Essentials Of The Faith / Sunday Morning Bible Study / Summer Psalms

Psalm 19  08/12/01

Introduction: When I was in the Army, I was stationed in Darmstadt, Germany. I was able to take a vacation in the Alps. There is something about taking the cable car to the summit of the Zugspitz, turning around and experiencing the breathtaking view from what seems to be the top of the world.

     Kathy and I have had the privilege of enjoying a few vacations in the Caribbean and one of our favorite activities is snorkeling. The water in the Caribbean is so clear and the fish so colorful, it too is breathtaking.

     I have been told that a similar feeling is had while driving in New England in the Fall during the changing of the leaves.

     Last Summer we vacationed in the Florida Keys. One day we went to Key West and found our way to Sunset Pier near Mallory Square. About 2 hours before sunset, the crowd began to gather. There were street vendors, a man with trained dogs, someone cutting up coconuts to drink with a machete and a man dressed in full Scottish regalia playing the bagpipes.

     There were so many people at the pier, you could hardly move. As the sun began to set, the bagpiper began to play Amazing Grace. When the sun had disappeared below the water line, the crowd went wild, cheering, yelling, clapping. I was so moved by what I had seen I yelled out...'Go God!' That sunset was unforgettable.

Explanation: Whether you are on the top of the Alps, driving through New England in the Fall, snorkeling in crystal clear waters off St. John, standing in Key West watching the sun set, or watering your rose bush in your back yard, when you take a few moments to pause and think about what you are seeing, it is hard not to think that there has got to be a designer for all this beauty. When you notice he natural wonder around you, and take the time to think about them, you are experiencing God through what is called natural or general revelation.

Background: We will examine Psalm 19 this morning which was written by David, who if you remember, was a shepherd in his early life. David spent many days and nights in the open fields and mountain pastures tending his family's sheep. Countless times, he gazed at the shimmering moon and stars at night and the brilliance of the sun during the day. And I am sure the sight took his breath away.

     David saw in the beauty of the sky, the revelation of God. And under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote Psalm 19. God speaks is the theme of this wonderful Psalm.

Transition: How exactly does God speak to us? Primarily two ways, according to Psalm 19. Through His works and through His Word. Turn in your Bibles to Ps. 19: vs 1 and lets listen to what God has to say.

I. God speaks though his works (Ps. 19:1-6)
Read: Ps. 19:1-6
    A. In Creation
         David is saying that everything in creation is designed to radiate, to reflect God's existence and attributes. This is what it means when the psalmist says 'the heavens are telling of the glory of God.' God's glory is his splendor, his nature revealed to humanity. All creation gives testimony, it exalts Him, affirms His attributes, reflects His character, praises Him for who He is and makes known to all, the awesome nature of Almighty God.

     In vs two David confirms this when he says 'Day to day pours for speech and night to night reveals knowledge.' Creation never stops glorifying God. And it doesn't do it in dribs and drabs. It 'pours forth speech'. The picture here is of a fountain gushing and overflowing it's walls. All of creation, from the fragrant rose, to the beauty of the changing leaves in Fall, to the plethora of colorful tropical fish, to the very stars themselves speaks and are not silent about God, they shout of His glory.
 Not only does Creation continually and abundantly testify to the glory and greatness of God, it's testimony is universal.  Creation speaks w/o words so that everyone , everywhere can hear it's testimony by what it sees.

     The psalmist says 'their line or sound has gone out through all the earth and their utterances to the end of the world.' There is no one, anywhere who can stand before God and say that they didn't know there was a God. The knowledge of God has been revealed continuously and abundantly throughout all the earth.

     The Psalmist further describes the universal aspect of Creations testimony to God in vs 4-6 where he uses 3 images.

         -He says that the testimony of God's existence and attributes is as public as a bridegroom who eaves his house and
          comes to the center square to be wed to his wife.

         -He says the testimony of God's existence and attributes are as evident as the joy on a runners face when he runs the
          entire course and returns to claim his prize.

         -And finally, he says the testimony of God's existence and attributes are as all encompassing as the sun which circles the
          globe each day bring light and heat to all inhabitants of the earth.

Transition: Even though creation's testimony to God's existence and attributes is continuous, abundant and universal, there is a problem. We are unwilling to truly see God because of our sin. Paul had this in mind when he wrote...

Romans 1:18-20 'For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.'

     We need more than just God's works in creation, we need God to speak our own language..we need to hear God through His Word. And that is exactly what the Psalmist tells us about in vs 7-14.

Sidebar: But before we look at that, I want to take a brief sidebar. In vs 7-14 we see the tone of the psalm change. Instead of reading about God our creator we read about God our Lord. In vs 1-6 the Psalmist uses the Hebrew word El for God. It is a generic, universal name for God. But in vs 7-14 the psalmist uses YHWY, Jehovah. We see it as Lord.

  This is contextually and practically important because it shows us that through natural or general revelation we can only know that there is a creator God. It is, however, only by special revelation, or through the Word of God that we can know God in a personal way that leads to salvation.

