The Book Above All Books

The Book Above All Books (Psalm 19:7)

Psalm 19:7, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.”

Here in Psalm 19:7, David describes God’s Word. He first describes the law of the LORD. The law is expressed through His commands and guidelines and gives direction in how to relate to Him in the right way. Two things are uppermost in the psalmist's purpose to show God's glory here. God's glory appears in the perfection of His law and also the profits it gives to men. The word perfect has the sense of not only “unblemished”, but also “complete” as well. Switching to another synonym, David continued, “…the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple”. Here, David referred to God’s written Word as His testimony or witness. It is sure, meaning that it is “faithful” or “reliable”.

1. God’s law is perfect: It is the source of salvation. (Psalm 19:7a)
The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life. Perfect means “whole” or “complete”. In other words, Scripture lacks nothing. Everything you need to know to be what God expects you to be has been revealed in His Word. It can renew you and provide you with abundant life. God’s law refers to His teachings or instructions. David states that the law is both perfect and that it converts the soul. Perfect has two shades of meaning. It means complete or entire. God’s Word is His complete revelation to humanity. This is a significant statement about the sufficiency of the Scripture. God’s Word provides everything God wants us to know and everything we need to know for this life and for preparation for eternity. Perfect also means flawless, undefiled, without blemish or spot. This, too, is an essential statement about the inerrancy of Scripture. Every word of every statement in the Bible is true. Converting means turning or returning to. The first great benefit of Scripture is that it leads us to turn to God. “As the sun returns in the heavens, so God’s Word returns the sinner to God.” Scripture tells us everything we need to know about salvation. God’s perfect law reveals our sinfulness and great need for a Saviour. It tells us about Jesus Christ and that salvation is possible only through faith in Him. Paul explained the broad purpose of God’s law in relation to salvation (Galatians 3:19-24).

2. God’s testimony is trustworthy: It is the source of wisdom. (Psalm 19:7b)
The testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. The Bible is reliable. You can bank on it. Those without experience, the simple and foolish, can be trained how to be discerning and can be enabled to make good and wise choices that reflect a divine perspective from reading and trusting it. God’s witness in His Word is sure: you can believe it and build your life upon it. It is a solid foundation, one that will not crumble, but will stand through the storms of life (Matthew 7:24-27). God’s Word will support you or hold you up in every situation you face. The second great benefit of Scripture is that it gives wisdom. Think about this wonderful truth. Nature reveals that there is an all-wise God, one who designed and created a complex, magnificent universe. Scripture reveals God’s amazing wisdom to humanity. Through God’s Word, every person has the privilege of gaining wisdom from the Lord Himself. But a person has to take action. God will not force His Word or Himself on anyone. Those who are simple lack discernment and good judgment because they are inexperienced and unlearned. By studying God’s Word, one can acquire the skills necessary to be successful in life and to avoid its dangers. They can learn how to overcome or to deal with every enemy—every destructive force—they face (Psalm 119:98). Every person who applies themselves to the Bible receives wisdom that exceeds all human education and learning (Psalm 119:9). The Lord heartily invites each of us to come and freely partake of His life-giving wisdom (Proverbs 9:1-6).

When asked what book he would like to have if stranded on a desert island, G.K. Chesterton cleverly replied, "Thomas' Guide to Practical Ship Building". He said he could not imagine himself in that kind of circumstance, but if such occasion arrived, he would like to at least have a chance to get home.

Although Chesterton's answer seems logical and quite witty, there is another book that would be far more helpful - the Holy Bible. As John Quincy Adams said, "The Bible is the book of all others, to be read at all ages, and in all conditions in life".

The Bible is indeed for all conditions of human life. The Word of God has an answer for every question we face. It has light for our darkened paths. It is armor for the war-ravaged soldier. It is a cool drink of water for the dry parched soul.

The Bible is the only book that reads the reader. It provides nourishment, direction, inspiration, comfort, and rebuke. It is alive. Thomas’ Guide to Practical Ship Building may give instruction on to how to escape a desert island, but the Bible gives instruction on how to get to our Heavenly home.

David Livingstone is said to have begun his expedition into the heart of Africa with over seventy books in three cases with a cumulative weight of almost two hundred pounds. A doctor and an explorer by trade, these books were precious as needed reference to Livingstone.

But as Livingstone’s party trekked into the heart of Africa, it became obvious that some of the books would have to go. Some of his carriers deserted, leaving less men to carry the load. Of those who remained, many were weakened through fatigue and fever. Over the journey, Livingstone’s library became smaller and smaller as he was forced to discard the weight of his books in the jungle.

When he reached the end of the expedition, he had one book remaining—the Bible. Out of a seventy-book library of materials needed for his trade, the only book that was truly indispensable was God’s Book.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times I have treated Your Word casually, as if it’s any other book. Your Word is fire, cleansing me; a sword, cutting through my pretenses; a hammer, pounding my hard heart; a seed, growing life in me; milk and meat to nourish my soul; a light to illuminate my path; and a mirror to show me who I am. Thank You for Your Word, and teach me to treat it as the Book above all other books. In the name of Jesus, the Word, amen.

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