David C. Cook, 2004.
Wilcock, Michael. The Bible Speaks Today: The message of Psalms 1-72. InterVarsity Press, 2001.
Young, Mary Jean. God Talk - Psalm 19. https://tuesdaycafe.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/lesson-9-god-talk-psalm-19/
