Psalm 19: God Exists, and the Bible Is His Word
"Let the works of my mouth, and the
meditation of my heart, be acceptable.."
What person has not gazed at the heavens at night and wondered...? What person has not glanced at the brightness of the sun and wondered...? What person has not looked carefully at the many large and small, moving and stationary, alive or dead, people and things all around on earth and wondered...?
This psalm reflects in poetry the very things that have crossed the mind of every person since Adam and Eve.
- Is there a Higher Being Who is responsible for all of this?
- Has He spoken in other ways so that I can know even more about Him?
- Am I in any way responsible for trying to please Him?
I. God Does Exist (vv. 1-6).
II. The Bible Is His Word (vv. 7-11).
III. I Must Desire to Please Him (vv. 12-14).
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat" (vv. 1-6).
In these verses, David affirms that "God Does exist." In verse 1, he proposes that the evidence to support this claim is everywhere (v. 1)! God has left His fingerprints on everything He has done! It was never His intention that it would be difficult for men and women to "find" Him! The Bible begins with the statement, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). There has never been any reason or any properly used evidence that would justify any other explanation for the beginning and the arrangement of the universe. In verses 2-6, David affirms that the evidence (in the heavens and the firmament) is always able to do its "job"; that is, when honestly considered, it demonstrates that God is (Hebrews 11:6). This message is available:
v. 2: At all times (day and night).
v. 3: In its own "unspoken" way (it continues to remind us that we need to think abut this).
v. 4a: In all places (from every spot on earth, the "wonders" of nature can be pondered).
vv. 4b-6: In spectacular glory and strength (the sun continually causes us to see the things we need to understand).
"The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward" (vv. 7-11).
In these verses, David affirms that "the Bible is the word"—the written word—of the One True God. In verses 7-10 he says, "Here Is What the Word of God Is":
- It is "perfect law." Since it is, it can convert the soul (Acts 3:19).
- It is "sure testimony." Since it is, it can provide wisdom for the simple (the open, uninformed heart; Proverbs 1:1-7).
- It is "right statutes." Since it is, it provides for rejoicing (1 John 1:1-4).
- It is "pure commandment." Since it is, it enlightens the eyes (Ephesians 4:17-22).
- It is "clean fear." And this characteristic endures forever by encouraging "pure reverence" (Psalm 111:1-10).
- It is "true and righteous judgment." And this is ALL that it is: ALTOGETHER (Deuteronomy 10:12,13).
- It is "desired gold." Yes, even more so and better than "fine" gold (1 Peter 1:22-2:2).
- It is "sweeter than." Honey and the honeycomb really are sweet—but not as sweet as the Bible (Acts 2:38-42).
- It warns me. All of us need to be warned about temptation, sin, Satan, hell, every false way and every false person.
- It promises me. If I keep the word of God, there is great reward. I need to believe that He is (vv. 1-6), and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (vv. 7-11; see Hebrews 11:6).
secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from
presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer" (vv. 12-14).
In these verses, David affirms that "I Must Desire to Please Him."
Note in the first section of Psalm 19 that the writer speaks of the Creator as "God" (El); referring to His power and might. In the second section, he speaks of the Revealer as "Lord" (Jehovah), referring to His desire to be loved and obeyed.
The conclusion, in these last three verses, brings all of this together with three points. In verse 12, he asks a question by which he expresses his desire to be cleansed from secret things (that is, wrongs of ignorance or inadvertence). In verse 13, he expresses the need to avoid (and be kept from) presumptuous (high-handed, willful) sins. He does not want to be ruled by sin! Only by the proper application of God’s word can any of us be "innocent" and "blameless." In verse 14, he makes his commitment (through a prayerful request) to be right before God in speech and thought before the strong and redeeming Jehovah Who sees all (Hebrews 4:12,13).
I know of no better psalm for the "Tenderizing" of heart and soul for young and old than this one. Let us use it early and often in order to become aware at all times of the power and love of God—the only God—the God Who has created, spoken, and invited us into eternal fellowship with Him.
— Skip Andrews
Next Week: Psalm 20: The Name of the Lord
