THE WHY AND HOW OF PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY
Ursula Kemp, 1977
Lesson 5
REVIEW:
Last week we learned the basic procedure for outlining a Scripture passage. How are we to go about it in an organized manner? (Read entire passage, first for content, next for context, continuity of thought. We were to note where a break of thought or a new subject occurs, and that frequently contrasting terminology introduces a new topic. Also, we must watch for any statement of application.)
The Scripture passage we had chosen was Psalm 19. This Psalm contains three separate concepts, yet these are closely related. We further learned how those findings were obtained, and we began to chart the central portion of the Psalm. From the charting of that section we moved to its application.
Not every portion of Scripture lends itself to reduction into chart form; nor will the same headings apply. How do you determine your headings? You go about it in the same way in which you make your outline: notice the subject or topic; watch for any description, relationship, cause or result. Then list these under an appropriate heading. That was how the headings for Psalm 19 were chosen. Your exercise for Lesson 5 will give you another opportunity to chart a passage found in the Book of Jude.
OUTLINE:
I. DETAILED OUTLINE OF PSALM 19
II. STUDY OF PSALM 19
III. INTERPRETATION OF PSALM 19:1-6
APPROACH:
Invaluable in the interpretation of a Scripture passage is a general as well as a detailed outline. An outline provides the peg on which you can hang the interpretation. I want you to think of it in terms of a synopsis of the overall passage. Once you have fixed a specific passage in your mind, you will be able to think your way through it and, eventually, think your way through the Bible. How might such an outline of Psalm 19 be presented?
I. DETAILED OUTLINE OF PSALM 19
A. Verses 1-10: The twofold revelation of God.
1. Vs. 1-6 -- Testimony of the works of God (David's praise vs. 1-10)
Heavens (v. 1)
Day and night (v. 2)
Their witness (v. 3)
Amplification (v. 4b)
Sun (v. 4b)
Illustration (v. 5)
Course and coverage (v. 6)
2. Vs. 7-10 -- Testimony of the Word of God (Designation, essence, action)
Law, testimony (v. 7)
Statutes, commandments (v. 8)
Fear, judgments (v. 9)
Desire, illustration (v. 10)
B. Verses 11-14-- Effect of the Word of God (David's prayer vs. 11-14)
Warning and reward (v. 11)
Sin of ignorance, cleansing (v. 12)
Prevention of premeditated sin (v. 13)
Prayer, meditation (v. 14)
David's prayer (vs. 11-14).
II. STUDY OF PSALM 19
A thorough study of any given passage involves a careful investigation of known facts and their background. Here, your study tools come into focus, and your interpretive questions play their role. What do you know about this Psalm? What do you know about its author? What might have prompted this outburst of praise and prayer? What purpose did the writer have in mind? How fresh and spontaneous is your own prayer and praise life?
A. Background to the Psalms.
The Psalter has rightly been called the "Prayerbook and Hymnal of God's people." In the Hebrew, its title is "סֵפֶר****תְּהִלִּים" (sepher tehillim), meaning "the Book of Praises." However, the Psalms contain more than the lyrics of ancient hymns; they are also a record of the TRIALS and the TRIUMPHS of believers of past generations, and many a Psalm has as its subject great PROPHETIC THEMES.
As literature, the Psalms may be classified among the world's finest poetry. Unlike our form of poetry, Hebrew poems do not rely on rhyme or meter but on parallelism and rhythm of thought. Often, Hebrew poetry is figurative and rich in its imagery. The second line may emphasize or contradict a statement made in the first line, and subsequent lines may develop the first thought. Keep these facts in mind as you go into the interpretation of this Psalm. (For further study on this subject, I refer you to any good Bible dictionary or Bible handbook.)
The authorship of the Psalms is indicated in the titles of the Psalms wherever it is known.
B. Authorship of Psalm 19.
As stated, David is the human author of this Psalm as well as of seventy-two others. (Suggestion: some day you may want to check and list which ones David wrote.) A gifted musician, David set his poetry to music since he was a youth. He is called the "sweet psalmist" in 2 Sam. 23:1: David played a major role in providing the music and choir arrangements for the worship services conducted in the Temple (1 Chron. 16:4). The trained male choir which he instituted consisted of two-hundred and eighty-eight singers (1 Chron. 25:7). Music in ancient Israel was primarily vocal.
Many of these Psalms were addressed to the "chief musician" who held a position comparable to choir director; yet they are as meaningful to us today as they were to the original recipients. Scripture does not divulge the date of writing of Psalm 19, and we dare not read into Scripture what is not there!
C. Purpose of Psalm 19.
Obviously, the main purpose of Psalm 19 was its use as a hymn. Its message was plain to all who heard it: THAT WHICH MAY BE KNOWN OF GOD IS CLEARLY REVEALED TO US (Rom. 1:19, 20)! LOOK AT NATURE, the song proclaimed, NATURE DECLARES THE GLORY OF GOD, HIS POWER AND WISDOM IN CREATION, HIS MIGHT IN SUSTAINING WHAT HE PURPOSES! LOOK AT THE WRITTEN WITNESS TO THE EXISTENCE OF GOD AND ITS EFFECT ON MANKIND ARE YOU ALLOWING TO LET THE WORD LEAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?
