Words
What is the title of Psalm 19? To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
Read Psalm 19:1-4
1 The heavens
(are those who) declare the glory of God, and the expanse (the one who) proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals (bow down) knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world…
2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals (bow down) knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world…
What does the Psalmist describe?
Creation
is speaking.
This is "Natural knowledge". Nature can actually tell about God.
(See Romans 1 - Men have no excuse!!)
Read Psalm 19:4-6
…In them he has set a tent for the sun,5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his chamber, and he exults, like a strong man, to run its course/path.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat/sun.
What picture does he describe?
Sun is like a bridegroom – the tent in a wedding ceremony is a place where the marriage is consummated. So you can imagine the bridegroom coming out - He is strong, vigorous, happy!
BUT ALSO, the Sun is all-encompassing (v.6) =
This transition changes the image from creation to an image of God’s law.
Read 19:7-9
7 The law (torah) of the Lord is
perfect/complete, returns/brings back the body/soul ( nephesh); the testimony of the Lord is
sure/confirmed, making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are straight/right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean (ceremonially), enduring forever; the judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
8 the precepts of the Lord are straight/right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean (ceremonially), enduring forever; the judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
How is the torah described?
Torah means law = testimony, precepts, commandment, fear,
judgments
These are good, perfect, clean, true things!
Read BONHOEFFER, Psalms, The Prayer Book of the Bible, "The Law".
Read 19:10 -11
10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter
also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward/ consequence.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward/ consequence.
What benefit is the torah?
Sweet – priceless - GREAT STUFF!
ALSO, warnings - This is good too.
Read 19:12 -14
12 Who can
discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words
of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my
redeemer.
What is David’s prayer?
Forgive me. Keep me from doing the things I don’t want to
do. Keep MY WORDS.
I hope the law benefits me in this way...
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?
What is the purpose of this Psalm/prayer?
Description = creation speaking
Description = YHWH speaking (torah, law of God)
Prayer for MY speaking
How does Christ fulfill this psalm?
John 1:1-17 Word created, Word made flesh, Christ actually IS God's Word made human.
He speaks for God and for man AT THE SAME TIME!
Christ is "revealed knowledge". We know about mercy for our words on account of his speaking to God for us; namely, "forgive them, by my sacrifice."
Word/Christ
actually lives in us. Our words are HIS words when we confess (same-say) His Word.
How can we pray this?
We pray our words are His words
Reminded who we are in – Confession/ absolution, Baptism, Supper
Hebrews10:15-24 Prayer for MY SPEAKING/living Word:
15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,”17 then he adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
WE PRAY:
Thy kingdom come.
What does this mean? The kingdom of God comes indeed without our prayer, of itself; but we pray in this petition that it may come unto us also.
How is this done? When our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word and lead a godly life here in time and yonder in eternity.
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