UPSA – Facultad de Teología

NOMBRE: AKASH AKASH

PSALM 19
INTRUDUCTION
David, with the view of encouraging the faithful to contemplate the glory of God, sets before
them in the first place, a mirror of it in the fabric of the heavens, and in the exquisite order of
their workmanship which we behold; and in the second place, he recalls our thoughts to the Law,
in which God made himself more familiarly known to his chosen people. Taking occasion from
this, he continues to discourse at considerable length on this peculiar gift of Heaven,
commending and exalting the use of the law. Finally, he concludes the psalm with a prayer.
1. BASIC DIVISION
Psalm, 19 is composed of two originally separate poems: (A) a morning hymn, praising the glory
of ’El in the heavens (Sal, v.2–5b), and glorious movements of the sun (Sal, v.5c–7); (B) a
didactic poem, describing the excellence of the Law (Sal, v.8–11), with a petition for absolution,
restraint from sin, and acceptance in worship (Sal, v.12–15).
1.1 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PSALM
The three psalms (Sal, 1, 19, and 119) that in a special way make the law of God the object of
thanksgiving, praise, and petition, wish above all to make clear to us the blessing of the law. The
beauty and awe that the natural world evokes lead humans intuitively to believe in an all-
powerful creator as is convincingly exemplified by Psalm 19. This Psalm 19 cannot speak of the
splendor of the course of the stars without at the same time, in sudden and unexpected
interjections, reflecting on the much greater splendor of the revelation of God’s law, and calling
us to repentance. Psalm 19 informs us that God has told us about himself through two means,
through creation and through the Bible. In theology we call these God's general and his special
revelation; his revelation in creation is general and his revelation in the Scriptures is special.
Today we are going to consider both of these.
2. THE GLORY OF GOD IN CREATION (Sal, 19:1-6)
A. DECLARED BY THE SKIES (Sal, 1-4a)

1. The heavens declare God's glory

2. The firmaments shows His handwork
3. The days and nights speak of His knowledge
a. Such speech is universal
b. Its distribution is worldwide
B. DEMONSTRATED BY THE SUN (Sal, 4b-6)

1. The skies are like a tabernacle for the sun

2. The sun passes through the skies
 a. like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber
b. Like a strong man rejoices in anticipation of his race
3. The effect of the sun is universal
a. From one end of heaven to the other
b. Nothing is hidden from its heat
The biblical concept of “glory” is difficult to define. Believers’ glory is that they understand the
gospel and glory in God, not in themselves (Jr, 9:23-24). In the OT the most common Hebrew
word for “glory” was originally a commercial term relating to a pair of scales (“to be heavy”).
That which was heavy was valuable or had intrinsic worth. Often the concept of brightness was
added to the word to express God’s majesty (Ex, 9:16-18; 24:17; Isa. 60:1-2). He alone is worthy
and honorable. He is too brilliant for fallen mankind to behold (Ex, 33:17-23; Is, 6:5). YHWH
can only be truly known through Christ (Jn, 12:45; 14:8-11; Col.1:15; Heb. 1:3). The term
“glory” is somewhat ambiguous.
1. It may be parallel to “the righteousness of God”
2. It may refer to the “holiness” or “perfection” of God
3. It could refer to the image of God in which mankind was created (cf. Gen. 1:26-27; 5:1; 9:6),
but which was later marred through rebellion (Gen. 3:1-21). It is first used of YHWH’s presence
with His people during the wilderness wandering period in Exod. 16:7, 10; Lev. 9:23; and Num.
14:10. 1
The repetition which he makes in the second clause is merely an explanation of the first. David
shows how it is that the heavens proclaim to us the glory of God, namely, by openly bearing
testimony that they have not been put together by chance, but were wonderfully created by the
supreme Architect. When we behold the heavens, we cannot but be elevated, by the
contemplation of them, to Him who is their great Creator; and the beautiful arrangement and
wonderful variety which distinguish the courses and station of the heavenly bodies, together with
the beauty and splendor which are manifest in them, cannot but furnish us with an evident proof
of his providence. Scripture, indeed, makes known to us the time and manner of the creation; but
the heavens themselves, although God should say nothing on the subject, proclaim loudly and
distinctly enough that they have been fashioned by his hands: and this of itself abundantly
suffices to bear testimony to men of his glory. As soon as we acknowledge God to be the
supreme Architect, who has erected the beauteous fabric of the universe, our minds must
necessarily be ravished with wonder at his infinite goodness, wisdom, and power. 2
3. THE WORD: INSPIRATION (Sal 19, 7-11)
A. THE VIRTUE OF GOD'S WORD (Sal 19, 7-9)

1. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul

2. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple
1
B. Utley, PSALMS: The hymnal of Israel, Marshall, Texas 2012, p. 161.
2
J. Calvin, Commentary on Psalms - Volume 1, MI: Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand
Rapids 1564, p, 310.
 3. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart
4. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes
5. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever
6. The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous forever
B. THE VALUE OF GOD'S WORD (Sal 19, 10-11)

1 .More desirable than much fine gold

2. Sweeter than honey and the honeycomb
3. By them God's servant is warned
4. Keeping them has great reward
3.1 The law of the Lord
Here the second part of the psalm commences. After having shown that the creatures, although
they do not speak, nevertheless serve as instructors to all mankind, and teach all men so clearly
that there is a God, as to render them inexcusable, the Psalmist now turns towards the Jews, to
whom God had communicated a fuller knowledge of himself by means of his word. 3
David now takes us through the glory of God as shown in the Scriptures. The Psalm 19:7-11
“restoring, making, rejoicing, enlightening, enduring, righteous, more desirable, sweeter, warned,
keeping” This is what the written revelation does for us. Oh, the value of Scripture for fallen
humanity. What powerful repetition and parallelism! God’s revelation is redemptive,
informative, prescriptive, and a real blessing! Oh, thank God for revelation. 4
3.2 Law and Testimony
David starts with something that would have been a very present fact to him: the Ark of the
Covenant, or as it is sometimes referred to, the Ark of the Testimony. 5 In doing this he reminds
his hearers of the giving of the Ten Commandments a list so profound that three thousand years
later it still stands as the definition of Judeo-Christian morality. It also reminds the Israelites of
the way God delivered them from Egypt with a mighty hand. But God’s glory is shown not only
in his might and power, but also in his forgiveness and forbearance. The Ark contained not only
the tablets of the Law, but also manna a reminder of God’s providence for his people. It had
Aaron’s rod, the reminder of the power of God used to rescue his people. Commandment, mercy
and power still reminders of God’s glory to us today.6

3.3 Statutes and Commandments

3
Ibid, p. 316.
4
B. Utley, PSALMS: The hymnal of Israel, p. 163.
5
Cf. Exodus 25:16.
6
J, Hendershot, Lessons on the Psalms, 2013. p. 10.
It’s easy for us to focus on concise statements like the Ten Commandments. But we must also
remember that God gave far more instruction than that, both in the time of the Israelites and in
our own. The sign of God’s glory is this: unlike man’s laws, God’s laws always fit together. If
you’ve ever done your taxes by hand, you’ll understand this one.7
3.4 Fear and Judgments
We are reminded here that God is still awesome; what he did to Pharaoh and Egypt he can do to
anyone. He is not the kindly grandfather who wants you to be blessed; he is the Father who
wants you to be like him. To that purpose he tells you to fear him (as Pharaoh didn’t) and beware
of his judgments.8
4. THE GRACE OF GOD IN SANCTIFICATION (Sal 19:12-14)
A. A PRAYER FOR PURIFICATION (Sal 19, 12)

1. The difficulty of understanding (knowing) one's errors

2. Plea for cleansing from secret faults (sins of which one is not aware)
B. A PRAYER FOR PREVENTION (Sal 19, 13)

1. Plea to be kept from the domination of presumptuous sins (sins of which one is aware)
2. Then one shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression
C. A PRAYER FOR PERFECTION (Sal 9, 14)

