Sermon Cloud

“There is no book like the Bible. It is a miracle of literature, a perennial spring of wisdom, a wonderful book of surprises, a revelation of mystery, an infallible guide of conduct, and unspeakable source of comfort.” (Samuel Chadwick). 

This strophe marks a change in tone for the psalmist. The previous sections  emphasized the affliction and suffering of the psalmist, with the last strophe being the lowest point of them all. Here, however, the psalmist finds renewed vigor, conviction, awe, strength, in the contemplation of the glory and majesty and authority of the written word of God - yet the eternal word.

“From this point on, the writer begins to move forward and upward again, building his life on the only foundation that is truly steadfast and eternal. It is as if he had been struggling in a pounding ocean surf, trying desperately to reach land, and had at last drawn himself up on  big rock standing by the shore; or as if he had been sinking in quicksand and had suddenly found solid ground beneath his feet. That rock that solid foundation, is the word of God.” (J.M. Boice). 

God’s Word is trustworthy (89-91) (because it is):

Unchanging

Unbreakable 

God’s Word satisfies the trusting soul (92-96) (because it offers):

Satisfaction

Hope

Freedom

God’s Word is Trustworthy (89-91). 

(a) Because it is Unchanging (89). 

(89) “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven”  

“forever (for all time)” - the term does not always refer to endlessness, or eternity. However, in this particular construct and context it does have the idea of “incalculable,” or even “eternity.”

Other texts: 

142 - relation to God’s righteousness. 

152 comes close to the same meaning, “Of old I have known from Your testimonies, that You have founded them forever.”

2 Sam. 7:29 it is used in connection with the Davidic covenant.  

2 Kings 21:7 it is used in relation to God’s Name dwelling forever in His house in Jerusalem. 

 “is settled in heaven” - “heaven” where God dwells: Its settledness stands within the character and nature of God. It is settled and unmovable, because God is settled and unmovable. 

The idea is that of standing by means of appointment (“to be stationed”).

In relation to the current verse the meaning seems to be that God’s Word, like His Name, His promises, and this creation are firmly established. That is, it has the idea of perpetuity. And, since the OT saint understood God’s word (Law) as equal to His Name, by implication to His very nature, then it is further understood that the settledness of the Word is the settledness of God Himself who gave it.  

This includes and declares God’s authority. The words of men are as weighty as air, yet God’s word is settled. “All flesh is like grass and all its loveliness like the flower of the field; the grass withers and the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:8 [cf. 51:6, 8 in relation to His salvation; ). 

Calvin, noting the connection with 1 Pet. 1:24, “the certainty of salvation is to be sought in the word, and, therefore, that they do wrong who settle their minds upon the world; for the steadfastness of God’s word far transcends the stability of the world.”

“The world is passing away and also its lust, but the one who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2) - this will being at its most basic level belief (active and obedient) in the Jesus Christ and His atoning work. 

Jer. 33:20-21; Matt. 5:18; 24:34-35; Is. 45:23; 55:11 (Contrast: Ecc. 1:1-11; 12:9-12).

Then why would we look anywhere else for direction and understanding? It is because we, by virtue of our falleness, are forever seeking to trust in our own ways, our own wisdom. It is an expression of our pride that we think ourselves on an equal plain, or only slightly below the absolute authority and sufficiency of God’s Word. We think our own wisdom to be as established as God’s Word. The evidence is measured by our obedience to and desire for it. 

This is also to undergird the reality that it is not subject to our additions or scrutiny. We submit to God’s Word, it does not change or bend to meet our fancies and conveniences!

 It also means that salvation is to be sought in the revelation of God’s Word and not our own inventions. 

How does this apply to ministry? 2 Tim. 4:1ff. 

It is the one sure thing we can build our lives on. Even heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s word will never pass away (Matt. 5:18; 24:35). How foolish to place our hope and joy in the things of this world rather than in Christ (Heb. 1). How foolish to build our hope on this  life and lose the life to come. The only rock is Christ, and the only way to build is by faith and obedience. Everything else will perish. 

The words and theories and counsel of men will pass away, but God’s Word’s are settled. What a joy it is to have such a sure source of wisdom and guidance. 

Psychology, and all the theories that come and go, are changed and modified are insufficient and deceptive. Only God’s word is settled; it does not change; it is not subject to the latest insight or suggestion. It is eternal truth that can be depended on and obeyed with confidence. It provides all things necessary for life and godliness. 

Second, God’s Word is trustworthy because: 

(b) It is Unbreakable (90-91). 

(90) “Your faithfulness”

This connection between God’s decrees and creation is common in the OT:

Gen. 9 (Noah); 

This evidences the proper relationship/role that general revelation is to have to special revelation; it undergirds, supports, illustrates the realities of God revealed and explained in special revelation (i.e. Is. 40:1ff). 

In this context, the existence of creation - spoken into existence by God - give evidence of the permanence and authority of God’s Word! We are to look at the immovability of the stars, moon, earth, sun, etc. And be reminded that God’s Word is settled in heaven. (Psalm 19). 

God determined that the earth would exist, therefore it exist. 

God is faithful and sovereign; everything will be performed in its season - we must simply yield to God’s season as what is best. 

“You established the earth”

Creation reveals the power and consistency of God’s nature (cf. Rom. 1:20). 

God often reminded His people to look to the creation as a reminder of the sureness of His promises (cf. Jer. 31:35-37; 33:20-21; Gen. 8:22 [Noah]). 

(91) “for all things are Your servants”

What does he mean by this? What is he trying to capture? The idea of *authority and *obedience (=sovereignty). 

