“‘More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb’ (19:10). One can well understand this being said of God’s mercies, God’s visitations, His attributes. But what the poet is actually talking about is God’s law, His commands; His ‘rulings’... For the whole poem is about the Law…This was to me at first very mysterious. ‘Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery’ – I can understand that a man can, and must, respect these ‘statutes’, and try to obey them, and assent to them in his heart. But it is very hard to find how they could be, so to speak, delicious, how they exhilarate. If this is difficult at any time, it is doubly so when obedience to either is opposed to some strong, and perhaps in itself innocent, desire.” (Lewis, C. S. Reflections on the Psalms. pp. 63-64. HarperCollins. Kindle Edition)
“This (the Psalmist’s evaluation of God’s law) is not priggery nor even scrupulosity (like we do sometimes); it is the language of a man ravished by a moral beauty.” (Lewis, Reflections, p. 69)
For those who would like to increase their knowledge and understanding of the Psalms, here is an in-depth overview video to the Psalms: www.faithlafayette.org/thepsalms
Overarching Psalms Description
The Psalms’ Contents – primarily express the prayers of King David. King David was God’s chosen king of Israel to reign over God’s kingdom. Additionally, the Psalms contain prayers of God’s people as they hope for God’s kingdom to be established on earth through God’s king.
The Psalms’ Tension – David’s and God’s people’s prayers arise because God’s kingdom doesn’t seem to come as expected. The glorious vision of God’s king reigning over all found in Psalm 2 doesn’t seem to happen. The king is suffering – Psalm 3 (and the rest of the lament psalms) – at the hands of enemies and the nations. King David sins (Psalms 32, 51) and shows himself not to be the perfect king reigning in justice. So, what will happen to God’s promises and people?
The Psalms’ Instruction—During these trials while awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promises, the psalms model for us the prayers of God’s people as they learn –
- to take their concerns and injustices to the Lord – lament
- to trust in the Lord – lament should turn to trust
- to give thanks in all things
- to walk during suffering/injustice according to God’s word – Psalm 1, Psalm 19, Psalm 119 – this is the key!
- and to wait for the Lord’s to fulfill all His promises with the perfect king, and kingdom in God’s timing.
The Psalms’ Progression – The collection of psalms moves from a predominance of lament in the first part of the collection to a crescendo of praise as God’s people come to learn that God is reigning and will bring about redemption through a Davidic King – according to the Lord’s covenant with David (2 Samuel 7).
3 actions to take to develop a deep delightful thankfulness for the revelation of God
I. Gaze at the Powerful Word of God from the Past to Give Us a Footing – Creation (vv. 1-6)
5 stabilizing “rocks” from hearing the word of God spoken in the past that give us a footing in this world:
A. Divine “Weightiness” – “Glory,” there is a God
B. Divine Power – "the work of His Hands”
C. Divine Provision – A “sun” making its circuit in the heavens – means a home for humans on the earth
D. Divine Authority and Ordained Structure – Creation “obeys” Him
E. Universal Knowledge of these truths – nothing hidden
General Revelation – The self-disclosure of God himself manifested in creation that is available to all who will “see” the past spoken Word of God and “hear” its speechless message – there is an immensely powerful God, who is your king, has made a home for you in His creation, and you are subject to Him.
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.
II. Hear the Personal Word of God in the Present (vv. 7-9) to Transform Us
2 redeeming aspects of God’s personal word today:
A. Reiterates His desire for partnership with His people
The terms “law, testimony, statues, judgements” are all references not primarily to “rules” but to God’s gracious covenant that He made personally with His people.
Deuteronomy 4:6 - So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
B. Reestablishes a “tree of life” for His people for dwelling with Him
1. The law of the Lord – Revives life (v. 7)
2. The testimony of the Lord – Makes wise (v. 7)
3. The precepts of the Lord – Rejoices the heart (v. 8)
4. The commandment of the Lord – Enlightens the eyes (v. 8)
5. The fear of the Lord (based in the word of God) – Endures forever (v. 9 cf. Proverbs 19:23, 14:27)
6. The judgments – Righteous (v. 9)
Deuteronomy 32:46-47 - Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life…
Specific Revelation: God’s personal revelation spoken through His word that reveals the full glory of God including his salvation plans for mankind. Only specific revelation in contrast to general revelation is sufficient for life.
