PSALM 19 (Part 2): The Wonders of His Word (Psalm 19:7-14)

Ps 19 transitions from God's general revelation in Creation (v1-6), to His special revelation in His written Word, which is more comprehensive, detailed, clearer & personal. Men can misunderstand God’s nature, when they see evil in the world, as nature is corrupted by the curse, so sends mixed signals. So, we need a clearer revelation of God - His perfect Word, without error & extolled in v7-11. v7-9 lists 6 descriptions of His Word (its nature), followed by 6 things it does if we receive it (its power). (1) “The LAW of the LORD is PERFECT (inerrant, complete & sufficient revelation of God & His will for us, 2Pet 1:3-4, 2Tim 3:16-17), converting (restoring, reviving) the soul.” (2) “The TESTIMONY (His witness to Himself) of the LORD is SURE (dependable, Ps 119:89), making wise the simple (imparting wisdom for life to the humble).” (3) “The STATUTES (instructions) of the LORD are RIGHT (morally right, not crooked), rejoicing (giving satisfaction to) the heart.” (4) “The COMMANDMENT (not suggestion) of the LORD is PURE (lit: 'radiant') enlightening the eyes (illumination for life).” (5) “The FEAR of the LORD (it reveals His majesty, authority & holiness, producing in us the fear of God - Deut 4:10), is CLEAN (free from impurity, making us clean, by imparting the fear of God to us), enduring forever (enabling us to endure forever - 1Pet 1:23-25, 1Jn 2:17).” (6) The JUDGMENTS (verdicts) of the LORD are true and righteous altogether (guiding us to think & act right). In view of its origin, nature & transforming power, we should value & embrace it above all earthly things, for it’s both (1) desirable & (2) enjoyable: “(1) More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold (Prov 3:13-18), (2) sweeter also than honey & the honeycomb” (v10). It imparts (1) spiritual riches & (2) the sweet grace of God. How much we value matters, for where our treasure is, so is our heart (Luke 12:34), and the measure of attention we give His Word determines the blessing we receive (Mark 4:24). It can accomplish all things in v7-10, as it’s the Word 'of the Lord' (repeated x6), revealing the Lord of the Word. Thru His Word we find, meet & know God personally. We come into union with Him by faith, and so receive His life, wisdom, blessing, light, strength & cleansing (Jn 5:39-40). The Lord Himself imparts Himself to us thru His Word, and works wonder in our lives. So, if you desire God, desire His Word, not just for its +ve impartation of blessing (v10), but also as it reveals & warns us of our sin, bringing repentance & cleansing, for sin separates us from God & His life: “Moreover, by them (God's words) Your servant is warned (of folly, sin & dangers), and in keeping them there is great reward” (v11) God's purpose in revealing Himself thru His Word, is for us to know Him as our Redeemer & Rock (Strength). Thus, the 3rd Part describes our right response to His revelation (v12-14). His Word reveals His perfection & by contrast our sin. He also reveals Himself as our Redeemer from sin & Strength empowering us to walk in righteousness (v14). Sin impedes our fellowship with God, so we must turn from it, asking for cleansing (v12,13), & surrender to God, for Him to fill us with His Spirit & strengthen us to do His will (v14). There are 2 kinds of sin (1) of ignorance & (2) deliberate sin. 1st, he prays about 2 kinds of sins of which he’s unaware: “(1) Who can understand his errors? (2) Cleanse me from secret faults” (v12). Though hidden to us, they darken our soul. He asks God to (1) reveal his errors of thinking & (2) cleanse sins done in ignorance. He opens his heart to God's light, inviting His cleansing (1Jn 1:7). Then he prays about his wilful sins (1Jn 1:9): “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous (wilful) sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then (1) I shall be blameless, & (2) be innocent of great transgression” (v13). When we yield to our sin-nature, we become enslaved to that sin, so it becomes habitual, increasingly ruling us & forming our character, resulting in much sin. Only God can (1) cleanse us of hidden faults (v12) & (2) empower us to overcome deliberate sinning (v13). It ends with a prayer of surrender & trust: “Let the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord my STRENGTH (ROCK) and my REDEEMER” (v14). A plea for purity, knowing only God can make us holy, using the language ('acceptable') of an offering to God (Ro 12:1). Real godliness is not just about our actions, but originates in the thoughts of our heart, expressed in words (Matt 12:33-37), so we should meditate on His works & words. He offers his heart-meditations & words to God, inviting His consuming fire to purify him. He ends by confessing God as his (1) Redeemer & (2) Rock of Strength, firm Foundation, upholding him with His righteousness, imparting His power for living right. As we pray v12-14, God purifies our hearts.