Lesson 234 - Senior
Memory Verse
"O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!" (Psalm 8:9).
Cross References
I The Adoration of the Creator Through the Creation
1. David exclaims the excellency of God, [PS:8:1];[PS:8:2]; [MAT:21:10];[MAT:21:11];[MAT:21:15-16].
2. He meditates upon the order of the heavenly bodies, [PS:8:3]; [ISA:40:26]; [ROM:1:20].
3. His thoughts turn to insignificant man, [PS:8:4]; [ROM:1:25].
4. He then thinks of the Christ and the new creation, [PS:8:5-9]; [HEB:2:6-9].
II The Exaltation of God Through the Wonders of His Works
1. His creation reveals His glory and shows His knowledge, [PS:19:1];[PS:19:2]; [PS:98:7-8]; [ISA:55:12].
2. His works praise Him to the bounds of the earth, [PS:19:3-6]; [ISA:55:11].
III The Exaltation of God Through the Wonders of His Word
1. The law of the LORD is perfect, [PS:19:7-10].
2. There is great reward for keeping the Law, [PS:19:11-14]; [LUK:10:25-28].
3. The Word in the heart is a protection against sin, [PS:119:1-24].
Notes
The Revelation
On the clear, starry nights, as David sat upon the hillside watching over his sheep, he meditated on the beauties of the heavenly host and thought upon the Designer of so great a universe. "The heavens," he said, "declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork" [PS:19:1]). Many educators of today who have a knowledge of much greater explorations, fail to see by means of telescopes and modern scientific instruments, as much as David did when his eye of faith led him beyond the creation to the Almighty Creator. So often the writers of school textbooks attribute the marvellous workmanship of God's creation to mere chance by the so-called science of evolution.
The Word of God tells us: "The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools" [ROM:1:20-22]). Many a fool today is saying in his Heart that there is no God. Nevertheless, God is eternal and His heavens are still declaring His glory.
Infinity
"Behold the height of the stars, how high they are!" [JOB:22:12]). Man is still probing into the great expanses of the heavens and beholding stars that are so far away that it stretches the most wild imagination. We are told that one of the stars which has been recently discovered is at such a great distance that if we travelled at the speed of light -- 186,000 miles a second -- it would take us 250 million years to reach this star. No wonder David said, "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou are mindful of him?" [PS:8:3];[PS:8:4]). Yet God in His compassion has told us that He will dwell with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit. The Creator of the universe also searches the thoughts and intents of the heart of man, that He might show Himself strong to those whose hearts are perfect toward Him.
"The host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured" [JER:33:22]). At various times in ancient years man numbered and catalogued the stars; but with the use of the telescope he now sees 40 million stars for every one that can be seen with the naked eye. Every time a new telescope of greater power is made, a vast field of new stars appears, until today those seen number around two billion. But who knows how many more remain yet hidden from view? "To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth" [ISA:40:25];[ISA:40:26]). Even with so great a host, yet each star differs one from another. And to think that God has names for them all! "There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star different from another star in glory" [1CO:15:41]). But all declare the glory of our God.
Motion
Every twenty-four hours the earth makes a complete turn on its axis. This means that if a person were at the equator he would travel 25,000 miles in 24 hours by the rotation of the earth. But not only does the earth spin on its axis but each year it travels its circuit around the sun, a distance of approximately 600 million miles. As if this were not motion enough, the whole solar system is travelling through space at the rate of about 400 million miles a year. Think of all this motion -- about 2,000 miles a minute that everyone on the face of the earth moves, and yet we do not feel the slightest vibration nor do we register concern over so great a speed. Ships collide at sea, airplanes in mid-air, trains upon their rails, and automobiles upon the highways; but God's billions of heavenly bodies move faster than the dreams of man and "not one faileth." Think of the great weight of this earth suspended in space, and of the energy required to propel it on its course -- "He... hangeth the earth upon nothing" [JOB:26:7]).
David spoke of the movement of the sun "as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. 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" [PS:19:5];[PS:19:6]). The Lord spoke to Job concerning the motion of the heavenly bodies: "Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades; or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven?" [JOB:38:31-33]). When we contemplate all this motion and the unerring accuracy with which the heavenly bodies move -- even our most accurate timepieces are set in accordance with the stars -- we can but exclaim, "Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable" [PS:145:3]).
The Word of God
Though the creation reveals a mighty Creator, God has revealed Himself in numerous other ways and by more direct means, from the very beginning of creation down to the present day. Before Adam sinned, God walked with him in the Garden. After the fall, when sin entered into all the human race, God still manifested Himself and His will to man. God spoke to the prophets and revealed himself to them in visions and dreams. We are told: "The prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" [2PE:1:21])."God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds" [HEB:1:1];[HEB:1:2]). A direct revelation of God was given when Jesus, the Son of God, came down to the world lived among men taught them, and gave them an example of what walking in the law of the Lord meant in all its detail. Not only did He give us an example of how to live; but through His death atonement was made for sin; that we, through His Blood, might be redeemed from our sins, and by His power be enabled to keep His will, or law.
The Perfect Law
In the nineteenth Psalm we have the law of the Lord described in various terms: perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, true, and righteous. The effects of the Word are many: converting the soul, making wise the simple, rejoicing the heart, enlightening the eyes, enduring forever. It is valued at more than "much fine gold" and is credited with being "sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." Our God, who planned so great a universe, has given unto us a perfect plan by which we may govern our lives and live with Him throughout eternity.
Out of the 176 verses in Psalm 119 there are only two which do not use some term to describe the law of God. The Psalm is divided into 22 sections, and each section is headed by a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This Psalm teaches a high regard for the Word of God; as the Psalmist says, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee" [PS:119:11]). God wants His Word to be treasured and exalted, for we are told, "Thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name" [PS:138:2]). John describes Christ as the Word personified: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" [JHN:1:1]). "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself" [2CO:5:19]). The plan of God's redemption rivals that of His creation. "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness" [1TM:3:16]).
Praise to God
"Have ye never read," said Jesus, referring to the eighth Psalm, verse 2, "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?" [MAT:21:16]). The enemies of Christ, those who thought they worshiped God, failed to give Him praise, but the "babes and sucklings" -- the children who were honest in heart and free from their own self-righteousness -- sang the praises of the Son of God. If these held their peace the very stones would cry out. All creation gives glory to the marvellous Architect, save those vain creatures of the dust who would exalt themselves above their Creator. Wondrous though the works of God may be, "He who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house" [HEB:3:3]). He is "far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come" [EPH:1:21]).
Questions
1. On what occasion did Jesus quote [PS:8:2]?
2. Where do we find [PS:8:4-6] quoted?
3. In what way do these verses apply to Christ?
4. Why should we today have more reason to see the glory of God in the heavens than David did in his day?
5. How does [PS:19:2-4] compare with [ROM:1:20]?
6. What comparison can you make between God's handiwork and His law?
7. What adjectives are used to describe the law of God in Psalm 19?
8. What are presumptuous sins?
9. What is the theme of Psalm 119?
10. How is this theme expressed in practically every verse of this Psalm?