The following commentary on Psalm 19:7 - 11 will introduce us to the terms also used in
Psalm 119 and help us understand why God has given us the Bible.
Verse Seven - Verse Eight - Verse Nine - Verse Ten - Verse Eleven - Study Projects
Verse 7 THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT, REVIVING THE SOUL.
"LAW" is considered in it's widest sense, including all Divine Revelation (both law and gospel) as the guide of Life. Lit.:"That which is taught" - i.e. divine instruction. Cf Psalm 1:2, Psa 119:97. There is conveyed here a sense of completeness and perfection. It brings life to our souls. God's Word is a source of Grace for souls that need reviving. (Some versions use "converting" here). Before the Word can do anything else, we must be made alive - revived. Cf. Psa 119:29, 77, 174. Even taken in a narrower sense - as the Moral Law (the 10 Commandments), we can derive the same meaning in that these commandments cover every area of life in terms of both what we should and what we should not do. (See the Westminster Shorter Catechism Qsns 39-81.) Christ summar1zed the Law in terms of loving God and loving our neighbor.
THE STATUTES OF THE LORD ARE TRUSTWORTHY, MAKING WISE THE SIMPLE.
"STATUTES" comes from a root word meaning "written" and emphasizes that God's Word has been permanently inscribed. Perhaps you could say "Carved in stone". "Statue" comes from the same latin root. (Note: the Hebrew word used here is usually "Testimony"; cf. NASV.) The word "DECREES" (Psa 119:5) is quite similar in meaning, remember the unchangable decree that put Daniel in the lion's den. God's Word is neither changing nor vague. We have God's Word in a form that can be studied and reflected upon ("making wise the simple" - the word "simple" contains the idea of those who are humble and teachable disciples), it is unchanging and completely trustworthy. Cf Psa 119:24, 99, 125, 144.
. "PRECEPT" stresses that which we are responsible before God to carry out. A "Precept" is a charge stressing our responsibility, not just to adhere to the letter of the law, but to be everything God has revealed in His will for us to be. (Psa 119:4) True happiness comes in life when we are living in accordance with the will of God. No other way of life will make us happy or satisfy the desires of the heart. In a sense, like a "prescription" the Word of God brings healing and joy to the heart - it's the right medication for our hearts. cf. Psa 119:45, 93.
THE COMMANDS OF THE LORD ARE RADIENT, GIVING LIGHT TO THE EYES
"COMMANDS" views the word in terms of conditions that God has placed upon us and emphasizes both their authority as coming from our Soveriegn God, and the guidence and direction which we find in the Word of God. Thus The Word of God both draws our eyes to truth and serves as "a light to our path and a lamp to our feet." (Psa 119:105) cf. 10, 32, 35
"FEAR" views the Word in terms of our proper response to it - "to fear" is to love and reverence. Unfortunately the negative connotations of our modern usage obscure the positive side of respect and awe in the presence of God in view here. The same awe carries over into what He has spoken to us. We must receive it as God's Word and use it to cultivate inward piety in our hearts. (Psa 34:9; Prov 1:7; 14:27; 22:4; Isa 33:6.) By calling it "pure", we are taught that all of God's Word whether Old or New Testament, history, prophecy, proverb, commandment or doctrine - is complete and important to us - we should not neglect any part of it - nor should we try to add to it. It is not a mixture of truth and error (as liberalism suggests) - nor of obsolete "law" superceded by Grace. Psalm 119 is commentary on using the Word to grow in Christ. What it produces endures forever. God's Word stands firm as so does what it can accomplish in our hearts.
THE ORDINANCES OF THE LORD ARE SURE AND ALTOGETHER RIGHTEOUS.
"ORDINANCES" is "JUDGEMENTS" in some versions, and in the NIV "LAWS" in Psa 119. This word conveys the idea of justice and authority. (Think of "ordinances" as coming from a court of law). cf. Deut 1:17; Psa 119:75, 137, 160; Jer 1:16. Hence the stress on their truthfulness (sure) and on their righteous nature. From a believer's vantage point, we see the justice of God, which delivered us from our sins through Christ. In Him, we are pronounced righteous by the highest court in heaven or earth. cf. Psa 119:149, 156. We find security in God's declared Word of forgiveness and redemption.
Observe carefully that in these six descriptions of the purpose of the Word and their effects there is a definite progression: the Word first "revives", then it "makes wise", then it "brings joy" (makes happy), it "gives clear direction", and creates a new attitude of heart, established upon God's righteous justice. The convert becomes a disciple, rejoicing in Truth, walking obediently, with fear and reverence, finding in the Word of His God security based upon God's declared justice and righteousness.
The Word is perfect, trustworthy, sure, radient, right, and pure; altogether righteous and enduring forever. Hence, the Psalmist's delighted response to the Word:
Earthly treasures are precious and desirable, most of all Gold, which doesn't tarnish or rust. The eternal life we find offered to us in God's Word is much more to be desired and sought.
THEY ARE SWEETER THAN HONEY, THAN HONEY FROM THE COMB.
The sweet and pleasurable things of life are nice, but much more the sweetness and pleasure of knowing God and of having the bitterness of sin removed from our hearts. There is nourishment in the Word to sustain that sweetness day after day.
We are warned by the Word of our duty, our danger and that God alone can deliver us. God's Word is not idle reading, it is a message of life and death. In showing us our sin and our lack of holiness it drives us to Christ Jesus for mercy.
IN KEEPING THEM THERE IS GREAT REWARD.
The reward of keeping the Word of God is not a wage, but a longed for gift. (Rom 6:23) To keep God's word involves meditating and hiding God's Word away in our hearts, it means we must not neglect it, and must obey it. In embracing God's Word, in obeying and keeping it, we have the best possible reward - our life, our treasure, our hope is in Christ and the glory we shall have when we are united fully with Him.
2. Using the the above commentary, make a "chart" defining the expressions used in Psalms 19 and 119 to describe the Word of God.
3. Begin devotionally reading Psalm 119, 8 verses a day, in the NIV Bible. Keep a written diary of personal insights and applications.
4. In Psalm 119 there is a reference to the Word of God in every verse. Each group of 8 verses begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Using the commentary above, think about what each verse is teaching you about the word of God.
5. In addition to the descriptions used in Psalm 19 for the word of God, Psalm 119 also uses the expressions "Way(s)" (a defined path or highway to life); "Testimonies" (His "record" of His dealings with man.); "Promises" (Emphasis on God's covenant of grace); and "Word" (emphasis on its spoken character) to refer to The Bible.
6. Try substituting "The Lord Jesus Christ" for any of the names of the Bible given in Psalm 19 and 119 - it will be a rich and meaningful devotional experience.
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