Psalm 19 The Three Books Series

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.”