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Psalm 19
(Psalms 19 KJV) "To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens
declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. {2}
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge.
{3} There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
This may be what Paul is referring to in
Romans 1:19-20. No one has any
excuse for not knowing the Creator.
{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 is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a
strong man to run a race. {6} His going forth is from the end of the
heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid
from the heat thereof.
{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.
The psalmist is a great believer in the law. Compare this short passage
with the much longer Psalm 119. Five synonyms for law are found here: law,
testimony, statutes, commandments and judgments. A nice parallel
structure, it should be easy to render musically. The first sentence might
be rendered, "The law of the Lord is perfect, changing the life." And the
purpose of the law is summed up in the last sentence. By the law, the
servant of God is warned. It is a lamp to our feet and light to our path.
It warns us off of harmful behaviors. The reason for rejoicing in the law
is not only that it pleases God, but that the law gives us an edge in
life. There is great reward in avoiding stupid mistakes.
{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: then shall I be upright, and I shall be
innocent from the great transgression. {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."
We pray in two different modes. One by words from the mouth and the
other by the meditation of the heart. This is an invitation to God to
enter the most private thoughts.
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The
Sinless Life
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considered what it would mean if you could just live a sinless life?
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