“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.”
(Psalm 19:7 ESV)
Because God wants us to know Him, He chose to reveal aspects of Himself and His nature through the holy Scripture – His “law.”
Generally, when we think of God’s law what often comes to mind are the Ten Commandments He gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. But in Psalm 19:7 the terms “law” and “testimony” collectively refer to the whole body of Scripture, God’s entire revelation of Himself and instruction to His people.
The psalmist describes God’s law as perfect because its author is the infinitely pure and flawless God. It is also perfect in the sense that it is complete, lacking nothing. Everything we need to know to experience salvation and eternal life and to live in a way that pleases our Father He has communicated to us in His Word (2 Tim. 3:15, 2 Peter 1:3, Ps. 1:1-3).
To those outside the family of God, His perfect Word is both necessary and sufficient for “reviving the soul” (Ps. 19:7). In John 3 Jesus explains to Nicodemus that “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” As water is used for cleansing, the Spirit of God uses the water of the Word of God (Eph. 5:26) to reveal our need for a Savior, to cleanse us of our sins, and to redeem us unto Himself that we might be fit to enter His kingdom.
To those already redeemed, God’s Word is our compass for life that faithfully and continually registers true. God’s Word is trustworthy because it is spoken by a God who cannot lie. Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change his mind. Has He said, and will He not do it?” We can confidently trust what God tells us in His Word and depend on it for righting our direction when we wander and lose our way.
Further, God’s perfect Word carries the promise of blessing if we observe and obey it – and not only during our lifetime but for all our generations to follow. Deuteronomy 12:28 says, “Be careful to obey all these words that I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.”
How essential is God’s perfect Word in your day-in-day-out life? Martin Luther answers well, “The soul can do without everything except the Word of God, without which none at all of its wants are provided for.”
Everything we need to know to live a wise and godly life here, and to live forever with Him in glory, is found in His Word. Therefore, let us seek to adore God more deeply and come to know Him more fully by feasting on the richness of His perfect Word!
- Lord, Your Word is described in terms of its perfection, purity, and eternity. It is perfect. It is so complete that nothing can be added to it or taken from it. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul,” (Psa. 19:7). “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it, nor take away from it,” (Deut. 12:32). I am blessed to hold Your Word in my hands, and to read it, allowing me to come to know You and Your Son Jesus Christ intimately as my God and Savior.
- Your Scripture is pure. It is without deceit or error. “The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times,” (Psa. 12:6). Your word is so pure that it reflects Your beautiful character and raises me up to heights I can hardly describe as I read it every day. Help me hold its truths dear and keep me hungry and thirsty for it that I may continue to grow in grace and knowledge of You.
- Your Word is eternal and unchangeable. Scripture tells me Your Word is immutable, which means, like You, it does not change. It is eternal in this, that it cannot pass away until everything it commands has been fully accomplished (Matt. 5:18). What a most blessed thought – that Your Word stands forever, in its purity and clarity, to guide me in the paths of Your truth and Your will.
Further References for Psalm 19:7
Ps. 23:3, 111:7, 119:130, 93:5, 119:111; Rom 7:12; 2 Tim. 3:15; Deut. 4:6
