Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 19:7-10

"The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever: The ordinances of Jehovah are true, [and] righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb." — Psalms 19:7-10 (ASV)

The Holy Scripture is of much greater benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe, or the light of the sun. To recover man from his fallen state, the word of God is needed. The word translated “law” can be rendered as doctrine and understood to mean all that teaches us true religion.

The whole is perfect; its tendency is to convert or turn the soul from sin and the world to God and holiness. It shows our sinfulness and misery in departing from God and the necessity of our return to him. This testimony is sure and can be fully depended upon: the ignorant and unlearned, by believing what God says, become wise unto salvation.

It is a sure direction in the way of duty. It is a sure fountain of living comforts and a sure foundation of lasting hopes. The statutes of the Lord are right, just as they should be; and, because they are right, they rejoice the heart. The commandments of the Lord are pure, holy, just, and good.

By them we discover our need of a Saviour; and then learn how to adorn his gospel. They are the means which the Holy Spirit uses in enlightening the eyes; they bring us to a sight and sense of our sin and misery and direct us in the way of duty. The fear of the Lord, that is, true religion and godliness, is clean; it will cleanse our way, and it endures forever.

The ceremonial law has long since been abolished, but the law concerning the fear of God is always the same. The judgments of the Lord, his precepts, are true; they are righteous, and they are so altogether; there is no unrighteousness in any of them. Gold is only for the body and the concerns of time, but grace is for the soul and the concerns of eternity.

The word of God, received by faith, is more precious than gold; it is sweet to the soul, sweeter than honey. The pleasures of sense soon cloy, yet never satisfy; but those of religion are substantial and satisfying; there is no danger of excess.