Initially, it’s important to note that in Ps 19:7, the law or Torah of Yahweh is not limited to the 10 commandments or even the entire Mosaic law. It refers to the totality of Yahweh’s instruction to his people. David refers to this teaching or instruction as perfect or entirely complete, lacking nothing. Notice that David doesn’t sit around and complain that God’s teaching isn’t relevant to his situation or has no bearing on his life. He doesn’t say: “I wish your word gave me more specific direction for my life; I just never really know how to navigate my circumstances.” Nor does he search out man’s so-called improvements to God’s ways and God’s word. Rather, he says this: “your exhaustive teaching, Lord, revives or renews my soul.” The word that’s used here is the primary OT word for repentance or returning to God, thus the only solution for our wandering or waywardness or weariness is the word of God, which brings us back to God.
Apparently, the author of Ps. 119 believes the same thing as David about the word. Listen to this sampling—Ps. 119:25 My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!…28 My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!…50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life…93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life…107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word!…156 Great is your mercy, O Lord; give me life according to your rules.
Now imagine replacing God’s word in those verses with something from creation—”give me life according to the sky or seas or clouds.” That’s ludicrous, but that should be directly compared to thoughts like this: “My soul is in trouble Lord; it’s weighed down with burdens, temptations and worry. Give me life according to psychology; give me life according to science; give me life according to the principles of successful entrepreneurship; give me life according to the philosophies of man.”
Sadly, we still seek things like that and if we want to diagnose why we attempt to renew our soul by other means besides the word, it’s for at least one of several reasons—we don’t believe the word has superior power; or we don’t believe it is exhaustive for what we truly need in our life; or do we believe it is able to impart spiritual life. David definitively debunks those mindsets in Ps 19.
The incredible nature of the Word of God
