A comparative breakdown and application of Psalm 19:7-14 (NIV) shows how God’s Word applies to the four aspects of life.
Spiritual Aspect
The law of God is perfect…it revives my soul:
- “Law” = divine will; established order; binding or enforceable rule; denoting control or authority; general rule or principle
- “Perfect” = entire; integrity; truth; without blemish; complete; full; sound; upright
- “Revive” = convert; refresh; restore; rescue; retrieve; recover; to return to the starting point
God’s perfect and divine will for every person is to enjoy intimate fellowship and union with Him. As He is Spirit, we must worship Him in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). However, in our natural state, we are unable to do so. When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3), sin was passed along to every person (Romans 5:12). The penalty of sin is death – both physically and spiritually (Romans 6:23). The reality of sin broke the spiritual union and fellowship with God. As holy God, He can have no fellowship with sin (1 John 1:5-7).
Benefits
However, Jesus Christ came to remedy that relational failure. With His death and subsequent resurrection, He made it possible to be spiritually reconciled to God (Romans 5:15-20). Thankfully, this happens when a person is “born again” or born from above. It is, in essence, spiritual rebirth (John 3:1-8). Spiritual rebirth (or revived, refreshed, reconciled, restored, converted) involves faith in Christ. This is the personal acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior. To be clear, it involves complete reliance on Him alone for salvation (Romans 10:9-10, 13) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17). Through this “imputed righteousness,” our spirits are reborn, enabling our reconcilement to God.
Intellectual Aspect
The statutes of God are trustworthy…they make the simple wise:
- “Statute” = a permanent established rule or law, especially one involved in the running of a company or other organization; testimony; incontestable witness
- “Trustworthy” = assurance; believable; faithful; reliable; steadfast
- “Simple” = foolish; silly; the easily seduced or led astray
God’s established and incontestable rule is sovereign and reliable. It is wholly trustworthy. His ways, designs, and purposes, are incomparably higher than our wandering ways and foolish mindsets (Isaiah 55:8-9). By trusting His Word, His ways become discernable to us. Fear (awe, reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of our path toward His wisdom (Proverbs 9:10).
Once spiritually reborn, we quench our newfound hunger and thirst for His righteousness (Matthew 5:6). This happens by reading, meditating, and personally applying His Word. Such spiritual intake illumines us to His truth and gives us His wisdom (Psalm 119:130). His faithful and enduring Word enlightens our daily steps and our lifelong journey (Psalm 119:105).
Benefits
Growing and maturing in His grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18) fills our minds with His presence. We develop the mindset of Christ (Philippians 2:5). Our minds dwell on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). We capture every thought, meditation, and fantasy and make them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). To answer questions regarding our faith and eternal hope (1 Peter 3:15), we “reason together” (Isaiah 1:18).
With alert and sober minds (1 Peter 1:13), we are not gullible to seducing voices. Nor are we unstable in our ways (James 1:6-8). Relying on and obeying God’s established and trustworthy Word (Psalm 111:10) preserves us from evil (Proverbs 2:10-13), Additionally, God’s Word gives us a spiritually sound mind (Romans 8:6; 2 Timothy 1:7). Finally, it floods us with God’s perfect serenity (Isaiah 26:3) and incomprehensible peace (Philippians 4:7).
Emotional Aspect
The precepts of God are right…giving joy to the heart:
- “Precept” = rule, instruction, or principle that guides somebody’s actions, especially one that guides moral behavior; a warrant or writ issued by a legal authority; a mandate
- “Right” = straight; just; upright; convenient; equitable
- “Joy” = to brighten up; cheer up; make glad; make merry; to rejoice; to make gleesome
- “Heart” = used widely for the feelings, the will, and even the intellect; the center or core of anything; the inner being
With a reborn spirit and a sound mind firmly “stayed” on God (Isaiah 26:3), the heart is filled with joy (John 15:11). Christ gives us abundant life (John 10:10), both here on earth as well as in eternity. Now, this doesn’t promise excessive accumulation of worldly possessions. Rather, it promises a fulfilling and fruitful life (John 15:4-7) here on earth and eternal life with Him in Heaven (John 14:1-4). To live such “abundant life,” we apply His Word as a guide for our moral behavior. This includes our actions, thoughts, and feelings.
