Revived by Revelation – Part 1 – Psalm 19

Psalm 19 is written by David and addressed to “the chief musician” as it would to be used in the worship of the nation.

The Psalm extols the revelation of God in both the book of creation (the world book) (Vs. 1-6) and the Book of inspiration (the Word Book) (Vs. 7-11). The last section (Vs. 12-14) contain the heart cry of the Psalmist in response to God’s revelation. The unveiling of the character of God in both nature and the written Word led David to search his heart before the Lord and plead with the Lord for purity of life.

Expository idea: “The careful contemplation of the revelation of the LORD in creation and Scripture will inspire greater adoration and renewed spiritual commitment in the believer.” (Ross)

“There is a progressive revelation of God in the Psalm – the skies, the Scriptures, the Together they reveal the greatness, the grandeur and the grace of God.” (Flanigan)

There are three distinct and discernable paragraphs in this Psalm:

• Psalm 19:1-6 – The Revelation of God in Creation.
• Psalm 19:7-11 – The Revelation of God in the Scriptures.
• Psalm 19:12-14 – The Response of the Psalmist in Supplication.

The Revelation of the Skies (Psalm 19:1-6)

The Psalmist begins with God’s revelation of Himself in the World-Book (natural revelation). He uses the Hebrew Word ‘El’ for God which particularly emphasises God’s power as Creator.

The Substance of their Message (Vs. 1)

The pages of the Book of Nature are many. Earth, sky, sea, sun, moon, starts, oceans, rivers, lakes, mountains, valleys, hills, flowers, fruits, trees, birds, insects, animals etc… All are expositions of the magnificence of the Creator. Here David primarily focuses on the heavens. The heavens declare and reveal:

1. The Glory of God (Vs. 1a)
   1. ‘heavens’ = plural in Includes the atmospheric and stellar heavens.
   2. ‘declare’ = means to enumerate or The Hebrew word is often translated ‘tell’, ‘told’ or ‘number’ in the O.T.
   3. ‘glory’ = splendour. We learn something of the Creator’s Character in creation. Design points to a designer and information speaks of intelligence. We look at the vast distances of space and learn that God is The order in creation speaks of a God who is Personal rather than an impersonal, random force. The complexity of creation reveals a God of infinite wisdom. The magnitude of creation reveals that God is a God of power. The beauty in nature reveals a God of beauty.
   4. Illustration: “During the French Revolution, Jean Bon St. Andre, the Vendean revolutionist, said to a peasant, ‘I will have all your steeples pulled down, that you may no longer have any objects by which you may be reminded of your old superstitions.’ ‘But,’ replied the peasant, ‘you cannot help leaving us the stars.”

2. The Genuis of God (Vs. 1b)
   1. “the firmament” = the vast expanse above us we commonly refer to as the sky.
   2. ‘handywork’ = the hand work of the The Hebrew word is translated ‘hand’ or ‘hands’ hundreds of times in the Old Testament. We know that the universe was created by the spoken Word of God but for the sake of our understanding God uses the figure of hands. “The word may be translated “needlework” as if to suggest that the Creator has embroidered the heavens with the beauty and splendour of the heavenly bodies.” (Flanigan)
   3. Johannes Kepler, the famous Christian astronomer, saw the study of nature, particularly the heavens as an opportunity to “think God’s thoughts after him.”
   4. Psalm 8:3-4 “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

The Scope of their Message (Vs. 2-4)

The universal reach of this declaration from the heavens is emphasized in these verses.

1. It is unceasing (Vs. 2)
   1. The phrases “day unto day” and “night unto night” emphasis that the heavens are constantly sending forth this message. Each day creation testifies of its Creator and each night creation testifies of its Creator. The message is loud and clear to anyone willing to listen – there is a God!
   2. The word ‘uttereth’ has the idea of “to gush forth”, hence it is an abundant revelation. Allen Ross writes, “The word ‘uttereth’ is used for the bubbling up and overflowing of a river or a pool of water. Here it refers to the outpouring or overflowing of knowledge. What is ever pouring forth constantly is the evidence of the majesty and power of God.”
   3. 1:18-20 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
   4. Note: Evil men may try and silence the truth on earth but they cannot prevent the sermons form the stars that pour down each and every night. Combine all of human might and power together and yet it is powerless to dethrone the pulpit of the skies.

