perfect Law

“The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

 1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts 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 forever;
the rules of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” - Psalm 19

God’s Glory (vv. 1-6)

David first exclaims that which is self evident through nature; namely, that God is to be glorified. He is the Creator, perfect and holy and there is none above Him. Even those things which seem incapable by man’s standards declare the glory of God. Knowledge of God pours forth from the testimony of creation, and because of this revelation, man is capable of knowing God.

Unfortunately, man chose (and still chooses) to ignore this truth. Instead he exchanges the truth of God for a lie, and instead of the creation worshipping the creator, created man supplants God with an idol and worships himself (Rom. 1:20-23).

God’s Law (vv. 7-11)

Thankfully, God was not satisfied with the decisions of man. Instead of allowing man to continue lost in general knowledge of God, He revealed Himself through His law. His law is not arbitrary. NO! It is a more fully defined explanation of who God is. Because of this it shares His attributes: perfection, wisdom, righteousness, purity, eternity, truth, the absolute highest worth.

While many see the law as a set of precepts for man to follow, and when he fails, condemn him, the truth is that God’s law leads man to a more fully developed understanding of who He is. This results in the ultimate reward.

God’s Grace (vv. 12-14)

How? How does God provide the ultimate reward to man through a law which man cannot keep? David understands that it is because of God’s grace, not man’s works. God, despite man’s failures has declared him innocent. Man is not innocent because of the law; the law only serves to condemn and lead man to Christ. Under the Lordship of Christ, God keeps man from “presumptuous sins.” He protects man from the power and effect of sin (death). The result is a life lived in admiration and praise of the one TRUE God.

Have you met King Jesus? His law is evident through nature, but he tells us so much more through His word the Bible. He wants you to see that He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. His desire is to save you too.