It Is Perfect and Strengthens
First, “the instruction of the LORD is perfect, renewing one’s life” (v. 7a). Instruction is the “law” (ESV). It is the Torah. It is all that God wants us to know about him. It is the Lord’s teaching. David says this instruction is “perfect.” Alec Motyer writes that God’s instruction is “ ‘perfectly complete, completely perfect,’ neither needing addition nor permitting subtraction” (Psalms by the Day, 51). And this perfect Word does a perfect work, “renewing one’s life.” It refreshes, revives, and brings the soul back to where it belongs. It restores and renews my life, my inner self.
It Is Sure and Gives Wisdom
Second, “the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise” (v. 7b). Derek Kidner writes that “testimony … is its aspect as truth attested by God himself” (Psalms 1–72, 99). The Word of God is “sure” (ESV), true in principle, and trustworthy. It is never fallible, unstable, or undependable. You can always trust God’s Word to lead you in truth. The phrase “making the inexperienced wise” (ESV, “making wise the simple”) is instructive. The Bible takes undiscerning, naïve, and gullible people and makes them wise. We need wisdom for wise decision making, and it comes from the Bible. It allows us to see life as God sees life and act accordingly. John Piper says, “Wisdom is a life that makes sense in the light of reality. And the light of reality shines from the Bible” (“Sweeter than Honey, Better than Gold”).
Smith, J. J., & Akin, D. L. (2022). Exalting Jesus in Psalms 1–50 (D. Platt, D. L. Akin, & T. Merida, Eds.; p. 140). Holman Reference.
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