LANGUAGE:
The Sufficiency of God’s Word of Grace
Please open your Bibles to Psalm 19. This will be the last in this series entitled the transformational power of the Word of God. My aim has been to encourage you as to the power of God’s Word in our lives.
I think you all would admit that these days are a-tough-go for all of us. We are living in such instable times. As the prophet Daniel pointed out, there will come day when those who walk with God are going to be worn down, when traditions and laws with be altered, when the good shall be declared bad, and the bad declared good.[i] And so it is beginning to happen. Colin Smith sums it up best when he writes: Many of us feel tired, jaded, discouraged, and flat. Some of us are anxious, fearful and even distressed at what the future might bring.[ii]
In Psalm 23(GW) in the midst of the ruggedness of life David reminds his soul, 2God makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside peaceful waters. 3He renews my soul. The reason why he reminds himself of the goodness of God is that he knew bad days. He describes one of his bad days in Psalm 18:4–5 (NASB95) 4The ropes of death encompassed me, And the torrents of ungodliness terrified me. 5The ropes of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. Talk about having a bad day. At some point impending death was real, and the ungodly were pressing hard on him.
It was because of the battering of bad days his soul needed to be lifted up, to be renewed.
How was David’s soul renewed? Psalm 19:7(GW) the law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. This morning I bring us to Psalm 19 looking to be refreshed from the pressures and tensions of life. Let’s begin with a Word of Prayer.
Father, we acknowledge that we are finite, but that Your voice runs quickly to fulfill Your directives. So we ask this morning, that by the Holy Spirit, You speak to us from Your Book the Bible and refresh our souls. We ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
I invite you to listen closely as we read these powerful refreshing verses in Psalm 19, vs7-11
7The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
As we delve into this psalm for refreshment, I find it helpful to get an overview of this psalm:
In an overall application,
Let’s take a closer look at this Psalm.
In vs 1-6 the Psalmist begins by focusing our thoughts on the majesty and splendor of God’s works in creation. V1, The heavens are telling of the glory of God, and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. The point for us is: All creation is a revelation of God, but there is a sense in which the heavens in their vastness, splendor, order, and mystery are the most impressive reflection of God’s greatness and majesty.[v]
In my notes I jotted down Isaiah 40, vs 25-26(NASB95), where God asks the question: 25“To whom then will you liken Me That I would be his equal?”. He responds by tell us: 26Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.[vi]
V2, of Psalm 19, Day to day ‘the glory of God’ pours forth speech’. The wonder of God’s glory is like a bubbly spring that never stops flowing. Every day, every night, as man looks up into the vastness of the created order, the presence and power of God is stamped clearly on creation, making Him clearly visible 24/7. He has not hidden Himself from the world.
When we come to v7, the focus shifts from the splendor, order and mystery of creation to the splendor, order, and power of God’s Word. Both come from the same Source; and both present the same truth—the glory of God.[vii]
In the 70s and 80s, there was a brokerage firm by the name of E. F. Hutton who developed a series of television ads. The ad would begin in a crowded room, restaurant, or patio with a small group of people busily talking about financial investments. Then a voice would be heard saying, “Well, my broker is E. F. Hutton, and E. F. Hutton says . . .”
Immediately silence swept over the room and ears strained to hear the latest financial tip or advice from E.F. Hutton. At that point an announcer would break in saying, “When E. F. Hutton speaks, people listen.” The implication was clear. If you wanted good advice for handling money, you had better pay very close attention to E.F. Hutton.[viii]
In Psalm 138:2 (NASB95) we are told that God has magnified His Word above His Name. What that means is, God cannot be known outside of His Word. Therefore, spiritual truth cannot be known apart from God’s Word. If we want good truth about God and spirituality, Psalm 19 tells us that we had better pay very close attention to the creator God of the universe who has spoken clearly.
What that means is this--God’s Words are God’s laws for the way we are to live out our lives.
