The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple
More to be desired are they than gold
Yea, than much fine gold
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether
Moreover by them is Thy servant warned
And in keeping of them there is great reward
Who can understand his errors
Cleanse Thou me from secret faults
Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins
Let them not have dominion over me
Then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent of the great transgression
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength and my Redeemer
Ed Gungor
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We hear in this sweet song (and read in Psalm 19:7-14 which inspired it) that God’s commands (His laws, His statutes, His precepts, His decrees) are:
- perfect…they convert our souls
- right…they give joy to our hearts
- sure…they make us wise
- pure…they give light to our eyes
- true…they all are righteous
- clean…they endure forever
How encouraging is that?!? What a merciful, gracious, kind, compassionate God we serve! Throughout time, He has communicated with His people and given them His commands—which, in this psalm, include His laws, statutes, precepts, and decrees.
In the beginning, God told His man, Adam, ONE simple command—not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil in the Garden (Genesis 2). To the children of Israel as they journeyed for forty years to the Promised Land, He gave them His rules to follow (e.g, Deuteronomy 6). When Jesus was instructing His disciples, He pulled it all together, giving them TWO direct commandments—1) to love God with their whole heart, soul, mind, all their strength and 2) to love their fellow man as they loved themselves (Mark 12:29-31). Our hearts’ response to our loving God should be loving obedience…plain and simple. I pray that the following verses will be a reminder and encouragement for us all to trust and obey the Great I AM.
In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands.
And His commands are not burdensome.
1 John 5:3
I obey your precepts and Your statutes, for all my ways are known to You.
Psalm 119:168
Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart—
Psalm 119:2
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Thank You, dear Lord, for how gracious, kind, and merciful You are to us. You are not a harsh, exacting God Who demands perfection…rather You are a loving Father Who sets righteous, life-giving commands before us! You guide us and help us to seek You and obey You from our hearts. You are SO good!!! We love You, Father…and pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
