Psalm 19 God’s Word is Better Than Anything
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A Torah, or Wisdom Psalm written by David Shared with Psalm 1, 119
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19 Where does this Psalm fit? Or is it just random?
Psalm 1 – 41 are all by David
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Center of a 9 part Chiasm
Chiasm Review
Common literary device in the Bible beginning and end correspond Center is the main point
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19 is part of a Chiasm A. Psalm 15. Who may dwell on the Hill of the Lord? B. Psalm 16. A Psalm of trust C. Psalm 17. Prayer for help D. Psalm 18. Royal Entrance Psalm E. Psalm. 19. Praise of God’s Revelation D’ Psalm 20-21. Royal Entrance Psalm C’ Psalm 22. Prayer for help. (Tune in next week) B’ Psalm 23. Psalm of trust A’ Psalm 24. Who may ascend the Hill of the Lord? Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Meditation on His Word Teaches us how to enter into His Presence
Teaches us how we need His help in everything
Teaches us that He deserves praise for all we are
Teaches us how to worship God.
Teaches us about His Character
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Structure of Psalm 19
God in Nature
God in His Word My Response 11-14
Verses 7-10
Verses 1-6 Psalm 19 The Structure Two Stanzas Psalm 19:1-6 The Heavens display the knowledge of God in nature, but it is not universally perceived.
Psalm 19:7-14 Our knowledge of God comes through His Word
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1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. 2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. 3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. 4a Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world. Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Verses 1 and 3 Verbs of Declaration 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.
3 There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard.
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Verses 2,4 Verbs of Time and Space 2 Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.
4a Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:4b-6 An Example of God’s Glory Declared The Sun is in the Heavens Like a Bridegroom. Just married Rejoicing in His Bride Like an athlete. Rejoicing in the race A Sprinter A long distance runner
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:3 A Problem in Translation There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. CSB
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. KJV
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:3 A Problem in Translation There is no speech, and there are no words. Their voice hath not been heard. YLT
No Speech, and no words, no hearing of a voice. (The Rod Translation)
The Greek LXX agrees with the YLT
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:3 A Problem in Translation For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. Romans 1:20 NASB
Most oft-quoted ‘prooftext’ for the KJV translation.
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:3 A Problem in Translation who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. 1 Timothy 6:16
No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him. John 1:18 Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:3 Translated and Interpreted We say: “There is no speech! there are no words! For their voice is not heard. — Messianic Jewish Siddur
Interpreted in the context of the Psalm
God’s glory is revealed in the heavens, yet we cannot or will not perceive it, either because people are blind to it, or we choose to suppress it.
The testimony of God in nature is mute. God cannot be truly known only in Nature
God is named only once in vs 1-6, as El, the least personal Name in the Bible. See Acts 14:15-17, and Acts 17:24-25 This witness is in nature, but is not perceived.
This points to the second stanza of the Psalm.
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:7-9 God is explained Only Through His Word
The Four Letter Personal Name of God is used 7 times in 3 verses.
Each clause has the same number of words
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; Torah (of) Adonai (is) perfect, restoring (the) soul
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Testimony (of) Adonai (is) certain, (making) wise (the) simple Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:7-9 God’s Word. The Essence of Torah 7a. Torah is perfect; Revives the soul 7b. Testimony is sure. The simple become wise 8a. Precepts are right Rejoicing the heart 8b. Commandment is pure Enlightening the eye 9a. Fear of God is clean It is eternal 9b. Rules of God are true. Altogether righteous
Six different words to describe God’s Word.
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:7-9 Consequences of Torah in the Believer’s Life 7a. Revival of the soul. The dead come to life. 7b. We become wise in His Wisdom 8a. Our hearts rejoice 8b. Enlightening the eye. (Good versus evil eye) 9a. It is eternal and leads to eternal life 9b. Altogether righteous, and we grow in righteousness
Six ways in which we are enriched by His Word.
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:10-14 God’s Word is Altogether Desirable More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. NKJV
God’s Word is Better than Gold
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:10-14 God’s Word is Altogether Desirable How good is Gold? Gold can: Buy a house Gold can: Fill a house with food Gold can: Provide fine things, like jewelry, etc.
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:10-14 God’s Word is Altogether Desirable How good is Gold? Gold cannot: Make a house a home Gold cannot: Provide fellowship Gold cannot: Bring love into a home
God’s Word Provides What Gold Lacks
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:10-11 God’s Word is Altogether Desirable Sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb Words of the wicked is like bitter gall. (See Psalm 2) 2 Corinthians 2:15-16. Perishing people smell death Living people smell life
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 Psalm 19:10-11 God’s Word is Altogether Desirable Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward. Psalm 19:11 Keep on the path of God, do not stray The Proverbs are all about the two paths. God’s paths provide Rest for our souls. Psalm 1, Jeremiah 6:16. Psalm 19:12-14 Petitions from the Believer
Keep me from hidden sins Keep me from presumptuous sins (or insolent sinners) Do not let them have dominion over me. Results: Without help from God, we are without hope. Those who enter God’s Presence are blameless, and have been cleansed by Him.
Have a question or a comment? Text it to 1.859.359.6124 What about Monday?
Do we depend on God to keep us in His ways? Do we have God’s Presence in our lives? Do we truly desire His Word? Or are our Bibles dusty? Does His Word transform our houses into homes? Do we, when we see God in nature, point people to where they can truly know Him? In His Word?
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