Psalm 19

Introduction:

Psalm 19 is known as the greatest poem in the book of Psalms. At least 7 hymns were developed from Psalm 19. It is a great Psalm, not only because of its poetic style, but also for its theological and spiritual truth.

I remember at my baptism, my pastor gave me 12 books on the lives of different missionaries. These books influenced me greatly. Others and I would never know about Hudson Taylor, David Livingston, Morrison and Amy Carmichael unless they told us about themselves. These books also helped me developed the habit of reading spiritual books regularly.

Psalm 19 is really God's autobiography. He tells us about himself. This is important because God is infinite, holy and so other from us, as finite human beings, that it will not be possible for us to find out about him. However, if he takes the initiative, using words we understand to communicate to us about himself, then we can know about him. This is what Psalm 19 is about: God telling us about himself, it is God's revelation to us.

This Psalm is clearly divided into two sections. Therefore this Psalm is also known as the psalm with two books. Let's take a look and see what these two books are.

I. God reveals to us in a big book that has no words. 1-6.

Vs1, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." The heavens and the skies represent the entire universe. As one looks at the universe, what does one see? First, it is God's creation. Secondly, it points to God's glory. In Romans 1:20, "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 men are without excuse." God's glory is his eternal power and divine nature. The heavens and the skies point our attention to God's power and divine nature.

In the Ancient world, including the Egyptians and the Chinese, the universe was the object of worship. In today's society, scientists try to understand how the heavens and the skies come into being. We marvel at their formation and stop here. But the psalmist, David, when he sees the universe, he recognizes that it is God's work, his signature, pointing to his glory. It is a book without words. And moreover,

1. A book that continues on.

Vs.2, "Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." Pour forth speech, display knowledge suggest that this book of God is continuous. It is like a bubbling spring. The knowledge about his creation is continuously unfolding before our eyes.

Even to this day, the universe is still telling us about the wonder of God's handiwork. Several years ago, with the launching of Hobble telescope into the space, we are able to observe stars and planets in a totally different manner. We see those breathtaking pictures of the birth of a distant star. With the acceptance of the Big Bang theory, it is now recognized that there is a beginning for the universe, the universe is not a infinite duration of time, there is an initial moment of creation. This book without words is still in process. The content of this big book points to God's eternal power and divine nature.

2. A book that is universal.

Vs 3-4, "There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." This book is not only wordless, it is also voiceless. Voiceless, but clearly heard. Voiceless but it is everywhere. In other words, even without words and sound, its content is clearly known by all.

The psalmist uses the sun as an example of its far reaching effect. 4-6, "Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat." The word 'tent' is understood as sunset, darkness, a place where the sun would go into. It is God's crowning creation. It is like a bridegroom, a champion. These two words are used to describe youth, energy and joy.

David knew little about the sun. It is a ball of gases, mainly hydrogen. It has been burning for at least 6 billion years. It is so far away, its light takes 8 minutes to get here. Yet David knew the impact of the sun, "nothing is hidden from the sun." No matter where we are on earth, its heat and brightness reach us. No matter where we are, we see and hear the voiceless words of his creation. We cannot deny his glory. .

Some of us are more attuned to the nature/universe than others. This means that we prefer to walk in the woods, visit the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone Park. We like to immerse ourselves in God's creation and adore his power and glory. It must be 20 years ago, there is a group that held their summer conference in Yellowstone Park. Just the location was good for me. How I wish I could go there. Others may prefer staying in doors to do reading, praying and singing.

We all need to learn to read from the big book God has written. This big book will open our eyes and broaden our horizon. This big book has no words, no voice, but its message is loud and clear. It points us to the God who creates the heavens and the skies. It tells us about his eternal power and divine nature. It tells us about his glory.

II. A book with clarity of words. 7-11

The first book is a big one. It is the entire universe. Vs.7-11 tells us of the other book God has written. This second book is a rather small one. This second and smaller book is full of words that we can read and understand. In the big book, God is described as the almighty creator. But in the second book, God is known as Jehovah. The term Jehovah is a covenant name. It appeared 7 times in these verses. It is first used when God appeared to Moses; when God enters into a relationship with people. Whenever the word Jehovah is used to address God, it emphasizes the personal and emotional aspect of God.

1. A book meant to be obeyed.

There are several nouns used to address this small book. Vs 7, "law", "statutes", vs 8, "precepts", "Commands", vs9, "fear", "ordinances". Law refers to all inclusive instructions from God. Statute is testimony, truth attested by God. The perfect God declares it is truth, without errors. Precepts and commands are orders which are precise and with authority. They are from God. Ordinance is verdict, divine judgment and evaluations of our thoughts. Fear is not a noun but a result of God's word. Having read God's word, with his word as verdict and judgment of our thoughts, fear is quite natural. Who can stand before God's word that pierces into our innermost being and have no fear?

If this is God's word, then what do we do with it? When we tell our children do this or to not do this, what do we expect from them? Obedience, right? Several years ago, Ted Koppel of ABC news gave the commencement speech at Washington Univ. in STL. In the speech he made the comment that the 10 commandment are not meant to be suggestions. They are meant to be kept.

