11/20/2024
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.
The word "testimony" involves giving an account of a verbal or written statement pertaining to a certain matter. The terminology itself means to bear witness or to testify. It is a means of providing a declaration regarding an event, an occurrence, or speaking to the nature and character of an individual. Often when we hear the word testimony, we think of a courtroom setting where a person will be called upon to testify as an eyewitness who has knowledge vital to a certain case or matter. The witness is asked to give his or her testimony to provide in-depth details to the case.
The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary says that a "testimony is a solemn declaration or affirmation made for the purpose of establishing or proving some fact. Such affirmation in judicial proceedings, may be verbal or written, but must be under oath. Testimony differs from evidence; testimony is the declaration of a witness, and evidence is the effect of that declaration on the mind, or the degree of light which it affords.” 1 In a higher and deeper way, Psalm 19:7b points to the verbal and written framework of God’s testimony, whereby, He has documented the details of His Word for humanity. Here in Psalm 19, the psalmist implied that the Lord’s testimony bears witness to the revelation of Himself, His purposes and the divine wisdom that is associated with His testimony. The testimony of the Lord is cemented in the truth found in Him and the effect of His testimony grants wisdom to those who adhere to the trustworthiness of it.
The Surety of the Lord’s Testimony
Psalm 19:7b indicates that the testimony of the Lord is sure. The word “testimony” here in Hebrew implies the notion of a witness. The phrase “testimony of the Lord” is a reference to the Holy Scriptures or the Word of the Lord that speaks in a revelatory manner about who God is, His nature, His will, His divine law, His creative order, His plan for mankind, futuristic events and many other elements.
First, the Word of the Lord testifies of the Lord Himself. The Lord bears witness of Himself.
The testimony of the Lord is rooted in who He is as Creator, Lord, Redeemer, Deliverer, the God of righteousness and judgment, the God of love, and much more. The testimony of Scripture bears witness to Him as Creator in Genesis 1:1 (NKJV), “in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” The written record of His lordship is recorded in Isaiah 45:5 (NKJV), "I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me.” Witness of His redemptive power is demonstrated in Christ according to Ephesians 1:7 (NKJV) that states “in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” 2 Samuel 22:2-3 (NKJV) insinuates that “the LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge and my Savior.” Isaiah 5:16 (NKJV) presents the affirmation that “the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God who is holy shall be hallowed in righteousness.” 1 John 4:8 (NKJV) bear witness that “God is love” which further reflects His nature based on who He is.
God's Word is an accurate portrayal of who His in alignment with His testimony.
Next, the testimony of the Lord is comprised of the elements of His will, law, purpose, and plans. God’s divine law is a picture of perfection (Ps. 19:7a). It is without error, blemish or contamination. It reveals the purpose and plans of God as projected from His very mind and the seat of His will. Scripture brings to light the purpose of God to save mankind from spiritual depravity, His desire to work in the life of mankind, and His gracious benevolence to grant an eternal future home in heaven for those who love Him. God through the manifestation of Jesus is affirmed by Scripture to seek and save the lost from everlasting destruction and perishing (cf. Luke 19:10 and John 3:16). 1 John 5:11 (NKJV) documents “and this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”
The plan of God is to work through humanity to carry out His purpose of advancing the kingdom. Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV) acknowledges “for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” The testimony of the Lord speaks to how mankind should live before God.
Micah 6:8 (NKJV) gives an account of God having shown mankind “what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” As a result of the all the aforementioned aspects of the testimony of the Lord, we have been awarded a home eternal in the heaven (cf. John 14:2-3). For those who keep the commandments of the Lord, it is an outward expression of an inward change that afford us the blessed privilege to live with God throughout all of eternity. All the components of the testimony of the Lord are tied together to declare its biblical truth and its surety.
It is recognized that every aspect of the testimony of God is sure and reliable. Often times, we are persuaded to believe the testimony of men even though it could be inaccurate.
William MacDonald concluded “in everyday life, we constantly accept the word of our fellow men. If we did not, business would be at a standstill and social life would be impossible. We accept the testimony of men who may be mistaken and who may be deceivers. Now if we do this in everyday life, how much more should we trust the Word of God, who cannot fail and cannot lie. It is most unreasonable not to believe God. His witness is absolutely credible.” 2
1 John 5:9a (NKJV) is written “if we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater.” Unlike the testimony of men that can often be falsified, conjured up, and fabricated, God’s testimony is accurate and dependable. James Burton Coffman asserted “God’s Word is dependable. A single sentence of it outweighs the opinions of a thousand of the most learned men who ever lived. The Word of God has withstood the unrelenting attacks of Satan for thousands of years; but every single word of it is still believed, trusted, and accepted as truth by millions of devoted people. Men who are ignore the Bible can never, in any sense whatever, be truly “educated.” Only God’s Word has any dependable information about who man actually is, where he came from, what his duty is, and what is significant about his life. Only in the Bible can men learn of death, hereafter, the eternal judgment, and many other subjects of the most urgent importance to all men. Without such a knowledge from the Bible, every man is a simpleton and will continue to be so.” 3 Our knowledge base would be very limited without the knowledge of God.
In addition, the testimony of God is sure because it is established and settled in heaven (cf. Psalm 119:89). There is no person that can alter the authoritative testimony of the Lord. It is unchangeable and sure. Psalm 93:5 (NKJV) further emphasizes the surety of the Holy Scriptures by being penned that God’s “testimonies are very sure” and Psalm 111:7 (NKJV) would add to this notion “the works of His hands are verity and justice; all His precepts are sure.” We are able to trust what God has declared in His Word with firmness and assurance.
