Psalm 19:7
New International Version
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

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

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

Berean Standard Bible
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

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

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

New American Standard Bible
The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

NASB 1995
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

NASB 1977
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Legacy Standard Bible
The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple.

Amplified Bible
The law of the LORD is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul; The statutes of the LORD are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Christian Standard Bible
The instruction of the LORD is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The instruction of the LORD is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.

American Standard Version
The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
The law of LORD JEHOVAH is without blemish and converts the soul; the testimony of LORD JEHOVAH is trustworthy and makes infants wise.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, instructing babes.

Contemporary English Version
The Law of the LORD is perfect; it gives us new life. His teachings last forever, and they give wisdom to ordinary people.

Douay-Rheims Bible
The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.

English Revised Version
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The teachings of the LORD are perfect. They renew the soul. The testimony of the LORD is dependable. It makes gullible people wise.

Good News Translation
The law of the LORD is perfect; it gives new strength. The commands of the LORD are trustworthy, giving wisdom to those who lack it.

International Standard Version
The Law of the LORD is perfect, restoring life. The testimony of the LORD is steadfast, making foolish people wise.

JPS Tanakh 1917
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

Literal Standard Version
The law of YHWH [is] perfect, refreshing the soul, | The testimonies of YHWH [are] steadfast, | Making the simple wise,

Majority Standard Bible
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.

New American Bible
The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The decree of the LORD is trustworthy, giving wisdom to the simple.

NET Bible
The law of the LORD is perfect and preserves one's life. The rules set down by the LORD are reliable and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.

New Revised Standard Version
The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple;

New Heart English Bible
The LORD's Law is perfect, restoring the soul. The LORD's testimony is sure, making wise the simple.

Webster's Bible Translation
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

World English Bible
Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple.

Young's Literal Translation
The law of Jehovah is perfect, refreshing the soul, The testimonies of Jehovah are stedfast, Making wise the simple,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
6it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. 7The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:6
Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the peoples, who will hear of all these statutes and say, "Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people."

Nehemiah 9:13
You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven. You gave them just ordinances, true laws, and good statutes and commandments.

Psalm 18:30
As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

Psalm 23:3
He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.

Psalm 78:5
For He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which He commanded our fathers to teach to their children,

Psalm 93:5
Your testimonies are fully confirmed; holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, for all the days to come.

Psalm 111:7
The works of His hands are truth and justice; all His precepts are trustworthy.


Treasury of Scripture

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

law or doctrine

Psalm 78:1-7
Maschil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth…

Psalm 119:72,96-100,105,127,128
The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver…

Psalm 147:19,20
He sheweth his word unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel…

perfect

Psalm 18:30
As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.

Psalm 11:7
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.

Deuteronomy 32:4
He 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.

converting.

Psalm 23:3
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Psalm 119:9
BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

James 1:21-25
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls…

testimony

Psalm 93:5
Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O LORD, for ever.

Psalm 119:14,24,111,152
I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches…

Isaiah 8:16,20
Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples…

sure

Psalm 111:7
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.

2 Samuel 23:5
Although 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.

2 Timothy 2:19
Nevertheless 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.

Jump to Previous
Foolish Good Law Making New Perfect Refreshing Restoring Reviving Simple Soul Statutes Stedfast Sure Testimonies Testimony Trustworthy Wisdom Wise Witness
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Foolish Good Law Making New Perfect Refreshing Restoring Reviving Simple Soul Statutes Stedfast Sure Testimonies Testimony Trustworthy Wisdom Wise Witness
Psalm 19
1. The creatures show God's glory
7. The excellence of the divine law
12. David prays for grace














(7) The law.--The ear catches even in the English the change of rhythm, which is as marked as the change of subject. Instead of the free lyric movement of the preceding verse, we come suddenly upon the most finished specimen of didactic poetry in regular metre, exhibiting a perfect balance of expression as well as of thought, so perfect in the original, that in Psalm 19:7-9 the number of words is the same in each clause. In each clause, too, the Law, under one or another of its many names and aspects, is praised, first for its essential character, then for its results.

The law . . . . the testimony.--These are collective terms embracing, under different regards, the whole body of statutes and precepts in the Jewish code. The law, torah, means in its primary use "instruction," and therefore is used of prophecy (Isaiah 1:10; Isaiah 8:16), but here undoubtedly bears its common and more limited sense. Testimony, from a root meaning "to repeat," suggests the solemn earnestness and insistence of the Divine commands.

The description "perfect" and "sure" suggests the lofty ideal prescribed by the Law, and the reliance which the Hebrew might place upon it as a rule of conduct. The word "simple" is generally used in a bad sense, but here has its primary meaning, "open," "ingenuous," "impressible," easily led either towards folly or wisdom.

Verses 7-11. - The transition from the glories of the material universe to the "law of the Lord" is abrupt and startling. Some go so far as to say that there is no connection at all between the first and second parts of the psalm. But it is the law and order that pervades the material universe which constitutes its main glory; and the analogy between God's physical laws and his moral laws is evident, and generally admitted (see the great work of Bishop Butler, part 1.). Verse 7. - The Law of the Lord is perfect. Whatsoever proceeds from God is perfect in its kind; his "Law" especially - the rule of life to his rational creatures. That salvation is not by the Law is not the fault of the Law, but of man, who cannot keep it. "The Law" itself "is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" (Romans 7:12). Converting (rather, as in the margin, restoring) the soul. The word employed, meshibah, is used of restoring from disorder and decay (Psalm 80:19), from sorrow and affliction (Ruth 4:15), from death (1 Kings 17:21, 22). The Law, by instructing men, restores them from moral blindness to the light which is theirs by nature (Romans 1:19), and, as a further consequence, in many cases, restores them from sin to righteousness. The testimony of the Lord is sure. 'Eduth - the word translated "testimony" - is employed especially of the Decalogue (Exodus 25:16, 21, 22, 26; Numbers 9:15; 17:23; 18:2, etc.); but may be regarded as sue of the many synonyms under which the whole Law may be spoken of (see Psalm 119:2, 14, 22, 24, 88, etc.). The Law is "sure" - i.e. fixed, firm, stable - in comparison with the fleeting, shifting, unstable judgments of human reason. Making wise the simple; i.e. enlightening their moral judgment.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The law
תּ֘וֹרַ֤ת (tō·w·raṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law

of the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is perfect,
תְּ֭מִימָה (tə·mî·māh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 8549: Entire, integrity, truth

reviving
מְשִׁ֣יבַת (mə·šî·ḇaṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

the soul;
נָ֑פֶשׁ (nā·p̄eš)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

the testimony
עֵד֥וּת (‘ê·ḏūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5715: Testimony

of the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

is trustworthy,
נֶ֝אֱמָנָ֗ה (ne·’ĕ·mā·nāh)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 539: To confirm, support

making wise
מַחְכִּ֥ימַת (maḥ·kî·maṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2449: To be wise

the simple.
פֶּֽתִי׃ (pe·ṯî)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6612: Simple, perhaps open-minded


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OT Poetry: Psalm 19:7 Yahweh's law is perfect restoring the soul (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 19:6
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