Bible Study                                     Notes 1999

THE THEOLOGY OF THE SCRIPTURES                                            29 June 1999

"THE WORD OF GOD" IN THE PSALMS

INTRODUCTION

1.   Many themes covered in The Psalms

      a)   Praise

      b)      Repentance

      c)   Trust

      d)      Prophetic/Messianic

      e)   The Word of God

2.   The Significance of the mention of "The Word of God" in the Psalms

      a)      Significant Experiential Knowledge (Validation needed)

      b)      Personal

      c)      Discovery

      d)      Didactic

      e)      Exhortative

      f)      Practical

      g)   Poetic (form)

      h)      Theological

      i)      Influence

Psalm 1

The Blessed Man" is one who "delights in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night"     

             Ps 1:2 (Cf. Jer 17:7-8; Joshua 1:6-9)

Psalm 12

The words of the LORD are pure words

like silver tried in a furnace of earth

purified seven times          Ps 12:6 (Prov 30:5-6)

You shall keep them, O LORD

You shall preserve them from this generation forever  

             Ps 12:7 (Matt 5:18)

Psalm 19

The law of the LORD is perfect

Converting the soul;     Ps 19:7 (Cf. 2 Tim 3:16-17)

The testimony of the LORD is sure,

Making wise the simple Ps 19:7

The statues of the LORD are right,

Rejoicing the heart Ps 19:8

The commandment of the LORD is pure,

Enlightening the eyes; Ps 19:8

The fear of the LORD is clean,

Enduring forever  Ps 19:9

The judgments of the LORD are true

And righteous forever  Ps 19:9

More to be desired are they than gold

Yes, than much fine gold      Ps 19:10

Sweeter also than honey

And the honeycomb Ps 19:10

Moreover by them Your servant is warned

And in keeping of them there is great reward  Ps 19:11

MAKING THE WORD OF GOD

THAT MUCH MORE A PART OF OUR LIFE

1.      Encouragement from the Psalms

2.   Prayer for a special love for God's Word

3.   Personal effort in the pursuit of the greatest knowledge of all

      - Knowledge of God

      a)   Making Meditation a part of our life

      b)   Some discipline involved

THE DOCTRINE OF THE SCRIPTURES    6 July 1999

STUDIES IN THE PSALMS

REVIEW

1.   The Scriptures as the special delight of the godly man     Ps 1:2

2.   The Scriptures as absolutely pure words of God     Ps 12:6

3.   The Scriptures as superior revelation to creation (general revelation)  Ps 19:7-11

      a)   The creation of God is only "General revelation"

      b)   As such it is limited; it was never meant to do more than reveal the majesty of God

      c)   The Scriptures are "Special Revelation" of God

            i)      They are highly revelatory

            ii)      They are highly instructive

            iii)      They are totally inspired

            iv)      They are to be desired above everything/anything material

            v)      There is great reward in the keeping of God's word

FURTHER THEOLOGICAL INSIGHTS

CONCERNING GOD AND HIS WORD

1.   "The word of the Lord is right

      And all His work is done in truth"   Ps 33:4

2.   "By the word of the Lord the heavens are made

      And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth"

      Ps 33:6; Heb 11:2; Peter 3:5-7

3.   "The counsel of the Lord stands forever

      The plans of His heart to all generations"   Ps 33:11

4.   "Many, O Lord my God are Your wonderful works

            which you have done

      And your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted in order

      If I would declare and speak of them

      They are more than can be numbered"      Ps 40:5  Cf. 1 Cor 2:9

5.   "In God (I will praise His Word)

      In God I have put my trust, I will not fear"       Ps 56:4, 10

APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO GOD'S WORD

1.   "I delight to do Your will, O my God

      And your law is within my heart"   Ps 40:8

2.   "O send out Your light and Your truth

      Let them lead me"           Ps 43:3