2. It is universal (Vs. 3-4)
   1. Every language is reached (Vs. 3)
   2. Every location is reached (Vs. 4) The word ‘line’ means “a cord, especially for measuring.” The emphasis is again on the world- wide reach of the heavenly Wherever people live on this planet, natural revelation communicates the truth to them that there is a sovereign Creator.

The Star of their Message (Vs. 4b-6)

The Psalmist now focuses on the sun as the most significant of the heavenly bodies. The heavens under the dominating influence of the sun constantly reveal the glory of God. Unlike the pagans who worshipped the sun, the Psalmist demonstrates that the sun is simply a part of God’s creation under His sovereign rule.

1. The similes of the sun (Vs. 4b-5) The sun is likened to:
   1. A bridegroom coming out of his chamber (Vs. 5a).
   2. A strong man ready to run a race (Vs. 5b)
2. The circuit of the sun (Vs. 6a)
3. The shining of the sun (Vs. 6b)
   1. The sun’s heat and light permeate the “It produces 386 billion, billion megawatts of energy each second or 6.4 billion Horse Power (HP).”
   2. Note: As the sun is central to the book of nature, so Christ is central in the Book of Scripture. The glory of the sun and its powerful influence over all nature is emphasized in these opening stanzas of the Psalm but it will go on to demonstrate that the Revelation of the Word of God is more glorious We have the light of the sun in the first section of the Psalm (Vs. 1- 6) and the light of the Word in the second section (Vs. 7-11). This leads to light in the heart in the third section (Vs. 12-14).
   3. “If the sun is the most glorious gift of the creator for physical life, the Word of God is the most glorious gift for the spiritual life; and if the sun dominates life and illumines everything under it, the Word dominates every aspect of the spiritual life – and the physical life as well – all the time. There is no physical life without the sun; there is no spiritual life without the Word.” (Ross)

The Revelation of the Scriptures (Psalm 19:7-11)

The Psalmist continues with God’s Revelation in the Word-Book (special Revelation). Natural revelation declares much about God’s power and majesty but it cannot reveal the specific details of God’s mind nor can it lead us to a personal and saving knowledge of God on its own. In the Scriptures the heart and mind of the Creator God are made known to man. God has spoken! “God’s works reveal His knowledge and power but His Word reveals His love and grace. Scientific truth may stimulate our intellect, but spiritual truth convicts our heart and conscience!” (Believers Bible Commentary) The Psalmist now uses the Hebrew word ‘Jehovah’ for God which is the more personal, covenantal Name of God.

The Scriptures are Perfect (What the Word is) (Vs. 7-9)

These verses reveal 6 qualities of the Scriptures with a blessed effect attached to each. “In these three verses we have six descriptive titles of the word, six characteristic qualities mentioned, and six Divine effects declared.” (Spurgeon)

1. The written Word is ‘perfect’. The word means entire, spotless. flawless, without error. There is no misleading or unnecessary instruction. It is sound, consistent, unimpaired and (Ross)
2. The written Word is ‘sure’. It is reliable and Scripture is certain, infallible; it is the rock upon which we can build our lives. It is a sure foundation for our lives. The world of manmade religion and philosophy is a world where nothing is settled and certain.
3. The written Word is ‘right’. The word literally means ‘straight’, ‘upright’. There is nothing twisted or crooked in the Word of It cuts a straight line of truth.
4. The written Word is ‘pure’. The word is also translated ‘clean’ in the Old Testament. The Scriptures are without any imperfection or pollution. There is no moral impurity in the Scriptures. The Bible deals with sin and unholy things but in a pure manner with the objective of producing holiness in God’s people. Want a life that is clean and pure as a believer? Fill your life with the Word of God.
5. The written Word is ‘clean’. Same word frequently translated ‘pure’ in reference to the “pure gold” used in the tabernacle. Also used in reference to ‘clean’ animals and physical The words “pure” and “clean” are similar in meaning and together they emphasize the absolute purity and holiness of the Word of God. The Word of God stirs in us a reverential awe of God and this has a cleansing effect upon our lives.
6. The written Word is ‘true’ and ‘righteous’.

