Psalm 19:7-11 - February 26, 2009

Ps 19:7-11 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous. 10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward." NIV

A Celebration of the Word of God! Jesus made a powerful statement in the gospels when he said, John 6:63 “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.” David seemed to grasp the essence of this statement as he reflects on the law of the Lord in Ps. 19. The attributes of the word of God present a powerful call to learn from its wisdom! Are you ever tired? Are you ever emotionally drained? Is your mind ever wondering off into the darker places of human thought? Come to the perfect word of God and be revived! The word of God confronts the soul. The word of God distinguishes between life giving thoughts and those thoughts that lead to death. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God divides between soul and spirit. It calls us to give our thoughts to that which is faith filled, that which is spiritual and this focus results in a soul that is revived and strengthened. The word of God is our greatest weapon to determine where we will live! The word calls us to live in the green pastures of life in the Spirit.
David continues on in his celebration of the word, extolling its many virtues that it imparts to those who meditate on it. The word of the Lord is trustworthy. It can be depended upon. The word makes wise the simple. Have you ever faced a problem that seemed more complex than you had an answer for? The word of God is there to direct you into the solution. Col.2:2-3 tells us that in Christ (the living word) all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. They are waiting for those who will search them out. The word of God gives joy to the heart. Have you ever felt that sudden rush of joy that comes when your eyes are opened to some truth that you have never fully grasped, or the answer to a problem suddenly becomes clear before you? Or has your heart ever leapt for joy with a sudden rush as you realized the truth of how God feels about you? This is the joy that is waiting within the pages of scripture, ready to be found by those who will seek with a whole heart.
“More precious than fine gold,” this is David’s view of the word of the Lord! This is the statement of a man who has built his life upon the word and experienced the truth of it in his daily life! It is clear by this passage that these words were written by someone who has tasted of the goodness of God as revealed in his word. David celebrates to final aspects of the word in his closing statements. “By them is your servant warned,” David has experienced the power of the word in its ability to guard our hearts and guide our steps in safe paths. Even as he was tempted to kill Saul during the time when he was running for his life, and his friends were encouraging him to do evil by killing Saul David holds on to his integrity and his right heart before God by looking to the counsel of the Word for a right response to his situation. This commitment to the Word keeps David from committing a sin that would have completely altered the nature of his reign as king. David equally celebrates the reward of the Lord that comes to those who keep the Word. David had the joy of living with a clean conscience that flowed out of living according to the Word of the Lord. He recognized that the many blessings that flowed into his path way were the result of having yoked his will to live his life according to the principles of scripture and the commands of God.