III. Speak the Proper Word in Response to God’s Revelation (vv. 10-14)
Our words of response to God’s words of revelation:
A. Proclaim the revelation of God as the greatest delight (v. 10)
Psalm 19:10 - They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
B. Acknowledge the beautiful ways of God in contrast to our ways (v. 11)
Psalm 19:11 - Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
C. Plea for forgiveness and blamelessness (v. 12-13)
Psalm 19:12-13 - Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
D. Sing a hymn like this one – Rock and Redeemer (v. 14)
Psalm 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
I have mentioned from the pulpit before my favorite movie scene of all time—of all my short 54 years.
And to everyone’s surprise my favorite scene does not come in any Star Wars film
It was at the end of the third movie, in the Lord of the Rings series, The Return of the King.
When Frodo collapses in the final stretch heading up to Mt. Doom to cast the ring of power into the fires of Mordor.
Frodo after a grueling journey, cannot take one more step.
And at that moment, Sam, his best friend shouts, “I can’t carry the ring, but I can carry you.”
In that one self-less act, Sam carries the narrative toward its ultimate end—bringing the chaotic world racked with evil back toward peace and harmony.
Similarly, when Harry Potter recognizes that part of the evil Voldemort is in him and there is only one way to defeat Voldemort-the boy who lives must die—neither can live while the other survives. Harry resolutely sets his sights on what he must do—Sacrifice himself to bring order and harmony back to the world plagued by evil.
The most delightful resolutions of movie plot lines are when we see things like
- The selfless sacrifice to bring the fantasy world of the story back into order harmony and peace.
- The willingness to bear the burden for some injustice for finally justice to be served
- And the turning of evil into good through these acts.
These are delightful!
Why are they delightful?
Because the giving of self for the sake of others
- in order to bear the cost,
- or to give life,
- or to bring justice is the beautiful way of our God
Thomas Howard in the book, The Night Far Spent states that the “choreography of heaven” is “My life for yours.”
Whether its Tony Stark, Obi wan Kenobi, or you in your work place
…giving of self,
….bearing the cost for others….
it is a beautiful—delightful thing.
Now, let me turn our attention to possibly something that we don’t see as beautiful in the same way…but I hope that will change after today.
Psalm 19 is a hymn primary about the beauty of God’s Law.
You say, “Law” really?!!!
You and C.S. Lewis may share the same sentiment when he says….
‘More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb’ (19:10). One can well understand this being said of God’s mercies, God’s visitations, His attributes. But what the poet is actually talking about is God’s law, His commands; His ‘rulings’ …. For the whole poem is about the Law, ….. This was to me at first very mysterious. ‘Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery’—I can understand that a man can, and must, respect these ‘statutes’, and try to obey them, and assent to them in his heart. But it is very hard to find how they could be, so to speak, delicious, how they exhilarate. If this is difficult at any time, it is doubly so when obedience to either is opposed to some strong, and perhaps in itself innocent, desire. Lewis, C. S. Reflections on the Psalms (pp. 63-64). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.
How is it that the law of God, filled with all kinds of rules and regulations can even compare to the delight resolution of a good movie in terms of heroic self-sacrifice?
What is more, the language in this Psalm 19, (and in fact Psalm 1, and Psalm 119) is more than just obligatory honor to God….
C.S. Lewis goes on to say this is the language of a man in love…
This (the Psalmist’s evaluation of God’s law) is not priggery nor even scrupulosity (like we do sometimes); it is the language of a man ravished by a moral beauty Lewis, Reflections, (p. 69).
Ravished by beauty—that of a man ravished by the beauty of a woman.
How is that possible?
With that question in mind turn in your bibles to page 399 in the front section of the Bible in the chair in front of you to Psalms 19
All year long we have been discussing Growing in Gospel Gratitude
We started the year with a study in the book of Philippians which is essentially a thank you letter to a dear church.
Over the summer we studied Handling Criticism—because a critical heart or not handling criticism well will deprive the soul of gratitude
Today, we are starting a new series today—The Heart of Thanksgiving
This will be a study of selective Psalms throughout the collections of poems know to us as “The Psalms.”
I would like to start by giving you a summary of my synthesis of the message of the book of Psalms.
You may ask, “Message? The Psalms have a message?”
And I would say, “yes”
The psalms are not just a random collection of thrown together ancient Hebrew poetry.
The compilation does reflect an orderly intentionality.
For a brief overview of the structure of the Psalms see the video that I made at this link: www.faithlafayette.org/thepsalms
Overarching Psalms Description
The Psalms’ Contents —primarily express the prayers of King David. King David was God’s chosen king of Israel to reign over God’s kingdom. Additionally, the Psalms contain prayers of God’s people as they hope for God’s kingdom to be established on earth through God’s king.
