Psalm 19

⁰⁷          The Torah of the Lord is perfect,

converting the soul;

                        the testimony of the Lord is certain,

                                    making wise the simple;

⁰⁸          the precepts of the Lord are upright,

 giving joy to the heart;

            the commands of the Lord are radient,

                        enlightening the eyes.

⁰⁹             the fear of the Lord is pure,

 enduring forever;

            the judgments of the Lord are true,

                        and altogether righteous.

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The Law of the Lord

For the Lord’s Day:  the 04 July 2004

 

Introduction:  Today’s section of Psalm Nineteen contains six statements, the Translator’s Handbook notes “six words are used for the Law, the sacred record of Yahweh’s instructions to his people.”  There is wrapped up in these concepts, here: a certain summary outline: of just what is meant to the tribes of Israel, whenever and wherever the laws of God the Father are held in reverence.  Delitzsch outlines the sequence here:  “now follow twelve encomiums of the Law, of which every two are related as antecedent and consequent, rising and falling according to the caesural schema, after the manner of waves.”

 

While Calvin quickly notes the sufficiency of natural revelation to leave men without excuse in the realization that there must be a God, he would advise us carefully that “God vouchsafes to those whom he has determined to call to salvation special grace.”  Further, he writes: “he communicated to the children of Abraham alone his Law, thereby to furnish them with a more certain and intimate knowledge of his majesty.”

 

As we consider the regular rhythm of the poetic cadence throughout, we must begin with the first two lines where I have used the Hebrew word “Torah” for the whole of the revealed law contained in the first five books “of Moses.”  Again, my Translator’s Handbook tells us that “the word ‘Torah’ means teaching, instruction, guidance.  It stands generally for the Hebrew faith, Yahweh’s revelation of himself as the God of the Hebrew people, and particularly for the written record of that revelation in the Hebrew scriptures, especially the first five books.”  In our day we may certainly emend that concept to include the whole of the scriptural revelation, that is: “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (Jude 1: 3)

 

Thus, what David is celebrating in his more primitive period of the law’s revelation is that every revelation from the Lord God is always perfect in its declarations.  In our day and age, we should and would claim that infallible perfection with all the gusto we can muster, since the world doubts not only the sincerity and reality of the process of revelation, but also the knowledge thereby handed down which rubs against the natural grain of sinners going to seed.

 

David knows no doubts about the work of the Lord in speaking His mind that thereby – we may know Him.  Francis Schaeffer spoke the same tone of sanity to the last half of the twentieth century.  “God is there and he is not silent!”  And even as God’s word has gone forth from one end of the earth to another, its impact upon God’s people is that thereby they come to know Him as their God and king.  “The Torah of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.”

 

Yes, the implication of the Hebrew text is truly specific that the souls of His redeemed are touched through the purity of sincere preaching, preaching where the unadulterated truth is carefully made known: specifically that which He has revealed throughout the prophetic, historic and poetic books of the Old Covenant as well as more fully developed in the gospels and letters of the New Covenant.

 

Development: Thereby, in verse seven is the general principle of special revelation in and through the content of the Holy Scriptures set out through the power of the Holy Spirit.  And yet, the generality of that verse is only the beginning of David’s blessed survey of that the Law of the Lord may accomplish when it is applied to the human soul.

 

The second colon of verse seven can almost demonstrate the ongoing purposes of our courts of law.  “The testimony of the Lord is certain, making wise the simple.”  Just as a jury of common people is selected to render a decisive review of the evidence obtained for the court at law, so too is the accumulated evidentiary reports and testimony of the Lord in both word and deed: absolutely overwhelming in its certainty.  Even the simple minded can be convinced by the power of preaching the revealed word as mandated from the throne of heaven.

 

There is real power in the Word of God, as well all know whenever we listen carefully for the still small voice of the Creator written larger in our hearts when that Word is applied.  Now, let me be certain to handle the Word revealed precisely and carefully.  Once, we had a visiting Reformed pastor, who was retired – preach in our pulpit.  He went out of his way to warn the congregation against deifying the Word itself, teaching that it was the application of the Holy Spirit that made the Word understood and acceptable to human hearts all too weary and weighed down with sin.  While we can agree in principle, still – there is power in the Word written, if it just be taken up and read carefully.  We would not agree that “the word of the Lord can be found in the scriptures,” but that the Word of the Lord is there nevertheless – even if the reader be deaf, dumb and stupid, the Lord God Creator can crack open even the most hardened heart if it be His will and purpose to do so!

 

Moving on to verse eight we read David’s understanding that:  “The precepts of the Lord are upright, giving joy to the heart.”  The term “precepts” here means “orders and legal directives” according to our Translator’s Handbook.  In these phrases, Calvin contrasts “the rectitude of the law and the crooked ways in which men entangle themselves when they follow their own understandings.”

