(Psalm 19) Hear the Glorious Words of God!

Nathan Sehi

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Do you hear the glorious Words of God? Psalm 19 declares 3 voices that describe how important it is to listen to the Scriptures. Creation was made by the very word of God and reminds the world of His Awesomeness. His Word gives us everything we need to live the life God designed for us. Our nature testifies of our need for God’s Word. God’s Word should be the constant meditation of our life.

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INTRODUCTION:

The average person people have estimated hears 20,000 to 30,000 words every day.

That is a lot of words.

We hear that many words every day, of between conversations, the telephone, and the Internet.

We hear a lot of words every single day.

I wonder –

How many of those words are overtly sinful?

How many of those words are foolish?

Even if most of those words not overtly sinful and overtly foolish – I wonder how many of the words that we hear are wise and worth repeating?

Yet further,

how many of the words that we hear in our lifetime will truly last into a eternity?

Even if we consider written words,

how many of those words will last into eternity?

When we examine the value of even our wisest sayings, how do they compare to the glorious words of God?

how do they compare to the glorious words of God?

You might compare humanity's wisest words to God's words this way-

COMPARISON:

Man's wisest words are no valuable then grass clippings being thrown into the garbage,

and yet God's words as magnificent as the most beautiful diamonds you can ever find, lasting for eternity.

will begin to address the purpose and role of the law in the history of humanity.

Romans 7:7 ESV

7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.”

English Standard Version Chapter 7

What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means!

I plan to look at this morning as a pretext to understanding .

>>>>>This will help us to better understand this chapter.

This will help us to better understand this chapter.

You see we often come to a text like and then looked down upon the law is something worthless.

Yet I assure you, the law will stand the test of eternity in ways none of our words will.

Psalm 119:89 ESV

89 Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Further,

I want us to understand why this would've been a huge struggle for a Jew who is always heard how wonderful the law is.

>>>It will help us understand their struggle, and thus how we can apply the text to our lives.

So serves as a great pretext to jumping in to .

While we are lucky if our words last 500 years – God's words will stand forever.

And this text will teach us how God’s Word is a glorious voice to humanity.

***************************PRAY***********************************

Psalm 19 ESV

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts 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 rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and 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 rock and my redeemer.

Ps 19

According to this Psalm,

PROP: We ought to Listen to the Glorious Words of God.

TRANS: And David teaches us this in a series of 3 voices.

The first voice.

1) Creation Testifies of the Awesomeness of God’s Words. ()

has been the text for many songs and poems over the years.

Psalm 19 ESV

“The spacious firmament on high” (Joseph Addison)

“The heavens declare thy glory” (Thomas Birks)

“The heavens declare thy glory, Lord” (Isaac Watts)

“Lord, thy Word abideth” (Henry Baker)

How firm a Foundation is a hymn that is based in this verse.

“Jehovah’s perfect law restores the soul again” (Psalter, 1912)

“The law of God is good and wise” (Matthias Loy)

“Most perfect is the law of God” (Psalter, 1912)

Verse 1 is a text that captures the imagination when we read it.

It is almost like we have to sit down and behold the magnificence of what it declares.

Many times we think of God’s glory in creation we think of the mountains or maybe the ocean.

But David in this Psalm thought of the sky.

a) The Sky Voices the Glory of God. (v. 1-4)

Psalm 19:1 ESV

1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Ps 19

We live in big sky country, and the clouds, and the storms…the vastness of it all demonstrates the awesomeness of our God.

(v. 2) Makes the point this is not a literal voice, but is a silent object whose majesty demonstrates the glory of God.

But v. 2 also makes the point we so often fail to hear this awesome voice of God.

Can’t help but think of

Romans 1:18–19 ESV

Romans 1:18–20 ESV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

May I make this point –

>>>>>No one rejects God because they don't know God exists.

No one rejects God because they don't know God exists.

I know what they claim,

I just can't see God, I can’t believe in a God I can’t see.

Millions and millions of supposed years clearly disprove the God of the Bible.

Millions and millions of supposing years clearly disprove the God of the Bible..

