4/7/2024:
Psalm 19 Devotional:
Psalm 19: 1 To the intent he might move the faithful to deeper consideration of God’s glory, he setteth before their eyes the most exquisite workmanship of the heavens, with their proportion, and ornaments. 8 And afterward calleth them to the Law, wherein God hath revealed himself more familiarly to his chosen people. The which peculiar grace by commending the Law, he setteth forth more at large.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth the work of his hands.

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 cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth like a mighty man to run his race.

6 His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is no one hidden from his heat.

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: so shall I be upright, and made clean from much wickedness.

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.

As in the previous Psalm, David sets forth the goodness of God in His provident care over His people, so that his own exaltation and preservation is manifest evidence of God’s wisdom and power, so in this Psalm, David ascends upwards, and praises the goodness and wisdom of God in the production and preservation of the heavens and the earth. So that just as the Sun rising in its course is evidence of the holiness of God, so was his ascension to the kingdom. This doctrine is here set forth before us in wonderful eloquence to leave the wicked without excuse for their blind stupidity and impudent atheism, and to engender and nourish amazement and praise in the hearts of God’s sanctified ones. For men are not converted by gazing into the heavens, though they see there many myriads of sermons speaking of God’s wisdom, who fashioned the heavens with such order and symmetry, and of His goodness adorning them with beauty and brilliant color, and preserving them from the malice and nocuous influence of men, who destroy all that they set their sight upon. Nay, but although God’s majesty and splendor do appear radiantly in the creation of the world, yet men are not bettered by it, but continue in their defiance against true faith in God, and when they are forced to look upward, and reflect upon the beauty and splendour of God arrayed in the heavens, they belch out hypocritical praise and canot link the purity found therein to the gospel wherein the true majesty of God is seen by those that love Him. Therefore although the heavens and all the glory thereof may leave men without an excuse for their error and stupidity, it does not convert them or bring them into the knowledge of the truth found only in the word of God, which truth is revealed not to all, but to few, and even among those few to whom it is revealed, even fewer taste of the blessed grace hidden under the elements of the word and believe in sincerity the doctrine contained therein. Therefore immediately after praising and adoring God for the first creation, David proceeds to mention the efficacy of the law upon the souls of men, lest we be tempted to call that sufficient which was left not as a means of conversion, but rather to stop the proud and audacious mouths of men, lest they pretend a foundation for their atheism. Therefore after demonstrating the use of the visible creation, David gives glory to God for the power of His word, which alone hath ability to transform the heart to the image of God.

Calvin,
The heavens declare the glory of God. I have already said, that this psalm consists of two parts, in the first of which David celebrates the glory of God as manifested in his works; and, in the other, exalts and magnifies the knowledge of God which shines forth more clearly in his word. He only makes mention of the heavens; but, under this part of creation, which is the noblest, and the excellency of which is more conspicuous, he doubtless includes by synecdoche the whole fabric of the world. There is certainly nothing so obscure or contemptible, even in the smallest corners of the earth, in which some marks of the power and wisdom of God may not be seen; but as a more distinct image of him is engraven on the heavens, David has particularly selected them for contemplation, that their splendor might lead us to contemplate all parts of the world. When a man, from beholding and contemplating the heavens, has been brought to acknowledge God, he will learn also to reflect upon and to admire his wisdom and power as displayed on the face of the earth, not only in general, but even in the minutest plants. In the first verse, the Psalmist repeats one thing twice, according to his usual manner. He introduces the heavens as witnesses and preachers of the glory of God, attributing to the dumb creature a quality which, strictly speaking, does not belong to it, in order the more severely to upbraid men for their ingratitude, if they should pass over so clear a testimony with unheeding ears. This manner of speaking more powerfully moves and affects us than if he had said, The heavens show or manifest the glory of God. It is indeed a great thing, that in the splendor of the heavens there is presented to our view a lively image of God; but, as the living voice has a greater effect in exciting our attention, or at least teaches us more surely and with greater profit than simple beholding, to which no oral instruction is added, we ought to mark the force of the figure which the Psalmist uses when he says, that the heavens by their preaching declare the glory of God.

The repetition which he makes in the second clause is merely an explanation of the first. David shows how it is that the heavens proclaim to us the glory of God, namely, by openly bearing testimony that they have not been put together by chance, but were wonderfully created by the supreme Architect. When we behold the heavens, we cannot but be elevated, by the contemplation of them, to Him who is their great Creator; and the beautiful arrangement and wonderful variety which distinguish the courses and station of the heavenly bodies, together with the beauty and splendor which are manifest in them, cannot but furnish us with an evident proof of his providence. Scripture, indeed, makes known to us the time and manner of the creation; but the heavens themselves, although God should say nothing on the subject, proclaim loudly and distinctly enough that they have been fashioned by his hands: and this of itself abundantly suffices to bear testimony to men of his glory. As soon as we acknowledge God to be the supreme Architect, who has erected the beauteous fabric of the universe, our minds must necessarily be ravished with wonder at his infinite goodness, wisdom, and power.

Lesson 14. The substance of the doctrine of Christ. Part 4. Of the Requirements of the Law Fulfilled by Christ on behalf of His Church.

1. The fulfillment of the law on our behalf.
The judgment of God.
i. The Nature of the law.
[1] Want of Conformity.
[2] Transgression.
ii. The Nature of man.
[1] Original sin.
[2] Actual sin.
iii. The Nature of the Redeemer.
[1] God blessed forever.
[2] Man under the curse.
[3] The Redeemer of His Elect.
[4] Obedient unto death.
[5] Offered as atonement for sin.
[6] Risen for the justification of His people.
iv. The Imputation of righteousness by faith.
[1] Repentance by the law.
Proper understanding of sin.
[2] Apprehending the Mercy of God in Christ.
Antithesis of free will.
[3] Sealed by the Spirit.
Comfort and assurance.
[4] Thankful Obedience.
According to faith.

Romans 3-6.

Conclusion.

YouTube Audio: https://youtu.be/ab_XluULS0s