Psalm 19:10-11
(God's laws) are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
The believer in Jesus may find herself mystified at the extent of Hebrew affection for God’s law written in the Psalms and Old Testament. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103)! David calls the ordinances of the Lord “more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb" (Psalm 19:10). The person who becomes as healthy and steadfast as a flourishing tree is one who “delights in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2-3).
In his short book on the psalms, C.S. Lewis observes sarcastically, “’thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery’…It is very hard to find how they could be, so to speak, delicious, how they exhilarate.” Lewis concludes that the flavorful taste of the law must derive from the clean conscience of fulfilling it, or more selfishly, from spiritual pride.
Yet, the apostle Paul—a law abiding Jew—understood that “the law is good if one uses it properly” (1 Timothy 1:8). The law is the instruction of the Lord. It prevents a host of evils from oppressing his people. The law helps us to know God, know what is valuable to God. It is part of how God reveals his heart and mind to us. His law is not separate from his loving character. It was put in place to lead us to Christ. And in it we see God’s faithfulness expressed to those “who love me and keep my commands” (Exodus 20:6).
God’s commands are a beautiful expression of his compassion for us. They steer us away from sin and unrighteousness. Certainly, they will not rescue us from death—how could they? But keeping them may work into us the character and image of our savior. Let us then study his laws that we may understand his ways and experience deeper friendship with God.
Let this be your prayer today "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law" (Psalm 119:18).
Tags: goodness, commandments, sweet, tender, laws, god's laws