Charles Spurgeon wrote “God’s witness in His Word is so sure that we may draw solid comfort from it both for time and eternity, and so sure that no attacks made upon it, however fierce or subtle, can ever weaken its force. What a blessing that in a world of uncertainties we have something sure to rest upon! We hasten from the quicksand of human speculations to the terra firma of Divine Revelation.” 4
Bruce Hurts mentioned “we can stake our present and our future on Jehovah’s testimony or witness concerning Himself – His self-disclosure. God’s testimony is worthy of trust because it corresponds to reality. God’s testimonies are so sure, so certain that one can stake their life on them and thus they prove a source of unshakable wisdom in a soon to be shaken world (cf. our sure foundation in Heb.12:28).” 1
God’s Testimony Grant’s Wisdom
Psalm 19:7b draws the conclusion that the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. This introduces the realism that divine wisdom is imparted to those who are willing to submit to the truthfulness and surety of God’s Word. Proverbs 2:6-7 (NKJV) proclaims “for the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright.”
John MacArthur profoundly remarked “the words of His mouth are contained in Scripture. It is there that God speaks (cf. Heb. 1:1, 2; 2 Pet. 1:20, 21). Wisdom comes only by revelation.” 5
The knowledge of God grants us wisdom as we absorb its divine insight. Wisdom is permissible as the testimony of God opens our eyes to deeper truths that our human minds otherwise could not fathom on our own.
God raises our thought process from the mere horizontal plain of human thinking to fashion it after the vertical realm of godly wisdom through His testimony.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV) captures this truth by the penmanship of “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” In connection with this truth, the New Testament writing of Colossians 3:1-2 (NKJV) further points out “if then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”
Our thinking is shaped and formed to reach a higher and greater level when it is interwoven in the testimony of the Lord.
John MacArthur regarded the notion “as a compass points north, the believer’s entire disposition should point itself toward the things of heaven. Heavenly thoughts can only come by understanding heavenly realities from Scripture.” 5 Heavenly realities from Scripture bestows upon believers biblical accuracy that is rooted in God’s wisdom.
His very thought pattern becomes our thought pattern and livelihood that grants us wisdom. As His Words are inwardly absorbed, they become practical and applicable for the governance of our lives.
The nature of God is the essence of wisdom that is manifested throughout Scripture. In adhering to Scripture, we show forth God's wisdom in our human functionality. Paul reminded Timothy of the power of wisdom gained through the study of Scripture. 2 Timothy 3:15-16 (NKJV) set forth that “from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” Wisdom comes from engaging doctrine, biblical truth that corrects error, and gives instructions in the righteousness of God. Thus, the simple and the unlearned in the things of God become wise by spending time being instructed in God’s Word.
Albert Barnes commented “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 men 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 the testimony, or revealed truth, makes them wise in the knowledge of God, or imparts to them real instruction.” 6
Those who desire the wisdom of God are teachable and pursue the knowledge of the Lord in a manner of eagerness to be divinely indoctrinated by His Word. Psalm 119:129-130 (NKJV) offers insight “Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore, my soul keeps them. The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” The human mind is illuminated by Scripture to helps us get an understanding of who God is, what He requires of us, and the path that we are called to walk on. Proverbs 1:4-5 (NKJV) expresses that the purpose of wisdom and instruction is “to give prudence to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion— A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel."
Wisdom enables Christians to get a healthy understanding of life and to continue increasing in understanding by the absorption of continually sitting under the authority of God’s testimony. Recipients of divine wisdom are beneficiaries of knowing the mind of God through His Word as it serves as a guide and road map to lead us in the proper direction.
The wisdom that projects forth from the Bible is practical to be implemented in our daily lives.
Biblical wisdom is not limited to the educated or the elite thinkers of any culture, but it is made accessible to the simple as well. Historically, in Hebrew culture during ancient times a person who was labeled as simple was considered inexperienced in regard to the human life. Their actions and conduct were not necessarily deemed foolish in nature, but it involved lacking proper understanding and a knowledge base regarding certain matters. In relation to being of this state, a simple person can gain biblical insight by looking through the lens of Scripture and thus, holding fast to the Word of God.
God’s Word should be applied to our lives by complying with what He has declared to be lived out.
In order to gain such wisdom, a person must display humility, be opened to receive instruction and guidance, and be teachable or docile. This will enable the simple to have a divine perspective regarding life and how to apply what has been learned to every situation. All these aspects are vital to gain godly wisdom from the testimony of the Lord in helping us use discernment, live righteously and holy before God, and to sit under the authority and tutelage of His Word in accordance with His will. Proverbs 4:7-13 (NKJV) is written "wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore, get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. Exalt her, and she will promote you; She will bring you honor, when you embrace her. She will place on your head an ornament of grace; A crown of glory she will deliver to you.” Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life."
Seek wisdom that is derived from the testimony of the Lord.
References
William MacDonald. Believer’s Bible Commentary.
Coffman, James Burton. “Commentary on Psalms 19:7”. “Coffman’s Commentaries on the Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bcc/psalms-19.html. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas, USA. 1983-1999.
Spurgeon, C. H. n.d. The Treasury of David: Psalms 1-26. Vol. 1. London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers.
The MacArthur Study Bible
Barnes, Albert. “Commentary on Psalms 19:7”. “Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/psalms-19.html. 1870.