[19:1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims
his handiwork.
19:2 Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge.
19:3 There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
19:4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the
world. In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
19:5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy, and like a strong man
runs its course with joy.
19:6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and
nothing is hid from its heat.]
19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are
sure, making wise the simple;
19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the
LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes;
19:9 the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are
true and righteous altogether.
19:10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than
honey, and drippings of the honeycomb.
19:11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
19:12 But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
19:13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over
me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O
LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Ah, often I heard either the first part of this Psalm quoted about the magnificent nature point to the creator; or I heard the second part in regard to His Law, but I’ve never realized that they are together in one Psalm. As the NKJV summarized, this Psalm is about “God’s perfect revelation” (both in nature and in the Word; of course this is before the ultimate revelation in Jesus the incarnate Son).
From this text, we see a progression from general nature of God’s revelation in the universe as a backdrop to a more specific revelation came from His Word in the foreground. From examine the universe, scientists may be convinced that there is a Grand Designer out there; but they will not be able to know if this Designer is actively interested in human affair or not. Getting there requires knowing the Word.
But the way the Word designed was not only to let us know with the mind only, but to encompass all of our being in a total experience of the spiritual: 1) It’s perfect (“blameless: with a focus of being guiltless and not liable for sin or wrong”) for revive our dead soul; 2) It is a solidly reliable foundation to build our metal wisdom on; 3) It is upright, bring joy to our emotional heart; 4) It is clear/straight-forward for our eyes to see; 5) It is clean/pure/flawless and endure forever; 6) It is real/truthful and righteous...
The only problem is that the above descriptions may not be an experiential reality in my life. I may know all that in theory. But do I really desire the Word more than any other stuff I saw from the Fine Living channel on DirecTV?
Often in the creative tension of balancing cultural relevancies and faithfulness to the Word; we were tossing back and forth between the two polars. But here is the somber reality from David: generic revelations from the universe (as well as culture) will not help our personal lives when it comes to the primary issue of dealing with sins. At the end of the Psalm, David concluded that by the Word, God can help us: 1) discern our wrong doings (especially when no one else dare or love you enough to confront the pastors). 2) He can also acquit our sins when we fail; and 3) prevent us from stumble again.
Yesterday’s “For Better or Worse” comic strip in the paper has the story of a fat guy coming to a gym to work out for his New-Year’s resolution. There he met the main character running on the treadmill. After some introduction, the main character introduced himself as a member of the club for the last few years. The fat guy take a hard look at the main character, get off and want his refund back from the main desk. If we Christians remain powerless over the sins of our lives and be just like other people of the world, why would anyone want what we have to offer anyway? And if I as the spiritual leader of the people won’t make any headway in my own journey of following Christ, where am I taking my people to?
Oh God, may I be deeper in your Word, and my sins will be dealt with...
Coho, Midway City
Oh, gosh, I guess I'm feeling cynical today.
v. 7 - the word revives the soul? hmmmm... revives to what? restores and reestablishes our souls to the limit of what WE desire to feel/be/do? It's interesting RE-VIVE is to re-make-alive. Have we ever been alive enough? The revival movement was not re-establishing what already was, but strived for the "greater gifts" (I Cor 12) of pushing towards new heights.
v. 14 - one of our Sunday school classes recites this at the end of each of their lessons. Interesting that this is the most rutted of our groups (if I had it to judge - haha). This is the class that houses our most bitter member, also -(and I might add one with considerable influence in the rest of the congregation). Putting myself in their shoes, and knowing them well enough that they at least DESIRE to have words and meditations acceptable to the Lord, it puts me in mind of just how often we re-phrase this verse in our minds to read,
"O Lord, my rock and my redeemer, the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart are acceptable to you."
Sitting in church doesn't make me a Christian any more than sitting in a hen house makes me a hen. Words for all of us.
Sally in GA
In this psalm, God is revealed both in the mysterious workings of the universe and in the order and goodness of the law. In keeping the law, one is drawn into God's community.
Unisgned - that's one way to look at it... and how they would have looked at it back then.
Post-Christ, however, it begs the question of prevenient grace ... we're mysteriously drawn to God not by keeping the law but because creates us to desire him.
Come to think of it, WEsley probably would have STILL said it was God's grace that created in humanity the desire to seek and/or follow God's law.
Grace and law are inseparable and, far from a Ying and Yang point of view, are mysteriously one and the same.
Hope that made sense ... I'm typing fast.
Sally
