Scripture: Psalm 19

Aim: To instruct the pupil in some ways God sustains and keeps His people.

Golden Text: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

This Psalm is a good illustration of the desire, power and blessing of Jehovah God in His relationship with His people. We would be blessed in a wonderful way should we study and make it an instruction in living and serving the Lord.

I. The creation exhibits the glory of God (19:1-6). The statements are simple and plain. First, the heavens declares the glory of God (vs. 1). Look at the great expanse, the stars, moon, sun and all of “space.”

Second, all these are the work of Jehovah God’s mighty power and operations (vs. 1).

Third, day and night, in all places the silent testimony of God is revealed in the vast, precise and continual operation of the universe (vs. 2-4). The sun runs its course daily and effects everything upon the earth (vs. 5-6).

II. Operations of the law of the Lord (Jehovah) among men are extensive with benefits for men (19:7-9). The “law,” literally the “doctrine,” that is, teachings of Jehovah, is absolutely perfect. God uses it to convert the soul to Him (vs. 7).

Second, the “testimony” of the Lord is “sure,” fixed, settled, permanent. His testimony makes simple, plain, ordinary people wise in the ways of truth and righteousness (vs. 7).

Third, the “statutes” of the Lord are right. His laws are binding always and forever upon all things and people. There is no exception. They rejoice the heart (vs. 8).

Fourth, the “commandment” of the Lord is pure (vs. 8). One result of keeping God’s commandments is that a person may see, know and understand the will of God for his life. He is made able to know and understand the truth of God. Thus enjoying his relationship with God.

Fifth, the “fear” of the Lord is clean (vs. 9). When one fears the Lord it leads him to obedience to the Lord and His commands. It thereby produces “clean”, pure, right, living.

Sixth, the “judgments” of the Lord are true and righteous altogether (that is, completely, vs. 9).

III. Some of the results are given (19:10-11). They are more important that much gold. They are sweeter than honey from the honeycomb. God’s people are warned by these statutes of Jehovah. The result of keeping God’s Word is greatly rewarded by the God Himself (vs. 11).

IV. The Psalmist’s desired result is that Jehovah would bless him (19:12-14). David pleads for cleansing from secret faults (those he does not recognize or understand to be faults, or sins, before God, vs. 12). David asks to be kept from “high-handed” (presumptuous) sins (vs. 13). He asks that only God will have “dominion” over him and keep him innocent of sins (vs. 13).

On the positive side David asks for the Lord’s blessings. He wants the words of his mouth to be acceptable to God. (We could certainly use that today!) He desires that the “meditation” of his heart will be acceptable in God’s sight (vs. 14). His desire and surrender is to the Lord (Jehovah) Who is his strength. And more than that, He is the Psalmist’s, and our, Redeemer.

May God bless us and make this Psalm true in each of our lives.