What rewards are promised in Psalm 19:11 for keeping God's laws? Text of Psalm 19:11 “By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.” Immediate Literary Context Psalm 19 moves from the witness of creation (vv. 1-6) to the witness of Scripture (vv. 7-11) and culminates in a prayer of consecration (vv. 12-14). Verse 11 is the capstone of the Torah‐section (vv. 7-11), summarizing why God’s statutes are to be treasured: they both warn and reward. Dual Rewards Named in the Verse 1. Protective Warning God’s ordinances act as a moral early-warning system. By revealing sin’s dangers (Romans 7:7; James 1:23-25) they spare the obedient from self-inflicted ruin (Proverbs 1:20-33). This preventive grace is itself a reward—divine damage control. 2. Positive Gain (“Great Reward”) The Hebrew construction places the adjective after the noun for emphasis: the reward is not merely “great,” it is “greatness of reward.” Scripture elsewhere specifies its facets (see below). Temporal Blessings Promised Elsewhere for Obedience • Longevity and well-being (Proverbs 3:1-2; Ephesians 6:2-3). • Material provision without sorrow (Deuteronomy 28:1-14; Psalm 37:25). • Favor with God and people (Proverbs 3:3-4). • Guidance and success (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3). • Protection from calamity (Psalm 34:7; Proverbs 19:23). Spiritual and Psychological Benefits Verified by Experience • Joy deeper than riches (Psalm 19:8; 119:14). • Clear conscience and mental peace (Isaiah 26:3; Philippians 4:7). • Increased wisdom and discernment (Psalm 119:98-100). • Resilience under trial (James 1:2-4). Qualitative studies by Christian psychiatrists such as Paul Tournier and empirical research published in the Journal of Psychology & Christianity consistently correlate Scripture‐guided living with lower anxiety and higher life satisfaction, underscoring the Psalmist’s claim. Eternal and Eschatological Rewards • Assurance of salvation through the Scripture that “is able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). • The imperishable “crown of life” (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10). • Reigning with Christ in the renewed creation (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 22:5). • Commendation before the judgment seat of Christ—“Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Christological Fulfilment Jesus kept the Law perfectly (Matthew 5:17; Hebrews 4:15). His obedience secured the ultimate reward—resurrection life—which He now shares with all who trust Him (Romans 5:19; 6:23). Thus the “great reward” reaches its zenith in union with the risen Christ (Colossians 3:4). Consistent Canonical Testimony The rewards of Psalm 19:11 resonate with: • Psalm 119: “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD” (v. 1). • Proverbs 11:18: “He who sows righteousness gets a true reward.” • Hebrews 11:6: “He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Scripture therefore presents a unified doctrine: God’s commands are graces that both shield from harm and lavish blessing. Practical Implications for the Modern Disciple 1. Daily immersion in Scripture maximizes warning and reward (Psalm 1:2; Colossians 3:16). 2. Obedience flows from love, not legalism (John 14:21; 1 John 5:3). 3. Trials do not negate reward; they refine it (1 Peter 1:6-7). 4. Evangelistic credibility is enhanced when life visibly reaps the rewards Scripture promises (Titus 2:10). Summary Psalm 19:11 promises two intertwined benefits for those who keep God’s laws: protective illumination that steers believers away from destructive paths, and a vast, multifaceted reward encompassing temporal provision, psychological wholeness, spiritual maturity, and eternal glory in Christ. The verse encapsulates the Bible’s consistent message that obedience is not sterile duty but the gateway to flourishing, both now and forever. |
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