The Psalms’ Tension—David’s and God’s people’s prayers arise because God’s kingdom doesn’t seem to come as expected. The glorious vision of God’s king reigning over all found in Psalm 2 doesn’t seem to happen. The king is suffering—Psalm 3 (and the rest of the lament psalms)—at the hands of enemies and the nations. King David sins (Psalms 32, 51) and shows himself not to be the perfect king reigning in justice. So, what will happen to God’s promises and people?
The Psalms’ Instruction—During these trials while awaiting the fulfillment of God’s promises, the psalms model for us the prayers of God’s people as they learn—
- to take their concerns and injustices to the Lord—lament
- to trust in the Lord—lament should turn to trust
- to give thanks in all things
- to walk during suffering/injustice according to God’s word— Psalm 1, Psalm 19, Psalm 119—this is the key!!!
- and to wait for the Lord’s to fulfill all His promises with the perfect king, and kingdom in God’s timing.
The Psalms’ Progression—The collection of psalms moves from a predominance of lament in the first part of the collection to a crescendo of praise as God’s people come to learn that God is reigning and will bring about redemption through a Davidic King—according to the Lord’s covenant with David (2 Samuel 7).
Because of this movement from lament to praise, we are entitling our series “The Heart of Thanksgiving”
This series will briefly go through September and October until Stewardship month will detail select Psalms that strengthen God’s people to be a people of thanksgiving as we also await for God’s unfolding plan as did God’s people of old.
Today we are speaking about
God’s Gracious Revelation as the Foundation for Thanksgiving
Psalm 19
For the choir director. A Psalm of David.
1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God (say “god” this is the general title for the creator);
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
4 Their (sound) line has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
In them He has placed a tent for the sun,
5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber (after honeymoon night);
It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.
6Its rising is from one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord (Notice this is the personal name of God) is perfect, restoring 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 judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
(Note: these verses, Psalm 19, have been the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart—what filled his heart is the beauty of God’s revelation in creation and the law, and then his mouth speak about it)
First question—is this the kind of meditation of your heart that goes on day by day and out of your mouth comes—God’s word is more delightful than silver or gold, or taste better than the most delightful meal ever?
The psalmists closes with …
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
I think you will see why he chose those two words as we make our way through the Psalm.
Today let’s focus on
Three actions to take to develop a deep delightful thankfulness for the revelation of God.
The first action to take is to
I. Gaze at the Powerful Word of God from the Past to Give Us a Footing—Creation (vv. 1–6)
C.S. Lewis in his opinion says of Psalm 19, “I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.”
Psalm 19 it THE GOAT—The greatest of all time—according to Lewis.
Let me show just a bit of its beauty.
I have Psalm 19:1–4 on the screen for you.
[HAVE ON PPT BUT NOT ON HANDOUT]
1The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
4Their line (sound) has gone out through all the earth,
And their utterances to the end of the world.
I have underlined all the words associated with speech—creation speaks
Now, look at what the Psalmist does though—Creation speaks, but it does so how?—without words [ Kari—have the circled items come in at one time on PPT]
Creation is speechless speech communicating about God!
We can hear what is communicated although there are no sounds!
Creation as it exists today is the past result of God’s Spoken Word
How do I get that?—How did creation come to be in Genesis 1—God Spoke!
The Genesis 1 creation refrain is “Then God said” and “it was so”
Creation is a result of God’s word and his word still “pours forth” /gushes— knowledge about Him.
Illustration: What do words do? Consider this, the moment I engage in communication, taking words in my mouth and sharing them with you is the moment I reveal something about myself. Today I started with an illustration about my favorite movie scene and mentioned for the umpteenth time a side reference to star wars…what do my words reveal about me—how shallow I am, my words reveal a bit about my movie preferences, you know me more because of my communication, my use of words.
That is what language does…Words reveal….that is what the Word of God did in the beginning and because the Word of God stands forever…in creation, that spoken word long ago still speaks.
As we look at the revelation of God in creation what do we hear….
We hear how creation is shouting God is your stabilizing footing/foundation….
Five stabilizing “rocks” from hearing the word of God spoken in the past that give us a footing in this world
Here is what we hear creation declaring
Divine “Weightiness”—“Glory,” there is a God
The heavens declare the “what” of God?
