Psalm 19: 7 – 14 NLT
7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.
9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.
12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Today’s verses are the ending verses of Psalm 19 – the psalm we started looking at yesterday. What a contrast! The creator of the universe has some personal advice for us. If we truly comprehended who is talking here – this God:
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.” (v. 1)
Following his advice would definitely make sense. So, what does God tell us? The psalmist uses these words to describe what God says – “perfect, trustworthy, right, clear, pure, true, more desirable than gold, sweeter than honey, and a warning.” As we read our Bibles, we can count on what it says to be accurate and helpful.
In fact, David tells us that following God’s instructions will “revive our souls”. It will help us be “wise” and bring “joy to our hearts’. We will have “insight for living”. God’s laws are “true, each one is fair”. Honestly, isn’t that what you want in life? To be wise, full of joy, and have great insight into how to deal with what life brings your way?
David is brutally honest. He knows all those things about God are true and trustworthy, but it doesn’t mean he always follows God’s advice.
“How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.”
I am so glad that the Bible is realistic. We can admit our failures and messes. God knows what we are like. And … we can ask that amazing creator God to help us deal with our imperfections.
As we read Psalm 19, we become aware of how majestic God is. He is a creator God who has made a unique universe and planet earth. He is also a personal God who can be trusted to give us advice that will lead to a joy-filled life. Let’s pause a moment right now, and slowly pray David’s prayer:
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Our song for today is Perfect Wisdom of Our God by Keith and Kristen Getty.