10/29/2024
Elijah McSwain, Sr.
Psalm 19:7-11 NKJV — The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward.
We live in a world comprised of laws. The purpose of laws serves as the foundational framework to regulate the affairs of every society. Overall laws are for the common good of each member living within the boundaries of any given location. Societal laws are implemented to protect and safeguard citizens. Laws help to establish standards and practices to be followed and obeyed. In the sphere of providing regulatory governance for citizens, laws are purposefully created to promote a vibrant, flourishing, functional, and orderly civilization. Governing authorities create laws to advocate for justice, fairness, and moral rightness in an effort to suppress partiality, bias, and inequality. The Van Norman Law Firm emphasized “law is a cornerstone of civilization–it’s crucial in maintaining order, ensuring justice, and protecting our rights and freedoms.” 1 Laws are intended to be executed faithfully to fulfill obligations in upholding the order that was implemented.
In a similar but higher way, God has established order for the universe as a whole. All the inhabitants of the earth are subject to the law of God and are held accountable for whether they adhere to or forsake His law. Psalm 19 presents contextual insight regarding God’s law. In this psalm David lays forth the purity, flawlessness, perfection, authority, and power of God's Word. His penmanship speaks of God’s law in its form and effect. As we engage Psalm 19:7-11 particularly focusing in on verse 7a, it should challenge us to reflect upon the nature of God’s law and its transformative effect on humanity.
The law of God is the epitome of perfection that converts the soul.
The Perfect Law of God
David firmly believed in the divine law of God. He penned in verse 7a that the law of God is perfect. David Guzik affirmed that as it relates to the law of God “David used a variety of expressions to refer to the word of God (law, testimony, statutes, commandment, fear, judgments). It Is best to see these as poetic terms describing God’s written revelation in general, rather than one specific type of revelation (such as only the laws given in the Mosaic law).” 2 The words law, testimony, statutes, commandment, fear, and judgments are all synonymous with the Word of God. These words are used interchangeably to express the outworking of God’s Word.
The law of God refers to the divine standards that He has set as the regulatory agent and principles to govern humanity. The law of God is the doctrine of God that stems from His mind and His mouth. Psalm 78:1 (NKJV) denotes this truth by the declaration “give ear, O my people, to my law; incline your ears to the words of My mouth.” God speaks from His mouth to reveal His will relating to everyone under His rule and jurisdiction. The law of God projects forth the precedent of His authoritative rule in alignment with His divine being. The being of God is revealed through His law and His law speaks to what is required of humanity in accordance with His standard.
Thus, His law is the eternal framework and foundational grounds for the human race.
It is the cornerstone that promotes a vibrant, flourishing, functional, and orderly lifestyle under the governance of God. One writer pointed out "the law of the Lord" in context is a comprehensive term describing God's revealed will. The law (instruction, doctrine, direction) consists of the instructions from God to His people on how to live life to the full, to the max, yes, even abundantly.” 3 To abide by the law of the Lord as the governing agent of our lives means that we align our thoughts and conduct with His decrees, commands precepts, and statues. As we function under the authority of God, we show forth our devotion and reverence for Him through daily adherence to His revealed instructions of biblical doctrine.
Upon David’s acknowledgment of God’s law, he stressed its perfection. He wrote that the law of God is perfect. The word “perfect” implies that God’s law is flawless, without blemish, without error, undefiled, without fault, and contains no defects. Human laws may contain loopholes due to weaknesses in its structural position. This weakness is often attributed to human error or oversight which gives way for many people to try to circumvent human law. As a result, human laws are often compromised of imperfection. However, God’s law does not contain loopholes or weaknesses in its structural position.
It is the standard of perfection as it reflects the perfect nature of God. The law of God is tied to the nature of God, therefore, it is perfect, inerrable, and faultless.
God’s law is perfect. It is the picture of perfection as it reflects the decree of His will, His mind, His ways, and His essence as the embodiment of Himself. His law is the authoritative decree of God that demonstrates the sacred writings as being rooted in the doctrine of God as a book of perfection. 4 Psalm 18:30 (NKJV) emphatically states “as for God, His way is perfect; the Word of the LORD is proven.” As stated in accordance with the baptist articles of faith “we believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction (1); that it has God for its author, salvation for its end (2), and truth without any mixture of error for its matter (3); that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us (4); and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union (5), and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions should be tried (6).” 5
The law of God is reliable, sufficient, authentic, accurate, sacred and trustworthy. The law of God is inerrant, infallible, pure and a trusted source because it contains the very truths of God and there is no error found in God. The law of God is not contaminated with changeable false notions, false presuppositions, false theorizations, or false propaganda because His law is filled with His very essence and imprint. 4
Psalm 111:7-8 (ESV) constitutes the notion that “all His precepts are trustworthy; they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.” God’s law is settled in heaven, is not subject to change, reigns as the ultimate authoritative premise for humanity, and highlights its purpose for the common good of mankind. Charles Spurgeon implicated this about the law of God, “far past all fault and error are God’s dealings with His people; all His actions are resplendent with justice, truth, tenderness, mercy, and holiness. Every way of God is complete in itself, and all His ways put together are matchless in harmony and goodness.” 6
Inevitably, the law of God is perfect, and its perfection is displayed in its transformative effect on those that submit to its power.
