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Psalm 19

Mark Dunagan
05/27/18 - Sunday Morning

Psalm 19

 

 

The Eloquence of Nature

 

19:1 The heavens “are telling”, i.e., that is, they are continually telling. This telling has been going on from day one and continues in all places around the globe (Romans 1:20). The creation doesn’t tell us what to do to be saved, but the creation certainly testifies to God’s existence and His power. The word “expanse” is the same word rendered “expanse” or “firmament” in Genesis 1. The basic concept in the Hebrew word rendered “expanse” is stamping as with the foot, and what results, i.e., a spreading out or stretching forth. The idea that the heavens are “spreading out” has also been confirmed by scientific investigation. “The verbs ‘declare’ and ‘proclaim’ are participial forms, expressive of the continuous revelation of the heavens, and could be translated ‘keep on declaring’… ’keep on proclaiming’” (Psalms, Gaebelein, p. 179). The word “declare” reminds us that they creation loudly and clearly proclaims God’s existence. The declaration is not hidden and neither it is weak. Compare with Proverbs 1:20-22.

 

19:2 “The expression ‘pours forth’ suggests the irrepressible bubbling up of a spring” (Psalms, Kidner, p. 97). The “knowledge” revealed includes the idea that: 1. There is a God and this wonderful, complicated, beautiful and well organized universe could have never happened by accident. 2. The God who made it is extremely powerful. 3. The God who made it is extremely wise – therefore we should search for His communication to us on other matters.

 

19:3-4 Even though the creation doesn’t speak actual words, the message is still clear and universal. Men preaching in foreign lands have documented that many tribal groups have simply been waiting the arrival of evangelists to tell them about the God who created the universe.

 

19:5-6 The “tent for the sun” is probably to be understood as the darkness into which the sun retreats each night and from which it emerges boldly each new day. David here compares the sun to a vigorous young man in two aspects: 1. Each morning the sun is like a bridegroom, adorned for his bride, as he emerges from his wedding chamber. He is radiant and glowing with light. 2. As a warrior or athlete, plunging into a race with joy. C.S. Lewis notes that these verses (19:5-6), mark a transition from the works of God to the word of God. As the sun rules the day, so God’s Law rules us. Both the sun and the Law radiate the light of the God who is light. Nothing is hidden before the sun and before the God who made the sun. Be impressed that this chapter makes it clear that there is no conflict between the message being preached by nature and the message found in the Word of God. What the Bible actually teaches and the actual laws of Science will always be in agreement, for the same God is the author of both.

 

The Clarity of Scripture

 

19:7 After all has been said, Scripture is still God’s law to mankind. Even the New Testament is a law (Jeremiah 31:31-34; James 1:25). Far from being embarrassed by God’s Law in the Old Testament, godly men like David rejoiced in it. The Apostle Paul makes it clear that the Old Testament Law was holy, righteous, spiritual and good (Romans 7:12,14). 

 

19:7 Paul equally called the word of God “perfect” in Romans 12:2. Scripture is “complete, sound, and whole”. God has given us everything in His word necessary for our salvation. The Bible covers every aspect of life. Compare with Matthew 4:4 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3. Scripture is also a perfect communication, it was been written in such a way that all can equally understand it (Ephesians 3:4). 19:7 The word “testimony” suggests that the Scriptures are God’s witness, His personal testimony as what is the truth.

 

19:7 The word “sure” when used in reference to Scripture means that which is firm, dependable, certain, steadfast and faithful. “We can throw our weight on God’s testimony, and it will hold us up” (Williams, p. 153). In like manner, Jesus said, “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17).  

 

19:7 The “simple” are those who are open-minded or open to instruction. The Scriptures are so clear and understandable that even a very naïve or simple-minded person can grasp what they are teaching. This point is also driven home in 1 Corinthians 1:26-27. Thus, a great intellect is not needed to understand the Bible, but rather, a good and honest heart is critical.