But at the heart of the issue,

that is was truly going on in their heart….Is that they are willingly rejecting the obvious truth of God and his awesomeness.

- We know that because Paul tells us that in .

- We also know that because David tells us that we fail to hear the glory of God found in the sky and the sun.

We also know that because David tells us that we fail to hear the glory of God found in the sky and the sun.

In fact, the point both Paul makes in and David makes an is that we are all without excuse when we ignore the reality of the one true God.

Observe,

b) The Sky and Sun’s exhaustive pronouncement of God's awesomeness to the world. (v. 4 – 6)

b) The exhaustive pronouncement of God's awesomeness to the world can be found in the sky and the sun.

Psalm 19:4–6 ESV

4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

Ps 19:46

David first explains that all people hear the voice of God's glory in the sky.

Every one of us.

There are no exceptions.

DOCTRINAL EXPLANATION/APPLICATION:

Which is why the first step to someone coming to know Christ is not the hundred ways I can prove that God exists,

but in our acknowledgement of the God that we suppress.

This is why I think the best apologetic method you could ever have is simply to give them God's word.

It forces them to deal with the reality that they have suppressed.

I know that at times it feels like you need to do more, but remember evangelism is accomplished God (not us)

Further, evangelism is about them realizing their need for the God they want to ignore.

And David proves his point by pointing to the sun.

How many times has each one of us sat somewhere under the sun?

Probably almost every day we have ever lived.

He explains that the glory of God found in the in the steadfastness and powerful heat of the sun.

It is is like a voice declaring to all the world – I am God, I am awesome, I am one who who deserves praise and worship.

I think of

Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:23 ESV

23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

The sky and the sun demonstrates to us the glory of God – he is both powerful and he is merciful… He is our awesome God.

the sky and the sun demonstrate us the glory of God – he is both powerful and he is merciful… He is our awesome God.

But what does this have to do with the Word of God?

Almost every time of ever heard this Psalm preached I've heard it either focused on the glory of God in creation or the word of God that we should listen to.

Yet, David is making a dramatic point about God's word by starting with creation.

Just consider, how this world came to be.

He Spoke it … and there it was.

What does the Glory of God have to do with the God’s Word.

“And God said, Let there be…and there was...” , , , , , , ,

Creation testifies to our need to listen to the word of God, because creation itself was created by the very words of God.

>>>>Let that sink in there because I think that this is the major point David is making a point.

Creation testifies to our need to listen to the word of God, because creation itself was created by the very words of God.

Creation testifies that we ought to listen to the very words of God.

Why should we take time to know and follow the word of God?

Because the one who wrote it is the one who spoke the world into existence.

The subtle point, If God is wise and powerful enough to speak his words into existence….Then his written word also has awesome power and wisdom for our own lives.

Do you read your Bible remembering the you are listening to an awesome and all-wise God?

Creation testifies of the Glory of God’s Words.

The second voice,

2) The Bible Testifies of the Awesomeness of God’s Words. ()

The sad reality is how little most Americans have read the Bible.

(https://lifewayresearch.com/2017/04/25/lifeway-research-americans-are-fond-of-the-bible-dont-actually-read-it/)

According to a study by lifeway in 2017,

a mere 20% of Americans have actually read the whole Bible.

More than half of Americans have only read but a few sentences of the Bible.

More than half of Americans have only read but if you sentences of the Bible.

That means most Americans live their whole lives

without wisdom and direction of the one he created them,

without the wisdom and guidance of our awesome God.

Our world is full of choices that can lead to prosperity or destruction.

Our world is full of confusion about what is right and what is wrong.

Our world is full of hardships and heart aches and leave us wondering if there's more to life than living and dying.

It is not a wonder that so many of us live with regrets, confusion, and pain .... we have never heard the words of the All-wise God who made us.

Just as glorious as the words that God spoke creation into to existence, the word of God stands prepared to fully equip every person who opens their Bible.

Are you living today in pain and hurt?

Are you struggling with whether something is moral or immoral?

Do you feel like there's no meaning in your life?

Then, Behold what David says about God's word.

Then, Behold David says that God's word.

> David gives us a series of 5 descriptions of the word of God.

- Each description he uses a different word to describe God's word.

- And each description emphasizes something else about God’s Word.

Further age description he uses a different word to describe God's word.

Psalm 19:7–9 ESV

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts 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 rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

Psalm 19:7–10 ESV

CAVEAT:

We don't have time this morning to looks at this in extreme detail so I have summarized them this way.

The first description,

a) The Word revives our soul. (v.7a)

Psalm 19:7 ESV

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

English Standard Version Psalm 19

The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

Ps 19:

He begins by using the word, Law.

Word law probably is being used as a title for the first five books of the Old Testament.

David's day there were only five books of the Old Testament,

the word Torah meaning instruction or teachings is what they were called.

According to David the law is perfect.

This has the idea of being complete or finished.

In other words, the law has everything it needs to have.

There's no missing parts.

Therefore, the Word can revive our soul.

In other words – it gives us life.

When you're hurting, the Bible gives you everything you need to comfort you.

When you're overwhelmed, the Bible gives you everything to meet your needs.

This verse teaches us that the Bible is complete and sufficient and answering the issues and struggles of life.

If you are hurting today, go to God's word.

If God can speak you into existence, then he certainly can refine your soul with his words.

b) The Word gives us wisdom. (v. 7b)

b) The Word gives us wisdom.

c) The Word gives us joy. (v. 8a)

English Standard Version Psalm 19

the testimony of the LORD is sure,

making wise the simple;

David begin by using the word testimony.

The idea testimony here is that the word of God's truth that you can count on.

It is a sure bet.

ILLUSTRATION:

I've never owned a business, but one struggle I've heard many business owners repeat is the struggle to find reliable employees.

>>>> It is hard to find someone who lives wisely.

It is hard to find someone who lives wisely.

God is one you can rely on… God is trustworthy.

Do you ever struggle with knowing what is wise?

Do you wish you knew for sure what is right and what is wrong.

A common theme that I have found among Christians who are not in God's word… Is a constant struggle with

knowing what is right and what is wrong.

What is wise and what is foolish.

According to David, even if you were the most simple minded person in the whole wide world… God's word can make you wise.

ILLUSTRATION:

I've heard many people say … even I have said, .... if I only knew then what I know now… I would've made a different decision.

In many ways, the more we get into God's word, the less we will regret our decisions because we will live wisely.

c) The Word gives us joy.

c) The Word enlightens our eyes (to righteousness).

d) The Word enlightens our eyes (to righteousness). (v. 8b)

As I got older one of the things I realized is how many ways I could have destroyed my life.

From drunkenness,

to racing my car at 90 miles an hour

to the consequences of immorality

to the person I decided to marry

There are literally thousands of ways, I could have destroyed my life.

If you ever want to know if doing things God's way is worth it… Then go and talk to all the people who did it another way and now face the consequences of that other way.

ILLUSTRATION:

Pastor Skaggs and I met with one man who called the church for some help. As best as we could tell he was telling the truth.

This man was a committed homosexual who came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior.

Today he would tell you that his choices were wrong.

He would tell you that is trying to tell every person he knows about the gospel.

But his days are very limited because he now has AIDS and he faces the consequences of his sin.

Certainly there is no one who cannot receive the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 ESV

16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

But in this life he hurts because of his own choices.

English Standard Version Psalm 19

the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

The Word precepts is the idea of rules or commands.

Last time you read Deuteronomy did you rejoice?

Let’s be honest. No!!!

Yet, According to this passage, because the words of God are right, our hearts rejoice.

The idea of right is that God’s precepts correctly judge good and wrong.

When we live our lives the way God tells us to live our lives… We don't earn our salvation... Because none of us perfectly obey God's law.

Yet, the more we live the way God tells us, the more we reap the benefits of living a wise life… And we rejoice in the blessings of doing it God's way.

This isn’t work salvation or even having a good name as Christian.

This is just the joy that comes from doing things in a good and right manner and reaping those consequences.

The Word gives us Joy.

d) The Word enlightens our eyes (to righteousness).

e) The Word helps us be in Awe of God. (v. 9a)

Do you ever wish you knew, without a shadow of doubt, what is wrong and what is right?

Sometimes in life we are faced with ethical decisions we have to make.

Who should I vote for?

Is environmentalism acceptable?

Perhaps a more practical level,

What should our marriage look like?

What should parenting look like?

Recently spoke to someone who was struggling with whether alcohol is right or wrong.

In the host of life's questions, how do we know what is right and wrong?

The more we know God's word...the more our eyes will be enlightened to what is right and what is wrong.

English Standard Version Psalm 19

the commandment of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

The word pure has the idea of clean, right, and good.

This is really a contrast about us because we're unclean people with unclean lips.

So how could we possibly know what is right and what is wrong?

Because God's word is pure,

it is capable of enlightening our eyes to what is right and what is wrong.

e) The Word helps us be in Awe of God.

f) The Word helps us know what is moral and what is immoral. (v. 9b-10)

Technically, this is a reference back to the commands of God.

I've made this at some point because I do believe this is a product of God's word.

We often don't fully appreciate the importance of understanding how big our God is.

Yet often our struggles and our heresies come back to the living God is too small.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs

We don't know anything about anything until we fear the Lord.

This idea fear is not that I should be afraid, but that I should be in awe of God is.

In this case, that is what that word fear means.

But how do you get a fear of God?

English Standard Version Psalm 19

the fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring forever;

f) The Word helps us know what is moral and what is immoral.

What David's description does is describe how God's written Word >>>>> is as glorious as the creation he spoke into existence.

If we were to ask you to describe a picture of God's awesomeness… You could describe thousands of amazing places in this world.

ILLUSTRATION:

Perhaps you think of the stars and how God placed each one up in in the sky with his words.

Certainly, living at 7,000 feet we are blessed to look outside at night and see 1,000s of unreachable stars.

>>> It looks like they are right there…and yet they are beyond even modern space travel.

And that would be an accurate description of just how awesome our God is.

But, his word is just as glorious as his creation.

What David has done is described God's written word is just as awesome as when he spoke Creation into existence.

Because the written Word was written by the all wise God, who created the sky and the sun,

the Scriptures has tremendous power in our lives.

And because the written by the all wise God, they have tremendous power in our lives.

Perhaps

You are saying, I want to see God work in my life… then I ask you - Have you listened to his words?

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Ti 3:1617

Because of Who Spoke These Words we know that God's word has the ability to transform our lives.

>>>>The ability to breathe life into our tired, and hurting lives.

The ability to breathe life into our tired, and hurting lives.

This literally makes God the most important author we ever will read.

They are just as important as the words that spoke creation into existence.

>>>>>David ends this section in verse 10 by describing these words as priceless.

Psalm 19:10 ESV

10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Do you listen to God’s Word the way you ought too?

Do you listen to God’s Word as though the Author of creation is the one talking to you?

Do you listen to God’s Word as though it can actually change you?

I think to often we forget to read God’s word that way.

The 3rd Voice -

3) Human Nature Testifies of our Need for the Awesome Words of God. ()

- Too often we come to church to hear the word of god because we feel guilty if we don't.

- Too often our devotions is an apathetic reading of God's word,

just check off my box for the day in order to not feel guilty.

So often we as Christians walk around feeling guilty because we don't read our Bible enough,

or we are faithful to our devotions because we feel guilty if we don't.

ILLUSTRATION:

For many years, I lived Christianity that way.

Obeying because I felt guilty,

feeling guilty because I didn’t obey.

The problem with all this is that we don't live under the law, but we live under grace.

If we live under Christ,

then we ought not to do things simply because we feel guilty.

Why? Because Jesus took care of our guilt.

What is interesting here – is David doesn't guilt us into reading our Bibles.

This passage doesn’t guilt trip us.

David just declares reading your Bible is the greatest blessing you can ever give yourself.

I'm not trying to guilt trip you into reading your Bible today.

What guilt could I try to manipulate you with today, that Christ hasn't already paid for?

So my plea to you is not - I can't believe you don't read your Bible.

