Keep it to Yourself?

How can you keep the truth of Scripture to yourself? This, I reckon, was in the forefront of his thoughts, as the Apostle quotes Psalm 19: initially it referred to General Revelation in Nature - this for Paul becomes theological warrant, and biblical impetus, as he cites this song, to blaze out the truth of Christ.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" ..17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world" - Romans 10:14-18.

After all, he must have thought, are the Holy Scriptures not a far superior mode of revelation than solar radiation that illuminates Creation? The Instruction of Yahweh is light-giving, pure and clear; it is worth investing in infinitely more than gold; it is sweet to taste-buds, and God's own Spirit-utilized power-tool to do the Redeemer's work; God's truth, simply put, is the ultimate, exquisite, delight to rejoice the heart.

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb - Psalm 19:7-10.

The Library of the LORD, of course, aims to humble us in the dust; but the Torah's grand design, once we have recognized our fault, is to elevate the heart, and then recreate and convert, through faith, with a justifying, sin-forsaking, sight of mercy in Christ.

Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 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 - Psalm 19:11-13.

And, if all this is true of Old Testament Special Revelation, how much more is it true of the floodlights of the Gospel? Natural Revelation is both linguistically inept and sonically silent, and yet its message roles off the Creator's Imprinting Press, with the aim of publishing His Front-Page Headlines round the earth.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2 Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat - Psalm 19:1-6.

If nothing escapes the glare of accountable human guilt and the power and glory of God, how can we play dumb and not spread the Best News round the globe? Such inner contemplation, compunction and communication is pleasing to our Savior!

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 19:14.

By reading, learning, praying, chatting, posting, publishing, contributing, serving, giving and preaching we engage in this task that this song makes a theologically-inescapable must.

Christ's blood-love compels those who grasp these facts to burst forth for truth in the evangelical task.

Must others not come to see, hear, taste and prize the Maple Syrup and Gold Bullion of His Inerrant, Trustworthy, Word - this is the Book that beams Glory from His Cross?

Psalm 19 is one of the main texts bequeathed to God's Flock to impart Great Commission Vision to Christ's Militant Missionary Church - may the Lord graciously grant us a fresh sense of holy constraint, to lead error-laden, guilt-ridden sinners to share our jubilant joy in Jesus.

Revelation both General, Special and Final? In light of Old and New Creation facts, how can you, brothers and sisters, keep the Gospel to yourself?