Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Thoughts On Psalm 19

Psa 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Psa 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Psa 19:3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Psa 19:4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psa 19:5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psa 19:6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psa 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psa 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Psa 19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Psa 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Psa 19:12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Psa 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

This Psalm begins with the testimony of nature to its Creator. Then it moves to the more sure Word of Prophecy found in Scripture. It closes with a desire for purification.

Part 1

The heavens are a continual showing forth of the attributes of God. The sun rising on the just and unjust shows His impartial benevolence and the change of the seasons His faithfulness. Creation shows to an awakened soul a God who loves beauty and infinite variety, who creates every snow flake and blade of grass unique, and yet containing properties of their type. These sermons of God’s goodness and justice are spoken even where the Bible has never been read, nor the gospel preached. As Paul writes in Romans all men are without excuse.

Part 2

We have however an even better testimony as to the nature of God, His own self-revelation as written in His Word. In a similar way to a work of art which tells us much about the artist, even more revealing would be the diary of that artist where he describes what his aim in making the work was and what he was expressing through it. The Bible is the book which gives purpose to nature, or rather it reveals God who is the purpose of nature. It is only after we have seen the beginning and end of this creation in the Word that we can properly understand nature. Otherwise we tend to flounder in Nature Worship (materialism being one species, animism another).

It is the Word which converts our souls, makes us wise, and enlightens our understanding.

Part 3

This part of the Psalm would seem to be somewhat of a digression from the rest. Unless, perhaps it is to remind us that God never enlightens for the purpose of knowledge, but rather for the purpose of character. Too many times we seek knowledge of God’s Word without a desire to apply that knowledge to our lives.

This part begins with a question, “Who can understand his errors?” As humans we all labour under the difficulty of self-ignorance. Every fool’s folly seems folly but his own. We can see faults in every one but ourselves, and when our real self is manifest through circumstances we cast it out of mind as an aberration. How do we gain a true self knowledge? Like a filthy man who cannot see his own dirt, we need a mirror. We need the mirror of God’s Word.

There is no fitter ending to this post than the final prayer of the Psalmist, who having meditated on the Word of God and His thoughts now says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

No comments: