Psalms 19 Verses 7-14

God’s glory, (that is, his goodness to man) appears much in the works of creation, but much more in and by divine revelation. The holy scripture, is a rule both of our duty to God and of our expectation from him. God, by his works, might have worked well if man had retained his integrity; but, to recover him out of his fallen state, another course had to be taken; that must be done by the word of God.

The psalmist gives an account of the excellent properties and uses of the word of God, in six sentences (v. 7-9), for the law has its authority and all its excellency from the law-maker. Here are several titles of the word of God, to take in the whole of divine revelation, precepts and promises, and especially the gospel. Here are several properties of it, which proves its divine origin, which recommend it to our affection, and which extol it above all other laws whatsoever.

Here are several good effects of the law upon the minds of men, which show what it is designed for, what use we are to make of it, and how wonderful the divine grace is, going along with it, and working by it.

See how highly he prized the commandments of God. It is the character of all good people that they prefer their religion and the word of God.

See what use he made of the precepts of God’s word: By them is thy servant warned. The word of God is a word of warning to the children of men; it warns us of the duty we are to do, the dangers we are to avoid, and the deluge we are to prepare for.

Ezek 3:17"Son of man, I have appointed you a watchman to the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from My mouth, warn them from Me."

Ezek 33:7 "Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth, and give them warning from Me."

It warns the wicked not to go on in his wicked way, and warns the righteous not to turn from his good way. All that are indeed God’s servants take this warning.

See what advantage he promised himself by his obedience to God’s precepts: In keeping them there is great reward. There is a reward, not only after keeping, but in keeping, God’s commandments, a present great reward of obedience.

All the discoveries of sin made to us by the law should drive us to pray, for mercy and pardon. Finding ourselves unable to specify all the particulars of our transgressions, we ask the Lord to cleanse us from our secret faults which are not secret to God, nor only such as were secret to the world, but such as were hidden from his own observation.

Secret faults are defiling, and render us unfit for communion with God; but, when they are pardoned, we are cleansed from them.

1 John 1:7 "but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."

We ought to pray that we may be kept from sins of infirmity, but especially from presumptuous sins. Presumptuous sins are very dangerous. Those that sin against their convictions and admonitions of their consciences, in contempt and defiance of the law and its sanctions are guilty of a great transgression.

v. 14. The pious meditations of the heart must not be smothered, but expressed in the words of our mouth, for God’s glory and the edification of others.

The words of our mouth in prayer and praise must not be formal, but arising from the meditation of the heart, that they might be acceptable with God; for, if our services be not acceptable to God, what do they avail us?

Gracious souls must have all they aim at if they be accepted of God, for that is their bliss.

If we seek assistance from God as our strength in our religious duties, we may hope to find acceptance with God in the discharge of our duties; for by his strength we have power with him.

God is our foundation and strength. God is the one that gives us the courage to live right, because of not only what He has done, but also with great assurance, and what He has promised to do for us.

Let us ever be mindful of these words. Let us seek to make application of His laws to our lives. Let us exercise care in the discharge of our duties, to do them properly and orderly and in accordance with His will.

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