Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Awe at God’s Revelation
God has revealed Himself in His creation, but has enriched us most through His revelation in the Scripture. Only by studying and keeping God’s law can we be kept from sin.
Revelation. Revelation is primarily the giving and receiving of information from God. Psalm 19 celebrates two forms of revelation: natural, in which information about God is made known through His Creation; and special, in which information from God is made known directly to human beings. Psalm 19 has 3 sections: 1. A celebration of the greatness of God’s creation; 2. A celebration of the purity of the Word of God; and 3. A contemplation of the life of the person of God.
19:7-10 The law is the Torah, which means “instruction” or “direction.” The passage (vv.7-9) presents 6 words for the law of God – law, testimony, statutes, commandment, fear, and judgments; 6 evaluations of the law – perfect, sure, right, pure, clean and true; and 6 results – converting the soul, making wise the simple, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes, enduring forever, and righteous altogether. The value of the Scripture cannot be compared with any other desirable thing – even gold. It provides the key to wisdom, joy, and most importantly, eternal life.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
19:12-14 his errors: The discussion of the nature and perfection of the law of God leads the psalmist to consider his own imperfection. He is aware of both hidden faults and presumptuous sins; he asks to be delivered from both. His final prayer corresponds to 139:23, 24. My strength means “my rock” (see 18:1). My Redeemer describes God as the One who purchases our freedom from any bondage or slavery. The principal meaning of the word is “defender of family rights.”
12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be 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 strength and my Redeemer.
19 1 To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2 Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, 5 Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. 6 Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13 Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be 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 strength and my Redeemer.
⇒ We are surrounded by the beauty and wonder of His creation. And, we get to have the Bible, God’s own Word written down for us to hold in our hands and read. When feeling overwhelmed by the terrible things happening in this world, let us remember that they are here only for a while and will be no more. God’s Word and His promise will last forever. The treasure we should take claim and never let go.
