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Psalm 19
Christians have a doctrine known as “General Revelation” which simply means “God reveals Himself through the temporal universe”. In other words, God generally makes Himself known through physical creation. Psalm 19 has traditionally been used to teach general revelation. (See Psalm 19:1-2)
As we come to study this great Psalm may we learn how creation, Scripture and David all glorify God, so that we may give God glory!
The dominant theme which runs throughout Psalm 19 is that of “speech”. As we briefly examine this chapter let us take note of what each section has to “say” concerning the Glory of the Lord!
- The Creation Speaks about God in Verses 1-6
- Interpretation: Ancient Israel was surrounded by people groups who worshiped the sun, moon, and stars as gods. This Psalm does something very polemical by declaring that sun, moon and stars are merely the Creators Creation-then David implores that they actually praise the One True God. Moreover, we have archeological data which suggests Israel’s neighbors in the ancient Near East worshiped the sun as the god of justice.
- Illustration: I once knew a man who was being mightily used by God.
- Application:The heavens resemble a preacher who originally sets out to glorify God but inadvertently draws attention to their own self.
- The Torah is the Word of God in Verses 7-10
- Interpretation: In the first portion of our Psalm the generic name of “God” was used. Verse 7 marks a dramatic shift by using the covenant name for God “Lord”. Also, notice the various names for the Bible—“The Law” “Testimony”
“Precepts” “Commandment” “Fear” and “Rules”—These are all synonyms for the Torah or the Bible as the O.T. saints knew it. - Illustration: I once knew a young man who thought the Bible was his weapon to defeat everything and everyone who denied the knowledge and existence of God. He could disprove evolutionary theories, he could outwit the cults, and he could win almost any argument against him and the Bible.
- Application: This second section offers another strong warning. Whereas verses 1-6 cautions humanity against worshiping the sun, this section cautions us against worshiping the Scriptures. Bibliolatry.
- The Psalmist’s Words to God in Verses 11-14
- Interpretation: The Psalmist being deeply moved by the speech of creation which testifies to the general knowledge about God AND the Word of the Lord which speaks of specific knowledge of God to now David himself speaks words of praise to God.
- Illustration: This Psalm moves from the Glory of God in the vast expanse of outer-space to the deepest depths of God’s glory in the inner-space of the heart.
- Application: Many Christians view Creation as a glorious thing to be appreciated and cherished but then turn right around and view the Law of Moses as a form of oppressive bondage to be abhorred. This great Psalm stand us on our head and inverts that Creation is feeble and limited in its ability to reveal God to us and even goes as far as to assert that creation distracts from God’s Glory while the Law of God is the true light which illumines us.
Psalm 19 records 3 great laws: The Law of God Written in Creation, the Law of God Written in the Torah to the Law of Grace written upon the heart. May we, like the Psalmist offer up praise to the God of Glory!
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Psalm 18
Let’s continue our study of the 18th Psalm and come to know what it means to have God as our Rock! In this 2nd half of Psalm 18 we will examine how David further discusses the “Rock” as the character of God.
- How someone relates to God matters a great deal. Verses 25-27
- In these verses we have a great nugget of God’s truth before us. God relates to human beings according to how they choose to relate to Him. Remember the first verse of Psalm 18? “I love you, O Lord” this is how David is able to go on and be used of God.
- Illustration: The Goading of Saul of Tarsus-Acts 26:14
- Application: Perhaps we said some blasphemous things about God in our past. But if we choose to relate to God in a loving disposition God will relate to us the same.
- How we live our lives matters a great deal. Verses 28-32.
- How is it possible for David to make the bold claim that “my way is blameless” in Psalm 18:32? Here is a man who is guilty of adultery and murder. Yet, he makes the claim that he is blameless.
- Illustration: Perhaps one of the greatest teachings in the Bible is that of “Union with Christ”. The word “union” means when 2 become 1. See I Cor. 6:9-11. SEE Colossians 3:1-4. “We, Like David and Moses are “hidden” in the Rock!