 

How well did he speak!  Some years ago, I was part of a panel of teachers gathered to discuss the moral imperatives necessary to shape a modern society.  Of course, none of God’s principles could be announced, explained or examined, as the older biblically literate members were shamed into silence, the radical liberals announced that any group of sane people could do just as well all by themselves.  I quickly observed that then there must only be two principles which under girded their view of human life in our day and time.  The first negative principle was that nothing could ever be considered loathsome except the blowing of second hand smoke towards another human being.  The second, proactive principle was that any human life could be snuffed out, just so long as it wasn’t accidentally evicted from the womb before it was terminated.  While I allowed that there were other principles that could be drawn out, these at least were the most obvious foundations for the modern humanistic mind.  Funny thing, I was never invited back for further discussions – I guess I must have gotten too close to the truth of their arrogant humanistic experience!

 

At the very least – the ordinary biblical precepts do enhance the enjoyment of life, health and familial relationships within the home and the church as well.  The contemporary humanistic scene would rather diminish the human experience to a loathsome and lonely self-centered existence – where every relationship is measured not by love and duty but only by exploitation and convenience. 

 

The fourth poetic observation of David is in the second half of verse eight:  “The commands of the Lord are radiant, enlightening the eyes.”  Here are words indicate the probability of the spiritual insights given in and only through and by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Just as we are all warmed by the radiant heat of the summer sunshine, so too are the responsible and righteous commands of the Lord complete in showing us “the way, the truth and the life” in Jesus Christ.  Just as the sunshine allows us to see all things natural, so too does the greater glory and radiance of the only Son thereby open our eyes so that we may behold His glory and know Him as the Lord of life.

 

Application:  A fifth essential point is made in the first half of verse nine: “The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.”  Certainly, we all understand that the biblical word “fear” here means reverence and awe!  And yet, we must retain the biblical language in our day and time – since the general public has forgotten almost every ounce of respect for anyone or anything.  We have had within the last few month’s reports of people attempting to pet wild animals in zoo cages and being almost bewildered at the injuries that have resulted from their stupidity.

 

Years ago, when we had livestock at the County Fair, all of the 4-H clubs had to keep members on guard duty, not so much to protect the larger animals who could if need be take care of themselves – but more to protect the ignorant individuals of society who had no experience of the regular dangers associated with large beasts!  Even at three years old – I knew to watch out for the horse’s hooves, the cattle horns and the ferocious beaks of a gander and rooster!  The experience with the latter two helped me to understand the greater danger of the larger mammals!

 

Now, I would not commend a similar understanding of the God of heaven and earth.  But, instead we, like David have to realize that in Him – there is a spiritual being under whom all things exist and that by His power are all things made and managed.  Further, given the fact of His awesome power and holiness – it is only by His mercy and grace that we endure not only the passing life on earth but also only in Him is there any hope of heaven.  We may also appreciate that it is the absolute purity of His person, providence and plan that allows us to draw near and dear to Him in and through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

And how can we embrace Him?  The last colon of this section assures us: “The judgments of the Lord are true, and altogether righteous.”  Here the key word for the legal relationship is “judgments.”  In some translations, the word “judgments” is rendered: “ordinances.”  Again, the Translator’s Handbook helps us comprehend the essence of the terminology:  “’The ordinances of the Lord must be expressed in some languages as ‘what the Lord decides is fair and true,’ or idiomatically, ‘when the Lord cuts the words he cuts them fairly.’”

 

The concept of cutting here is related to the “cutting of a covenant” in and through the sacrificial system realized by Abraham and all Israel throughout the Old Covenant period.  In the playing of card games, it is the trustworthiness of the dealer that determines the honesty and integrity of any and every game.  If the dealer has something up his sleeve or engages in certain tricks of dishonest trading – an honest game can hardly be had.  In many gambling houses, the odds are all too carefully managed and manipulated to guarantee the profit of the house!

 

However, as has been demonstrated down through the pages of history – the glory of our God is demonstrated not in ordinary manipulation of all things for selfish reasons – but completely and entirely aimed at the preservation and protection of His covenant people.  Even the personage of God Himself in Christ is rubbed out by sinful men – just because God’s justice demands such a beneficial sacrifice in order for the elect to be saved.  In order to accomplish our salvation – the Creator God has been true to His person, power and providential ordering of all things in order that His glory may be seen in His words and works on our behalf.

 

One last thought perhaps more crude than useful?  In the game of life, you will loose every time that you engage the worldly, but if you gamble with the Lord God Creator – He can always be counted on to not only do the right thing every single time, but also to hold you in the palm of His hand, guiding and protecting His own – in order that they might be saved.  Praise the Lord and may we glory in His word that guarantees us of such a hope and a promise.  It is not only the entirety of the law of God that benefits us, but also every single nuance, detail and purpose of His will written in nature, the scriptures and our hearts and minds.  Blessed by the Lord of all the earth.  Amen.

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PREACHING RESOURCES

 

Calvin, John:  Commentary on Book of Psalms.

Delitzsch, F:  Commentary on the Old Testament – Psalms.

Spurgeon, C.H:  Treasury of David.

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