Psalm 19:7-11 - God's Perfect Law

Let me repeat what we have said for the last couple of days about Psalm 19. God not only gives us a revelation as to His power and presence in the world through His creation, He has given us a written revelation of Who He is through the Bible, His Holy Word. And of course, the greatest revelation of God’s love, grace and truth is found in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible is the written Word and Jesus is the Living Word (John 1:1-4). Through creation, the Bible and the Lord Jesus Christ, we have no excuse for not finding and knowing God and having a personal relationship with Him! There is no other book that has ever been written in human history that will and can have a greater influence and impact on our personal lives and society than the Bible! The Bible is the source of all truth! Without the Bible there is no foundation for truth, which is the basis for a culture and society that will enjoy an environment of security, of order and of peace. The Bible not only gives the principles and precepts that lay the foundation for people to live together in harmony and peace, but the Bible is a living book that also empowers and enables us to know who we are, what our purpose in life is and how to live a life of obedience. In these five verses (vv. 7-11) in Psalm 19, David recorded six different names for God's Word, six attributes of the Word, and six ministries of the Word in the lives of those who receive it and obey it. The first is the “Law of the LORD” (v. 7a). This is the Hebrew word for “law” is “torah”, which means "instruction, direction, teaching." Jewish people call the scrolls of the Law "The Torah," but the word refers to all of God's revelation. It comes from a word that means "to shoot an arrow," for a teacher aims to hit the target and achieve specific goals in the lives of the students. Unlike the textbooks that we write, God's Word is perfect, flawless, and complete. Because human language changes, we require new translations of God's Word; but the Word of God never needs revision or improvement. The “Law of the LORD converts the soul”.  The word “convert is also translated "Restore". It is the same word used in Psalm 23:3, “He restores my soul”.  It means "to revive, to give new life." The Word of the Lord is a living Book (Acts 7:3). Hebrews 4:12 tells us: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The Word of God also imparts spiritual life to all who receive it (1 Peter 1:23), and it sustains life as well (Psalm 119:25, 37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 156, 159). Secondly, the Bible is also called the “Testimony of the Lord” (v. 7). It is interesting to note that the Ten Commandments were known by this name (Ex. 25:21), and they are the basis for God's law. But all of the Scriptures are God's witness to us of who He is, what He has said and done, and what He wants us to be and to do. The witness God bears of Himself in the written Word “is sure and makes wise the simple”.  This witness is reliable. You can totally trust it! Through the Word, we become wise concerning both salvation (2 Tim. 3:15) and the principles of successful living (Prov. 2; 8:33; 10:8). The "simple" are not mentally deficient people or the naive people who believe everything, but the childlike people who humbly receive God's truth (Matt. 11:25; Luke 10:21-24). May the Lord help us today to humbly receive His Word into our minds and hearts! God bless!