Praise!
Six Studies in the Psalms by Peter J. Blackburn
Study 3 - God's Revelation (Psalm 19)
This study is available in Portable Document Format (PDF 37k) for immediate use as A5 folder (A4 folded). Be sure you have the latest Acrobat Reader FREE from Adobe.
Psalm 19
1 The heavens tell out the glory of God,
the vault of heaven reveals his handiwork.
2 One day speaks to another,
night with night shares its knowledge,
3 and this without speech or language
or sound of any voice.
4 Their music goes out through all the earth,
their words reach to the end of the world.
In them a tent is fixed for the sun,
5 who comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
rejoicing like a strong man to run his race.
6 His rising is at one end of the heavens,
his circuit touches their furthest ends;
and nothing is hidden from his heat.
1 The heavens tell out the glory of God,
the vault of heaven reveals his handiwork.
2 One day speaks to another,
night with night shares its knowledge,
3 and this without speech or language
or sound of any voice.
4 Their music goes out through all the earth,
their words reach to the end of the world.
In them a tent is fixed for the sun,
5 who comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
rejoicing like a strong man to run his race.
6 His rising is at one end of the heavens,
his circuit touches their furthest ends;
and nothing is hidden from his heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul.
The LORD’s instruction never fails,
and makes the simple wise.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right and rejoice the heart.
The commandment of the LORD shines clear
and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure and abides for ever.
The LORD’s decrees are true and righteous every one,
10 more to be desired than gold, pure gold in plenty,
sweeter than syrup or honey from the comb.
11 It is these that give your servant warning,
and he who keeps them wins a great reward.
The LORD’s instruction never fails,
and makes the simple wise.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right and rejoice the heart.
The commandment of the LORD shines clear
and gives light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure and abides for ever.
The LORD’s decrees are true and righteous every one,
10 more to be desired than gold, pure gold in plenty,
sweeter than syrup or honey from the comb.
11 It is these that give your servant warning,
and he who keeps them wins a great reward.
12 Who is aware of his unwitting sins?
Cleanse me of any secret fault.
13 Hold back your servant also from sins of self-will,
lest they get the better of me.
Then I will be blameless
and innocent of any great transgression.
Cleanse me of any secret fault.
13 Hold back your servant also from sins of self-
Then I will be blameless
and innocent of any great transgression.
14 May all that I say and think be acceptable to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer!
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer!
What is it saying?
|
·
|
Are all the words and phrases clear to me? Do I understand what this Psalm meant when it was first written -
Jot down here any new thoughts, problems or questions, that have come to mind as you have read and thought about this Psalm. |
In the group, share what you have written before reading on.
The Psalmist sees the Creator revealed in his creation (vv. 1-6) and in the Scriptures (vv. 7-11). He also receives the revelation of God directly into his own inner experience (vv. 12-14).
During the French Revolution someone said to a peasant, "I will have all your steeples pulled down, that you may no longer have any object by which you may be reminded of your superstitions." "But," replied the peasant, "you cannot help leaving us the stars."
Note what Paul says in Rom. 1.20. God is revealed in nature for all who have eyes to see. It is human sin that blinds people to seeing this revelation (2 Cor, 4,4; 1 Jn 2.11).
In v. 3 this revelation is seen to be universal, to everyone.
But God has also revealed himself in the Scriptures. And just as well! He hasn’t left us guessing about himself and his purposes. This revelation is important for us all - it carries both warning and promise (v. 11).
But if God’s laws are so important for me, what about my "unwitting sins" (v. 12) - the sins of which I am unaware? and my "sins of self-will" (v. 13) - my knowing infringements? It is possible to interpret the law simply at a superficial level. Jesus, however, was always digging deeper - into thoughts, attitudes and motives (see Matt. 5.21-28).
God has revealed himself and his purposes. This gives us security in life. It also brings us day by day to face our need for forgiveness.
The concluding prayer is so applicable for us all - "May all I say and think be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer!" (v. 14)
|
·
|
How conscious are we of the heavens telling out the glory of God?
|
What about me?
For the words of the Psalmist of centuries ago to be a meaningful part of my praise, I need to think about my life today. Use these questions to help focus group sharing.
|
·
|
In a world filled with human ingenuity and gadgetry, how can I regain a sense of wonder at God’s creation?
|
|
·
|
What does the creation teach me about the Creator?
|
|
·
|
In what specific ways has God’s Word recently brought new life, meaning, understanding... to me?
|
|
·
|
Where can I find more space in my day for God’s Word, with time to let it change my way of life?
|
|
·
|
Do my "secret faults" really matter? If they do, how can I find out about them and deal with them without unhealthy obsession?
|
Praise!
Work individually for ten minutes or so and write down your own Psalm based on our sharing of life together in the light of Psalm 19.
Now share with the whole group what you have written.
Then join together in praise using the words of Psalm 19.
Praise! Studies in the Psalms © Peter J. Blackburn 1977, 2000. Permission is given for this study to be copied in its entirety for group use. Courtesy advice of the use of these studies would be appreciated. Any other proposed use must have the written permission of the author. Email Peter Blackburn.
Study 4 - God's Provision (Psalm 23)
Back to Bible Studies
Study 4 -