Psalm 19 (part 2): the value of God’s Word and Law
The second section of Psalm 19 covers verses 7-14. I like the similes David uses to describe God’s Law. It’s obvious that he puts great weight on it. As the NJB authors say in the footnotes of this Psalm: “nature and Law both manifest the perfection of God.” Why do so many Christian denominations forgo observance of God’s Law nowadays? In their bias, they clump together the Ten Commandments (God’s Law) with Jewish religious law, which was a combination of ceremonial law - tied to sacrifices - and rabbinic instructions - meant to direct daily religious life. But the two are of a completely different nature and purpose.
God’s Law, the Ten Commandments, are God’s measuring stick. Contrary to popular Christian opinion, they will never go away. Various denominations may claim the Law was nailed to the cross, but Jesus never said anything of the sort, and neither does the Bible, if carefully and prayefully examined (read this article for more information). It is true that a group of laws no longer applies. Once Jesus died on the cross, much of the old ceremonial and rabbinic law did not make sense anymore - it had been tied to the sacrificial system, which was meant to point to Jesus. When He sacrificed Himself, He was the ultimate sacrifice, and sufficed for ever. This meant the end of animal sacrifices at the Jewish temple, and the end of any laws or religious instructions tied to the sacrificial system. But the Ten Commandments were written down by God’s hand on stone and given to Moses, and were from the start completely separate from the sacrificial system. There is no mention of sacrifices in the Ten Commandments, or of an end to them because of Jesus’ sacrifice. They are not only God’s measuring stick, but they are our moral and religious mirror. They tell us when we’re doing something wrong.
David understood this. He writes: “The Law of Yahweh is perfect, refreshment to the soul; the decree of Yahweh is trustworthy, wisdom for the simple.” This is so true! I could not write these things to you without knowing the Law, for how would I know what’s right and wrong? I am but a simple man. God’s Law gives me wisdom. “The precepts of Yahweh are honest, joy for the heart.” So true! When I do right, I know it, and I rejoice. The commandment of Yahweh is pure, light for the eyes.” It sure is! How could I see wrong and stay away from it without God’s Law? It’s like a “lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” as David writes in another of his Psalms.
“The fear of Yahweh is pure, lasting for ever,” says David. Solomon writes in one of his proverbs, “fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”. Dim is the man who goes about angering God, for he knows not what he’s doing! It’s best to stay on God’s good side. His love may know no bounds, but His wrath endures forever. How would you know if you were doing wrong? By “listening to your heart”, as the New Age people tell you today? That’s a lie. We do not have a moral code in our genes, and our hearts are “perverse” - the Bible says this, and we acknowledge it ourselves. When was the last time our motives and feelings were pure, especially in matters where we’re tempted? We cannot, in and of ourselves, choose right, without guidance. We have to actively choose to do what’s right, or risk debasing ourselves like animals. The only way to know what’s right is to have a standard: that’s God’s Law.
“The judgements of Yahweh are true, upright, every one.” The Devil would have you believing otherwise. He would instill doubts in you, and blame all of the evil and destruction in the world on God. But that’s simply not true. God is giving the Devil free rein in the world, because He wants to prove beyond a doubt to us and to all of the heavenly host that He is just. Wouldn’t a judge in a courtroom let the defense make its case? That’s what God is doing now. He is giving the devil due process. But woe unto him when the Prosecutor will stand. He will simply hold up the Law, point to it, and the Judge will pronounce the sentence: guilty! Do you want to be on the defending side, or the prosecuting side? Because the Bible tells us how this will end, so there’s no guessing there.
In verse 10, David shows the value of God’s judgments and words. “Your servant is formed by them, observing them brings great reward”, he writes in verse 11. Why do some people put so little value on the Bible? They call it a historical book, a book of philosophy, an interesting book. There are countless books that could be described in that way. Yet there is scarcely any other book that has survived for so long, has been translated into so many languages, and has been cherished and treasured by so many people. Based on testimonial value alone, this Book ought to be taken more seriously, yet it isn’t. But critics rave about the latest fiction novels written by so and so, most not worth reading, because of their depressing storylines and the debasing behavior of their characters. I hardly see how a novel about some husband who cheats on his wife, or vice versa, will enrich anyone’s life. Yet the Bible is so full of knowledge and wisdom, that it can never fail to bring good to those who read it. It makes them better people. It cleans them from within. David acknowledges it here.
The next verses ought to be one of our favorite prayers. We should know them by heart:
“Wash away my hidden faults.
And from pride preserve your servant,
never let it be my master.
So shall I be above reproach,
free from grave sin.
May the words of my mouth always find favour,
and the whispering of my heart,
in your presence, Yahweh,
my rock, my redeemer.” (NJB)
Maybe it’s just me, but verse 14 sounds better in the KJV:
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Wow! Amen!
