Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible
Psalms 19:7-11
God Speaks Through His Word And Covenant (Psalms 19:7).
‘ The instruction (law) of YHWH is perfect, restoring the soul,
The testimony of YHWH is sure, making wise the simple.
For the Instruction (torah - law) of YHWH is total and complete and fully fitted for its work of daily restoring and warming the soul, and the testimony of YHWH is certain and effective in making the simple wise. The ‘simple' are not the foolish, rather are they those whose hearts are open, whose minds are not cluttered up with worldly wisdom, and who are therefore ready and fitted to receive His word. (The word is paralleled in Proverbs 1:4 with ‘the young man'). They can be likened to the children whose minds were so unfettered that they were ready to respond to the Kingly Rule of God (Mark 10:15). They are a reminder that God reveals Himself to those who are uncluttered by their own cleverness. Until we stop arguing we will never see Him.
The ‘Instruction of YHWH' was the name applied to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, seen as God's wider covenant. But here it refers not only to the words themselves but to their application through men of God who are faithful to that word, and above all through His Spirit. The Scriptures, however, remain the perfect standard. In the end what is written is written. (Thus the constant refrain, ‘it is written'). The ‘Testimony' refers to its bearing witness to YHWH, to What He is, and what He requires, and What He will do on man's behalf, that men may know Him and be enabled to walk in His will.
Note the transition from ‘God' to ‘YHWH', the covenant name. These benefits are for those who hear and respond to Him in His covenant, those whose pleasure it is to do His will as their sovereign Lord.
‘The precepts of YHWH are right, rejoicing the heart,
The commandment of YHWH is pure, enlightening the eyes.'
The ‘precepts of YHWH', the injunctions that YHWH lays down, are fully right, and they bring rejoicing to the heart, for our God-given conscience totally approves of them. Each commandment of YHWH is pure, bringing knowledge and understanding and perception so that man sees what is true. Not a yod or tittle of the Instruction will fail until all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:18). Thus are they beloved of the righteous who desire them above all things (compare Psalms 119:35; Psalms 119:40; Psalms 119:47; Psalms 119:77; Psalms 119:97; Psalms 119:103; Psalms 119:127).
‘The fear of YHWH is clean, enduring for ever,
‘The ordinances of YHWH are true, and righteous altogether.'
In parallel with instruction, testimony, precepts, commandment and ordinances, the ‘fear of YHWH' refers to God's word as that which fills men with awe and reverence, which imparts the fear of YHWH which gives wisdom and understanding (Job 28:28; Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7). The ‘fear of YHWH' is here the awe-inspiring word (see Deuteronomy 4:10). It is clean and pure, free of all that would taint it, and thus itself cleanses and purifies, and it goes on for ever. There is nothing of corruption in it. It is of the other world, not of this one.
The ‘ordinances of YHWH', the requirements that God lays down, are altogether true and righteous in their totality.
So God's word as given to His people is here exalted as being of greater benefit than the sun, and as going deeper, for while the sun is an external blessing, God's word reaches to the very heart of man.
‘More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold,
Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.'
In mind here are all that are spoken of in Psalms 19:7. God's whole word as revealed in His instruction, His testimony, His precepts, His commandments, His fear, and His ordinances is of greater value than much pure gold, and is sweeter than the sweetest honey from the honeycomb. ‘The droppings' are the honey that exudes naturally, the very sweetest of the honey.
Note the emphasis. God's teaching is more desirable, not only than gold or even fine gold, but than much fine gold. They are the riches of Heaven. And it is sweeter than anything otherwise known to man.
‘Moreover by them is your servant warned,
In keeping them there is great reward.'
And not only are they desirable, they are also vital to our welfare. For they warn us of what will bring us under God's displeasure, and by observing them and putting them into practise we will receive great reward, both in this world and that which is to come (1 Timothy 4:8). They will make life fuller and more glorious (Proverbs 22:4), bringing peace and deep satisfaction (1 Timothy 6:6), and the fullness of the blessings of God.