Five Eternal Gifts from God - Scripture 4

The POETICAL and WISDOM books of the Old Testament also testify of the importance of Scripture Alone being the believer’s final authority.

Psalm 1 contrasts the godly and the ungodly, placing a high premium for the believer’s faith and practice upon the Scriptures alone.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season. Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (New King James Version 743)

Psalm 12:6 – “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O LORD; You shall preserve them from this generation forever” (752).

King David articulated this perspective in Psalm 19, when in describing God’s self revelation he not only described God natural revelation, 19:1-6, but also the important preeminence of God’s written revelation. In vs. 7-11 we read:

The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving 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 rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.  Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. (English Standard Version 456)

The psalmist in Psalm 119 went to great lengths to establish the exalted status of Scripture. In 176 verses, there are eight different terms in referring to Scripture. These include (1) law; (2) testimonies; (3) precepts; (4) statute; (5) commandments; (6) judgments; (7) word; and (8) ordinances. “From before sunrise to beyond sunset, the Word of God dominated the psalmist’s life” (MacArthur Study Bible 850). This includes before dawn (vs. 147); daily (vs. 97); seven times daily (vs. 164); nightly (vs. 55, 148); and at midnight (vs. 62). The psalmist emphasized that the Scriptures alone were sufficient to keep a young man pure (vs. 9-16).

Proverbs 30:5-6 – “Every word of God is pure; He is shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar” (920).

The Old Testament Prophets attested to Sola Scriptura. Their frequent usage of “thus says the LORD” reveals the divine authority entrusted to their stewardship. Their call to ministry and their message as prophets did not originate with themselves, but rather from God.  Jesus acknowledged this delegated authority when He quoted these prophets (Matthew 24:15).