The practical implications of this are limitless; this touches every part and portion of life.

Eph. 1:11 “all things after the counsel of His will”

(2) God’s Word Satisfies the Trusting Soul.

(a) satisfaction

(92) “if not … then” 

Circumstances surely were not the source of his inner delight and comfort, very often there is no hope in these; and apart from revelation there would be no hope. Sometimes the world tries to offer hope “don’t worry things will work out,” or “everythings going to be ok.” But what does that mean? They may not be ok as I define it. Things may get worse, or they may not change at all. Things might not work out. These type of promises, while well intentioned are empty, they have no weight. 

Cf. Is. 3:9-12; 9:10; Jer. 6:13-16; 1 Thess 5:6. 

And this can sometimes be very hard because we are so prone to lean on our own wisdom and understanding. But it is such joy when we can simply lean and rest on the promises and the Word of God. In His wisdom. 

Illust: “Trust and Obey” (1, 4) “When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word; What a glory He sheds on our way! While we do His good will He abides with us still and with all who will trust and obey. But we never can prove the delights of his love Until all on the altar we lay; for the favor he shows and the joy He bestows are for them who will trust and obey”

 “misery (affliction)” 

The psalmist was well acquainted with the sufferings of this world, with the doubts, struggles, confusion, sadness, frustrations, anger, betryal, loss and pain of this world (cf. 95). But in the midst of it all what did he come back to? What is the one sure thing that he could hang on to? God’s word. 

What do we have when we don’t understand the difficulties of life? We have the hope of God’s promises which are an anchor to the soul (Heb. 6). We have the promises of heaven and glory (1 Pet. 1:3ff); we have the promise that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ (Rom. 8), that it is being used for our good to make us like Him (when we respond in humble trust and obedience. 

God often brings affliction so that we will find more delight in Him than in the things of the world. 

(93) Here he repeats the same thought as in 92 yet expands it from his “delight” to his very life. They form the environment in which he lives and moves and hopes and breathes. 

(b) Because it offers Hope (94-95). 

(94) “I am Yours” 

The source of his confidence, that he knew he was the Lord’s and the Lord’s was his; he found strength in the assurance of his relationship. On what did he build this assurance? His continued trust in God, through His Word, in the midst of affliction. 

Rom. 8:7-8 - unbeliever cannot find strength in and submit to God’s word. In His keeping His commandments (1 John 2:3-5). Pursuing righteousness (1 John 3), growing apart from the world (1 John 2). Love for Christ is equated with a desire for and submission to His commandments (John 14:15). 

Endurance in the Word, and continuance of faith in the gospel of is ultimately the only thing that can give assurance that God has done a work of grace in a person’s heart. 

“save me”

An expression of his rest in grace. He is not relying on his own faith or merits, but purely on the grace of God, in whose word he has been made to hope.  

“for I have sought”

The psalmist trust and delight in God’s word was not simply something zapped into him by the Holy Spirit. He diligently sought God in His Word. 

“When we get in trouble we usually go to God for help, which the writer did too. But we often stop at that point, expecting God to intervene all by himself, miraculously, without any work on our part. The psalmist was wiser than we are, for while he prayed for help, he also did what he was able and obliged to do: He studied and meditated on the BIble. He knew that although it I s God who must work, God nevertheless works through means, and in the matter of lifting us out of our trouble and setting our feet on a sure foundation, the only indispensable means of deliverance and growth is Bible Study.” (Boice). 

God’s word is the only thing that can bring true comfort to a soul in fear, despair, or anguish, because that is where God has revealed Himself. A Christian is one who has had the blinders removed and entered into a relationship with God, therefore the only true rest that they can find is in Him. How can we trust in His wisdom, find hope in His grace, strength in His sovereignty if we do not go to the one place He has revealed these things about Himself? (2 Tim. 3:16-17). 

(95) The cause of his misery and affliction

(c) They offer Freedom. 

(96) “I have seen a limit … Your commandments ….” - A central idea here is of the freedom of living in God’s commandments. We have, in God’s word wisdom - not of this world - but from the Eternal One, who created it, knows it perfectly, sees everything perfectly exactly as it is, and knows the end of all things! This is perfect wisdom, knowledge and understanding!

Some (Kidner) have suggested that this is as a summary statement of Ecclesiastes. When all here is explored and examined and all that this world has to offer, its limits become known; but God’s word and God’s ways are so much the better because they are of infinite value and lay hold of truths that move beyond this present existence into eternity. 

Everything in this world has a limit: creation will pass away; people will pass away; circumstances will change; anything can happen. The only enduring, trustworthy source of hope is the revelation of God in His Word. Particularly the revelation of Jesus Christ. He alone is balm to the soul under the conviction of sin; the soul that is tossed by the winds of uncertainty; He is the souls sure guide and His salvation the our only and sure hope. He is the substance of the Word and to which it all points. All things will be summed up in Him. (Eph. 1; Ecc. 1). 

So, what are you going to build your life on? The recent financial troubles of the nation provide a good example. Many built their life on their financial assets and the strength of their portfolio, their business savvy and stature - man who just committed suicide. But when it fails there life fails and they loose all hope because all their hope rested in things that do not last. 

In the same way, we must ask ourselves what are we building our lives on? The truth of God’s Word, or our own wisdom. How do we know? What role does the word of God play in our lives, personally (Matt. 7:24-27). 

We have in this book the words of life and wisdom and hope. Lets not neglect them. 

They are words that give life and freedom and joy and strength to the child of God. But this is only the case for the one who has the Holy Spirit; who has submitted their life to Christ (1 Cor. 2:14).