 

19:8 The word “pure” suggests that there is nothing harmful in Scripture. The Bible is given by a holy God, in Whom is no darkness (1 John 1:5), and Who cannot lie or tempt man to sin (Titus 1:2; James 1:13). In light of such purity, we are able to see where we need to change (Hebrews 4:12-13). Scripture is incredibly profitable for “correction” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). God says that His word enlightens the eyes, i.e., brings us out of darkness and ignorance (Psalm 119:105). In addition, “the passage probably also carries the idea of purging darkness out of us and thus enabling us to see clearly and without distortion” (Boice, p. 173). 

 

19:9 While the fear of man corrupts (John 12:42-43), a healthy fear of God has a purifying element. The connection between “fear of God” and “Scripture” is that the Creator, this awesome God has spoken, and the Scriptures reveal His will. Therefore, how should I act when Scripture is cited? The righteous man or woman trembles and stands in awe of the Word (Isaiah 66:2). Kidner notes, “Together, these terms show the practical purpose of revelation, to bring God’s will to bear on the hearer and evoke intelligent reverence, well-founded trust, detailed obedience” (p. 99). 19:9 The “judgments” here are those judgments and judicial decisions which God has recorded in the Bible concerning various human situations. Every act of judgment recorded in the Bible (the flood, plagues against Egypt, wars against the Canaanites, deaths of Nadab, Abihu, Uzzah, etc…) was a righteous verdict. 

 

19:10 Here is David’s personal reaction to the Scriptures. He found them more important and desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. David found the Word of God enjoyable, pleasurable, a real treasure and a real treat. In modern terms, “I love the Bible more than I love chocolate!”

 

19:11 The one who knows the law is warned by it. Scripture warns us against sin, its harmful effects, deception, falsehood, error, and false doctrine. “We need such warnings, because the world about us is clever and pervasive, and there is nothing except the Bible to stand against its deception” (Boice, p. 174). 

 

19:12 David realizes that he is not a perfect man. Apart from God’s revelation he is blind to a good number of sins.  “He is aware of sin’s subtle nature and complexity” (Boice, p. 174). Kidner notes, “Verse 12 recognizes that a fault may be hidden not because it is too small to see, but because it is too characteristic to register” (p. 100). One of the great benefits of Scripture is that is clearly defines what is sin (Galatians 5:19-21). Yet apart from the Bible, no one could ever see his or all his errors.  “In God’s law we see our true condition and crisis. Our rationalizations are exposed” (Williams, p. 156). David is not praying that God would just automatically forgive him of sins of which he would have no need to own up to and forsake. One can only be acquitted of hidden faults, when such faults of exposed by the Word (Hebrews 4:12-13), and then forsaken by the individual (1 John 1:8-10). The very fact that atonement was offered in the Law for “inadvertent” sins or sins of ignorance, is proof that such sins do eventually come to light (Leviticus 4:2-35; Numbers 15:22-31).  

 

19:13 David also knew that he could sin defiantly. A “presumptuous” sin is a sin of self-will, a willful sin, the person who arrogantly sins and then refuses to admit wrong. David realizes that his salvation is conditional, and that he could fall away from God if he allowed himself to become arrogant or self-confident. It is the Word of God that keeps us from such deliberate and willful sins (which are rooted in arrogance). In addition, such deliberate sins lead to great transgression. This did happen in David’s life. Of his own freewill David committed adultery with Bathsheba. In the life of King Uzziah, arrogance moved him to defiantly challenge God’s law concerning who could offer incense (2 Chronicles 26:16ff).

 

19:14 David concluded in praying that his words and thoughts would be acceptable to God. He desired to be pure in heart and action. “Sometimes we treat forgiveness lightly, asking God to forgive us but not really thinking that we are sinners, at least not serious sinners, and treating forgiveness almost as a basic human right. It is clear that David does not do this” (Boice, p. 174). David realizes that if he is truly loving God and is honestly trying to do His will, then he will find mercy and help from God.

Mark Dunagan | mdunagan@frontier.com
Beaverton Church of Christ | 503-644-9017
www.beavertonchurchofchrist.net