The “glory” of God. Say “glory”
The term glory in the OT is so common and it means “the weightiness or significance
And when used of God it is saying the weightiness of this entity in contrast to any other thing…
Creation declares that there is a weighty being out there
There is a god…Creation is proof there is a God.
What else is creation saying that you need to hear to give you a footing in this world?
That God has
Divine Power—"the work of His Hands”
What do you make with your hands?…I make emails
- Maybe you make houses
- Maybe you make cakes and dinners
- Maybe you construct tall buildings
What does God make?—the universe—He is immensely powerful
What else is creation saying that you need to hear to give you a footing in this world?
That God has given
Divine Provision—A “sun” making its circuit in the heavens—means a home for humans on the earth
This Psalm obviously refers to Genesis 1 and later I at least reference Gen 1–3
The Psalmist singles out the biggest object in creation from humans’ standpoint—the sun
And according to Gen 1, the Sun was given to govern the seasons for the benefit of mankind…The Genesis 1 story climaxes not with the Sun, but with the creation of mankind
God made creation for mankind…and that tells us something about God..
He made a home for us.
And he is wanting to do something with us
We are His people
What else is creation saying that you need to hear to give you a footing in this world?
God has
Divine Authority and Ordained Structure—Creation “obeys” Him
Did you notice that the Sun runs its course?
The sun has an ordained role?
Creation obeys God.
The implication is that if creation obeys God…then who else should obey?
Mankind!
The current gender and sexual confusion that our western society is experiencing is nothing other than a rebellion against God’s established created order.
Finally, God’s creation gushes speech to all providing
Universal Knowledge of these truths—nothing hidden
What we have been talking about this morning is what theologians call
General Revelation—The self-disclosure of God himself manifested in creation that is available to all who will “see” the past spoken Word of God and “hear” its speechless message—there is an immensely powerful God, who is your king, has made a home for you in His creation, and you are subject to Him.
Friends, the rock on which this world is built is God as the divine Sovereign creator and King and we are His subjects.
With out the Rock, our world collapses as you are seeing around us.
But you and others may object…there is no proof of God….
The problem is not that there is no proof of God
Creation itself is proof…
The problem is as Romans 1 puts it.
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For 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.
Creation is a result of God’s word and His word still “pours forth” gushes knowledge about Him.
Creation gushes forth speech if you will hear…
Creation, in some aspects, is deeply delightful and beautiful…
But that speech is not sufficient to show you God’s full glory…his full weightiness…and for that God has mercifully provided…. something else as well.
The second action we must take to develop a deep appreciation of the beauty of God’s revelation is…
II. Hear the Personal Word of God in the Present (vv. 7–9) to Transform Us
I pointed out as I was reading the text that in verses, 7–9, the text uses a different name for God—the personal Covenant name of God—Yahweh, given to Moses.
The typical way to know when the personal name of God is being used is with the capital letters L smaller caps ORD.
Verse 1 says the heavens declare the Glory of God (general title).
Verse 7 says, the law of the LORD. The switch in the use for the personal name of God communicates something to us that we dare not miss that helps us understand the beauty of this personal and specific communication from a personal God that shares His name with us.
Also, as you look at verses 7-9 you will find a pattern in the Psalmist’s approach
- A term for God’s law/word/revelation
- A description of it
- And what it does
For example in verse 7…. (ON PPT BUT NOT ON HANDOUT)
The law (term) of the Lord is perfect (description) restoring the soul (what it does)
The testimony (term) of the Lord is sure (description) making wise the simple (what it does)
We could spend several sermons on the terms, the descriptions and/or the results
What I want to do is to take a 30,000 foot look at the terms and what they represent
And a 30,000 foot look at the results and what they represent
Then I think you will also begin to get a better glimpse of what the Psalmist is ravished by in regard to the revelation of God…for today
Two redeeming aspects of God’s personal word today…
God’s personal word…
Reiterates His desire for partnership with His people
The terms “law, testimony, statues, judgements” are all references not primarily to “rules” but to God’s gracious covenant that He made personally with His people.
After God created the world, created mankind, showed Adam and Eve his glory of creation and that they were subject to him, there was an aspect of His glory that was not fully shown in creation—His grace.
When Adam and Eve sinned, God could have entirely left them on their own.
But he did not.
He graciously re-entered into the world to speak to the descendants of Adam and Eve.
The term “testimony” in our text as in the testimony of the Lord is sure consistently refers to the ark of the covenant in which the 10 commandments were held.
And what were the 10 commandments? Just a bunch of arbitrary rules?
No at all!
