Over the past few weeks I have been memorizing Psalm 19:7-14. These verses are so full and rich that they can't help but ooze their transforming work into any willing heart.
So, for this WAW Team posting I am going to simply use some color to highlight patterns I have observed as I reveiw them each day.. I've also included a few thoughts from the Expositor's Commentary on some of the words but have tried to limit the commentary comments this time and just let these inspired words speak for themselves.
These are verses 7-11 from Psalm 19~
The instructions of the LORD are perfect,
reviving the soul
(Reviving - restores, gives healing to the whole person, assures forgiveness, cleanses and gives life to the godly. It unleashes the promises of God by his gracious redemptive acts)
The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
(trustworthy -true in principle and verifiable in the situations of life)
The commandments of the LORD are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
(right- straightforward and just),
The commands of the LORD are clear,
giving insight for living.
(In the same way the sun lights the earth, the Word lights & gives clarity to our path)
Reverence for the LORD is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the LORD are true;
each one is fair.
(Every time I get to this point in these verses, this verse comes to mind..."Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV) )
But back to the verse at hand....
They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.
(The Word of God, in its revelatory qualities and its transforming effects in the godly, is of greater value than the most valuable objects of man's striving: money (gold) or fine food (honey from the comb) Expositor's Bible Commentary)
They are a warning to your servant,
(forewarning the one willing to do God's bidding of possible pitfalls)
a great reward for those who obey them.
(a great reward because the Word guides one on to the rewards of godliness: life, God-given joy, wisdom, and contentment)
So the Word of God, His instruction, decrees, commandments, commands and laws are:
perfect
trustworthy
right
clear
pure
true
more desirable than gold
and sweeter than honey.
A warning to servants
and a great reward indeed.
They
revive the soul
make wise the simple
bring joy to the heart
give insight for living
are eternal
and each one is fair
Anybody else out there want a little more of that in your life?
How has the Word been at work in you? Share a verse and something the Lord is speaking to you through it. Doesn't have to be fancy....just something short and simple.
(Comments in green from the Expositor's Bible Commentary)
Oh, how David loved the word of God and the One who inspired him to write such beautiful words! Thank you, Trudy, for drawing our attention to the richness (like gold) and the sweetness (like honey) of His word. In my "summer Psalms" study, I'm currently looking at and loving Psalm 34. I'm asking myself, do I bless the Lord at all times? Is His praise continually in my mouth? (And that's just the first verse!)
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of the Psalms speaks directly to my soul, and this summer I'm soaking it up and hopefully learning to cry out with King David (from Psalm 27), "I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord."
We’re doing a week of topical study on how Jesus trained His disciples, in our Sunday morning John study. God gave brought this verse alive this morning:
ReplyDelete"A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher." (Luke 6:40)
Of course I had to look up the word for “fully trained”. It is translated “perfect” in the KJV, and means “to render fit, sound, complete; to mend (what has been broken or rent), to repair; to complete; to fit out, equip, put in order; arrange, adjust; to fit or frame for one's self, prepare; ethically: to strengthen, perfect, complete, make one what he ought to be. The fundamental meaning is to put a thing in its appropriate condition.
I love this. The word is used to describe “mending” nets. Does Jesus not mend us? Gently fixing the "holes" in our life? It is translated “restore”. In salvation, we are fully restored to right relationship with God, but also our training as a true disciple of Jesus is all about God restoring us to look like Him! People do that with cars...spend all kinds of time and money to make something look new like the original. That's what God is doing in us--restoring us to our original glory as His image-bearers. The word also is used for “framed”, as in the worlds were framed by the word of God … the same hands that created the universe are gently and intentionally at work in us, shaping us to be like Christ. God is “framing” us in His image. Wow!