The Scriptures are Powerful (What the Word does) (Vs. 7-9)

The Word of God:

1. Converts the soul (Vs. 7a) – the word means “to restore, bring back”. The same Hebrew word is frequently translated ‘returned’ and ‘restore’. God’s Word shows us how we might be restored to a right relation with God. It shows us our sin but it also reveals the Saviour. The law plays a vital role in the conversion of a soul. It convicts us of sin (the 10 commandments) (See 3:24). The law not only contained the commandments but also the sacrificial system that points to Christ. It revealed both the sinfulness of man and the way of salvation. God’s Word is the incorruptible seed that brings the new birth (1 Pet. 1:23).
2. Makes wise the simple (Vs. 7b)
3. Rejoices the heart (Vs. 8a). What joy the Word brings to our hearts and lives! Do not view reading and studying the Bible as a It is a delight! Jeremiah 15:16 “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.”
4. Enlightens the Eyes (Vs. 8b). It gives spiritual understanding. The same Hebrew word is translated “give light” in reference to the heavenly bodies (sun, moon & stars) (Gen. 1:15), “give light” in reference to the pillar of cloud and fire that led the Israelites (Ex. 13:21) and “give light” in reference to the candlestick in the tabernacle (Num. 8:2). It is also translated ‘enlightened’ in 1 Sam. 14:17 & 29 in reference to the light that came into Jonathan’s eyes when he tasted a little It is also translated “shine” (Ps. 31:16; 67:1) and ‘lightened’ in reference to lightening (Ps. 77:18).
   1. Psalm 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
   2. Psalm 119:130 “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
5. Endures forever (Vs. 9a). God’s Word is not only inspired of God but it is preserved by God. Psalm 33:11 “The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.” Psalm 119:160 “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” See Matt. 24:35.
6. Warns the believer (Vs. 11a)
7. Rewards the obedient (Vs. 11b)

The Scriptures are Priceless (What the Word means) (Vs. 10-11)

The Psalmist uses the world’s most treasured metal (gold) and its sweetest substance (honey) to extol the indescribable value of the written Moreover, he highlights how the Word of God both warns and rewards.

1. The Richness of the Word – It is Superior to Gold (Vs. 10a)
   1. There is a progression in the words: gold – much fine Take large quantities of the finest gold available to mankind and it is nothing in value compared with the eternal Word of the Living God.
   2. Challenge: If the Word of God is so valuable, why do we so often give it such little priority in our lives? Why does the pursuit of earthly wealth so often take precedence over the pursuit of eternal wealth? Why is it that in practice the gold of earthly money takes priority over the gold of God’s Word?
2. The Sweetness of the Word – It is Sweeter than Honey (Vs. 10b). Take the world’s richest metal, and the Scriptures are infinitely richer. Take the world’s sweetest substance, and the Scriptures are sweeter still to the soul of the saint.
3. The Effectiveness of the Word (Vs. 11)
4. It warns (Vs. 11a). The word literally means ‘to gleam or shine”. The word is used repeatedly in Ez. 3 & 33 in reference to the duty of the watchman to warn the people under his care. The warnings of God’s Word are for our protection.
5. It rewards (Vs. 11b). Notice that the reward comes not just from knowing God’s Word but more importantly, obeying God’s Word. Many Christians know God’s Word but they miss so much blessing because they do not obey what they know. Remember, His commandments are not grievous!

The Response in Supplication (Psalm 19:12-14)

Divine Revelation leads to a decision/response. David makes a plea in light of God’s Revelation (especially that of the Scriptures). His plea is threefold:

A Plea for Purging (Vs. 12)

David here is contemplating sins of a more subtle nature. There are two facets to this:

1. To be searched by God (Vs. 12a). The question contains its own answer. David recognized that on his own he could make sense of the subtilties of his own sinful heart. No one can discern secret errors without the light of Scripture. David is recognizing his own inability to detect them. As he meditated on God’s Word, he would discover “He best knows himself who best knows the Word”. (Spurgeon)
2. To be cleansed by God (Vs. 12b). David was not just concerned about the sins in his life which were obvious to He desired the purging work of God to go deeper in his life to the secret sins unknown to others, even unknown and undetected to himself.

