Psalm 19

Taught by Toby
Notes by Linda

Today Toby taught on Psalm 19. She began by giving us two aspects of this psalm that may be puzzling at first glance. The first item was the progression of the themes that unfold as it is read. The psalm begins with nature, then transitions to the Law, and ends with a passage on personal reflection. The second question is ‘how can the Law be sweeter than honey and better than much gold?’. In her lesson, Toby gives us insight to both of these things. (*Throughout today’s teaching Toby referenced several internet resources. The links to these resources can be found at the end of these notes.)

Psalm 19:1-6

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.

These verses speak powerfully to the glory of God. Toby emphasized that the evidence of God’s presence surrounds us. Toby referred to a book by John Piper called Don’t Waste Your Life. In this book Piper writes of the vastness of the Grand Canyon. It seems to have no beginning or no end. It brings us to a place of self forgetfulness. To think otherwise would be ‘pathological’. Toby explained that the focus should be on the greatness of God not on the insignificance of man. Although we are created in God’s image He is so much beyond us.

Next Toby focused on a section from verse 2 through 4. The thought that Toby brought into the spotlight was how could there be speech without words. This seems to be a contradiction. She brought us to Paul’s words in Romans, “But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world” (Romans 10:16-18). Toby pointed out that we all can ‘hear’ the same message of creation yet we all do not ‘hear’ it.

She pointed out something interesting from verse 4. In this verse, the word ‘voice’ can also be translated as ‘line’, as in plumb-line. A plumb-line is used to determine a true vertical, 180 degree line. Because of the force of gravity on the weight of the plumb-line it will always hang true and straight. In construction this is used to measure the structural accuracy of created angles – with the plumb-line used as the ‘true’ standard. Toby pointed out in the same way, these verses tell us that God’s creation is the unchanging standard. It will always point to the glory of God. Even if a person has never heard the Gospel message the stars themselves are evidence of our awesome God.

Toby next focused on the imagery present in this passage: “In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course” (Psalm 19:4b-5). An interesting difference between our modern wedding ceremonies and those of biblical times is the focus. In modern ceremonies the bride is the focus of all the attention – the star of the show. In the world during biblical times, everyone waited for the appearance of the groom. His entrance was met with joy and celebration. The New Testament also shows this in the Parable of the Ten Virgins (see Matthew 25:1-13). How anxiously do we await the appearance of our Bridegroom – Jesus Christ!!

Psalm 19:7-11

7 The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the LORD are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

The focus on the next section of scripture is on the Law or Torah. Toby explained that an important aspect of Hebrew poetry is the repetition of thoughts using different words. This style can be seen in this passage. Toby gave us something to think about. Many of us would agree that there are many, many attributes of God that we can delight in – His mercy, His goodness, His power. Yet the focus of this passage the wonder and joy of God’s Law – His Commandments. Verse 10 says that His Laws ‘are more precious than gold and sweeter than honey’. This might be hard for us to imagine. Toby mentioned the following verse that also speaks of this: “But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2).

Toby pointed out another interesting point in these verses. These verses emphasize the rightness of God’s commands. The question is ‘how can a command be true?’. A command is not a fact. This idea is mentioned in the following verses: “The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy” (Psalm 111:7). In addition, Psalm 119 refers to the Law being ‘true’ in several verses. Toby explained that the point is that God’s commands are the ones that are to be trusted and right when compared to the many beliefs of the foreign gods and idols that were worshiped at this time. The law of the Lord tells us much about His character – it reflects His nature which is radiant, true, and wise. Going back to the plumb-line, His Law is our plumb-line. By following it we are on firm footings.

Psalm 19:12-14

12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

This final section of Psalm 19 focuses on the human heart. Sometimes it is hard for us to see our own short comings yet God is faithful in helping us in our weaknesses.
In concluding Toby explained that the greatness of this psalm (or poem) is that there really is not a logical connection between the three parts in a cursory reading. Delving deeper, she showed us that the psalm is a wonderful and brilliant narration that begins with the hugeness of the universe and ends with the private thoughts of our hearts. From the beginning to the end – the Glory of God is manifest!

*As mentioned, Toby took her teaching from several sources. She used the following: C.S. Lewis, Reflections of the Psalms; John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life. In addition, she accessed the following web resources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HK6_vntzpI&feature=related

http://books.google.com/books?id=NlHeb0jwSisC&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=Pathological+at+the+grand+canyon&source=bl&ots=V98wtW5uUp&sig=Td2c8LSxX8pbDaOl97m0YZlu6V8&hl=en&ei=q-nHTcfSC8bZ0QGZ6PjvBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Pathological%20at%20the%20grand%20canyon&f=false


http://www.religion-online.org/showchapter.asp?title=378&C=74

http://prayerbookproject.blogs.com/Psalm_19_SERMON.pdf