December 17, 2023

Psalm 19:7a

Written by:
Rev (Dr) Prabhudas Koshy

READ:

Psalm 19:7a

7a The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul.

EXHORTATION:

David here speaks of the Scriptures as “the law of the Lord”. The Hebrew word for “law” (torah) means “teaching”, “instruction”, “doctrine”, “precept”, etc. It is used here to denote the instructive nature of the Scriptures. Through the Scriptures, God instructs us about all things with regard to our faith and conduct. It is through the Scriptures that God’s truth and wisdom are communicated to us in order to guide us according to His will.

The phrase “the law of the LORD” also indicates that the LORD is the source of all that is written therein. Scripture is God’s authentic, authoritative revelation. Its truths proceed from God’s mind. They are for our divine instruction. They are not human ideas and theories, but God’s truths revealed through His servants. As the apostle Peter said, referring to the Scriptures, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).

Concerning the law of the LORD, David says that it is “perfect”. It is God’s complete, absolute, unerring truth. It is absolutely sufficient, lacking nothing in guiding His people in His truth. There is no error or ambiguity in the Scriptures. In the Scriptures, God’s people have His supreme wisdom to guide them in all matters of life. Hence, David also says, “As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him” (Psalm 18:30). David’s high esteem of Scripture as the perfect Word of God is found in many of his psalms. For instance, in Psalm 119:127-128, he testified, “Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

David not only speaks of the perfect character of Scripture, but also of its amazing power in “converting the soul”. The Hebrew word translated as “converting” also means “turning”, “restoring”, “transforming”, etc. When the truth of God’s Word is received into the soul, it has the power to convict and change a sinner into the way of salvation and righteousness. When its counsels are applied to the soul, the soul shall be restored. Scripture is the perfect manual which the LORD – the Restorer of our souls (Psalm 23:3) – has provided for our blessing.

 

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Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church adheres to the system of faith commonly known as the “Reformed Faith” as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith together with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
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