Psalms                            by Dr. Ralph Wilson

Marveling at God's Majesty in Creation (Psalms 8, 19, 139)

In this chapter we are examining three psalms -- Psalms 8, 19, and 139 -- that marvel at the wonder of God's creation, but in the subsequent meditation on creation go three different directions in applying that knowledge. These psalms are full of awe in God's greatness and minuteness of care.

Psalm 8 -- How Majestic Is Your Name in All the Earth

The psalm is attributed to David.

1. Beginning praise in earth and heavens (8:1-2)
2. The wonder of contrasting the Creator of the infinite universe with finite man (8:3-8)
3. Ending praise which echoes the first line (8:9)

How Majestic Is Your Name (8:1-2)

Contrasting the Infinite Universe with Finite Man (8:3-8)

A Christological Application

Q1. (Psalm 8). What does this psalm teach about God?.

What does it teach about human beings?

What does it teach us about Christ

What does it teach about our responsibilities?

Psalm 19 -- The Heavens Proclaim the Glory of God

The psalm has several parts.

1. The Unspoken Word Expressed in the Heavens (19:1)
   1. The Heavens Express God's Word Wordlessly (19:2-4a)
   2. The Glory of the Sun (19:4b-6)
2. The Perfection of God's Written Word (19:7-9)
   1. The Value and Sweetness of God's Word (19:10)
   2. The Word Exposes and Protects Against Sin (19:11-13)
3. A Prayer for a Pure Heart (19:14)

God's Glory Proclaimed by the Heavens (19:1)

The Heavens Express God's Word Wordlessly (19:2-4a)

The Glory of the Sun (19:4b-6)

David paints the vigor and power of the sun with word images:

• A tent represents the darkness of the night when the sun is hidden.
• A bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, expresses the enthusiasm of the bridegroom emerging from either the tent in which the ceremony was conducted or from the wedding chamber the morning after the wedding.
• A mighty man of valor, a renowned runner who takes great pleasure in the race.²⁸

The Perfection of God's Written Word (19:7-9)

The Value and Sweetness of God's Word (19:10)

The Word Exposes and Protects Against Sin (19:11-13)

Notice how the parallel phrases of verses 12 and 13 progress from "errors" to "great transgression."

• "Errors" is shegîâ, from the verb shāgā, "go astray, stray, err." The primary emphasis is on sin done inadvertently.³¹
• "Hidden faults" (NIV, NRSV) or "secret faults" (KJV) is from sātar, "hide, conceal."³²
• "Willful sins" (NIV), "presumptuous sins"(KJV) renders the adjective zēd, "proud, arrogant," from zîd, zûd, "act proudly, presumptuously, rebelliously."³³ It could be a prayer for God to deliver from "the insolent" (NRSV), "presumptuous persons"³⁴ who would lead us astray. Unwitting errors are one thing; the psalmist prays that overt, willful, arrogant rebelliousness might not take hold in his life and turn him from God. The Word helps us see that for what it is; it helps us call sin "sin" instead of excusing it.
• "Great transgression" is the final culmination of sin's progress. May God help us nip our sins in the bud when they are small and have little hold over us, long before they begin to manifest themselves in great and open transgression.

A Prayer for a Pure Heart (19:14)

Yahweh our Rock and Kinsman-Redeemer (19:14b)

Q2. (Psalm 19) Verses 1 to 6 seem very different from verses 7 to 13, but there is a common thread that relates the first part to the second part. What is it?

In what way does the psalmist seem to bask in God's Word?

Have you ever felt that way?

How does the psalmist's wonder in creation seem to affect him in this psalm?

In the classic prayer of verse 14, what is David asking God to do?

Psalm 139 -- The Creator and Searcher of My Inmost Being

Q3. (Psalm 139). In what way does the wonder of creation in the psalm seem to affect the psalmist?

In his concluding prayer in verses 23-24, what does he ask God to do?.

The wonder of creation is at many levels:

• Awe at the magnitude and scale of the heavens and the earth,
• Realization that God has created human beings for a particular role within his creation, and finally,
• Acute awareness that God has created me, you, very deliberately, very specifically. We don't just matter, we have a particular mission in God's world.

Exercise. For one of the psalms in this lesson -- or another psalm with a similar theme -- do one of the suggested exercises to help you experience the Psalms in Appendix 1. These include such things as praying a psalm, meditating, reading to a shut-in, paraphrasing, writing your own psalm, singing, preparing a liturgy, and memorizing.

Prayer

Creator of the Universe, God and Father of mankind, we come to you with awe and wonder, worship and rededication. Help us relate to you as is appropriate to our status as created beings. Help us to learn to approach you as beloved children. Reform us in your image. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Songs

• "How Majestic Is Your Name," words and music by Michael W. Smith (© 1981 Meadowgreen Music Company, Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing). Psalm 8.
• "O Lord, Our Lord, How Excellent Your Name Is," words and music by Peter Jacobs (© 1984, Maranatha Praise, Inc., Admin. by Music Services)
• "Search Me, O Lord, and try this heart of mine," words: (1875) by Fanny Crosby, music: ("Ellers," 1869) by Edward J. Hopkins (1869).
• "Search Me, O God, and know my heart today," words (1936) by J. Edwin Orr (1912-1987), music, Maori tune
• "The Law of the Lord Is Perfect," by J.J. Williams (© 1978, Living Way Ministries). Psalm 19.
• "Let the Words of My Mouth," words and music by Warren W. Wiersbe (© 1989, Hope Publishing Co.), Chalice Hymnal #301. Psalm 19:14.