We have manuals for everything--service manuals, user manuals, operation manuals, training manuals, policy manuals, and the list goes on. When it comes to living life, God has given us a manual on how to live in the present in light of eternity. As a manual for life, we’re told it is perfect.[ix] The Hebrew word perfect is an interesting word. To say that God’s Law is perfect does not stand in opposition to that which is imperfect. The Hebrew word actually means ‘complete, without blemish, not lacking’[x] That is to say, our Bibles are complete. Meaning everything that God wants us to know is here. Peter tells us in his second letter that God has given us everything we need to know for life and godliness. [xi] That’s why, at the end of the Bible, it says, “Don’t add anything to this or take anything away, … or it shall be added unto you the plagues that are written in it.” God’s Word is complete.[xii]
Now the effect of this is, because it is complete, it restores the soul. The word restore actually means transforms. God’s Word has the power to bring life to the dead. 1 Peter 1:23 (NASB95) you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. So Ephesians 2, we are dead in our sins, but now made alive together with Christ by faith . . . and don’t miss this . . . which comes by hearing the Word.[xiii]
Testimony comes from a person who has firsthand knowledge of an event. So ‘testimony of the Lord’ refers to God’s self-revelation, self-disclosure. It is God going on record as to who He is. And so we read the testimony of the Lord is sure.[xiv]
His self-testimony is so sure, so certain that one can stake their life on His Word.[xv] Psalm 119:138 (NASB95) You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness And exceeding faithfulness. That is, God’s written word is true, it will not mislead or deceive any one that trusts in it, it is absolutely reliable.
The reference to the simple is not referring to those who are mentally challenged, but of those who are easily gullible, susceptible to good or bad influence, weak-willed, irresponsible, but still correctable.[xvii] The simple are people that lack experience, who may be confused and in danger of making destructive choices.[xviii] God’s Word provides wisdom, that without His Word of wisdom would culminate in disasters.[xix]
Precepts has the idea of authority as to behavior, giving direction as to actions needed to be taken. It’s the idea that God is giving instruction as to how He wants things done, how He wants us to react, to behave.[xx]
The precepts of the Lord are said to be right. That is, they are not perverse or crooked, but straight.[xxi] It means that God’s Word gives us the right path to walk contrary to the way we naturally chose, which leads to death.[xxii]
The effect of the precepts is that they rejoice the heart.[xxiii] Rejoicing the heart has the idea of an inner peace and tranquility in the midst of turbulence. Isaiah 26:3 (NASB95) “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, Because he trusts in You. As we come to know His ways and learn to live in light of them, we will find true and lasting joy.
The Commandment of the Lord refers to His absolute directives. This falls under the category of ‘must do this choice, must act this way’.
Notice it says that the commandment of the Lord is pure. Pure has the idea of clean, clear, no mixture of error, no defilement. It is undiluted with foreign substance. It means that God speaks clearly and to the point. Psalm 12:6 (NASB95) The words of the LORD are pure words; As silver tried in a furnace on the earth, refined seven times.[xxiv] Because the Word of God is pure, it endures forever.
The effects are of the pure commandments is that they enlighten the eyes. God's commandments illuminate the right path, enabling us to walk without stumbling.
Here the fear of the Lord is a synonym for the Word of God. We are to come to God’s Word with a sense of reverence and awe. The fear of the Lord is designed to wash out all defilement, to make one spotless as to character. Psalm 34:11 (NASB95) Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.[xxvi]
Fear represents the specific attitude required to make the best use of God's law. Without the fear of the Lord, we make decisions based on our faulty human understanding. Those who fear the Lord have a continual awareness of Him, a deep reverence for Him, and sincere commitment to obey Him. A Godly fear gets us jump-started, gets us going to do what is right. Proverbs 9:10 (NASB95) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
The Bible is not a ‘O hum’ book. There’s a sense we are to come to God’s Word with reverential trust and awe. Deuteronomy 4:10 (NASB95) “Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when the LORD said to me/Moses, ‘Assemble the people to Me that I may let them hear My words so they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’
This is not a shaking trembling fear, but of deep sense of humility and reverence because God’s Word is clean. To say that it is clean means that there is nothing in God’s Word that corrupts or defiles the person. Everything connected with God’s Word is a pure or holy, able to cleanse the soul and to make it holy. Proverbs 13:13 (NASB95) The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.
Judgments of the Lord refer to a judicial pronounced verdict based on an established law. God’s judgments are always just, we do not need laborious explanations to justify them. Thus God’s judgments are true, and therefore righteous. Psalm 119:142 (NASB95) Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.
Let’s pause here. Psalm 19 is God’s own testimony to the sufficiency of Scripture. It is perfect, sure, right, clear, clean, true.
