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Psalm 19 - God's Perfect Law

Psalm 19

 God's Perfect Law

 Introduction
Psalm 19 is a testimonial Psalm written by David about God's Law, and its' perfection and usefulness.

Summary
v1-6 The heavens declare the glory of God
v7-14 The law of the Lord is perfect

The heavens declare the glory of God
David expresses 2 major ways in which God's glory is declared
1. In creation, we see the glory of God. All things are created and sustained by God, without Him the sun will not rise.

2. Their "voice" goes out to the ends of the earth.
- What this really implies is that God's glory is revealed everywhere we go, and there is no way we can live in this world without experiencing God in our lives. However, it is still possible for us to live God in God's glory, yet not recognise God.

The law of the Lord is perfect
Here David lists many things in which the law of the Lord does for us - reasons why it is perfect.
1. It revives the soul
2. It makes the simple wise
3. It gives joy to the heart
4. It gives light to the eyes
5. It is altogether righteous
6. It is more precious than gold, and sweeter than honey
7. It keeps His servant (us) warned
8. There is great reward in keeping the law of the Lord
9. We cannot see our own faults.
- We should pray for God to forgive our hidden faults, even those hidden from ourselves
- Also pray for God to keep us from wilful sin.

Here's a quote from the passage itself, on how we should respond to God for His law.
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer" - Psalm 19:14
This is the way we should be responding to God's given Law. We should understand that as believers in the New Testament, we are not bound to the Law the same way David was. We cannot be made righteous by the Law - then again, neither could anyone of the Old Testament, being imperfect in nature. However, God's Law still exists as a guideline to godly living - and it does all these things for us. Note that in no part of Psalm 19 does David actually claim that following the law gives us salvation. We should be aiming to live in a way pleasing to God, by following the Law.

Question
How do we view God's OT Laws, and how can we follow those which are still applicable?
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