Thank you for joining me today. We will read Psalms 19-24. This group includes the most familiar Psalm for many Christians, Psalm 23, and the most heart-wrenching and prophetic, Psalm 22. While those stand out as worthy of discussion, the Lord led me to Psalm 19, verses 11-14.
The Law of the Lord as a Warning
Psalm 19:11 states, “By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” (NIV)
To understand what “them” refers to, we look back to Psalm 19:7, which declares, “The law of the Lord is perfect.” (NIV) This clarifies that the passage is referencing the law of the Lord.
A point of interest arises regarding capitalizing “Law.” While the New International Version often capitalizes “Law” when referring to the Mosaic Law, it does not do so here.
The Benson Commentary explains this, and suggests that the Ten Commandments or Levitical statutes do not fully define “the law of the Lord” in this context. Instead, it encompasses the entirety of God’s Word—all the doctrines, precepts, promises, and exhortations found throughout the Bible. David’s subsequent enumeration in verses 7-10, where he lists: statutes (v7), precepts and commands (v8), fear and decrees (v9), reinforces this comprehensive understanding.
What David is conveying is that we should take every word of the Bible as a warning. As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (NIV).
David then clarifies the profound benefit: “In keeping them there is great reward” (Ps. 19:11 NIV).
From Emptiness to Life in Christ
Before my salvation, I mistakenly thought following Christ meant sacrificing all my fun. I spent my nights drinking, playing music in bars, and committing countless sins. I defined this as “living the life.”
Now, having left all that behind, I recognize the stark reality of that existence. I was broke, hung-over, lonely, depressed, and unfulfilled. My actions were a compensatory mechanism for the emptiness that pervaded my life.
The “life” I thought I was living was, in fact, just a progression of meaningless activities until death. I wasn’t “living the life”; I was “dying the death.” My transformation into life in Christ occurred when I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior (1 Cor. 15:22).
Confronting Hidden Faults
Then David asks a profound question that captivated my attention this morning: “But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.” (Ps. 19:12 NIV)
Most days, I felt I was doing well, considering myself a “good person.” Ironically, part of the “great reward” spoken of in Psalm 19:11 is the humbling realization that, in my strength, I am not doing well at all. As for being a good person, biblical truth reveals that “there is no good person” (1 Tim. 2:5).
Despite this understanding, I still get caught up in daily activities. Feeling too good about myself (pride) and even taking credit for accomplishments that Christ achieves through me.
When this happens, I can sense a chasm forming between God and me. It is in these moments that I pray, asking God to reveal my “hidden faults.” The Holy Spirit brings them to mind, and I am often overwhelmed by my wretchedness.
These sins manifest in two forms:
Sins of Omission: Instances where I failed to do what I should have. Perhaps I saw someone in need of help but let someone else attend to them.
Sins of Commission: Moments where I had options but did what I knew was wrong, because it offered the best outcome for me.
I sometimes lie in bed, unable to sleep, as I realize these transgressions. So, I pray, much like David, asking God to keep me from committing these sins (Ps. 19:13).
Sin seeks to be my master, always tempting me to choose more sin to cover up the ones I have already made.
Only God can break that chain; He sets us free from sin’s dominion (Ps. 19:14). Without His liberation, we remain enslaved to sin (John 8:34).
Sleep only comes when I turn to God in prayer, confessing these sins. He is always ready to forgive, having paid the ultimate price for all sins on Calvary.
It is through these tense moments of wrestling against my flesh that I recommit to Him the Lordship He has over me. As David calls Him, “Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer” (Ps. 19:14).
Do you struggle with sin? If God were to show you all your sins, would you be able to handle it? He desires to set you free. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is surrender.
Tomorrow, we will read Psalms 25-30.
Bibliography
The Holy Bible, New International Version. 2011. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Benson, Joseph. Benson Commentary of the Old and New Testaments. Accessed June 2, 2025.