Shadows and Reflections

Psalm 19 is a fascinating three-part psalm that has so much to teach us.  Its focus is on the light the Lord gives us to know what He has done, what He has said, and our response to Him “in light of that” (no pun intended). 

Psalm 19:8b – “The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”

Things to think about:

His Works

·      The psalm begins speaking of the works of His hands in creating the Heavens

o   The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
² Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
³ They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
⁴ Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
⁵     It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
    like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
⁶ It rises at one end of the heavens
    and makes its circuit to the other;
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

·      The work of His hands speaks of His glory and His creative power

o   Importantly, these works call out to man and declare there is a God

o   The atheist denies this and the idolater worships the creation instead of the creator

·      In what ways does nature speak to you about God?

·      How is His character revealed through His creation?

His Word

·      The psalmist moves on to Gods holy laws

o   The law of the Lord is perfect,
    refreshing 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 decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.

¹⁰ They are more precious than gold,
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
    than honey from the honeycomb.
¹¹ By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

·      There are so many adjectives here!

o   Perfect, refreshing, trustworthy, right, joyful, radiant, enduring, firm, righteous, precious, sweet, rewarding

o   Which aspects of God’s Word do you take comfort in?

o   How would you explain to an unbelieving friend that God’s rules are actually good?

His Will

·      Shadows and reflections - Our theme here is that God’s creation and His word provide light to man. We can either block the light and cast a shadow or reflect the light and increase it’s effects.

·       Shadows

o   But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.
¹³ Keep your servant also from willful sins;
    may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
    innocent of great transgression.

o    If I’m being honest, the first verse that caught my attention in this psalm was “but who can discern their own errors? Forgive me my hidden faults.”

o   In many cases we are blind to our own waywardness.

§  How has God revealed something to you that you were unaware of but needed attention? (Hint: it’s one reason He gives us wives!)

o   On the other hand, a lot of the time we know when we are not hitting the mark set before us.

o   Thanks be to God, the giver of all good things, He is eager to instruct and to forgive us if we will ask Him

·      Reflections

o   May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

o   Praise and gratitude are wonderful ways to amplify the light we have been given!

·      How does today’s study make you consider His Works, His Word, and His Will in a fresh way?