E - GEMS FROM PSALMS - 5

E – GEMS FROM PSALMS – 5

This has been called the “greatest poem in the psalter”.  Certainly it is one of the better known and favorite of the psalms.  Any one who has been in church very long has heard and perhaps said the last verse many times.  However, let us begin with the first part of the psalm.

The psalm can easily be divided into two parts and perhaps three.  The first six verses declare the power and glory of God in His creation.  Ps.19:1   David, the author, uses the Hebrew word for God that means power.  The power of God is shown by His creation.  We speak of the handiwork of some people with thread, yarn, or wood.  Think of the beautiful and intricate creations of God in His work with nature and the heavens.  More amazing, yet, is His creation of life in the human being made in His image.  Ps.139:14  God’s majesty is beyond description.

Ps.19:2   God’s power and glory is consistent throughout day and night.  It continues forever.  Rom.1:20   The man who does not believe will eventually suffer.  Ps.28:5   God’s work is beyond comprehension.  Ps.74:16,17   Isaiah questions Israel in Isa.40:26,27   Isaiah then proceeds to answer his own questions.  Isa.40:28,31

Ps.19:3,4   Whatever language or dialect, people can comprehend the message of God through His creation.  God’s existence, power, and glory is a universal language.  Not only is God universal but God is eternal.  His power and will lasts forever.  Gen.8:22

Ps.19:5,6   Many worshipped the sun in those days.  Even today some tribes do the same.  The sun is pictured as a bridegroom coming out of his tent.  Its size, temperature, and distance is sustained by God in just the right manner as to help us and not destroy us.  The continuity of creation is expressed in Eccl.1:5-7

The psalm now abruptly changes.  A new Hebrew word is used for God.  It now is Lord which is used for God’s counsel and will.  The creation showed God’s power and glory but not how to live. Rom.8:4   Then David begins to enumerate all that the law of the Lord does.  The law is not the do’s and don’ts of the Levitical law but the plan of God and instructions as to how we are to live to fulfill His will and please Him.  Ps.19:7   God’s law is perfect.  It was given for man’s well-being.  It is given through the inspiration of the Scriptures.  2 Tim.3:16   His plan of salvation is given as well as the manner of life that will please Him.  Prov.6:23   God’s law is given in such a way that even the simple can have understanding.  Ps.119:130

Ps.19:8   We can’t always trust the laws of our land.  As people become corrupt, so do our laws.  God’s laws are right.  Neh.9:13   In Paul’s dilemma he delighted in God’s law.  Prov.30:5   Eyes see in the light.  Eph.1:18   God’s Word is light.  Prov.6:23

Ps.19:9   Our fear of the Lord is not horror, terror, or dread.  We love the Lord and know that He loves us.  We also know His power so we hold great respect with awe at His glory and grace.  Samuel enjoined the people to fear the Lord.  1 Sam.12:24   Many times we question the judgments of men but never those of the Lord.  Rev.16:7

Ps.19:10   A man’s wealth in that day was determined by gold.  The Word of the Lord is worth much more than material riches.  How difficult it is to remember that for a man that is desiring success and wealth .  Ps.119:127; Jam.2:5; 1 Tim.6:10

Honey was considered a luxury and was not only wonderful to the taste but also had medicinal purposes.  Honey dripping from the comb was considered the most pure.  This is likened to the instruction of the Lord.  Ps.119:103

Ps.19:11   The directions of life are given by the Lord.  Some are given as warnings.  Prov.16:25   Keeping the Lord’s directions bring reward.  Isa.3:10,11   Our faith brings rewards now and eternally.  Heb.11:6; Jam.1:25   We must lay hold and not lose what we have worked for that our reward will be full.  2 Jhn.8

Ps.19:12,13   Sometimes we don’t understand or realize our sins.  A sinful habit may have been committed so many times that it is “normal”.  We don’t think of it as sin.  Other times we suppose that they are hidden and no one knows.   We need to say with Job, Teach me…show me where I have been wrong.   Job 6:24   This takes humility.  Then we need to act upon it.  Repent and change.

Acknowledging a sin and then continuing in it is a presumptuous sin.  We know but we do anyway.  This can have control over us.  Heb.10:26; Rom.6:12   Sin is powerful but we can have victory over sin for greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world.  1 Jhn.4:4; 2 Thess.3:3

Ps.19:14   Perhaps we have recited this verse many times but have we considered what we were praying—and yes, it is a prayer.  May it ever be on our lips and in our hearts.  What we say and do comes from the heart.  Prov.23:7   David knew that sin could not dwell in his heart for God to listen to his prayers.  Ps.66:18,19

As children of the Lord, we need to find out what pleases Him.  Eph.5:8-10,17   It is not enough to just know what pleases our Lord.  We must do it.  Josh.1:8   The Lord is our strength.  Ps.18:2   He will provide us with the strength we need.  Eph.1:19   Job knew of his Redeemer.  Job 19:25   As we make our words and our ways acceptable to our Lord, may we ever meditate on the gift of grace given to us by the blood of Jesus.  1 Pet.1:18-21