Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple.
Parallel translations
- KJV The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
- BSB The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
- NKJV The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
- NASB ¶The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
- NLT The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
God's law is perfect and revives the soul; his testimony is reliable and makes the simple wise. Scripture surpasses creation in revealing God savingly.
Overview
The psalm pivots from general revelation in nature to special revelation in God's Word, using his covenant name 'Yahweh.' The law (instruction) is 'perfect,' restoring life to the soul, and the testimony makes even the inexperienced wise. Where creation shows God's power, the Word makes him savingly known, a Word fully embodied in Christ (John 1:1).
Cross-references & the web
Theme
- The Law"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul."
Cross-references · 40
- Ps 119:130The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
- Ps 111:7The works of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are sure.
- Col 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
- Prov 1:4to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young man:
- Ps 23:3He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
- 2 Tim 3:15–17From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.
- Ps 119:105Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
- Deut 32:4The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he.
- 2 Tim 2:19However God’s firm foundation stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let every one who names the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.”
- Ps 93:5Your statutes stand firm. Holiness adorns your house, Yahweh, forever more.
- Ps 119:127–128Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
- 2 Tim 1:8Therefore don’t be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but endure hardship for the Good News according to the power of God,
- Isa 8:20Turn to the law and to the testimony! If they don’t speak according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
- Josh 1:8This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.
- Jas 1:21–25Therefore, putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with humility the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
- Rom 15:4For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through perseverance and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
- Jas 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.
- Ps 119:111I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
- Ps 119:72The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YUD
- Ps 18:30As for God, his way is perfect. Yahweh’s word is tried. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him.
- Acts 10:43All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”
- Prov 1:22–23“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? How long will mockers delight themselves in mockery, and fools hate knowledge?
- Job 23:12I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
- Ps 119:24Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. DALED
- Rom 12:2Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
- 1 Jn 5:9–12If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is God’s testimony which he has testified concerning his Son.
- Deut 6:6–9These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart;
- Ps 119:14I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
- Ps 119:96–100I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless. MEM
- Isa 8:16Wrap up the testimony. Seal the law among my disciples.
- John 5:39“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.
- Ps 119:9How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
- Ps 119:152Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever. RESH
- 2 Sam 23:5Most certainly my house is not so with God, yet he has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure, for it is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he doesn’t make it grow.
- Rev 19:10I fell down before his feet to worship him. He said to me, “Look! Don’t do it! I am a fellow bondservant with you and with your brothers who hold the testimony of Jesus. Worship God, for the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy.”
- Deut 17:18–20It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the priests the Levites.
- Ps 78:1–7A contemplation by Asaph. Hear my teaching, my people. Turn your ears to the words of my mouth.
- John 3:32–33What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness.
- Ps 147:19–20He shows his word to Jacob; his statutes and his ordinances to Israel.
- Heb 6:18–19that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us.
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Christ at the center
The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.
How Psalms 19:7 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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