III. INTERPRETATION OF PSALM 19:1-6
Because the Old Testament Scriptures were recorded in their own native language, the Jews of antiquity needed no interpreters; they understood instinctively, spontaneously. They needed priests, prophets, leaders, but not interpreters! This is not the case with us today. We have to acquire the original languages of Scripture or rely upon those who have mastered them. Besides, the passing of time has brought about a change of concepts, terminology and idioms. Anachronisms (chronological errors) exist which must be resolved, and often the true intent of a passage is lost because it was inaccurately translated.
Our present understanding of Psalm 19 hinges on its correct interpretation within the framework of Jewish understandingof the general tenor of these verses. What concepts presented themselves to the Jewish meditators on this Psalm? What was their frame of reference for the statements made here? Why did the Holy Spirit choose a variety of designations for the Old Testament Scriptures recorded in David's day when one designation might have sufficed?
Without going into a word by word study of this Psalm, let us see its interpretation. Keep in mind the general as well as the detailed outline already mentioned.
PSALM 19:
VERSES 1 -10: THE TWOFOLD REVELIATION OF GOD. (Works of God, vs. 1-6)
v. 1. The heavens (2 Cor. 12:2) declare (keep on recounting) the glory (the outer manifestation of God's inner essence) of God (El --the Mighty One, omnipotence in view); and the firmament (expansion of heaven) showeth his handywork (work of His hands).
NOTE FIRST MENTION OF "HEAVENS" AND "FIRMAMENT" --Genesis 1:1, 8; refers to the works of God in creation.
DOCTRINES IN VIEW: SOVEREIGNTY, POWER!
v. 2. Day (daylight) unto day (daylight) uttereth (keeps on gushing forth) speech, and night unto night sheweth (shall utter) knowledge (of the existence of God as Creator and sovereign Sustainer of all things).
NEW TESTAMENT CROSS REF: Rom. 1:19, 20.
DOCTRINAL EMPHASIS : God's faithfulness in time (IMMUTABILITY).
v. 3. (Italicized words, not found in better manuscripts, supplied by translator for smoother reading.) No speech nor language their voice is not heard.
NOTE: The words "speech" and "language" do not refer to human articulation. POINT: God does not have to rely on mankind to declare His glory!
ILLUSTRATION FROM NEW TESTAMENT: Luke 19:40 : "...the stones would immediately cry out."
v. 4a. Their line (measure; cf. Jer. 31:39; Rom. 10:18) is gone out through (in) all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.
EMPHASIS: The extent of the revelation of God.
v. 4b. In them (heavens) hath he set a tabernacle (pitched a tent) for the sun.
NOTE: The sun's camping ground and coverage. The sun covers the entire earth at one time or another.
DOCTRINAL POINT OF EMPHASIS: God never leaves Himself without a witness!
v. 5. Which (refers to sun) as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber (canopy), rejoiceth as a strong(mighty) man to run a race (marathon).
NOTE: Two illustrations of preceding statement: (1) the bridegroom on his wedding day personifies eagerness. Light breaks into darkness. (2) The marathon runner depicts the sun's radiance and consistency in his daily course.
HERE NOTE APPLICATION: THE BELIEVER SHOULD BE CONSISTENT IN RUNNING THE RACE SET BEFORE HIM (Heb. 12:1, 2)!
v. 6. His (the sun's) going forth from the end of the heavens and his circuit (starting point) unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof !
NOTE: The sun's heat is felt! This refers to the impact and effectiveness of his witness!
APPLICATION: What is the most obvious lesson that we can draw from this passage? The lesson is unmistakable: we rub elbows daily with both believers and unbelievers. What is the impression our speech and conduct leave on others? And if we witness, as we should, how effective are we in our presentation of all that the Lord has done for us and can do for others? Is warmth and concern evident in our contacts? Pray that it will be as we become more than hearers and learners of God's Word!
PRACTICAL EXERCISES
Lesson 5
In verse 11 of the Book of Jude a woe (judgment) is pronounced on all who embark on a course of apostasy. Only one of the persons described was an unbeliever. APOSTASY CAN OCCUR IN ANY TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL, BELIEVER OR UNBELIEVER! Study this verse in connection with the following passages: Genesis 4; I John 3:12 --Cain; Numbers 22:25-31; 31:8 compared to 2 Peter 2:15; Revelation 2:14 --Balaam; Numbers 16 --Korah.
Draw up a chart; list your findings (observation and interpretation) under the following headings: PERSON, OCCUPATION, REFERENCE, TYPE OF SIN, MOTIVATION (motive or source). Below chart state the nature of God's judgments (which, as you know are "true and righteous altogether"; Psa. 19:9)!