Psalm 19 is a psalm that proclaims the sweetness of God’s Word even describing it as “sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.” (vs. 12).
In this Psalm of David’s we find his personal life story as relating to how much the Word of God has meant to his life. In church language it’s called a testimony. As we study this section of Scripture together, let’s put to words – both written and verbal how much the Lord, through the study of the Bible, has impacted our lives. Let’s share our own life stories – our testimonies of how our lives have been transformed by listening to God’s Word and applying it in practical concrete ways.
There are so many descriptions of what the Bible is, and for me the phrase that resonates in my life is that it is the “book of hope.” When considering my own struggles, issues and life problems (we all have them, don’t we?) it has been in my quiet communion with the Lord, reading His Word that has invariably brought me through. It is in seeing again and again that God loves me, has a plan for my life, has significant purpose in the things I go through and promises for me to act upon that renews my sense of hope. Artist that I am, I am prone by creative temperament to the ups and downs of intense emotions that can color my sense of optimism for the future. The Word of God has been a constant source of equilibrium in my life. My focus on my problems are lifted to a sense of relief that God has not forgotten me or has allowed something in my life that would be an agent of destruction with no way out. The precious things I have learned about God in these times have given me courage for the day and hope for all of my tomorrows, as many as the Lord chooses to give me on earth. Yes, I can concur with King David that in my life God’s Word is sweeter than honey, and if I may, sweeter than chocolate, peppermint, coconut, and all the other favorite flavors that define sweetness to me. The Bible is delicious to my soul. Yum.
What flavors define “sweetness” to you?
Bible Scholar Reverend Derek Kidner (1913-2008), makes the statement of Psalm 19 that “its theology is as powerful as its poetry.” The American Heritage Dictionary tells us that theology is “The study of the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions.” After reading Psalm 19 what would you say God is like? What is His nature?
Read Psalm 19. Commentators Walvoord & Zuck give this description of this Psalm. “This Psalm…surveys both God’s natural revelation and His specific revelation, which prompts a response of self-examination”.
It is possible to read all kinds of literature but not be moved to personal change by having been exposed to it’s message. We have the capacity to process information in so many ways. For example, if we are studying for a test in school in a subject that has no personal significance to our lives we inadvertently store that information in our short-term memories. It goes in, it comes out, then it’s gone.
Why is it crucial in the life of someone who follows Christ to receive the Bible’s information differently than we would all other sources?
What is it about seeing God’s handiwork – nature – that compels you to give God praise? What does God’s creation tell you about God?
Verse 7 says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” Can you share a time when the reading, studying or listening of God’s Word “restored your soul?” Is there a time when God’s Word made you wise and you recognized it wasn’t “human wisdom” but something that you learned from the Scriptures?
Psalm 19:11a says, “Moreover, by them Your servant is warned…” Can you point to a time in your life when God’s Word warned you about something? Did you listen? What were the consequences?
In Psalm 19:14 David says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” What parallel is there between a heart that is “in the right place” and the ability to receive insight from God’s Word?
What blocks our receptivity to hearing what the Lord through the Bible would say to us?
Three points Pastor Mike gave us in his message this week were: God speaks to us in the skies, God speaks to us in the Scriptures, and God speaks to us in our soul.” Can you share how God has spoken to you in one or more of these ways?
The study and hearing of God’s Word should be like salt in our lives. Tasting a little should make us want more (like eating just one chip usually causes one to want the whole bag). What have you heard in this week’s message or in this study that makes you want more of God’s Word in your life?
American Heritage Dictionary, http://www.ask.com/web?q=dictionary%3A+theology&content=ahdict%7C39421&o=0&l=dir
Kidner, Derek, Psalme 1-72 – An Introduction Commentary 97
Psalm 19 (New American Standard)
Walvoord, John F. and Zuck, Roy B., The Bible Knowledge Commentary 807-808