Therefore as we read the words in this small book, we are to remember that it is meant for us to obey. When we read the 10 commandments, it is our responsibility to obey them. When we read of the other instructions in the old and new Testaments, they are not just suggestions for us to consider, but commands from the creator God for us to obey.

2. A book for our good.

Besides obedience, there is more in this book. David uses several adjectives to describe this written revelation from God. God's word is perfect, meaning God's will is perfect, complete, without any blemish or mistakes. The word is sure, in the sense that it is firm and unshakable. It is morally right, clean and trustworthy. One doesn't have to worry that it may change or become unreliable; that what is written over 2-3000 years ago is ancient, outdated and not applicable to us anymore. Jesus said, "…until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law…." He is saying, the law, God's word, will outlive this heaven and earth. No matter where you are in space and time, the word of God is good and trustworthy. What good does it do to us?

Vs7, "it revives our soul…..make us wise", vs8, "give joy to the heart…give light to the eyes", vs 9, "endures forever,…" vs11, "you servant warned; there is great reward". To be revived refers to sins being forgiven, guidance in life, strength when we are weak. This certainly reminds us of Psalm 23. The lord is my shepherd and I shall not want….he restores my soul…" How does he restore our tired soul? Through the reading and obeying of his words. His words will make us, the follower of God, wise. In 1 Cor 1:19-20 we have this explanation, "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." Worldly wisdom is that men try to understand God, to get to God via human knowledge and reason. But God, in his wisdom, came to men, became one of us. Not only this, he also died for us so that we can be reconciled to God. He comes to us to bring us to him, this is his wisdom.

God's word also makes our heart rejoice. He brings joy and happiness to us. As we put our trust to him, his grace will enable us to have joy that transcends all our situations. His word is the light, that opens our eyes that we may know which way to go. His words provide us with the direction we need as we travel down the paths of life. His words last forever. Things that are corrupt will decay, but the pure will endure. His words are pure and true, it is here before we arrive, and it will be here long after we are gone.

Then lastly, in vs11 we are told that his words warn and reward us, "By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." Whenever we come before his words, we are warned against sins and its results. We are warned against lies and errors in life. John Bunyan wrote, "The book will keep you from sins or your sins will keep you from the book."

Besides warning us, God's word will also reward us. Many would say, "you see, because I keep God's word, he has rewarded me with this and that. Ever since I listen and obey the Word, my work, my business has been very smooth and successful. My family is more harmonious than before." True, God can reward us with those tangible results when we keep his words. But the psalmist is saying that when we keep God's word, when we obey God's word, this itself is a reward, a blessing. Blessing does not necessarily mean physical and material well being. Certainly this is part of it. But what is even more important is that as God's grace enables us to keep and obey his word, this in itself is a reward, a blessing.

3. A book that demands a response. Vs.12-14

Having come before this book; a book that is pure, clean, morally right, lasting forever, firm and unshakable, a response is in order. Vs.12, "Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression." In front of this book, like standing before a mirror, we see our sins and transgressions. We are sinners already, so we ask the Lord to help us not to pile additional sins onto our existing sins. We ask for his forgiveness. This psalm teaches us not to take God's word lightly. In addition, not to take our sins lightly. His word is "living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:12-13). Before him, all we can say is, "Have mercy on me a sinner."(Luke18:13)

Besides recognizing our sins and ask for forgiveness, the word also draw us to its author: Vs.14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Yes, the word reveal our sinfulness, but not before a judge or accuser. Or else, our relationship with God will be one full of guilt and remorse. Instead, it draws us to our rock and Redeemer. He is our refuge, and the one who redeems us from our sins. He breaks loose the Sin's bond over us. As we come before this refuge and redeemer, we seek that our words and meditation be pleasing in his sight. This is a reference to worship. When we worship God, we offer ourselves to him. Out of gratitude, we come to worship and offer ourselves as a sacrifice. And we ask him to accept our offering.

Conclusion:

God writes two books to tell us about himself. He writes a big book, the universe. It is a book without words or sound, yet its message is loud and clear. Whenever we look at the heavens and the skies, we see his glory: his eternal power and divine nature. We utter, "oh lord my God, when I in awesome wonder, consider all the works thy hand hath made; I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed…..then sings my soul, how great thou art!"

God has also written a small book. It is a book with clarity of words. It is a book that is pure, right and lasting forever. This is a book meant for us to read and obey. And by reading and obeying it, that in itself is a reward. This book reveals to us our sinfulness, it teaches us about his forgiveness, and draws us to our Rock and Redeemer.

The psalm tells us that God reveals himself to us in the Universe. God reveals himself in written words. By now, as keen students of God's word, we also realize that no matter how good we are, our sacrifice to God is inadequate. Jesus Christ alone is that perfect sacrifice. His sacrifice is totally pleasing to God. Through his death and resurrection, our sins are completely forgiven, and we are also totally accepted by God. David tells us how God reveals to us through his creation. He also tells us how God reveals to us in written words. Moreover, it is also pointing to a day, when God's revelation will be complete when he reveals himself to us through Jesus Christ.

Rev. William Hsueh    Sep.22., 2002    Houston Chinese Church,  Houston, TX