"THE BOOK OF PSALMS"

Psalm 19 - God's Two Books

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM
  1. To note two ways God has made Himself known to mankind
  2. To be impressed with the value of God's revealed Will, i.e., the Word of God
  3. To be reminded of the need for sanctification, and not just forgiveness
SUMMARY

This well-known psalm of David might be appropriately titled "God's Two Books", for in it we are told how God has expressed Himself in two different ways.

Through the book of creation, the glory and handiwork of God are made known as one observes the heavens and firmament. Day and night "speaks" to the whole world if people will just listen (cf. Ro 1:20). As an illustration of the pervasive nature of this revelation, the sun passes through the heavens from one end to the other, like a joyful bridegroom or a strong runner. There is no place hidden from its heat (1-6).

While one might learn of God's power and the fact of His deity through nature, we learn of His Will for man only through His book of revelation, i.e., the Word of God. Using different synonyms for God's Word (law, testimony, statutes, etc.), David extols its virtue and impact upon the soul and well-being of man. He praises it value as worth more than much gold, and sweeter than honey (7-11).

The psalm ends with a prayer that is a proper response of one who has been influenced by both "books". Acknowledging the challenge of knowing one's own secret sins (cf. Ps 40:12; Lev 5:15-17), and the danger of sinning presumptuously (cf. Num 15:30-31; Deut 17:12-13), David prays for cleansing and help that he might be blameless and innocent. But he desires more than just forgiveness, David prays that his future words and thoughts will always be acceptable in the sight of the Lord, the source of his strength and redemption (12-14).

OUTLINE
  1. THE GLORY OF GOD IN CREATION (19:1-6)
    1. DECLARED BY THE SKIES (1-4a)
      1. The heavens declare God's glory
      2. The firmaments shows His handwork
      3. The days and nights speak of His knowledge
        1. Such speech is universal
        2. Its distribution is worldwide
    2. DEMONSTRATED BY THE SUN (4b-6)
      1. The skies are like a tabernacle for the sun
      2. The sun passes through the skies
        1. Like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber
        2. Like a strong man rejoices in anticipation of his race
      3. The effect of the sun is universal
        1. From one end of heaven to the other
        2. Nothing is hidden from its heat
  2. THE GIFT OF GOD IN REVELATION (19:7-11)
    1. THE VIRTUE OF GOD'S WORD (7-9)
      1. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul
      2. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple
      3. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart
      4. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes
      5. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever
      6. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous forever
    2. THE VALUE OF GOD'S WORD (10-11)
      1. More desirable than much fine gold
      2. Sweeter than honey and the honeycomb
      3. By them God's servant is warned
      4. Keeping them has great reward
  3. THE GRACE OF GOD IN SANCTIFICATION (19:12-14)
    1. A PRAYER FOR PURIFICATION (12)
      1. The difficulty of understanding (knowing) one's errors
      2. Plea for cleansing from secret faults (sins of which one is not aware)
    2. A PRAYER FOR PREVENTION (13)
      1. Plea to be kept from the domination of presumptuous sins (sins of which one is aware)
      2. Then one shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression
    3. A PRAYER FOR PERFECTION (14)
      1. That the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart be acceptable in His sight
      2. Addressed to the Lord, the source of his strength and his redemption
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM
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  1. What are the main points of this psalm?
    - The glory of God in creation (1-6)
    - The gift of God in revelation (7-11)
    - The grace of God in sanctification (12-14)
  2. Who is the author of this psalm?
    - David
  3. What is the character or style of this psalm?
    - Praise and prayer
  4. What declares God's glory, and shows His handiwork? (1)
    - The heavens and the firmament (skies)
  5. What speaks knowledge about God's glory? (2)
    - The passing of day and night
  6. Where is this knowledge of God's glory heard? (3-4)
    - Through all the earth; there is no place it cannot be known
  7. What provides an illustration of the pervasive reach of God's glory? (4b-6)
    - The circuit of the sun from one end of heaven to the other
  8. What six synonyms are used for the Word of God? (7-9)
    - The law of the Lord
    - The testimony of the Lord
    - The statutes of the Lord
    - The commandment of the Lord
    - The fear of the Lord
    - The judgments of the Lord
  9. What six attributes and benefits describe the Word of God? (7-9)
    - Perfect, converting the soul
    - Sure, making wise the simple
    - Right, rejoicing the heart
    - Pure, enlightening the eyes
    - Clean, enduring forever
    - True and righteous altogether
  10. How does David compare the value of God's Word? (10)
    - More desirable than much fine gold
    - Sweeter than the honey and honeycomb
  11. What two things are true of the words of God? (11)
    - By them the servant of God is warned
    - Keeping them offers great reward
  12. What concern does David have regarding "secret faults"? (12)
    - Who can understand (know) them?
    - To be cleansed from them
  13. For what does he pray concerning "presumptuous sins"? (13)
    - To be kept back from them
    - To not be dominated by them
  14. What is David's prayer as he closes the psalm? (14)
    - That the words of his mouth and the mediation of his heart be acceptable in God's sight
  15. How does David view God? (14)
    - As his strength and his redeemer