The Bible is filled with truths we need to learn to live a life that honors God. We know the Bible isn’t a cookbook, a manual for fixing an automobile, nor a guide for programming a computer. But what sort of book is it? Is the Bible a book about science? Is it a book on economics or a good textbook for studying anthropology, sociology, or psychology? Someone has described the Bible this way. “The Bible is 100% accurate in all it asserts, and it proclaims all the truth that is essential for human happiness.” It won’t tell us the best way to plant our tulips, build a deck off the dining room, or perform surgery. But, since this is God’s Book, it contains everything God wants us to know while we’re planting, building, and healing.
David the psalmist wrote:
The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 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 forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward (Psalm 19:7-11).
Without a doubt this is one of the greatest portions of the Old Testament. Concerning the sufficiency and blessings of God’s Word, we find here spelled out for us the value of the Bible – God’s own declaration of how mankind should live. There are five names given to those Old Testament Scriptures: Law of the Lord, Statutes of the Lord, Precepts of the Lord, Commands of the Lord, and Ordinances of the Lord. Six adjectives are used as synonyms of God’s Word. He calls it perfect, right, trustworthy, radiant, pure, and sure. Then there are seven results when we mentally ingest God’s Word and determine to live by it. It revives the soul, makes wise the simple, gives joy to the heart, gives light to the eyes, endures forever, is sure, and altogether righteous.
When God’s people take in God’s Word and determine to live by it, there’s always an impact for good in their lives. The Bible provides all the truth essential for human happiness. No, it won’t instruct us how to plant bulbs, build something, or do an appendectomy. However, there is not one item concerning human happiness that isn’t there. The Bible is God’s Book. Believing it contains everything we need to experience the life God wants for us makes absolute sense. Since this is the Book of God, it contains everything He wants His redeemed to internalize.
There is value in digging deeper into these verses. When the psalmist, David, takes these names from God’s Word and joins to each name a descriptive adjective, he then tells the reader the results of the Word of God. These are powerful statements about the impact of Scripture on our lives. David sings in verse 7 that God’s Word transforms us. “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul.” The Law isn’t just the Law of Moses, but, in its widest sense, it refers to all revelation from God, not only the entire Old Testament but the New Testament as well. Men write all kinds of laws. Some are wise, some are foolish, some are contradictory. Seldom are man’s laws justly enforced, and they often fail and are changed. But the Bible, because it is the Law of the Lord, is perfect, and complete.
The Bible tells us everything we need to know to live the life He wants us to live. That’s what it says here. It shows us God’s way of salvation, converting the soul. The apostle Paul wrote that from the time Timothy was young he knew the Holy Scriptures which made him wise. There is nowhere else in this world where such wisdom is to be found. Those who desire salvation from sin and a relationship with God that goes beyond religious ritual will find it here. Attending church on Sunday, doing this and not doing that, too often becomes empty do-ism. Only in this God-given Book does He reveal the truth about His Son, who He was in eternity past, and who He is now. On Calvary’s cross He bore the sins of all mankind, so that by faith alone in Christ alone sinful mankind may receive eternal life. Those truths and the assurance of salvation can be found only in the Word of God. The Bible alone shows the seeker God’s way of redemption. That’s the first sense in which it converts our soul.
The second way comes after we are redeemed. The Word of God leads believers in paths of holy happiness. In spite of the encouraging hymn’s claim, every day with Jesus is not sweeter than the day before. Thankfully, some days are. But some days are bitter days, filled with tears and sadness, and we wonder whether our hearts will break. Other days are filled with fear, and some with frustration and strife. Believers know that from experience, and also from Scripture. In Psalm 23:2-3, David praises God, “He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.” There were days when David needed restoration. Our joyous days are vulnerable to attack from the evil one. Paul wrote to the Corinthian church that he was a worker together with them for their joy (2 Corinthians 1:24). Maintaining joy is sometimes a spiritual battle, but he wrote the Ephesian church that the Holy Spirit has given a shield by which all the fiery darts of the wicked one may be quenched, faith in the Word of God (Ephesians 6:16).
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy making wise the simple. God’s Word isn’t just hearsay. Think of it as being carved in stone. The apostle Paul writes of those who are always learning but are never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Believers who believe the Word of God become wise. David wrote, “I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation” (Psalm 119:99). Those who know life is found with God have something far superior.
Third, the Word of God gives joy – verse 8. “The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart.” The world has principles, too. “You only go around once, so go for the gusto.” “Watch out for number one, no one else will.” “He who dies with the most toys wins.” In contrast to those empty and deceptive promises, we have biblical truth and the precepts of the Lord. Life, with its choices, problems, and opportunities is a maze. We must not be sidetracked by things that really don’t matter. When we do the things the Lord has created us to do, and for which He has made us His own, we shall live a life overflowing with fruitfulness and joy.
The fourth function of the Word of God is that it dispels darkness. “The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” God’s instructions are understandable. His redeemed can read His Word and understand it. Perhaps you have heard a pew-warmer say, “I don’t read the Bible much because I just can’t comprehend it.” The indwelling Holy Spirit never fails to open searching believers’ eyes. Those who are surrendered to His control will revel in eyes that now see and ears that now hear. We live in a dark world where perplexing things happen around us. For those who search for and embrace the commands of the Lord, there is a lamp for their feet and a light for their path (Psalm 119:105). They shall not stumble as they walk through this life. Count on it!