The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Parallel translations
- WEB Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony 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 thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
- Ps 111:7The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
- Col 3:16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
- Prov 1:4To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
- Ps 23:3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
- 2 Tim 3:15–17And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
- Ps 119:105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
- Deut 32:4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
- 2 Tim 2:19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.
- Ps 93:5Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.
- Ps 119:127–128Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
- 2 Tim 1:8Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
- Isa 8:20To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
- Josh 1:8This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
- Jas 1:21–25Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
- Rom 15:4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
- Jas 1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
- Ps 119:111Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
- Ps 119:72The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
- Ps 18:30As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
- Acts 10:43To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
- Prov 1:22–23How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
- Job 23:12Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
- Ps 119:24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.
- Rom 12:2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, 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 the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
- Deut 6:6–9And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
- Ps 119:14I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
- Ps 119:96–100I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
- Isa 8:16Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
- John 5:39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
- Ps 119:9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
- Ps 119:152Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
- 2 Sam 23:5Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow.
- Rev 19:10And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
- Deut 17:18–20And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:
- Ps 78:1–7Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
- John 3:32–33And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
- Ps 147:19–20He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel.
- Heb 6:18–19That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon 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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