PM July 2nd Psa 19

July 2^nd             Psalm 19

 

A Psalm of David

God’s creation

1: The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. 2: Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. 3: There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. 4: Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, 5: Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 6: His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. 7: The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8: The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9: The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10: More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11: Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12: Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13: Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

To the chief musician,

 

Psalm 20

 

A Psalm of David

A Prayer for Victory

1: The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 2: Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; : Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. 4: Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel. 5: We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions. 6: Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 7: Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8: They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. 9: Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call.

To the chief musician,

Today we are reading the 19^th and 20^th Psalm. Both of them are Psalms of David. The first Psalm speaks of the works of the Lord. They are his created handwork, his law, his testimonies, his commandments, his judgments and his statues. David shows that the LORD reveals himself through six things and the effect on those who see them is the fear the Lord. Of the first act of God he says that the universe speaks very eloquently to men. They speak of the glory of the Lord and by day and by night the sun moon and stars speak of his power as creator. Then he speaks of the law of the Lord. In this verse he is speaking of the Mosaic Law which brings a transformation into the daily lives of men. The testimonies of the Lord seem to be the monuments that the Lord has ordained to Israel. Through their living presence Israel could look and remember former days and ancient lessons. The twelve stones taken out of the Jordan were a living testimony to Israel of the Lords mighty power. Even the simple cannot miss their significance. The statues of the Law are those aspects of the Law that are established as bench marks of righteousness. These are a right standard and they bring joy to those who are upright. The commandments of the Lord are those things which the Lord has specifically demanded of Israel under the Law. They are absolutely pure they bring clarity of vision. All of these things operate on the outer men bringing him under the fear of the Lord. The judgments of the Lord are those decisions made by a judge of Israel and these things are true and righteous. So all these instruments of the Lord were given to Israel to enable them to fear the Lord. These judgments were very precious, more precious than fine gold and sweeter than honey. But these means the servant of the LORD is warned and when he keeps them there is a great reward. (This of course has nothing to do with The grace of God or Christians today) David pleads with the Lord to keep him from sins even secret sins. Only if the Lord can keep him from sin will he be upright. And he closes saying may my words and thoughts be acceptable in the sight of the Lord. How very different is this to the way in which the Christian enters into blessing and lives before God. He does not seek to live according to the Mosaic Law nor does he hope to please God to obtain Gods blessing. Rather he confesses his complete unworthiness and casts himself on the grace of God and is given the very righteousness of Christ. In Psalm 20 David prays that the Lord will protect him in the day of trouble and take notice of the sacrifices that he offers.  May the will of God be done in my life and the nation and then we will rejoice in the salvation of the Lord who always delivers Israel in battle. Some people put their trust in tanks and armourer personnel carriers but we will trust in the name of the LORD. They will fall in the day of battle but we will win the day. Save us O LORD may the king hear us when we call on him.