02/15/M – The Lord’s Words

Psalms: “The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold — than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb. In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward. Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed from blatant rebellion. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” (‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:7-14‬ ‭CSB)

In the first few verses of Psalm 19, David said that the wonders of creation testify to the glory of God and the works of His hands. The word that David used for God was ‘El’, a general name for God. The revelation that creation gives is without words and without specifics, but it does testify to God’s greatness. David then transitioned from general revelation to specific revelation. He transitioned from the creation and works of God to the Words of the Lord (Yehovah, the covenantal name of God). After all, it was the words of God that brought creation into existence, and it is the word of The Lord that reveals God, His will and ways. David used six words to describe the Lord’s Word.

The first word is instruction (torah in Hebrew), which is the law and doctrines of the Lord. God’s law is perfect and it renews our inner life. The second word is testimony. That was the word used to describe the Ten Commandments. We can put our trust in the Ten Commandments of the Lord – and if we trust them, they will make us wise. The third word is precepts. These are the detailed instructions and mandates of the Lord that guide our everyday affairs. The precepts of the Lord are all together right and just and if we follow them, we will find true happiness. The forth word is commandments (mitzvah in Hebrew). These are the things that the Lord warns us not to do. The commandments of the Lord are clean, sincere and for our good. When we honor them, we are kept pure and full of light and life. The fifth word is fear. This is the honor, respect and reverence for the Lord that His words instill in us. Fear, honor, respect and reverence for the Lord is holy, pure and eternal. The fear that we cultivate for the Lord in this life will carry us to the next. Finally, the sixth word is ordinances (mishpat in Hebrew), which are the judgements of the Lord – the attitudes and actions that the Lord declares to either be righteous or unrighteous. God’s judgements are true, reliable and completely righteous – and if we heed them, they will keep us true, reliable and righteous.

The words of the Lord, if we are to hear them and heed them, will warn us, keep us from making unforeseen mistakes, and steer us away from willful rebellion. David wrapped up this psalm with a prayer. He asked the Lord to allow God’s words to so mold and transform David’s heart, that David’s own words would align with and agree completely with God’s words. Jesus taught that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. What we say reveals what is in our heart. If we submit our lives to the Lord’s words, we will be transformed from the inside out, and our words will be full of light and life as well. Lord, may the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to You… and bring You glory.