This why the Psalmist concludes our study for us with these heart searching words: ‘These words’ are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the drippings from a honeycomb. By them your servant is warned. There is a great reward in following them. (Vs10–11)
As I draw our study to a close, Joshua 1 came to my mind. I’m just going to close with vs 7-9(GW), 7“Be strong and very courageous, faithfully doing everything in the teachings that my servant Moses commanded you. Don’t turn away from them. Then you will succeed wherever you go. 8Never stop reciting these teachings. You must think about them night and day so that you will faithfully do everything written in them. Only then will you prosper and succeed. 9“I have commanded you, ‘Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ ”
When you take the Word in, the Lord comes along with all His power. May He increase your confidence that this book is the very Word of God, the sword of the Spirit, living and active, able to judge the ‘very’ thoughts and intentions of ‘your’ heart. If we love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, then we’ll use God's Word to measure the way we process life choices.
Let’s close in prayer: Our Father, we thank You for the greatness of Your truth. We pray, Lord, that You will seal this great text to our hearts, and out of it may there come glory to Your name, as we live in response to it, thank you that your Word is fixed in the heavens, that your Word accomplishes its purposes. We long so much that you will immerse Your Word into our hearts, showing us yourself, and showing us our Savior, and making the Book live to us. Help us to this end, we pray. For Jesus’ sake., amen.
[i] Cf., Daniel 7:24–25 (NASB95) 24‘As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings will arise; and another will arise after them, and he will be different from the previous ones and will subdue three kings. 25‘He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. Revelation 13:7 (NASB95)7It was also given to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them, and authority over every tribe and people and tongue and nation was given to him.
[ii] Colin Smith, He Loves Me (Psalm 23), https://openthebible.org/sermon/he-loves-me/
[iii] Romans 1:18–20 (NASB95)18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For 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.
[iv] Cf., Alistair Beggs, An Exposition of Psalm 19 (Pt 1), https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/exposition-psalm-19-part-one/ Gerald H. Wilson, Psalms, vol. 1, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 366.The torah (“law”) of Yahweh is “perfect” (tamim, “whole, complete; without blemish/anything lacking”). This essential wholeness of Torah is the basis of all the other characteristics: trustworthiness (19:7c), rightness (19:8a), radiance (19:8c), purity (19:9), certainty (19:9c), and righteousness (19:9d). Similarly, the effect on the believer is also more general and foundational: Torah causes the whole “being” (nepeš; niv “soul”)12 of the believer to “turn/return.”
[v] Benson Commentary, https://biblehub.com/commentaries/psalms/19-1.htm Romans 1:20 (NASB95) 20For 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. To magnify the power, wisdom, and goodness of the Creator, the psalmist begins with the works of creation, and, amidst the immensity of them, singles out those which are most conspicuous, grand, and striking, and best adapted to impress the mind of his reader with a sense of the infinite greatness and majesty of God, and to beget in him a solemn awe of, and veneration for, his matchless glories. 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. The counter-changing of day and night is a great proof of the power of God, and calls us to observe, that, as in the kingdom of nature, so in that of providence, he forms the light, and creates the darkness, Isa 45:7, and sets the one against the other.
[vi] Isaiah 51:6 (NASB95) 6“Lift up your eyes to the sky, Then look to the earth beneath; For the sky will vanish like smoke, And the earth will wear out like a garment And its inhabitants will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not wane.
[vii] Michael Wilcock, The Message of Psalms 1-72 (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsityPress, 2001), p72. C.S. Lewis writes: To his mind, the psalmist felt so close a connection … between his first theme and his second that he passed from one to the other without realizing … first he thinks of the sky … then he thinks of the sun … finally, of its heat’ not of course the mild heats of our climate but the cloudless blinding, tyrannous rays hammering the hills, searching every cranny … then at once, in v7 he is talking of something else, which hardly seems to him something else because it is so like the all-piercing, all detecting sunshine.
[viii] Cf., Lou Coleman, When EF Hutton Speaks Everybody Listens!” https://www.westsidestorynewspaper.com/when-e-f-hutton-speaks-everybody-listens/. “If they will give earnest heed to Me, and do what is right in My sight, and give ear to My commandments, and keep all My statutes, I will put none of the diseases on them which I put on the Egyptians; for I, the LORD, am your healer.” [Exodus 15: 26]. “For NOW is the acceptable time.” “NOW is the day of Salvation.” [2 Corinthians 6:2].
[ix] Psalm 119:160 (NASB95) The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.
[x] 2522 תָּמַם (tāmam) be complete. J. Barton Payne, “2522 תָּמַם,” ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke, Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (Chicago: Moody Press, 1999), 973.