- Application: In Psalm 18:30 David says “This God-His way is perfect…” and then he says in Psalm 18:32- “…God…has made my way blameless (perfect)”. Because God is perfect He has made my way blameless. When was the last time you thanked God for making your way perfectly blameless?
- How we view Christ matters a great deal. Verses 46-50.
- See Luke 24:44. Verses 49- “For this I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations, and sing to your name.” Is quoted by Paul the Apostle in Romans 15 along with Deut. 32:43, Psalm 117:1 and Isaiah 11:10. See Romans 15:8-12. David was given victories as a foretaste for the infinitely greater victory of David’s greater Son Jesus Messiah.
- Illustration:
- His death (vv. 1–6).
- His resurrection (vv. 7–18).
- His exaltation (vv. 19–27).
- His victory (vv. 28–42
- His kingdom (vv. 43–50).
This great Psalm causes us to praise God as our Rock who is Christ Jesus the Lord.
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Psalm 18
Psalm 18 is the longest Psalm thus far with its 50 verses. Psalm 9 was the longest previous Psalm with 20 verses. Psalm 18 is repeated almost verbatim in II Samuel 22. In II Samuel 22, David is at the end of his life and the words of Psalm 18 are like his own eulogy.
David gives a summary of thanksgiving to God for the many years of salvation and deliverance which he God gave to him. The great theme of Psalm 18 is found in verses 2, 31 and 46 please take note of the sequence:
- The LORD is my rock.
- My God is my rock.
- Who is the Rock except our God?
- Praise be to my Rock!
Let us offer up thanksgiving to God who is our Rock!
Psalm 18 is David’s end of life benediction for God’s many different blessings of deliverance. Let us learn from the Sweet Psalmist of Israel as he gives praise to God His Rock!
- Historical Background – II Samuel 22 rehearses God’s many deliverances of David. There are 3 main things to note:
- Deliverance from king Saul.
- Deliverance in war against opposing nations.
- Deliverance from Absalom.
- Praise to God in Verses 1-3
- 7 metaphors are used to describe God and are broken down into 2 categories:
- God gives David Military Victories over his enemies
- “My Strength”
- “My Shield”
- “Horn of my Salvation”
- ii. God gives David comfort as he flees from his enemies
- “My Rock”
- “My Fortress”
- “My Deliverer”
- “My Stronghold”
- Illustration – Born into poverty, (Abraham) Lincoln had to face defeat
- Application: Have you ever considered that your defeats and fleeing from your enemies like David did can actually be a manifestation of God’s deliverance in your life?
- 3 Powerful Images: (of God as our “Rock”)
- The Image of Protection and Shade
- The Image of Refuge for God’s People
- The Image of a Firm Foundation
- Illustration: In 1763 Augustus Toplady
- Application
- Our Rock in Deuteronomy 32:31 – “For their rock is not as our Rock; our enemies are by themselves.” In times of trouble and hardship all the objects which unbelievers have placed their trust upon fail them. When the Atheist and Pantheist have death knocking at their door they have no Rock in which to cling. Their rock cannot provide assurance and hope likes ours can.
As followers of God we may stumble and fall down many times as we walk the righteous path. We may look back over our shoulder at all the times we seemed to be faithless but we will remember God has always been faithful.
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Psalm 17
There are 11 grammatical links between Psalms 16 and 17 which suggests they are to be taken as a pair. Psalm 17 is the first Psalm thus far that is specifically designated as “A Prayer”. This great Psalm does 2 things for us; it gives us a model for our prayers and also reveals that God is very interested in what goes on in our physical world.
Have you ever felt like so much Bible preaching and teaching doesn’t give you comfort and security in your relationship with God in our present physical world? Does it seem like the truth of God is abstract and vague?
Let us find great solace in the God of the physical realm as He comforts us with His Person!
