I want us to look into Psalm 19...it's closing verse 14 was the prayer I prayed for us at the end of yesterday's blog...that the words of our mouth and meditation of our hearts be pleasing to our Lord...
I hope you will take a few minutes and read through the entire Psalm posted below. We will primarily focus on v. 7-11, but first lets think about the other verses and how we could come back to them for further study later. One thought I had regarding the v. 1-6 is that study could be done on Him as our creator. What other places in scripture make much of Him as Creator? Another idea would be to notice words that stand out...for example in v. 6, the sun burst forth as "a radiant bridegroom." Who do you know who will one day burst forth as a radiant bridegroom? Where is that passage? How is the event described? Same verse refers to "a great athlete." Further study could involve looking into Paul's passages in the New Testament regarding our "running the race with endurance."
I want you to be ever challenged to hold God's Word in your own hand and study if for yourself. Please don't become comfortable with what I've gleaned, but search and study on your own as well.
Now for vs. 7-11, notice how David uses a pattern to tell us about God's Word.
* instructions are perfect, benefit: they revive our souls
* decrees are trustworthy, benefit: they make wise the simple
* commandments are right, benefit: they bring joy to the heart
* commandments are clear, benefit: they give insight for living
* laws are true, benefit: each one is fair
All of these descriptions and benefits David has personally found to be true regarding the Word of God. The beginning of verse 9 stands out to me, is David pointing out that it isn't enough that we know all of these things about the Lord, but to receive the lasting benefit we must "reverence" this Word the Lord has given us? Webster's says reverence is a feeling or attitude of deep respect, love and awe, as for something sacred. So let's make this personal: Our Lord has given us an amazing tool: His Word. If we take it in hand and take it to heart, it will transform us by reviving us, making us wise, giving us joy and insight for living. It's benefits will last in us forever. Look now at how David continues to describe this precious Word...more valuable than gold, sweeter than honey, a warning and a great reward. He finished out by praying about his own sins that his words and thoughts would please the LORD.
In light of what we have found today together in God's Word, what is the prayer of your heart? Mine is that I would begin to take His Word more seriously, that I would take it in my hand more often and that I would let it have it's way in me for my benefit and for His glory.Feel free to share your heart's prayer in the comment section. Don't forget the further study ideas we listed at the beginning. What a great way to spend a cold winter Saturday afternoon! Have a great weekend!
Psalm 19
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.[a]
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.[a]
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true,
each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Thank you for sharing your gleanings. Your writing about the sun breaking forth like a radiant bridegroom put me to wondering if the rhyme of "son" would be heard when read aloud. I have heard that in the Hebrew, there was often a rhyming scheme that added more meaning. Just a thought to share.
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