Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Psalms 19:7
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Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
The law of the Lord [is] perfect, etc.] By which is meant, not the law of Moses, or the ten commandments, but the “doctrine” of the Lord; as the word hrwt, “torah”, signifies, even the whole word of God, as in (<230820>Isaiah 8:20). All the Scriptures of truth, which are profitable for doctrine; for setting doctrine in a clear light, and for the vindication and establishment of it, and are the rule of doctrine both to preachers and hearers; and which are “perfect”, contain the whole mind and will of God, both with respect to faith and practice; whereby the man of God is made perfect, and thoroughly furnished to all good works, (<550316>2 Timothy 3:16,17); and especially the Gospel part of the word of God may be designed, which both in the Old and New Testament is called “a law” or “doctrine”, being eminently so; the doctrine of the Messiah, and of justification by faith in his righteousness, (<230203>Isaiah 2:3 42:1) ( <450327>Romans 3:27). The Gospel is a perfect plan and scheme of spiritual and saving truths: it gives an account of perfect things; as of the perfect righteousness of Christ, and complete justification by it; of the full as well as free pardon of sins by the blood of Christ; and of redemption and salvation from all sin and evils by him: and it also shows where true perfection is; namely, in Christ, in whom the saints are complete, be being made to them wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; (see <590125>James 1:25). This character, therefore, suits better with the Gospel than with the moral law; though that, as it is to be gathered out of the whole word of God, contains the good and perfect will of God, with respect to what is to be done or avoided; nor is anything to be added to it; nor did our Lord come to add unto it, or to make it more perfect, but to fulfil it, which men could not do; nor could the law make any man or anything perfect, either perfectly sanctify, or justify, or save; whereas the bringing in of the better hope in the Gospel does, (<580907>Hebrews 9:7,19 7:19). The effect, under a divine influence and blessing ascribed to it, is, converting the soul; which is a further proof that the law of Moses is not intended: for though by it is the knowledge of sin, or conviction of sin, which often falls short of conversion; yet the Spirit of God, as a spirit of regeneration, conversion, and sanctification, is not received through the doctrine or preaching of the law, but through the ministration of the Gospel; which is designed to turn men from darkness to light, and from the powers of Satan to God; and which use it has when it is attended with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power; (see <450320>Romans 3:20 <480302> Galatians 3:2 <442618>Acts 26:18), though the words may be rendered “relieving”, that is, refreshing and comforting the “soul” f295 as in (<250111>Lamentations 1:11-16); Through want of bodily food, which is the case in the passage retorted to, the spirits faint and sink, the soul is almost gone, when, by the ministration of proper food, it is as it were brought back again, as the word f296 here used signifies, and the animal spirits are cheered and revived: and of like use is the Gospel; it is the food of the soul, by which it is refreshed and exhilarated, when ready to sink and faint away; hereby it is restored and revived, comforted and nourished; the testimony of the Lord [is] sure; this is another name for the word of God, or the Holy Scriptures; so called because they…
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