Psalm 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. I. THE STATUTES OF GOD ARE THE FIRST PRINCIPLES OF RELIGIOUS DUTY, or the means of grace. They are rules of life and action relating, first, to our communion with God, our religious service; and then, to our intercourse with one another. And they are "right" in many different senses — counteracting the tendency of man's sinful heart, supplying a stimulant to duty; right, too, in their operation and in their consequences, both as to this world and the next. What they engage to do they accomplish. Infidelity can make no such boast. II. THEY REJOICE THE HEART. 1. What is rejoicing, the joy of the heart? We should base it upon natural affection, mutual harmony and confidence, rendering and receiving to and from all what is due. It operates in the home, and amongst our neighbours, and throughout society. Such are a happy people. 2. And the statutes of the Lord do effect this; hence God's statutes have been our songs in the house of our pilgrimage. (Thomas Dale, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. |
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