In today’s culture, those of us who profess to follow Jesus are called racist, sexist, bigoted, and accused of being intolerant. Jesus warned us that the world won’t love us, but He also has a promise for us: “And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matt 10:22)

It is with this promise in mind that we look at the next verse in our study of Psalm 19, and back it up just a bit to read it in context. “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.” (Ps 19:7-10)

If we follow the precepts of the Lord, which are righteous; pure to enlighten our eyes, then we will disagree with the sinful world because we know that if we approve of those who practice sin God says is an abomination, then we are also deserving of death (Rom 1:32). “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” (Rom 12:2-3)

David did not place an arbitrary value on God’s Word because its value is beyond measure. He simply placed its value “above” that of much fine gold. “The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold” (Ps 19:9b-10a).

David said much the same in a later psalm: “Therefore I love Your commandments More than gold, yes, than fine gold!” (Ps 119:127) All the gold in the world is worth less than God’s Word. Gold cannot buy salvation or purchase a joyful life, but God’s Word teaches us how to be saved and lead a joyful life (Rom 10:13–17; Ps 16:11).

“The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether…Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.” (Ps 19:9b-10b) David further compares God’s Word to honey and drippings from the honeycomb. This was the kind of honey people in Bible times valued most highly.

Unbelievers may find God’s Word to be bitter because He is a God of justice and righteousness who abhors sin (Rom 1), but believers find His Word to be sweeter than honey and something that grows even sweeter as they feast on it. “How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Ps 119:103) How do we feast on His Word so that it becomes even sweeter? By spending personal, intimate, private time with Him daily. Our enjoyment of God must be more than in the meetings of the church.

The sweetness comes only in private prayer and fellowship with the Lord, which cements the Word we have heard into an eternal memorial within our being, and even more as a treasure within the house of God. “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col 1:1-3)