New Year, Renewed Application

Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.— Psalm 19:11-14

Psalm 19 is a beautiful Psalm about God and how He has revealed Himself to us. David closes this Psalm with an application of truth. God revealed Himself through creation and His Word for a purpose.

First of all God’s Word serves to warn us. How do you view warning signs? Some seem unnecessary, like the tanker I saw on the bypass that read: “Pig’s Blood: Not for Human Consumption.” For most people that is a given; however, they are required to post a warning sign. Some are more relevant, such as signs warning of lane closures and upcoming construction. We may not appreciate those signs, but they are placed there for our benefit. Some people look at God’s Word as a list of rules that keep us from having fun and enjoying life. David has the proper view of God’s Word: not only does it warn us against sin, but it also offers great reward for following God’s rules. His rules are given for our benefit and flourishing. 

God’s Word defines what is right and wrong. His precepts make it clear what He desires from us. David asks, “Who can discern his errors?” We can easily excuse or justify sin that is present in our own lives. David mentions two types of sin here: hidden faults and presumptuous sins.

There are sins in our lives that we are not always aware of. Just because we are not aware that something is a sin does not mean that it is not a sin. David asks the Lord for forgiveness regarding these types of sin. God’s Word will reveal these sins to us. If we are faithful to spend time in the Bible, God will use His Word to refine us. 

There are also presumptuous sins, or sins that we are aware of and have a hard time getting out of our lives. Sin seeks to control and destroy our lives. We will not defeat sin in our own strength. God gave us His Word so that we could know Him and through Him have victory over sin. Reading and applying God’s Word will help us in our fight against sin. We cannot rely on our own strength or willpower to defeat sin.

Then David closes with the desire that his words and his thoughts would be pleasing to the Lord. It is not enough to just fight against sin; we also need to pursue lives that please the Lord. This will be an ongoing battle throughout our lives. And while the fact of a life-long battle can seem overwhelming at times, David closes this Psalm with an amazing reminder: “O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” The Lord is our rock, He is our refuge. He redeemed us, and He is faithful to help us walk in a manner that is pleasing to Him. 

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. — Philippians 1:6