Albert Barnes Commentary Psalms 19:7

"The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple." — Psalms 19:7 (ASV)

The law of the Lord—Margin, doctrine. The word used here—תורה tôrâh—is that which is commonly used in the Old Testament with reference to the law of God, and is usually translated “law.” The word properly means “instruction,” “precept,” from a verb signifying “to teach.” It is then used with reference to instruction or teaching regarding conduct, and is thus applied to all that God has communicated to guide humankind. It does not here, nor does it commonly, refer exclusively to the commands of God, but it includes all that God has revealed to teach and guide us.

It refers here to revealed truth as contrasted with the truth made known by the works of creation (Compare to the note at Psalms 1:2). There are six epithets used in these verses (Psalms 19:7–9) to describe the revealed truth of God, all referring to the same truths, but with reference to some distinct view of the truths themselves, or of their effect on the soul: namely, law, testimony, statutes, commandment, fear, and judgments. Of the revealed truth of God, thus characterized by distinct epithets, a particular statement is first made in each case regarding the truth itself as viewed in that special aspect. Then, the effects of that revealed truth on the soul are described, corresponding with that truth as so viewed.

Of the “law of the Lord” it is said:

• that it is perfect,
• that it converts the soul;

Of the “testimony of the Lord” it is said:

• that it is sure,
• that it makes the simple wise;

Of the “statutes of the Lord” it is said:

• that they are right,
• that they rejoice the heart;

Of the “commandment of the Lord” it is said:

• that it is pure,
• that it enlightens the eyes;

Of the “fear of the Lord” it is said:

• that it is clean,
• that it endures forever;

Of the “judgments of the Lord” it is said:

• that they are true and righteous,
• that they are more to be desired than gold, and that they are sweeter than honey and the honeycomb; that people are warned by them, and that in keeping them there is great reward.

Is perfect—On the meaning of the word used here, see the note at Job 1:1. The meaning is that it lacks nothing for its completeness; it lacks nothing to be what it should be. It is complete as a revelation of divine truth; it is complete as a rule of conduct. As explained above, this refers not only to the law of God as the word is commonly used now, but to the whole of divine truth as revealed. It is absolutely true; it is adapted with consummate wisdom to the needs of humankind; it is an unerring guide of conduct. There is nothing there that would lead people into error or sin; there is nothing essential for humankind to know which may not be found there.

Converting the soul—The particular illustration of the perfection of the law is seen in the fact that it “converts the soul;” that is, that it turns it from the ways of sin to holiness. The glory of God's works—the heavens, the firmament, the sun, as described in the previous verses—is that they convey the knowledge of God around the world, and that the world is filled with light and life under the sun's genial warmth. The glory of the law, or God's revealed truth, is that it bears directly on the human soul, turning people from the error of their ways and leading them to pursue a life of holiness.

It is not said that God's “law” does this by its own power, nor is there any intention here to exclude the doctrine of divine agency on the soul. But the statement is that when God's “law” is applied to the heart, or when God's truth is brought to bear on that heart, the legitimate effect is seen in turning the sinner from the error of his ways. This effect of truth is seen everywhere it is brought into contact with the human heart.

By placing this first, the psalmist may also have intended to suggest that this is the primary design of the revelation God has given to humankind. While great and important effects are produced by the knowledge that goes forth from God's works, converting power goes forth only from God's “law,” or from revealed truth. It is noteworthy that none of the effects described here (Psalms 19:7–12)—attributed to God's revealed truth in its various forms—are attributed to the knowledge gained from contemplating His works (Psalms 19:1–6). It is not scientific truth that converts people, but revealed truth.

The testimony of the Lord—The word used here—עדות ‛êdûth—means properly that which is borne witness to, and is applied to revealed truth as that which God bears witness to. In reference to the truth of what is stated, He is the witness or the voucher; it is that which He declares to be true. Hence, the term is applicable to all that is revealed as being that which He affirms to be true, and the word may be applied to historical truths, or to precepts or laws, or to statements respecting Himself, respecting humankind, respecting the way of salvation, respecting the fallen world.

On all these subjects He has borne witness in His word, pledging His veracity as to the correctness of the statements that are thus made. The word, therefore, refers to the whole of what is revealed in His word, considered as that to whose truth He bears witness. The word is often used in this sense (Psalms 81:5; Psalms 119:14, 31, 36, 88, 99, 111, 129, 144, 157; Jeremiah 44:23). It is often also applied to the two tables of the law laid up in the ark, which is therefore called “the ark of the testimony” (Exodus 16:34; Exodus 25:16, 21-22; Exodus 26:33; Exodus 30:26, and often elsewhere).

Is sure—Established, firm. That “testimony,” or that revealed truth, is not unsettled, vacillating, uncertain. It is so certain that it may be relied on; so well established, that it cannot be shaken.

Making wise the simple—The word rendered simple—פתי p^ethı̂y—means simplicity, folly (Proverbs 1:22); and then, simple in the sense of being open to persuasion, easily seduced (Proverbs 7:7; Proverbs 22:3; Proverbs 27:12; Psalms 116:6). Then it means credulous (Proverbs 14:15), and inexperienced (Psalms 19:7). (Gesenius, Lexicon.) The meaning here is evidently inexperienced in the sense of being ignorant or untaught. It refers to those who need spiritual guidance and direction, and is applicable to people as they are by nature, as untaught, or needing instruction, but with the idea that their minds are susceptible to impressions, or are open to conviction. Those who are naturally destitute of wisdom, it makes wise. The statement is that this testimony, or revealed truth, makes them wise in the knowledge of God, or imparts to them real instruction.