Sadly, our heart (feelings) may lead us astray (Jeremiah 17:9) when separated from His spiritual discernment and sound wisdom. But God also gave us the ability to sense, feel, and experience. In doing so, we can relate to Him and His creation (Genesis 2:7). He is an emotional God (jealous, angry, loving, compassionate, patient, hates evil, etc.). As such, He created us with emotions for a purpose. Contrary to the world’s view of carnal pleasure (Galatians 5:19-21), God gives us all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17) so we would praise and serve Him. However, this comes with two warnings. First, we must reject carnal desires resulting from our wayward passions (1 Peter 2:11). Secondly, we must resist the devil with his entrapments (James 4:7).
Benefits
Being indwelt with the Holy Spirit, the “fruit” we exhibit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We demonstrate these through genuine expressions rooted in authentic emotions. Loving actions ring hollow in the absence of a loving heart (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Songs of praise fall empty if true joy is missing (Lamentations 5:15). This outer “fruit” confirms the credibility of what’s inside us (Luke 6:43-44). What is in the heart (inner core) generally reveals itself in what is said and done (Luke 6:45). Genuine emotional expression adds authenticity to our actions. But our emotions and subsequent actions must always align with God’s Word (1 Timothy 4:12).
Physical Aspect
The commands of God are radiant…giving light to the eyes:
- “Command” = an order or instruction given by somebody in authority; control over somebody or something that is gained by personal power or authority; thorough knowledge of something; operating instructions
- “Radiant” = beloved; pure; empty; choice; clean; clear; pure
- “Enlightening” = break of day; luminous; glorious; to give light; to set on fire; shine
- “Eyes” = outward appearance; perspective; outlook; thoughts; presence; resemblance
God’s “operating instructions” for life give light to our “eyes.” If we allow it, it will enlighten our perspective and change our outlook. Christ told his disciples to “lift up your eyes” (John 4:35 (KJV). In other words, “get a new perspective.” See things from His vantage point.
The light of the body is the eye (Matthew 6:22). If the eye is healthy (clear, focused, pure, good), the body is full of light. However, if the eye is “evil” (degenerate, derelict, lewd, malicious), the entire body is “darkened” (Matthew 6:23). Temptation’s downward spiral starts from what enters the body through the eyes. What is seen is dwelt on, considered, wanted, and desired. When we longingly contemplate and/or act on those carnal desires, sin springs forth (James 1:14-15).
Benefits
How do we avoid temptation’s spiral? By reading, meditating, and applying God’s Word to our daily lives (Psalm 119:9). We safeguard our “heart” with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). Also, we never forget we have an active adversary who wants to make us fail (1 Peter 5:8). We put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18). Contrarily, we do not toy or experiment with sin (Proverbs 6:27). Instead, we allow God’s Word to shine its pure truth into our lives. We allow it to change our perspectives, outlooks, lifestyles, behaviors, and choices. Finally, we align our physical actions with the “operating instructions” God has outlined for us.
Eternality of God’s Word
The fear of God is pure…enduring forever:
- “Fear” = respect or awe for somebody or something; moral reverence; dread
- “Pure” = clean in a physical, chemical, ceremonial, or moral sense; fair
- “Enduring” = firm and lasting perpetuity; withstanding; everlasting; for eternity
The ordinances of God are sure and altogether righteous:
- “Ordinance” = a law or rule made by an authority; something regularly done because it is formally prescribed; verdict; formal decree; sentence; ruling
- “Sure” = stability; certainty; trustworthy; faithful; right; true
- “Righteous” = right in a moral or forensic sense; clean; clear; just
God’s Word is more precious / valuable than refined gold:
- It is sweeter than pure and raw honey.
- By it, we are warned (“keep me from willful sins – may they not rule over me”);
- In obeying it, there is great reward (“may my words and meditations be pleasing to God”).
