Psalm 19

VanGemeren This Psalm reflects, more than any other, the beauty and splendor of the Hebrew poetry found in the Psalter.

Lewis I take this to be the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.

Psalm 19 General Revelation – the revelation of God in nature Special Revelation – the revelation of God in Scripture

Psalm 19 God Speaks in Nature: General Revelation - vv 1-6 God Speaks in His Word: Special Revelation - vv 7-14

Genesis 1:8 And God called the expanse heaven. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day.

Boice This is the meaning of glory in Psalm 19—a revelation of God’s existence and power so great that it should lead every human being on the face of the earth to seek God out, to thank him for bringing him or her into existence, and to worship him.

Romans 1:18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

The Spacious Firmament What though in solemn silence all Move round this dark terrestrial ball? What though no real voice nor sound Amidst their radiant orbs be found? In reason’s ear they all rejoice, And utter forth a glorious voice; Forever singing, as they shine, “The hand that made us is divine.”

Boice This is stronger in the Hebrew text than it appears to be in English, for the image is literally of a gushing spring that copiously pours forth sweet, refreshing waters of revelation.

Tholuck Though all preachers on earth should grow silent, and every human mouth cease from publishing the glory of God, the heavens above will never cease to declare and proclaim his majesty and glory. They are forever preaching; for, like an unbroken chain, their message is delivered from day to day and from night to night.

Henry The heavens so declare the glory of God, and proclaim his wisdom, power, and goodness, that all ungodly men are left without excuse. They speak themselves to be works of God’s hands; for they must have a Creator who is eternal, infinitely wise, powerful, and good.

Kidner God has assigned it its place to occupy and its course to run; the whole sky its mere tent and track.

Calvin When a man, from beholding and contemplating the heavens, has been brought to acknowledge God, he will learn also to reflect upon and to admire his wisdom and power as displayed on the face of the earth, not only in general, but even in the minutest plants.

Ironside There is no conflict whatever between the testimony of nature and the testimony of the Word of God. If we think there is, we are misunderstanding nature, the Bible, or both.

Psalm 19:7-9 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; 7b the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

Psalm 19:7-9 8b the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; 9b the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

Psalm 19:7-9 TITLES LAW TESTIMONY PRECEPTS COMMANDMENT FEAR RULES

Psalm 19:7-9 CHARACTERISTICS Perfect Sure Right Pure Clean True

Psalm 19:7-9 BENEFITS …reviving the soul …making wise the simple …rejoicing the heart …enlightening the eyes …enduring forever …righteous altogether

Spurgeon He is wisest who reads both the world-book and the Word-book as two volumes of the same work, and feels concerning them, ‘My Father wrote them both.’

VanGemeren …God’s word ‘revives.’ Its restorative quality gives healing to the whole person by assuring forgiveness and cleansing and by giving life to the godly.

The law of the Lord is perfect, Psalm 19:7a The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;

Psalm 19:7b 7b the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

Matthew 5:18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

8 the precepts of the Lord are right, Psalm 19:8a 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

Psalm 119:128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.

Clarke To make straight, smooth, right, upright, opposed to crookedness in mind or conduct; showing what the man should be, both within and without.

8b the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; Psalm 19:8b 8b the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

Psalm 12:6 The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

Psalm 119:140 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.

Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

2 Peter 3:16 There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.

9 the fear of the Lord is clean, Psalm 19:7-9 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

Psalm 19:7-9 9b the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

Psalm 119:160 The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Psalm 119:72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Proverbs 8:10 Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold

Proverbs 16:16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!

Proverbs 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Wiersbe The spiritual Christian does not need the artificial things of this world for satisfaction; the Word satisfies the spiritual appetite.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

Simeon We should look to [the Scriptures] as the ground of all our hopes, and the rule of all our conduct. To study the book of nature will be well: but to study the sacred volume with prayer will tend to our highest perfection, and will “thoroughly furnish us unto every good word and work.

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.