8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19 offers a hymn that connects nature in verses 1-6 to the law in verses 7-14. The date is during the divided monarchy. Some think an editor joined to psalms that originally had a separate existence. Yet, the combination of creation and law is not unique to this Psalm. Psalm 119:73 ties together God’s creation and God’s law, where the writer affirms the Lord has fashioned him and given him understanding so that he can learn the commandments of the Lord. The ordered universe and the order provided by Torah receive praise.
Psalm 19: 7-10 has a close relationship to Psalm 119. In fact, Psalm 119:73,[1] ties together creation and Torah as coming from the Lord, as does this Psalm. We find they share many of the same words as synonyms for Torah: law, decrees, precepts, commandments or instruction. They revive the soul, make wise the simple, rejoice the heart, and enlighten the eyes. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. It reminds us of the power of Torah to bring joy and purpose to a human life. We can see the delight in the Torah and the benefits of following it. It brings joy and blessing to those who obey it. Those who turn away from the way the Lord will receive the reverse, as we find in Psalm 1, 111-112, and Deuteronomy 30. Torah is a revelation of the will of the Lord. He has such a joyful confidence in the Torah that it has become higher than all earthly values. 10 More to be desired are they (the revelation of God) than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Here is a question I raise for today. Do we have a similar view to the psalmist who declares that knowing and following instructions from the Lord and the ways of the Lord is more valuable even than having a lot of money or indulging in tasty goodies? Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work” (John 4:34). In Isaiah 55:1-3, the prophet invites those thirsty, even those who have no money, to come to the “waters,” and to “buy and eat” that which the Lord gives freely. He invites people not to spend money or labor on that which is not bread and does not satisfy. He invites us to eat what is good. He defines this as listening to the Lord so that we might live.
Psalm 19:11-14 are a prayer of supplication. We learn that the chief reward of holding the revelation of Torah as precious is spiritual and focuses upon forgiveness. 11 Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 But who can detect their errors? We do not have such wisdom on our own to detect our errors. Torah points them out. Yet is the statement true? I would suggest that only from a certain perspective. Human beings naturally detect error in self and others. We naturally develop a conscience through our interactions with others. The conscience detects right and wrong in our behavior and in the behavior of others. One brand of psychology calls this the “superego.” The point is, each culture detects varying behaviors as right and wrong, but human beings are naturally aware of the need to discern the difference between right and wrong. Thus, without Torah, yes, we would still detect error. Yet, we are also naturally aware of our capacity for self-deception. In this sense, revelation provides a reference point outside us by which we can detect right and wrong. To put the matter bluntly, we may wonder if God exists and whether we are to live lives accountable to God, but Torah does not wonder. Torah commands honor of God in our worship, speech, and use of our time. We may wonder if respecting parents, the property of others, telling the truth, faithfulness to a spouse or other matters, are right, good, and moral. Torah does not wonder. Torah says Yes, such behavior deserves respect and fulfillment in our lives. Torah will not tell us everything we are to do with our lives, and Torah will not tell unambiguously what to do in every situation. However, Torah will provide broad knowledge of the type of person we are to become and discern what that type of person would do in this situation. Clear (or free) me from hidden faults, something which only the Lord can do. Thus, the chief reward is spiritual and focuses on forgiveness. Humility moves this writer when he seeks freedom from sin. The focus is not on an act, but a heart poured out before the Lord. The writer now shifts to offering a prayer. 13 Keep back your servant (referring to himself) also from the insolent (those of proud thought); do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent (the New Testament using such words to refer to the cleansing God brings through Jesus Christ) of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. His reference to the heart reminds us that obedience to Torah is not simply an outward matter. Obedience is a matter of the heart. In Deuteronomy 6:1-6, they are to teach the decrees and commandments so that they will fear the Lord and have a long life. In Deuteronomy 30:11-14, the commandments are not too hard for them and are not far away, but in their mouths and hearts. Jeremiah 31:31-34 will promise a new covenant with the law put within them, writing it on their hearts.[2] His heart meditation is that the Lord will find in the words of his mouth and the meditations of his heart an acceptable offering.[3] He regards the Lord as his rock and redeemer. The Lord is the one who protects and delivers him. Even today, preachers, poets, and musicians will wisely pray this portion of the psalm as they prepare and join their congregations in presenting the offering of this day to the Lord.
[1] Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
[2] Deuteronomy 6:1-6;
Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the ordinances—that the Lord your God charged me to teach you to observe in the land that you are about to cross into and occupy, 2 so that you and your children and your children’s children may fear the Lord your God all the days of your life, and keep all his decrees and his commandments that I am commanding you, so that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe them diligently, so that it may go well with you, and so that you may multiply greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, as the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has promised you.
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.[a] 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14
11 Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?” 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?” 14 No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.
and Jeremiah 31:31-34 and frequently elsewhere in Jeremiah.
31 The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt—a covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 No longer shall they teach one another, or say to each other, “Know the Lord,” for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sin no more.
[3] [James L. Mays, Psalms Interpretation commentary, 100].
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