This Psalm is both a model and the embodiment of genuine prayer. Let us learn from king David who was a master in the art of supplication!
- A Model Prayer: This is one of the most striking features of this great Psalm. David asks God to do something and then immediately follows up his request with succinct reasons why God should give him what he asks for. There are 3 requests which are followed by undergirding statements which act as supports for David’s prayers:
- The Prayer for Prayer to be Heard: Verses 1-2. Notice the words “hear” “attend to my cry” and “give ear”.
- The Proclamation of Innocence: Verses 3-5. Notice the words “you have tried” “you have visited” and “you have tested”. This is highlighting the “thoroughness of God’s searching gaze” The refining fires.
- The Prayer for God’s Steadfast Love: Verses 6-9. David “asks that Israel’s story become the suppliant’s story, asks for a personal exodus deliverance as someone who relies on Yhwh.”
- The Protest Against Enemies: Verses 10-12.
- The Prayer for the Downfall of Enemies: Verse 13-14.
- The Declaration of Trust: Verse 15.
- An Embodied Prayer: Did you notice the constant emphasis on the various parts of the body in this Psalm?
- David embodies a personal crisis
- God is God of the physical world
- God is a real person
- The Aaronic Blessing: Numbers 6:22-26
- We have a Great High Priest: Hebrews 4:14-16. The greatest deliverance of all is when Christ our High Priest came to recapitulate as the new Head of Adam’s Race. In other words, Christ became us to redeem us. The grace of God has been coming in the flesh long before and long after Christ. Christ is the culmination of God’s presence in the physical world. God come to us in the flesh because we are flesh.
As we consider Christ our Great High Priest let us come boldly to God’s gracious throne and learn how to sharpen and hone our prayers according to the example of Psalm 17.
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Psalm 16
Coming out of Psalm 14 we are left with a certain sense of despair when we hear of the unbeliever and the misery associated with the life that rejects the knowledge of God. Psalm 15 therefore introduces us the to remedy for unbelief, namely the presence of God.
Psalm 14 corresponds to the “Way of the Ungodly” and Psalm 15 corresponds to the “Way of the
Righteous” in Psalm 1. Psalm 15 begins with the question; “Who may enter into the presence of God?” and Psalm 16 (Verse 11) ends with further describing what it’s like to be in God’s presence.
Let learn the results of being in the presence of God as we walk the path of life in the 16th Psalm!
The truth which God gives in the 16th Psalm is a further expansion of Psalm 15.
I. Psalm 16: Rejoicing in the Lord’s Presence.
- Rejoicing in God by Faith as He gives assurance of security in His Presence
- Rejoicing in “My” God Personally: Verse 2.
- Rejoicing in God as He is my claim to goodness: Verse 2.
- Rejoicing in God and delighting in His people: Verse 3.
- Rejoicing in God because there is none other like Him: Verse 4. “Beware of Syncretism”.
- Rejoicing in God as He fills my cup with His Presence: Verse 5.
- Rejoicing in God as my Inheritance: Verse 6. “He is my portion and I am His”.
- Rejoicing in God as He guides me from within: Verse 7; Deuteronomy 30:14.
- Rejoicing in God as I continually set my eyes upon Him: Verse 8.
- Rejoicing in God with the whole being (Heart, Soul and Flesh): Verse 9.
- Rejoicing in God Whom Delivers me from Death and Sheol: Verse 10.
- Rejoicing in God as I Walk the Path of Life: Verse 11.
- In His Presence
- He Abundantly Meets My Needs
- Fill me with Joy
- Eternal Bliss
Conclusion: Let us walk the path of life leading out from the Temple of our God rejoicing in His presence along the way!
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Psalm 15
The revelation which God gives in Psalm 14 spurs us on to ask God another question in Psalm 15:1: “O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill?” This great question is the occasion for the writing of the 15th Psalm. David laid the groundwork for Psalm 15 back in Psalm 5:7: “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.”
