Psalm 19:7-14; The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then shall I be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
We continue the outline on Psalm 19 that was begun Thursday.
II. The Power of God in the Law (Psalm 19:7-14)
A. The Soul-Restoring Power of the Law (v. 7a)
1. The same Almighty Hand that gives the sun his light-giving, life-sustaining power in the physical world, also provides life and light for the spiritual world.
2. God’s Law is perfect—free from all defect
a. It is the perfect transcript of the glory of God—it is the picture of God drawn by His own hand and it is light, and in it is no darkness at all. (I John 1)
b. It is perfect in its effect—the converting of the soul. [Here the law includes also the promises and the hope of forgiveness. The Law calls us back from wandering in the world, and delivers us to the true Shepherd and Guardian of our Souls, Jesus Christ {Galatians 3:24}] The Law condemns and calls us to follow the truth. There was a man, Bob Sheffey, born on Independence Day in 1820 who received Christ while in college in 1839. He quit school and started preaching. One day he was called to a cabin in Wolfe Creek Virginia where he had been before. He had tried to win the family to Christ but without success. This time things were different. A rattlesnake had bit one of the family, and there was little hope. Entering the house, Sheffey sank to his knees and prayed, O Lord, we do thank thee for rattlesnakes. If it had not been for a rattlesnake they would have not called on you. Now send a rattlesnake to bite Bill, one to bite John, and send a great big one to bite the old man. This Psalm says that the Law is like that rattlesnake—it wakes us up to our need for God’s grace.
B. The Light-Giving Power of the Law (v. 7b)
1. The infallibility of the law—the testimony (revealed will) of the Lord is sure
2. The subjects of its illumination—making wise the simple (literally--open-minded)
a. We must feel our need of guidance.
b. We must be sincere and open in our search for instruction.
c. We must be fully prepared to obey the light as it is given.
C. The Joy-Giving Power of the Law (v. 8)
1. If the statutes of the law are to bring rejoicing to our hearts, we must know them better.
2. As we obey God’s Law we will be joyful , because we know we are pleasing God.
Joy is the surest sign of the presence of God. There are no sad saints. If God is really the center of one’s life and being, joy is inevitable. If we have no joy, we have missed the heart of the Good News and our bodies as much as our souls will suffer the consequences.
D. The Absolute Perfection of the Law (vv. 9-11)
1. Studying and keeping God’s Word allows you to understand your relationship to God
2. The value of the Law will then be seen as supreme over all things. You will see the 10 commandments and realize that all those “Thou shalt nots” are really liberating—freedom giving.
E. The Illuminating Power of the Law in Regard to Our Personal Lives (vv. 12-14)
1. Self-examination in light of God’s Law will reveal our secret faults (v. 12)By the law is the knowledge of sin, and in the presence of divine truth, the psalmist marvels at the number and heinousness of his sins.
2. Knowing God’s Law will guard us from presumptuous (willful) sins (v. 13) This earnest and humble prayer teaches us that saints may fall into the worst of sins unless restrained by grace, and that therefore they must watch and pray lest they enter into temptation.
3. Remembering God is our Strength and our Redeemer will shield our testimony (v. 14). David asks till more expressly to be fortified by the grace of God, and thus enabled to live an upright and holy life. What were the services that we can offer to God—the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart. Are the words of your mouth this day acceptable to God. Is what you are meditating on right now acceptable to God? If not, there is time right now to change. Time right now to see the power of the Law and how that Law is to drive you to Christ.
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