The 10 commandments represented the covenant that God established with His people—He would redeem them and partner with them to bring beautiful order and harmony to this world with Him
Deut 4:6“So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
God’s covenant containing law, instruction, judgments, precepts, represents His gracious commitment with His people to remake the world through His people.
God’s personal word to us communicates that he has not abandoned us!
He is still working with us….How delightful!
2nd, God’s personal gracious word…
Reestablishes a “tree of life” for His people for dwelling with Him
Friends, I mentioned that this Psalm has connections to the creation story—certainly Genesis 1.
Other scholars have noted there are other connections to the creation story in Genesis 2-4
I will not take time to demonstrate all that but at the 30,000 foot level let’s take note of a few things..
if you remember, Adam and Eve after they sinned were expelled from the Garden and forbidden from eating of the tree of life….they were sentenced to death….
Notice…
- The law of the Lord—Revives life (v. 7)
Adam and Eve hoped to gain wisdom from eating of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil…they ate from the wrong tree…and become fools….what does God’s personal word do….
- The testimony of the Lord—Makes wise (v. 7)
The tree of knowledge of Good and Evil became deceitfully delightful to Adam and Eve…and only provided sorrow…
The precepts of the Lord….
- The precepts of the Lord —Rejoices the heart (v. 8)
Adam and Eve wanted their eyes open to be like God…they ultimately became spiritual blind through sin…
- The commandment of the Lord—Enlightens the eyes (v. 8)
Adam and Eve who were meant to live eternally died like all of us will…but….
- The fear of the Lord (based in the word of God)—Endures forever (v. 9 cf. Proverbs 19:23, 14:27)
Adam and Eve did not choose the choreography of heaven—“My life for you” and ushered in the ugliness unrighteousness of the one principle of Hell—my life for me….
Note The judgments of God’s law explain the beauty of the choreography of heaven—My life for you…righteousness
- The judgments—Righteous (v. 9)
What are commandments like “Do not steal but give”—none other than the choreography of heaven—“my life is not for me , my life is expended for you so I give….”
And we have all acknowledged that this is the beauty of the most delightful movies!
The bottom line is that God’s personal word in the present to his people is our life….God has reestablished a way for life, since the Garden—He has reestablish abundant life, eternal life, through His word…Through His personal word speaking to us….
Deut 32:46–47…Take to your heart all the words with which I am warning you today, which you shall command your sons to observe carefully, even all the words of this law. 47“For it is not an idle word for you; indeed it is your life…
Theologians call God’s personal word to us:
Specific Revelation: God’s personal revelation spoken through His word that reveals the full glory of God including his salvation plans for mankind. Only specific revelation in contrast to general revelation is sufficient for life.
Friends at this point let’s stop and pause and ask some evaluative questions
What is your view of God’s word?
Do you sense the tension that C.S. Lewis felt…the commands that God give, yeah should be implemented, should be obeyed….But I can not see them as ravishing.
…we do not see them as God’s ravishing his love for us through choosing to be in a covenant with us—like a marriage…
And we do not see the beauty of them explaining His ways of life to us—life!!!
You know many of God’s people thought similarly as well in the OT and that is why God would send more specific revelation—more personal revelation…
What I the ultimate personal, specific revelation?
Say his Name---Jesus!
In the beginning was the word by Him all things were created (the word that created—the rock of our existence)
and the word became flesh (the word that was personal and dwelled among us that redeems us. )
In him was life and that life was the light of men…
Jesus is not only the word of creation the rock of our existence, but the personal revelation of God to mankind that shows forth that God is not done with man…In Jesus is a new covenant showing forth his desire to partner with His people in bringing order to this world
In Jesus is the tree of life…. Showing forth the choreography of heaven—my life for you…as he gave his life for us as we suppressed all the revelation from him….
[Gospel appeal]
[Application to be involved in knowing the personal revelation of God through the word of God through Sunday morning, small groups, FCI
[Partnering with God in bringing his value system to the world—capital campaign.
Finally, as we have heard the word of God in creation and the personal revelation of God in his word….
What is the final action to take…
III. Speak the Proper Word in Response to God’s Revelation (vv. 10–14)
Our words of response to God’s words of revelation
Proclaim the revelation of God as the greatest delight (v. 10)
19:10They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Acknowledge the beautiful ways of God in contrast to our ways (v. 11)
19:11Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
Plea for forgiveness and blamelessness (v. 12–13)
19:12Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. 13Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;Let them not rule over me;Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
Sing a hymn like this one—Rock and Redeemer (v. 14)
19:14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Authors
