God's Perfect Word

August 27th, 2025
by Lance Waldie

Psalm 19:7-11 The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

The general revelation of God is found in His creation of all things—from the sun to the moon to the stars to the earth and its contents. The psalmist praises God for His general revelation in 19:1-6. Now in vv. 7-11, the psalmist speaks of God’s special revelation in Scripture, using six terms to describe it: law, testimony, precepts, commandment, fear, and judgments. But note that in these five verses the writer moves from using the Hebrew “El” (God), a designation that speaks of His might and power, to calling Him Lord—Yahweh—the covenant name of God (Exod 3:13-14). The psalmist is concerned in these passages with Yahweh’s specific revelation of Himself in written and spoken form, that is, Scripture.

The first designation of God’s special revelation is “the law of the Lord.” The Hebrew for “Law, “Torah,” generally refers to any instruction from God. Because this instruction is “perfect,” it is responsible for “restoring the soul.” Thus, the Torah preserves the lives of those who study and obey it, for in knowing God’s law they are able to avoid sinning against Yahweh.

A second term for Yahweh’s specific revelation is “testimony” or “statute” (Heb. edut). It means “witness” and is sometimes translated “covenant” (cf. 25:10; 132:12). The psalmist says that it is “sure, making wise the simple.” Because Scripture is given by God, it is trustworthy and without error; therefore, it educates those who are ignorant of the specifics of God’s character.

Thirdly, God’s word is likened unto “precepts” in v. 8 which is a synonym for testimony or statute. These precepts are “right”—not wrong—and are therefore responsible for “rejoicing the heart” of those who read and heed them. The point seems to be that for the simple who become enlightened by God’s specific word in Scripture, they receive a sense of joyful satisfaction in being educated in the “right” specifics of the universe’s Creator.

Fourthly, God’s word is dubbed “commandment.” Though synonymous with the other terms the psalmist uses, this term also designates all things ordained by God. They are both “pure” and “enlightening to the eyes.” Stemming from God’s moral and ethical nature, the commands of God are meant to protect His people from danger and to direct them to proper worship.

Fifthly, the word of God is called “fear of the Lord.” This may reflect back to Mt. Horeb when God gave His law to Moses and evoked fear from the Israelites as they bowed in awe at what they witnessed (Deut. 4:10). This synonym for God’s Law is “clean, enduring forever.” Thus, since there is nothing unclean about God, and since His word reflects His eternal nature, His words are timeless and applicable to all. They prompt fearful awe in those who listen.

Finally, God’s specific revelation of Himself is called “the judgments”—laws denoting divinely ordered decisions, and they are “righteous altogether.” Not one of God’s judgments are erroneous or even in doubt, though man may question them. They, as He, are righteous.

What is evident is that God’s laws and God’s word are one and the same. And the gospel He revealed through His Son Jesus Christ is no different. God’s word is greater than the finest wealth and sweeter than the sweetest honey. Thus, having and knowing God’s word is the greatest of privileges. It calls us to duty, warns us of danger, and reminds us of God’s unending love. His servants are and will be rewarded for knowing and heeding His timeless words.