God's Two Books

Psalm 19:1-14

Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings - compare books with movies.

He is wisest who reads both the world-book and the Word-book as two volumes of the same work, and feels concerning them, “My Father wrote them both.” Spurgeon, Treasury of David

See Psa_8:3-4 further evidence of David's mindset
1. God's World-Book
A. It's Author v. 1, 7-9, 14
אל
el - God, the true God; name used often in combination with other descriptive words

"the great El"; "El of els"; “El of heaven”; “El that is above”; “El most high”; “Faithful El”; “Holy El”; “El of truth”; “Almighty El”; “El the heroic”; “El of knowledge”; “El of glory”; “El of eternity”; “Righteous El”; “Jealous El”
יהוה
YHWH, the self-existent One; personal covenant name by which God identified himself to his people; occurs 5321 times in OT

put together - the eternally self-existent yet personal creator God of all things

B. It's message v. 1-3

describes the glory, greatness, and wisdom of God - ongoing witness to the nature of the Designer; teleological argument insufficient to argue all the way to an infinite God, however the designer must be capable (as a minimum) of the complexity displayed in his design. It is impossible to objectively consider the heavens without saying "wow!"

conveyed without words but clear, distinct, valid nonetheless

according to Rom_1:20 God's power is evident as is that which makes him God and worthy of worship

C. It's extent v. 4-6

reaches every corner of the inhabited earth, every square inch of territory that sees the light of the sun

no individual is beyond the scope of its message; according to Joshua Project - 15,899 people groups (the largest group within which the Gospel can spread as a church planting movement without encountering barriers of understanding or acceptance); 6,417 unreached (no indigenous community of believing Christians with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group)

means of communication such that anyone of any language and intellectual ability can comprehend

2. God's Word-Book

A. It's description v. 7-9

law - that which points out or indicates His will to man

testimony - His own affirmation concerning His nature, attributes, and consequent demands

statutes - a charge or duty laid upon the individual

commandment - instructions for governing an orderly and structured society

fear - reverence that recognizes the power and position of the person revered accompanied by obedience

judgments - principles by which God governs his creation
B. It's character v. 7-9

perfect - complete, comprehensive; without blemish or fault

LBCF.I.vi. The whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for His own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down or necessarily contained in the Holy Scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelation of the Spirit, or traditions of men.

sure - faithful and dependable; trustworthy

right - not deviating from correct moral principles

pure - having moral purity

clean - indicative of God's holiness and moral purity

enduring forever - provide a lasting and permanent foundation for life

true and righteous - reliable, consistent with justice singly and as a whole, reflecting the character of God, its source

C. It's usefulness v. 7-9, 11

converts the soul - (he restores my soul Psa. 23:2) brings life to the soul, enabling to live life to the fullest

LBCF.I.i. The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith and obedience, although the light of nature and the works of creation and providence do so far manifest the goodness, wisdom and power of God, as to leave men inexcusable; yet are they not sufficient to give that knowledge of God and His will which is necessary unto salvation.

makes wise the simple - keeping the follower from folly, making those foolish choices warned against in Proverbs, etc.

rejoices the heart - providing the basis for inner joy that flows out of a clear conscience

enlightens the eyes - give the ability to discern what is right, curing the natural blindness of the soul

warns against danger - of disobedience, failing in duty

provides great reward - God's promise from his side of the covenant

D. It's value v. 10

more precious than pure gold
sweeter than honey

To be valued more than the things people routinely work to acquire. Whatever it is that a man prizes above all else pales in comparison to the worth of God's Word.
But here a question of no small difficulty arises; for Paul seems entirely to overthrow these commendations of the law which David here recites. How can these things agree together: that the law restores the souls of men, while yet it is a dead and deadly letter? that it rejoices men’s hearts, and yet, by bringing in the spirit of bondage, strikes them with terror? that it enlightens the eyes, and yet, by casting a veil before our minds, excludes the light which ought to penetrate within? Calvin, Psalms

The key is in David's conclusion to the Psalm - after he has waxed eloquent on the beauties of God's law, he falls on his face before God in humble supplication recognizing his absolute unworthiness.

The psalmist began by looking at the heavens and reflecting on the divine law, and such reflection naturally evoked praise; but, as his eyes turn back from this double and glorious vision to gaze upon himself, the shock is almost too much. He becomes aware of his own insignificance and unworthiness in so glorious a context and can only pray. Word Biblical Commentary

3. The Reader's Right Response

Notice the object of David's prayer: Yahweh, his rock of refuge and his kinsman-redeemer.
It is only in the context of a relationship of redemption by a kinsman that David can view God's law in such a positive light.

It is only because David has been redeemed by his kinsman that he does view God's law positively.

It is because David has been redeemed by his kinsman that he recognizes how far he falls short of the standard and his total inability to ever meet the standard.

If you have experienced redemption by your kinsman, the Lord Jesus, as David had, you can echo his prayer:

A. Prayer for purifying v. 12

teach me and cleanse me

B. Prayer for protection v. 13

keep me and protect me

C. Prayer to be pleasing v. 14

may my words and my thoughts honor you

If you have not experienced that redemption, if the Lord Jesus is not your kinsman, pray that God would be pleased to bring life to your soul, redeem you from your sinful state and adopt you into his family.

If you know the blessing of our wonderful Savior taking burdens away, giving strength day by day, and crowning each moment with blessings, it is because for you the Word of God truly does contain "wonderful words of life", life that can come only through the Gospel which offers pardon and peace to all who come to him.