The Transformative Effect of God’s Law
There is a stark contrast between the effects of human law and divine law. H.B. Charles, Jr. referenced that governmental law promotes moral behavior implying that it truly cannot change the heart. 7 The psalmist David cited in Psalm 19:7 that the law of God converts or revives the soul.
Human law serves as a modifier of human activity, whereas divine law serves as transformer of human living and our thinking. Human law is known to modify behavior without any internal change of heart transformation. However, God’s law transforms the heart and soul of mankind, and its effects are visibly manifested outwardly. Human law is an agent of restricting certain behavioral patterns, while God’s divine law develops a new lifestyle of holiness and righteousness. Human law can make law abiding citizens, whereas God’s law creates holy men and women as new creations with a heavenly citizenship.
David Guzik quoted VanGemeren as he stated “the Hebrew word translated here as converting is perhaps better understood as reviving – that is, bringing new life to the soul. “First, God’s word ‘revives.’ Its restorative quality gives healing to the whole person by assuring forgiveness and cleansing and by giving life to the godly.” 2
The law of God has converting power. It has metamorphic characteristics to change the inward nature of man.
Of course, the human element of the heart submitting to the law of God is crucial for conversion to take place. The conversion the heart is a change from a state of sinfulness to a state of righteousness. It is a change from vile living to devout living. It involves fleeing from worldliness and gravitating to godliness. Albert Barnes mentioned “the glory of the law, or the revealed truth of God, is, that it bears directly on the soul of man, turning him from the error of his ways. And leading him to pursue a life of holiness. When the “law” of God is applied to the heart, or when the truth of God is made 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, where it is brought into contact with the heart of man." 8
Essentially, the psalmist highlights that when mankind encounters or engages the law of God, recognition of his or her eternal condition is brought to light. The state of his or her depravity is brought before the holy standard of God to expose the fallen nature of mankind. In instances as such, if the heart of man is convicted and convinced by the law of God then the conversion of the soul occurs. The law of God pierces the darkened soul by the illuminating light of God’s Word to covert, redeem, and save mankind.
Adam Clarke commented “the law of the Lord “is God’s system of instruction, by which men are taught the knowledge of God and directed how to walk so as to please GOD, redeemed from crooked paths, and guided in the way everlasting.” 9
2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV) is written “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” Adherence to God’s Word enables the believer to live godly, reverently, righteously, obediently, and faithfully as we have become partakers by being acquainted with the divine nature of God. The notion of becoming partakers of His divine nature is a result of the transforming work of His Word within our hearts.
One writer wrote that “God’s Word is the only ingredient that can transform a person’s life on all three levels – spirit, soul and body.” 10
As our souls are converted, we begin to live a transformed life by the guidance of God’s law or His Word. Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) is a great example of what the Word of God does outwardly as a result of our inward change. The verse is penned “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” The transforming power of God’s law changes the course of our aim in life from serving the conscience of dead works to now living for God (cf. Hebrews 9:14). Hebrews 9:14 (NKJV) reads "how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"
Our connection to the Word of God empowers us to serve God through the sacrifice of the living Word, Jesus Christ. As the Gospel Transformation Study Bible put it, “God’s Word is a representative of His own character, a fitting reason why Jesus is identified as God’s Word in the New Testament (cf. John 1:1). Jesus is the manifestation of God’s Word in the New Testament, whereby, men may be converted through the Word of God. As humanity sees God as revealed in His Word, we are able to behold our sinfulness in light of God’s holiness. The reality of coming face to face with God so to speak in His Word pricks our hearts and prompts us to see the need for change in view of Christ sacrifice for sin. As result of this, if the heart of an individual is willing to submit to God as He is revealed in His law, then conversion will take place as God transforms the heart. The end result is a transformed heart that leads to a transformed life.
References
David Guzik. The Enduring Word Commentary
Elijah McSwain, Sr. https://www.thechristianinquiry.org/post/scripture-is-inerrant-and-infallible
The Baptist Hymnal
Spurgeon, C. H. n.d. The Treasury of David: Psalms 1-26. Vol. 1. London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers
Barnes, Albert. “Commentary on Psalms 19:7”. “Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/psalms-19.html. 1870.
Clarke, Adam. “Commentary on Psalms 19:7”. “The Adam Clarke Commentary”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/psalms-19.html. 1832.