Psalm 19 7

Psalm 19:7 kjv

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19:7 nkjv

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

Psalm 19:7 niv

The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19:7 esv

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;

Psalm 19:7 nlt

The instructions of the LORD are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

Psalm 19 verses

Psalm 19 7 Meaning

Psalm 19:7 marks a profound transition from the revelation of God in creation (Psa 19:1-6) to His more specific and transforming revelation in His written Word. This verse extols the divine instruction as flawless and spiritually restorative, declaring that God's reliable self-revelation provides invaluable wisdom, especially to those who are spiritually and morally naive, drawing them back to a right relationship with Him. It highlights both the intrinsic perfect nature of God's Word and its dynamic, life-changing effect on humanity.

Psalm 19 7 Context

Psalm 19 is widely attributed to King David, revealing his deep reflection on the divine. The first section of the psalm (Psa 19:1-6) describes God's "general revelation" – His glory and eternal power revealed through the observable universe, silently proclaiming His handiwork day after day. This celestial display is glorious but does not lead to salvation or complete understanding of God's character and will. Verse 7 initiates the psalm's second section (Psa 19:7-14), shifting to God's "special revelation" – His direct, specific communication through His Word, particularly the Law and Testimony. This shift underscores that while nature reveals God's existence, it is His spoken and written Word that transforms the human heart and leads to wisdom and righteousness. Historically, this divine written law (the Torah) would have been understood by the original Hebrew audience as a unique and precious gift, distinct from the capricious and often immoral laws or pronouncements of pagan deities or fallible human rulers. The emphasis on YHWH's Law highlights its unparalleled authority, purity, and life-giving power, providing a direct counterpoint to any contemporary beliefs that might have undervalued or sought alternatives to God's revealed truth.

Psalm 19 7 Word analysis

• law (Heb. torah, תּוֹרָה): More than merely rules or statutes, torah broadly signifies divine instruction, teaching, or guidance. It encompasses God's full revealed will, a gracious communication intended to direct His people in the path of life, much like a parent's instruction to a child.
• Lord (Heb. YHWH, יְהוָה): This is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His personal, faithful, and unchangeable character as the self-existent One. The perfection and sureness of the Word are rooted in the very nature of YHWH Himself.
• perfect (Heb. tamim, תָּמִים): Signifies whole, complete, flawless, blameless, sound, or entire. It implies internal consistency and moral integrity, suggesting that God's law lacks nothing, needs no additions, and is without error or deficiency in its guidance.
• converting (Heb. meshibat, מְשִׁיבַת): Literally means "bringing back," "restoring," or "refreshing." In a spiritual sense, it denotes turning one's whole being back to God, revitalizing a weary soul, or leading to repentance and spiritual revival from spiritual lethargy or sin.
• soul (Heb. nephesh, נֶפֶשׁ): Represents the whole person, the innermost being, one's life force, or personal self, not merely a disembodied spirit. It signifies the entire composite of human personality – mind, will, and emotion – being influenced and transformed.
• testimony (Heb. edut, עֵדוּת): Refers to a witness or decree, something that serves as God's own solemn declaration about Himself or His will. It functions as a definitive self-attestation from God.
• sure (Heb. ne'emanah, נֶאֱמָנָה): Means trustworthy, faithful, reliable, firm, or established. It underscores the unshakeable truthfulness and dependable nature of God's Word, indicating it can be fully relied upon and is eternally binding.
• making wise (Heb. machkimat, מַחְכִּימַת): To cause someone to be wise, to impart skill, understanding, or discernment. This is not mere intellectual knowledge but practical wisdom for living a godly life.
• simple (Heb. peti, פֶתִי): Describes someone who is naive, easily influenced, unsuspecting, open to deception due to inexperience or a lack of moral discernment. They are often lacking spiritual understanding or moral resolve.

Words-group analysis:

• "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul": This phrase emphasizes the completeness and integrity of God's revealed instruction (Torah). Because it is perfect, it possesses the power to restore or "bring back" the whole human being (nephesh) from spiritual deviation, bringing them into alignment with God's perfect will and invigorating their spirit. This speaks to both regeneration and ongoing spiritual renewal.
• "the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple": This segment highlights the absolute reliability and trustworthiness of God's own witness (testimony) to Himself and His purposes. Due to its certainty, this divine witness acts powerfully to bestow wisdom upon those who are inexperienced or lacking in discernment (peti), guarding them from error and equipping them for discerning, righteous living.

Psalm 19 7 Bonus section

This verse sets the stage for the rest of Psalm 19 (v. 8-11), where David continues to elaborate on the six parallel attributes and effects of God's Word, escalating the praise for its various aspects: perfect, sure, right, pure, clean, and true. It reveals that God's Word is not merely a set of intellectual propositions but a living, active force that interacts with and profoundly impacts human experience at its deepest levels. The "perfection" of God's law also implies its sufficiency; it completely addresses humanity's needs for spiritual regeneration, guidance, and wisdom without requiring additional, external sources for moral or spiritual clarity. This concept underpins the theological doctrine of Sola Scriptura, emphasizing the Bible's supreme authority as the final and sufficient rule for faith and practice.

Psalm 19 7 Commentary

Psalm 19:7 asserts the unique efficacy of God's special revelation. Moving beyond creation's general message, the psalmist highlights the transformative power inherent in God's verbal Word. The "law" (Torah) is not merely a legal code but a comprehensive divine instruction, possessing inherent "perfection." This perfect standard is dynamic, actively "converting" or restoring the entire human "soul," meaning it breathes new life into and spiritually invigorates the innermost being of individuals who respond to it. This restoration includes a turning from sin back to God, a refreshing of spiritual vigor, and an alignment with divine principles. Complementing this, God's "testimony"—His reliable self-disclosure—is "sure." Its trustworthiness ensures that it can effectively "make wise the simple." This is not just intellectual enlightenment but the impartation of practical spiritual wisdom, guarding the naive and those prone to folly from destructive paths and equipping them to navigate life's complexities with discernment. Thus, the verse underscores the Bible's supreme authority, truthfulness, and unparalleled ability to profoundly transform human hearts and lives, distinguishing it from all other sources of knowledge or guidance. For instance, when individuals engage with God's Word with humility and an open heart, it challenges their preconceptions, corrects their moral compass, and instills clarity, guiding them away from worldly deceptions and towards God's eternal wisdom.