1. Discovering God Through the Psalms Grow in your intimacy with God!

2. Discovering God Through the Psalms Learning to Love God’s Word Overview of Discovering God Through the Psalms Gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Book of Psalms by showing how selected Psalms can help you grow in your intimacy with God. This study has three thrusts: Renewal: Deepen your heart’s affection for the things of God. Learning: Describe what an intimate relationship with God looks like and means. Method: Develop the skills of renewing your relationship with God from the Psalms.

3. Discovering God Through the Psalms Grow in your intimacy with God! Psalm 19 Learning to Love God’s Word Paul J. Bucknell

4. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word 1 (For the choir director. A Psalm of David.) The heavens are telling of the glory of God; 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 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, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 Its 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 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 Thy 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 Thy servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I shall 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 Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. (NASB) Psalm 19

5. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word 1 (For the choir director. A Psalm of David.) The heavens are telling of the glory of God; 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 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, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 Its 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 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 Thy 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 Thy servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I shall 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 Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. (NASB) Psalm 19 A. Creation’s voice: God ‘speaks’ to all (Psalm 19:1-6) B. Scripture’s voice: We can know God (Psalm 19:7-11) C. Our voice: We can respond to God’s Word (Psalm 19:12-14)

6. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word 1 (For the choir director. A Psalm of David.) The heavens are telling of the glory of God; 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 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, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 Its 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. (NASB) A. Creation ’ s Voice: Psalm 19:1-6 Purpose of creation’s voice. Declares God’s _____________ (19:1). Constancy of creation’s voice; it is 24/7 (19:2). Coverage of creation’s voice reaches the _____ of the world (19:3-6). glory ends Response: Lord, I love how you have made... so wonderful; thank you for reminding me of your great...!

7. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word Glow to Glory A n e w s p i r i t u a l d i s c i p l i n e

8. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word B. Scripture ’ s voice: Psalm 19:7-11 We can know God Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. Psalm 19:10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold, yes, than much fine gold. Psalm 19:11 Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.

9. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word The Revelation of God The words of God reveal God, His ways and what He wants us to know. The created world of God reveals certain attributes about Himself and other things to everyone. General revelation The heavens are telling of the glory of God; 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 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, 5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course. 6 Its 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. 19:1-6 19:7-11 7 The law of the LORD 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 Thy servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. Special revelation & People everywhere are accountable to this knowledge (cf. Romans 1:19-20). People possessing His Word, the Bible, have special insight to God, life and the world about us. The revelation of God is a theologic term describing the means people gain special insight to spiritual things like God, morals.

10. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word B. Scripture ’ s voice: (Psalm 19:7-11) Truth transforms The change God’s truth quickens our lives; it is important because God reveals it. The end product is better or improved. Modification The insightObserving what is real What God reveals is important because God reveals it. Deeper contemplation brings further change in our lives. Amplification

11. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word B. Scripture ’ s voice: (Psalm 19:7) 1) Modification: The second phrase identifies a resulting change by the first. Pattern: How does the first phrase cause what is described in the second? The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul. ➡ Identify : Psalm 19:7: _________________ ➡ Question : So how does the perfect (whole, complete) law of Lord cause restoration to the soul? ➡ Interpretation : My soul has various parts but the laws of God’s Word can renew the parts or whole (like replacing an old part on a car with a new one). ➡ Observation : This verse develops a faith in the ability of God’s word to bring the spiritual cleansing I need. ➡ Prayerful response: “I need renewal. I desire your perfect Word to affect every aspect of my soul....” Modification change

12. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word Further describes B. Scripture ’ s voice: (Psalm 19:10) They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold. ➡ Identify : Psalm 19:10: _________________ ➡ Question : So how does the °°contrast of fine gold clarify the °more desirable than gold? ➡ Interpretation : God’s Word is the finest treasure in the world and ought to be eagerly sought out. ➡ Observation : This verse develops a faith in the incredible value of God’s Word over any other thing (cf 1 Tim 6:10). ➡ Prayerful response: “Forgive me for not highly valuing your Word. I get more excited about other things....” Amplification (2) Amplification: The second phrase describes and expands the first. Pattern: How does the second phrase, clarify or emphasize the first? first phrase

13. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word Summary of 19:7-11 & assignment Psalm 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Psalm 19:8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. Psalm 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether. Psalm 19:10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold, yes, than much fine gold. Psalm 19:11 Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. Modification or amplification? Summary: Life transformation comes through micro changes as we interact with God’s Word. It alerts us to improvements on our thinking, decisions, focus, etc., and guides us to a better and more rewarding way. www.foundationsforfreedom.net/References/OT/Poetical/Psalms/ST/Intro.html Assignment

14. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word C. Our Voice: Psalm 19:12-14 We can respond to God’s Word Acquit me of hidden faults. Who can discern his errors? What about God’s side of conversation? David’s side of conversation

15. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word 12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. 13 Also keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I shall 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 Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. C. Our Voice: Psalm 19:12-14 David noticed his tendency to overlook his sins: _________________ (19:12). David had a tendency to be prideful at times, and in a puff of haughtiness, have presumptuous sin (19:13). David sought the Lord’s help to shape his words and thoughts in such a way that they may ________________ to the Lord (19:14). “hidden faults” We can respond to God’s Word “be acceptable” Response: Response: Lord, I love how you work so patiently with me; thank you for helping me!

16. Discovering God Through the Psalms Psalm19 Learning to Love God’s Word God’s Word Change &

17. Discovering God Through the Psalms Grow in your intimacy with God! Psalm 19 Learning to Love God’s Word Paul J. Bucknell