“‘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.” (Lewis, C. S. Reflections on the Psalms. pp. 63-64. HarperCollins. Kindle Edition)
“This (the Psalmist’s evaluation of God’s law)…is the language of a man ravished by a moral beauty.” (Lewis, Reflections, p. 69)
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. Deuteronomy 5:29; Psalm 111:10; 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.
“‘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.” (Lewis, C. S. Reflections on the Psalms. pp. 63-64. HarperCollins. Kindle Edition)
“This (the Psalmist’s evaluation of God’s law)…is the language of a man ravished by a moral beauty.” (Lewis, Reflections, p. 69)
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. Deuteronomy 5:29; Psalm 111:10; 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.
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