1. That the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart be acceptable in His sight
2. Addressed to the Lord, the source of his strength and his redemption
Love being the force that drives the cosmos, is further substantiated in verses 11-14. Verses 12-
13 indicate that humans will fall prey to “errors”, “hidden faults”, and even “willful sins”. As a
result, verse 12b (“forgive my hidden faults”) and verse 13b (“may they [the willful sins] not rule
over me”) represent petitions for forgiveness.9 The outcome is forgiveness, evidenced by the
words “blameless” (v. 13c) and “innocent” (v. 13d), due to God’s grace – a demonstration of the
love of a forgiving next of kin. To be blameless, however, does not mean to be sinless, but to live
in humble dependence upon God – both for continued forgiveness and for life itself, all by the
grace and love of God. 10 Finally, the last affirmation of this Torah psalm, that God is both
“rock” and “redeemer”, shows that in his constant love is the beginning and end of all one’s
hope.
5. DAVID ENDS WITH HIS PRAYERS FOR HIMSELF
He summons up both word and thought – “words of my mouth” and “meditations of my heart”
so that his plea will not be words only and hypocritical. He asks that these be acceptable to God.
Note, he does not ask that they be perfect, for perfection belongs to God alone. It is a note of
7
Ibid, p. 10.
8
Ibid, p. 10.
9
J. McCann, “A Theological Introduction to the Book of Psalms: The Psalms as Torah,
Abingdon press, Nashville 1993. pp. 752.
10
Ibid, p. 753.
humility in a great king. Finally, he acknowledges God for who he is. He is my redeemer, the
one who forgives my sins and snatches me away from the penalty of hell. He is also my strength,
ready to sustain me in the temptations and trials of life.
6. SYNTHESIS
This well-known psalm of David might be appropriately titled “God's Two Books,” for in it we
are told how God has expressed Himself in two different ways. Through the book of creation, the
glory and handiwork of God are made known as one observes the heavens and firmament. Day
and night “speaks” to the whole world if people will just listen (Rm, 1:20). As an illustration of
the pervasive nature of this revelation, the sun passes through the heavens from one end to the
other, like a joyful bridegroom or a strong runner. There is no place hidden from its heat (Sal 19,
1-6). While one might learn of God’s power and the fact of His deity through nature, we learn of
His Will for man only through His book of revelation, i.e., the Word of God. Using different
synonyms for God’s Word (law, testimony, statutes, etc.), David extols its virtue and impact
upon the soul and well-being of man. He praises it value as worth more than much gold, and
sweeter than honey (Sal 19, 7-11).
The psalm ends with a prayer that is a proper response of one who has been influenced by both
“books.” Acknowledging the challenge of knowing one’s own secret sins (Sal, 40:12; Lv, 5: 15-
17), and the danger of sinning presumptuously (Nm, 15:30-31; Dt, 17:12-13), David prays for
cleansing and help that he might be blameless and innocent. But he desires more than just
forgiveness, David prays that his future words and thoughts will always be acceptable in the
sight of the Lord, the source of his strength and redemption (Sal 19, 12-14).
CONCLUSION
Psalm 19 affirms that love is the basic reality. The psalm begins with creation, continues with
God’s instruction (Torah), and ends with the psalmist’s own sinfulness and salvation. The
heavens proclaim a powerful message concerning the existence of God and how wonderful he is.
This testimony is an inescapable message for all who live on earth because it is being announced
day and night from the sky over every person’s head. Yet it is an incomplete message in that it
does not give details about the God who created it. In order to know the details of who God is,
how he relates to humans, and how humans should live their lives, God also speaks more
specifically through his torah. The torah is something very desirable to humans in that it has the
great reward of keeping them in right relationship to God. Eventually those who hear God’s
testimony from creation and from his torah become his servants, and this very testimony of God
directs their lives and keeps them from sin. The words of God’s servant should ultimately match
the testimony coming from creation and from his torah; their lives should be pleasing to him and
thus declare his glory.