Psalm 19--The Law of the LORD Is Perfect

Psalm 19
English Standard Version

The Law of the LORD Is Perfect
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
19 The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
    making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the LORD are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the LORD is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
    and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

​14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

---

Remember these words from Psalm 119 as you will hear them often in music and in other psalms (like Psalm 119).  "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."  There are so many things that we are meant to sit and look at, but not just enjoy.  They are meant to make us recognize God's "invisible attributes" as we are told in Romans 1--they are clearly known to us if we look at creation.  This also tells us why God made a universe so big and intricate-it's all to bring Him glory.  In fact, that is the next thing David says--these things are revealed to us day after day, night after night, and are understood universally by all people of all languages.

The Sun is compared to a bridegroom, strong, might, powerful, and arrayed in splendor (it was the groom, not the bride who was and is the focus of the wedding in Jewish weddings, and it will be this way for the wedding in heaven too--it's all about Jesus).  The Sun reminds us of God's piercing sign that sees all--nothing is hidden from Him, and His holiness that you can't get too close to Him or you'll be consumed, and His judgment that the heat of the Sun is just a taste of the fervent heat that those who experience His wrath will feel.  Just like the Sun is good, but not safe, so it is with God.

​This next part is the part that's repeated again in Psalm 119 (which focuses totally on the Law of the LORD).  I encourage you all to memorize verses 7-11.  It will change the way that you think about the Old Testament, specifically the first five books that we normally call the Law, but more generically, it will change how we think about obedience to God's commands in general.  Jesus said that if we love Him, we will keep His commandments, and He told those who were "lawless" (lived like there was no Law) in Matthew 7 to "Depart from Me" and "I never knew you."  We cannot claim to be made into the image of Christ who was submissive to the will of the Father and obedient to His every command--and loved it, because it was a reflection of His own nature--and hate the Law, while saying we love the one who is the Law-Giver.  There Law has its place in helping expose people's need for Christ and showing how much we love God and have been changed by Him, but it was never intended for us to earn our way to heaven by acts of compliance with the Law either apart from Christ or even after Christ (our salvation is secure apart from the Law, but even though we are saved by grace through faith and not of works, we are saved unto good works--see Ephesians 2:8-9).  "The fear of the LORD" talked about in these verses is our obedience to whether that be out of genuine fear of God or respect and love for Him.  Do not discourage the unsaved from being fearful of God--they should be careful how they approach Him.  Typically, I only quote the Bible here, but I'll use a quote from The Chronicles of Narnia here that you all may not have caught was related to this Scriptural truth of God being powerful and holy (you must keep your distance if you are "unclean"), but He is also good.


“Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

I think verse 11 tells us why we as Christians should still pay attention to and love the Law of the LORD.  "11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."  How many of us feel like there a "great reward" to obedience?  Well, there is, it's just not here and now, but we'll see it one day at the Bema Seat of Christ when the wood, hay and stubble are burned away and only that which glorifying to God--the gold, silver, and precious stones--will remain so that we can cast all these treasures at the feet of Jesus.  These treasures will be in accordance with what we do here and now that is glorifying to Him, which will always be in compliance with the Law.

The next portion reminds me of the book of Job.  God doesn't make any mistakes.  It does no good to challenge Him.  He has no equal--not even Satan.  Every man must submit to the knowledge, power, wisdom and strength of the LORD and bow before Him.  He need not explain Himself to you, but we are sure that His actions are all perfect, just, and true, because He always acts within His nature.  We do not put God to the test or accuse Him of wrongdoing.

David then asks for help with God keeping him from sin so that he can walk blameless before the LORD (in the same way that Job did).  We should also desire to be people of integrity so that others may see God living in and through us and see the power and truth of the gospel in our lives as we show and tell it, and that we may give great glory to God not only in our words and songs, but in our minds, souls, and bodies.  "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."  Those are some words to live by and it is often how I end my prayers by praying that God would be glorified in everything we say, do, and think.