Psalm 19

 

Introduction – We need this song. We are far too given to books of propositions and a faithful battle against the Mother-earthers and evolutionists that we can lose the glory of God declared in the heavens and in His created order. Natural and special revelation are not at odds with one another. The glory of God is to be seen and heard in creation and in His written Word. And in His Word, we are not to simply find truth as though it were a raw substance to be examined in a lab. What we find converts, transforms, enlightens, and quickens to everlasting joy. We will not see or hear in either, however, unless the Holy Spirit illuminates us. Set before us is the book of the heavens, the book of the written word, and finally, the book (of sorts) of our own conscience.

 

 

The Book of the Heavens (vv1-6) – There is nothing neutral in the display of the heavens; they are not silent. Paul tells us that because of this all men are without excuse (Rom 1:19-20); our unbelief could be characterized as men running around covering their eyes and ears crying out, “I will not listen, I cannot see!”

The revelation from the heavens is continuous, abundant, and universal. Each day and every night there are more lessons piling up, these “prophets” keep preaching (v2), and for those with faith, each morning is not simply a bad rerun, there is progression in the midst of the repetition. They are abundant, these declarations, found in the largest galaxies and in the smallest microbes (v1), His handiwork baffles us and leaves us in awe – if we will observe with faith. The declarations are not hidden but rather put forth in places everyone can see – on purpose, by the way. Paul, in speaking of the gospel going out to Jew and Gentile everywhere, quotes v4 (in Rom 10:18). This shows that there is a connection between the sections (vv1-6 and 7-11).

Revealed Glory – Like the sun coming forth in its glory and magnificence, so the light of the gospel is traversing over the earth. Just as the sun’s heat touches everything, so the Son’s Lordship is revealed upon everyone and everything.

Stop to Smell the Roses – We come to the Word for instruction and one of the things the Word instructs us in is to go to the heavens for instruction; we must heed this to grow in the knowledge that is there for us. This knowledge does not come in propositions; it comes to us more like a symphony, like a glass of deep red wine, or like the abundant smells, colors and shapes in a rose garden. We also learn that we must pursue knowledge of this universe beginning with the fear of the Lord, or we will misinterpret all that is being said and all that there is to discover.

 

 

The Book of the Word (vv7-11) – The heavens declare the glory of God, and the Word bestows that glory, by grace through faith, to us. The gospel compliments and personalizes and unites us to the glory declared “out there.” God’s law converts (v7) and this begins six parallel phrases of the wonder of God’s Word. Under the canopy of the heavenly glory, the preacher declares the glory of the gospel and Jesus is heard (Rom 10:8, 14-15). Do you want wisdom? Do you desire unspeakable joy? Would you like your eyes enlightened? Do you need perseverance? Are you searching for truth and righteousness? This is what is offered to you in the Word when the Spirit grants life.

More To Be Desired – Once a man sees how glorious the universe is and the invitation of God, he will explore, explore, explore. Once a man tastes how glorious the Word of God is and the invitation of God, he will eat and eat and eat (1 Pet 1:23-2:3).

 

 

The Conscience of the Psalm-singer (vv12-14) – We are estranged from the glory of God declared in the heavens and in the pages of His Word unless God opens those books to our hearts. And this requires that He open our hearts as well. One of the results of seeing and singing of the glory of God is that we realize our own miserable state (Isaiah 6) and pray that God would deliver us (Matt 6:13). This requires that we understand that we cannot know the depths of our own depravity (v12) but we can pray that God change us – our motives, our reasons, our heart-attitudes, our faulty assumptions – the things that we often do not even recognize about ourselves. Part of being upright is recognizing how bent we are.

The Descent – From secret sins come forth our presumptuous sins, presuming to be a god ourselves for a time. Left unconfessed, every sin has the ability to take dominion of a man or woman. Our therapeutic-minded world calls this addiction; the Word calls it dominion, bondage, and slavery to sin (Rom 6). The clear path out of bondage is the gospel; confession of sin, the forgiveness and cleansing of Jesus and the transforming work of the Holy Spirit by His Word (see vv 7-11 again). Understanding our faults, we join with David in praying for God to deliver us from evil, inside and outside ourselves. Only God’s grace in answering our prayers shall keep us innocent of drifting even further into great transgressions (v13). Note the progression: secret sin, presumptuous sins and great transgressions. Be wary; do not be complacent about this. Where there are seeds of envy, of bitterness, of discontent, of thinking too highly of oneself – it is here that small weeds will grow with deep roots and the garden will be destroyed.

 

 

Words and Meditations (v14) – Your study of God’s Word will not sanctify you if you look to it to do so. Your quiet-times away, staring at the stars, will not grow you closer to God if you look to such outings to do so. We must lay our complete dependence upon God and not upon ourselves or any gifts from Him in and of themselves. Only He can make these good things profitable and glorious for us. And so we come to Him – in faith that He will.

 

 

 

Dave Hatcher – October 7, 2007