Psalm 19:7–10 sings the praises of God’s commandments (cf. Psalm 1:1–6 and Psalm 119:1–176). It happens in a beautiful and artistic way. With six different words, the author shows his love for this gift of the Lord (still using God’s name Yahweh
) to his people. How rich is he with this great gift! He has to speak about it in an exuberant manner.
The Hebrew word Torah
can best be translated as road sign.
If you follow this instruction, it keeps you on the road, close to your Maker. The author will have specifically thought of the law which Moses received from God and which has a place in the first five books of the Bible. It can be said that this law is perfect. The alternative translation of the ESV as blameless
also approaches this meaning quite well. Nothing is lacking. Whoever keeps to what is written in God’s laws will be fine. Their soul is restored
as it reads in Psalm 23:3.
The second translation of the law of the Lord, via the Hebrew word “edut,” literally witness,
points specifically to the Ten Commandments. This special covenant text had to be preserved as testimony in the ark (see Exodus 16:34 and Exodus 25:16). These words were in the ark. They had to be as close as possible to the Lord. This is an immediate indication that these words had to continually have the attention of the people. After all, the law is entirely trustworthy (enter the Hebrew word amen
!) and, especially to the unknowing and younger people, the law gives the needed wisdom in life for salvation (compare 2 Timothy 3:15).
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;