Turn in your Bibles to vs 7, where we will see that...
II. God speaks through his Word (Ps. 19:7-14)

     In verses 7-11 we find an example of what is called Hebrew Parallelism. By parallelism I mean, the six statements in vs 7-11 are all talking about one thing...the Word of God and they are giving equal yet more full explanations of the nature of God's special revelation.

   A. God's Word is to be obeyed (vs 7-11)
     Let's take a closer look at Davids parallel statements about the Word of God.

1. The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul.
    -Law: Torah. It has it's root in the word instruction and means that all we know about God gives us the basis for life and
     action.Scripture/the Word of God would be a good English equivalent.

     -Perfect, restoring the soul: Perfect, means complete. Nothing else is needed. It covers all aspects of life. It is alone
      sufficient. For what? To restore or a  more literal translation would be 'to convert' the soul.  The goal of God's Word is to
      internalize it's truth   into the heart of the individual, to transform or regenerate his life to perfect and eternal peace and
      fellowship with our creator.

2. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the  simple.
     -Testimony: Testimony is the best word. It is an aspect of truth told or testified to by God Himself.

     -Sure, making wise the simple: Sure means trustworthy, faithful. What God has to say about Himself is truth and when
      we trust God's Word we become wise unto salvation.

3. The Precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart.
     -Precepts: Commands or orders with authority.

     -Right, rejoicing the heart: Not only are they correct, they are straight, not crooked. they will never lead you in the wrong
      direction. They will always lead you to God's presence where there is eternal  joy.

4. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
     -Commandment: same as precepts, orders or commands showing the authority of the one giving them.

    -Pure, enlightening the eyes: Refined, basic as in   pure water, not having anything else mixed with  it. And it light is so
      pure that it  shines our path so that we may see that which is right and good and holy and just. The idea here is that the
      Word of God illuminates our life so that we will not stumble.

NOTE: There is another Psalm that speaks to great length about the Word of God. Ps. 119. Specifically 119:105 says...

5. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever
     -Fear: The Word of God is here described by the effect it has on those who believe it.

     -Clean, enduring forever: Incorruptible, w/o decay. Nothing but the Word of God will last forever, unchanged and
      always true. Why? Because the Word of God is grounded in thecharacter of God which is unchanging and true.

6. The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether.
     -Judgments: Decisions, verdicts.

     -True, righteous altogether: We often think that life is not fair because there is so much injustice in the world. It is a
      comfort to know that God's decisions are always correct.

    To the one who obeys this special revelation from  God, His Word, it will be more desirable, more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey. Not only because of what we have already learned but because through our knowledge of and obedience to the Word of God we will be warned about sin and he goes on to speak about that in vs 12-14.

Transition: There, David gives his personal reaction or response to the truth of God's Written Word. Look at vs 12-14

    B. The Believers response to God's Word. (vs 12-14)
Read: Ps. 19:12-14

     Thinking about the truth and beauty of the Word of God and his need to obey it, brought David to his knees. He realized that he had not completely obeyed God's Word and was guilty of sin. He asked God to forgive and cleanse him of his sin, so that he could live an upright, blameless life acceptable before God.

     No individual can understand the true state of his or her own heart. We need the mirror of God's Word to reveal our sin to us. We need the truth and warning of God's Word to keep us from presumptuous or intentional sin. We need the truth of God's Word to reign in our hearts so that we do not allow sin to rule over our lives.

     And where does David see the beginning point? His mouth. Just as all creation testifies w/o words to the glory of God, so must our mouths use actual speech to bring honor and glory  to the one who created  and saved us. David reminds us that it is in the heart where our words first form. And our heart must be in enraptured, wholly in love with God. Filled with His Spirit so that we might be faithful in our testimony of God's existence and glorious attributes.

Conclusion
     Christian, what is your life saying, testifying about the existence and glory of God? Your answer is directly related to your obedience to the Word of God and  your appreciation of God revelation of Himself in nature.

     Are you regularly reading the written revelation of God, the Bible?

     Are you allowing it to permeate your mind and delve into the depths of your being so that it influences every aspect of your life...at home, at work, at school, when you are on vacation?

     Are you so enamored by God that His Word drives you to your knees for regular and heartfelt confession of your sin?

     Are you so blessed by God's presence in your life that you are giving testimony to God's existence and glory in ways others can see?

     Are you taking time, pausing to look and think about God's creation?

     I know all of you are busy, both here at CBC and in your lives apart from the church. And I hate having to ask you to do one more thing...But I am going to ask you to do two, very important things and to do them consistently.

 1. Appreciate what God has created. Rejoice that He intended it to bring you pleasure.
     Celebrate with all creation the glory of our creator.

 2. Read, study, live, breath, the living Word of God. It will become more valuable than gold and sweeter than honey to you.
     When that happens you will obey it and your reward will be great.

     Open your eyes and ears and see the invisible God revealed in all His glory. Then testify with your whole being to the same.

                                                          The heavens tell of the glory of God.....are you?