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Psalm 19, Part 2: God’s Law Is Perfect

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Moreover by them [God’s statutes, commandments, and judgments] is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. —Psalm 19:11

Yesterday we considered the first six verses of Psalm 19, which deal with God’s glory as seen in the works of His hands. Nature is His second handbook.

Psalm 19:7–10 speaks to the glory of God as found in His law.

Most of us rarely, if ever, contemplate the completeness and beauty of God’s law. For David, the law was a revelation of God’s ability to transform a sinner’s character.

“Beautiful as the manifestations of God’s glory in the heavens may be; magnificent as the splendor of the sun, moon, and stars may appear; still more beautiful, more magnificent, is the picture of a character directed by God’s law.” The structure of this psalm has a threefold cross parallelism: (1) the name for the law; (2) the nature of that law; and (3) the results obtained by a follower of the law. These are laid out as subject, description, and effect: “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul.” “The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple” (v. 7). “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.” “The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (v. 8). “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever.” “The judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (v. 9).

“What a God is our God! He rules over His kingdom with diligence and care, and He has built a hedge—the Ten Commandments—about His subjects, to preserve them from transgression. In requiring obedience to the laws of His kingdom, God gives His people health and happiness, peace and joy. He teaches them that the perfection of character He requires can only be attained by becoming familiar with His Word. The psalmist declares, ‘The entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.’” God has chosen multiple ways to reveal Himself to us. Nature shows us glimpses of His creative glory.

Keeping His law shows us how He creates a new heart in sinful man.

God surrounds us, but to glimpse Him, we must be open to His disclosures.

“Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love.”