A PSALM WITHIN A PSALM
Psalms 19:7-11 NKJV
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 forever; 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 Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
These five verses are about God's Word except for verse nine, which speaks of the fear of the Lord. The way these verses are read is akin to a psalm within a psalm. Almost as if we are going to inject this psalm about God's Word into a psalm about the creation of God. It catches you by surprise, but what a good surprise.
The psalmist, David, gives a statement about God's Word and then what that word will produce. He starts with the law of the Lord, which we can say God's Word is perfect, converting the soul. There is a wealth of revelation here. God's Word can convert and restore our soul. We can look at that in two ways. God's Word about salvation was the word that caused us to become a new creation in Christ. Our soul or our spirit was converted. And God's Word can restore our minds and emotions to a place of strength.
The testimony, or another word that can be used is the warning of the Lord, is sure and solid and makes the simple wise. There are many warnings in God's Word that, if we listen to them, can save us untold trouble and heartache.
The statutes of the Lord, found in His word, are right and rejoice the heart. The word statutes are the instructions of the Lord as to how He wants things done. The commandment of the Lord is pure and causes the eyes of our heart to be enlightened. Paying attention to God's instructions and commandments brings gladness and enlightenment. The psalmist would later say in Psalms 119:130 that the entrance of God's word gives light and understanding to the simple.
David slips in how the fear, the reverence, of God is clean and enduring forever. Then he goes back to the judgments of the Lord, which are found in God's Word and are true and righteous altogether. David had no qualms with God's Word and the instruction, judgments, and correction that God's Word contains. He was not questioning God and His word but rather affirming his faith and trust in God and His word.
I love how David presents the heart and desire for God's Word and what that word will do for those who hear and do it. God's Word is more to be desired than gold. And not a little gold-plated trinket. But God's Word is to be more desired than a whole lot of fine gold. God's Word is better than candy. They didn't have much candy in David's time, but they did have honey and honeycombs. More to be desired than fine gold and sweeter than honey are very descriptive terms that show a heart for God and His words.
But wait, there's more! By God's wonderful word His servants are warned and in keeping them, there is great reward. Again, David is saying so much in this short verse. God's word is the light on our path to keep us from stumbling and falling. And in keeping God's word, there is a great reward.
When I think about this psalm within a psalm, I am reminded of Psalms 1:1-3, the blessings of those who love and attend to God's Word. They are like trees planted by rivers of water. They are strong, green and fruitful. And whatever that person does prospers. In keeping God's Word, there is great reward!
PRAYER
Dear Father, help me to develop more of a love for You and Your word.