Psalm 19:7-14 NLT – a psalm of David
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.
Observation
Here David is extoling the beauty and worth of the Word of God – His instructions, decrees, commandments, commands and laws. He tells us that this Word is a warning and reward, a place to find cleansing from even hidden faults as well as deliverance from those sins that seem to control us and be impossible to overcome. David tells us that this Word will revive our souls, make wise the simple, bring joy to our hearts and give insight for living. This Word is beyond price and sweeter than anything on earth. This Word is the whole package, everything we need for life here and hereafter. And yet, how often we set our Bibles aside to gather dust on the shelf, as if it was just another book, just another self-help resource.
“Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever.” In the King James Version, “reverence” is translated as “fear of the Lord.” This “fear” is awe which overwhelms, not a feeling which terrifies. In the midst of all David has to say about the Word of God, he reminds us about Who God is and why His Word is so awesome, perfect and powerful when we allow His Word to live and work in us. And, miracle of miracles, His Word is offered to us free of charge, ours for the taking.
Impact on Me
Do I read my Bible enough? No. There are times I beat myself up for not reading and memorizing more. However, when I read this psalm, I am reminded that lives of obedience and repentance are much more important than being able to recite verses word for word. I remember the Pharisees who lived so rigidly by their interpretation of the Word manifested in their man-made rules that they forgot justice and mercy, missing the Messiah walking in their midst. I need a little bit of both – more diligence in reading and memorizing with always a dollop of “search me, O God.”
This Word is meant to become organic as we take it in, digest it and allow it to give us life. I need to know what this Word says, but more importantly I need to walk in what it means to be in Christ, a child of God, living each moment in the fear of the Lord. This Word is meant to be lived.
Prayer
O God, my Father, Savior, Teacher, Strength and Reward, do search me and cleanse me. Teach me what I need to be what You have called me to be and do what You have called me to do. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Make it so, in Jesus’ name.