A Plea for Preservation (Vs. 13)

These stanzas reveal that the Word of God has produced a soberness and sensitivity in David’s life towards sin. David not only wanted to be washed from unwitting sins but also withheld from presumptuous sins! David prays to be:

1. Restrained from Sin’s Defilement (Vs. 13a)
   1. “keep back” = to Also translated ‘withheld’ in O.T. David is praying for God’s ministry of restraint in his life. He is saying “God hold me back from sinning against you.” This is the prayer of a man who knows his own sinful potential.
   2. “thy servant” (See also 11). David views himself as God’s servant.
   3. “presumptuous sins” = the Psalmist has a specific sin in mind. Unlike a sin of ignorance, a presumptuous sin is a blatant, pre- meditated, wilful sin against God’s clear It means “to act in a proud manner; a sense of self-importance, which often is exaggerated to include defiance and even rebelliousness.” (TWOT). Barnes writes, “The prevailing thought is that of pride, and the reference is particularly to sins which proceed from self- confidence; from reliance on one’s own strength.” Ross writes, “the verb means “boil over” and also “be arrogant, act presumptuously (in the sense of overstepping boundaries). The reference is to pre-meditated sins, sins of the high hand (Num. 15:27-31). David is concerned not just about sins committed in ignorance but also willful sins.”
      1. The same Hebrew word is most frequently translated ‘proud’ in the O.T.
      2. Illustration: Israel “presumed” to go up the hill into battle against the Canaanites in rebellion against God’s clear command.
      3. To summarize, a presumptuous sin is a sin that involves:
         1. A spirit of pride and arrogance that leads to “overstepping due bounds” (Merriam-Webster). It leads one to be “bold and confident to excess; adventuring without reasonable ground of success.” (Webster 1828)
         2. A spirit of rebellion against God’s
         3. A knowing and blatant disobeying of a clear command of
2. Restrained from Sin’s Dominion (Vs. 13b).
   1. The Psalmist knew that such sins, once entertained in the life, soon dominate and rule. David did not want to be under sins rulership!
   2. Praise God that in Christ there is freedom from sin’s dominion! Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
3. Restrained from Sin’s Depravity (Vs. 13c)
   1. There is a clear progression in the text from “errors” to “secret faults” to “presumptuous sins” to “the great transgression”. Exactly what “great transgression” David had in mind we don’t know but it was evidently a very serious sin.
   2. “All sins are great sins, but yet some sins are greater than others. All sin is black but some transgressions have a greater shade of blackness.” (Spurgeon)
   3. Once prideful, rebellious presumption takes over the life, it can lead to great This knowledge of the progression of sin and his own potential was what motivated such praying.
   4. Jude 1:24-25 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”

A Plea for Purity (Vs. 14)

The Psalmist now prays concerning his mouth and his meditation that both will be acceptable in God’s sight. Notice that the Psalmist has dwelt on the words of natural revelation (Vs. 1-6), words of special revelation (Vs. 7-11) and now he prays that his words to God would be acceptable to God. He prays for:

1. Purity in his mouth – David prays that his words would be acceptable in God’s sight (Vs. 14a)
2. Purity in his meditation – David prays that his thoughts would be acceptable in God’s sight (Vs 14b).
   1. Words reveal the inner condition of the heart. So often our thinking does not glorify God! If it isn’t outright impure, it is often fruitless and carnal in multiple ways.
   2. David wanted to not only be right in his speech but he also wanted to his inner life to be right in God’s eyes also.
   3. David touchingly refers to His God as “my strength and my redeemer.”
      1. The word ‘strength’ comes from the Hebrew word frequently translated “rock” in the Old Testament; hence the picture is that of a rocky refuge.
      2. The word ‘redeemer’ is used of the kinsman redeemer in the Book of Ruth. Christ is out kinsman redeemer. By taking on human flesh he became related to us in his humanity and he paid the price for our redemption in His own blood.
      3. Revelation ultimately culminates in Christ, the Living Word of the Christ is the Creator of the universe (John 1:1-10; Col. 1:15-20) and He is the Word, the complete Revelation of God (John 1:1-18; Heb. 1:1-3).

Conclusion

Theological lessons (what we learn about God)

• God is (Vs. 1-6), God has spoken (Vs. 7-11) and God hears (Vs. 12- 14).
• God is a personal God who has given abundant evidence of Himself in order that we might know Him.

Bibliology lessons (what we learn about the Scriptures)

• The Scriptures are perfect.
• The Scriptures are preserved.
• The Scriptures are powerful.
• The Scriptures are priceless.

Christological lessons (what we learn about Christ)

• Christ is the grand theme of God’s Revelation. As the sun is central in natural revelation (the creation) so Christ is central to special revelation (the Scriptures).

Soteriological lessons (what we learn about salvation)

• Salvation involves The Scriptures lead to conversion.

Practical lessons (what we learn about the Christian life)

• We need to treasure the Word of God in our We need to treat the Bible as it is, the most important Book in the universe!