The Ordinances of the Lord are Sure

Today, we look at the sixth of the Epithets of God’s Word outlined in Psalm 19. The Word of God reveal or reflects attributes about/of God. Let’s get at it.

The ordinances of the Lord are sure
and altogether righteous.

What are ordinances? An ordinance is an authoritative rule or law; a decree or command. It is also defined as something believed to have been ordained, as by a deity. Another word used in this verse for ordinance is judgment. The NASB has the verse as so “The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.” Sure means faithful and true. We see that sure is translated as true.

Now that those synonyms have been expressed, let’s look at ordinances/judgments and sure/true. Whether ordinances or judgments, it is reflective of God’s Word. Here once again, David is describing the Word of God when ordinances or judgments is used. If something is true, it is commonly said that we can take that to the bank. While that is good in our common, everyday language, it is woefully inept in describing our Almighty God and His Word. Matthew Henry expressed that the Words of God, framed in infinite wisdom, are true; they are grounded upon the most sacred and unquestionable truths.

Since God’s Word is sure or true, the Words of God can be trusted. We can put our faith in true words without fear of being let down or disappointed. Once more, this is reflective of God’s character. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” Numbers testifies to God’s truthfulness and faithfulness. Just as God is true and faithful so is His Word.

Moreover, God’s Word is also “altogether righteous”. Altogether is also described as wholly, utterly, totally, absolutely. This connotes every part of His Word is righteous which is to be just and to be right. God is the standard of right and wrong. Romans 1 speaks to man having right and wrong inscribed on his heart and mind – his conscience if you will. Listen to Romans 1 -“¹⁸ The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹ since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

Why is the wrath of God being revealed? Men have suppressed the truth of God. Christ came to provide us an escape from the separation we experience with God as well as an escape from His wrath. When we fail to learn, believe, and follow God’s Word, we suppress the truth.  God does not play about His character. All are engaged by Him for devaluing or demeaning His character. God testifies about Himself. When we fail to believe Him, despite that He has made general truth about His existence known to man, we are without excuse when God allows His wrath to be revealed in our lives or in this world.

The Ordinances of the Lord are Sure, so we need to learn, believe and follow the righteous Word of God.