Psalms 19:7
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
Study Note
Study Note
The second stanza of Psalm 19 (verses 7–11) pivots from the wordless testimony of creation (verses 1–6) to the articulate, saving word of the Torah, described through six synonyms: law, testimony, precepts, commandment, fear, rules. 'The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul' — the Hebrew 'meshipat nefesh' (restoring the soul) uses the same root as Psalm 23:3, suggesting the Torah functions as a guide that revives or redirects one who has strayed. C. S. Lewis called Psalm 19 the greatest poem in the Psalter; modern scholars note its structural wisdom in juxtaposing natural revelation with special revelation, both bearing witness to the same Creator. The verse is cited in Pauline discussions of the law's function (Romans 7:12) and in early Christian discussions of Torah's continuing validity.
Other Translations
The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.
The law of Jehovah <FI>is<Fi> perfect, refreshing the soul, The testimonies of Jehovah <FI>are<Fi> stedfast, Making wise the simple,
The law of the Lord is good, giving new life to the soul: the witness of the Lord is certain, giving wisdom to the foolish.
Cross References
Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples.
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is …
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God …
He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I …
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, …
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, …
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within …
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and …