Psalm 19:7-9 New English Translation

⁷The law of the Lord is perfect
and preserves one’s life.^[a]
The rules set down by the Lord^[b] are reliable^[c]
and impart wisdom to the inexperienced.^[d]
⁸The Lord’s precepts are fair^[e]
and make one joyful.^[f]
The Lord’s commands^[g] are pure^[h]
and give insight for life.^[i]
⁹The commands to fear the Lord are right^[j]
and endure forever.^[k]
The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy
and absolutely just.^[l]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

Psalm 19:7 tn Heb “[it] restores life.” Elsewhere the Hiphil of שׁוּב (shuv, “return”) when used with נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh, “life”) as object, means to “rescue or preserve one’s life” (Job 33:30; Ps 35:17) or to “revive one’s strength” (emotionally or physically; cf. Ruth 4:15; Lam 1:11, 16, 19). Here the point seems to be that the law preserves the life of the one who studies it by making known God’s will. Those who know God’s will know how to please him and can avoid offending him. See v. 11a.
Psalm 19:7 tn Traditionally, “the testimony of the Lord.” The noun עֵדוּת (ʿedut) refers here to the demands of God’s covenant law.
Psalm 19:7 tn God’s covenant contains a clear, reliable witness to his moral character and demands.
Psalm 19:7 tn Or “the [morally] naive,” that is, the one who is young and still in the process of learning right from wrong and distinguishing wisdom from folly.
Psalm 19:8 tn Or “just.” Perhaps the idea is that they impart a knowledge of what is just and right.
Psalm 19:8 tn Heb “[they] make happy [the] heart.” Perhaps the point is that they bring a sense of joyful satisfaction to the one who knows and keeps them, for those who obey God’s law are richly rewarded. See v. 11b.
Psalm 19:8 tn Heb “command.” The singular here refers to the law as a whole.
Psalm 19:8 tn Because they reflect God’s character, his commands provide a code of moral and ethical purity.
Psalm 19:8 tn Heb [they] enlighten [the] eyes.
Psalm 19:9 tn Heb “the fear of the Lord is clean.” The phrase “fear of the Lord” probably refers here to the law, which teaches one how to demonstrate proper reverence for the Lord. See Ps 111:10 for another possible use of the phrase in this sense.
Psalm 19:9 tn Heb “[it] stands permanently.”
Psalm 19:9 sn Trustworthy and absolutely just. The Lord’s commands accurately reflect God’s moral will for his people and are an expression of his just character.

New English Translation (NET)