[xi] 2 Peter 1:2–4 (NASB95) 2Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
[xii] Deuteronomy 4:2 (NASB95) “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deuteronomy 12:32 (NASB95) “Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it. Revelation 22:18–19 (NASB95) 18I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
[xiii] Ephesians 2:1–10 (NASB95) 1And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
[xiv] https://www.preceptaustin.org/psalm_197-14_commentary At the heart of the meaning of "aman" is the idea of certainty. To be firm or sure; to lean on God; to trust His word. At the heart of the meaning of the root is the idea of certainty. Faith is not a blind leap into the dark. Rather, faith is a confident commitment to One about whom abundant evidence bears ample testimony. The basic root idea is firmness or certainty.
[xv] Hebrews 12:28 (NASB95) 28Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;
[xvi] Psalm 111:7 (NASB95) 7The works of His hands are truth and justice; All His precepts are sure. Psalm 119:138 (NASB95) 138You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness And exceeding faithfulness.
[xvii] https://www.preceptaustin.org/psalm_197-14_commentary
[xviii] Gerald H. Wilson, Psalms, vol. 1, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 367.
[xix] Cf., Spurgeon Ps19:7 Treasury of Davidhttps://studylight.org/commentaries/ eng/tod/psalms-19.html#Ps19_7 The testimony of the Lord is sure. God bears his testimony against sin, and on behalf of righteousness; he testifies of our fall and of our restoration; this testimony is plain, decided, and infallible, and is to be accepted as sure. God's witness in his Word is so sure that we may draw solid comfort from it both for time and eternity, and so sure that no attacks made upon it however fierce or subtle can ever weaken its force. What a blessing that in a world of uncertainties we have something sure to rest upon! We hasten from the quicksands of human speculations to the terra firma of Divine Revelation
[xx] Precepts and commandments indicate the precision and authority with which He addresses us,
[xxi] Amos 7:7–8 (NASB95) 7Thus He showed me, and behold, the Lord was standing by a vertical wall with a plumb line in His hand. 8The LORD said to me, “What do you see, Amos?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold I am about to put a plumb line In the midst of My people Israel. I will spare them no longer. Isaiah 28:17 (NASB95) 17“I will make justice the measuring line And righteousness the level; Then hail will sweep away the refuge of lies And the waters will overflow the secret place.
[xxii] Proverbs 14:12 (NASB95) There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Psalm 1 (NASB95) 1How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. 4The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.
[xxiii] Psalm 5:11 ESV But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. Nehemiah 8:10 ESV Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” https://www.kingdomcapstone.org/content/rejoicing-heart-1Abiding in God’s Word and Trusting in Him are the Keys to the REJOICING HEART: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; MY HEART trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore MY HEART greatly REJOICES, and with my song I will praise Him” (Psa.28:7). The Glad Heart is the precursor to the Rejoicing Heart. God is the Author and Sustainer of the Glad Heart, but He wants us to transcend passive Gladness to active Rejoicing.
[xxiv] Psalm 18:30 (NASB95) 30As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 119:140 (NASB95) 140Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it. Proverbs 30:5 (NASB95) 5Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
[xxv] Psalm 119:18 (NASB95) 18Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.
[xxvi]https://www.gotquestions.org/fear-Lord-beginning-wisdom.html In the Bible, the word translated “fear” can mean several things. It can refer to the terror one feels in a frightening situation (Deuteronomy 2:25). It can mean “respect” in the way a servant fears his master and serves him faithfully (Joshua 24:14). Fear can also denote the reverence or awe a person feels in the presence of greatness (Isaiah 6:5). The fear of the Lord is a combination of all of these.Fear of the Lord can be defined as “the continual awareness that our loving heavenly Father is watching and evaluating everything we think, say, and do” (Matthew 12:36; Psalm 139:2; Jeremiah 12:3). As Jesus told each of the seven churches in Revelation 2—3, “I know your works.” Nothing escapes His attention.In order to develop the fear of the Lord, we must recognize God for who He is. We must glimpse with our spirits the power, might, beauty, and brilliance of the Lord God Almighty (Revelation 11:17; Hosea 12:5; Isaiah 6:1–5). Those who fear the Lord have a continual awareness of Him, a deep reverence for Him, and sincere commitment to obey Him.
[xxvii] John MacArthur, The Power and Sufficiency of God’s Word, (Psalm 19), https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/GTY120/the-power-and-sufficiency-of-gods-word