My plea to you – is read your Bible because it is the greatest blessing you could ever give yourself..

My plea to you – is read your Bible because the greatest blessing you could ever give yourself..

Look at

Psalm 19:11–13 ESV

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

Psalm 19:11 ESV

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Why is the word of God the greatest blessing you can ever give yourself?

Because what greater tool do we have to warn us before we destroy our life with sin?

What greater reward can you have, then living a life free of the tragedies of sin, because you followed the word of God?

Perhaps, you're sitting here and saying – that is a nice little argument pastor, but do I really need the Bible to live a good life?

And of course, the Romans answer is absolutely -

Romans 3:23 ESV

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

We need the Bible because we all struggle with sin.

But David has his own answer here:

but David has his own answer here.

“Who can discern his errors?” (v. 12)

Who can discern his errors? ()

And of course the answer is no one.

That is not the way sin works.

Sin blinds us and confuses us and binds us.

This is why the drunker doesn't think he has a drinking problem.

Angry man doesn't think he has an anger problem.

The bitter person doesn't think he's bitter.

The mean person at work actually thinks he's a nice guy.

Because we can't see our own errors. We are blind to our sin.

This is why we need the gospel and the Bible in our lives.

Even David, makes the point in this Psalm that he needs the word and God's forgiveness.

Psalm 19:12–13 ESV

Psalm 19:12–14 ESV

12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and 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 rock and my redeemer.

Ps 19:1214

Like I said, human nature testifies our need for God's glorious word.

- Do you want to have hope, peace, understanding, and love in your life?

- Do you want to live a life free from the consequences of sin?

Then give yourself the greatest blessing you can ever give yourself – read your Bible.

Don’t read your Bible Monday Morning because you feel guilty,

but because you know these words will give you everything you need to live the life God intended for you.

Psalm 1:1–3 ESV

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

Psalm 1:1–2 ESV

May I paraphrase

Read your Bible, because Blessed is the man who is changed by the glorious words of God.

Read your Bible, because Blessed is the man who is changed by the glorious word of God.

CONCLUSION

So at this point, I hope you're craving to hear and read the word of God.

All day long you will hear thousands of words.

Some of those are overtly sinful and foolish.

Many of the words will be meaningless.

Very few if any words you hear every day will last 500 years.

But I hope every day you hear the words that will last for eternity.

PROP Restated:

gives us three voices for why we ought to listen to the glorious words of God.

a) The Sky Voices the Glory of God. (v. 1-4)

1) Creations Testifies of the Awesomeness of God’s Words. ()

b) The Sky and Sun’s exhaustive pronouncement of God's awesomeness to the world. (v. 4 – 6)

2) The Bible Testifies of the Awesomeness of God’s Words. ()

And our

b) The Word gives us wisdom.

c) The Word gives us joy.

d) The Word enlightens our eyes (to righteousness).

e) The Word helps us be in Awe of God.

f) The Word helps us know what is moral and what is immoral.

3) Human nature testifies of our need for the Awesome Words of God. ()

If God's word is spoken by the most powerful and wise person in all the universe,

V. 14 Focus

if God's word gives us everything we truly need to live a rewarding life

and are human nature teaches us how bad we need those words

Then what should we do?

I think David said it well in .

Psalm 119:15 ESV

15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

Psalm 19:14 ESV

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

You might compare humanity's wisest words to God's words this way-

I realize for some of you, reading is hard.

They encourage you not to give up on hearing the word of God.

COMPARISON:

May we realize who is spoken to us in the word of God,

We live in a wonderful day where I can read my Bible at the same time listen to an audio Bible and afford paper to write down what I have learned.

the blessings that come from God's word

and our desperate need for its wisdom.

Man's wisest words are no valuable then grass clippings being thrown into the garbage,

And even those of us who struggle, can learn to be wise.

May I say,

No matter what your struggle is today God's word has the answers.

It gives you the answers you won't find anywhere else

and it will satisfy you in ways nothing else will.

After all, didn't David say that God's word makes wise even the simple. (v. 7)

and yet God's words as magnificent as the most beautiful diamonds you can ever find, lasting for eternity.