Remember, God does not choose us because we are good; but rather, God chooses us because God is good. Don’t forget the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. This is all very important because Psalm 15 begins with the piercing question: “Who can enter into the presence of God?”
In order to enter into the presence of the Almighty we must be morally pure. Psalm 14 says that we are NOT morally pure. Now we are faced with this great conundrum of seeming contradictory truths… the same God who pronounces that all human beings are corrupt, then says that if we are to enter into His presence we must be uncorrupted.
Let us consider the nature of Old Testament righteousness and salvation in order that we may enter into the presence of our God! In Psalm 11:3, we find the foundations being destroyed; but in Psalm 15 David tells us how the foundations can be restored!
As David describes the kind of person who may enter God’s presence in Psalm 15, let us take note of the “Big Picture” God is painting for us in salvation history throughout both Old and New Testaments.
- Entering God’s Presence Requires Obedience to the Law
- Hearkens to the Decalogue. There are 11 verbs in 5 verses which summarize the 613 commandments found in the Pentateuch (1st five books of the Bible).
- Descriptive not Prescriptive.
- The Blood of the Lamb. Exodus 20:1.
- The Parting of the Red Sea. Exodus 14.
- Beware of legalism and antinomianism. The law is not done away with but rather fulfilled.
- Entering God’s Presence Requires Ethical Purity in verses 2-5
- The Answer: Entering into God’s presence requires God’s presence
- Qualities not Qualifications. Psalm 15 is NOT directions for how to live the Christian Life but a description of how the Christian Life is lived.
- Interpretation
- The Law Giver is also the Law Keeper. Romans 8:4
- What does it look like when we are in God’s Presence?
- Heaven and Earth Converge: An otherworldly life
- Living Consistent with our Profession
- Love thy neighbor
- Internal not External: God demands life service not lip service
- We are the Temple: I Cor. 6:19
If this was the standard to which God held His people in the OT, then how much more are we held to an exceedingly higher standard in the NT having a much fuller revelation of truth than what these saints were given? Let us go forth living our lives out in the Temple of God, loving God and loving our neighbor, and putting them above ourselves! When the foundations are being destroyed all around us, Psalm 15 is a telling reminder of how we can restore the those foundations.
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Psalm 14
Every portion of the Word of God is vital to our spiritual lives and inerrant. If God says something 1 time it is eternally important. If God says something 2 times it is doubly eternally important. And if we can agree on that then I would ask you what about when God repeats something 3 times as is the case with Psalm 14?
Psalm 14 is repeated almost verbatim in the 53rd Psalm. It is repeated again in Romans 3:10-12. Three times over, this great Psalm is found in the Bible.
- The Fool Speaks About God. Verse 1:“The fool has said in his heart ‘there is no God’”
- The Fool’s Heart
- A Withered Root – inherited from Adam.
- A Wicked Heart – rootless, fruitless and useless
- The Fool’s Words: “The fool has said in his heart God is not here”
- A Fool in Denial – He willfully denies God’s Lordship over him.
- Denies God in Creation – Romans 1:20
- Denies God in Conscience – Romans 2:14-16
- A Fool in Deeds
- God Speaks About the Fool. Verses 1b-6
- Universal Corruption – Please note the words “none,” “any,” “all,” and “no.”
- Applications
- Be careful with making a difference between the sacred and the secular.
- Be careful with not making God the centerpiece of your life.
- Be VERY careful with “God-in-the-Gallery” Christianity
- Absolute Corruption. Every portion of humanity is corrupt both outwardly and inwardly. See Romans 3:10-12.
- The Fate of Fools
- Our Hope of Salvation – Verses 6 & 7
- The “Double-Wish”
- Christ our Deliverer – I Corinthians 1:18-31.
After a look at the 14th Psalm, we find ourselves NOT asking the question “who is a fool” but rather “who is NOT a fool.” Our only hope is our Union and daily Communion with God, “Christ, our wisdom.”
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