Commentaries:
Adam Clarke
The law of the Lord - And here are two books of Divine Revelation:
1.The visible Heavens, and the works of creation in general.
2.The Bible, or Divinely inspired writings contained in the Old and New Testaments.
These may all be called the Law of the Lord; torah , from yarah , to instruct, direct, put straight, guide. It is God' s system of instruction, by which men are taught the knowledge of God and themselves, directed how to walk so as to please God, redeemed from crooked paths, and guided in the way everlasting. Some think that torah means the preceptive part of Revelation. Some of the primitive fathers have mentioned three Laws given by God to man:
1.The law of nature, which teaches the knowledge of God, as to his eternal power and Deity, by the visible creation.
2.The law given to Moses and the prophets, which teaches more perfectly the knowledge of God, his nature, his will and our duty.
3.The law of grace given by Christ Jesus, which shows the doctrine of the atonement, of purification, and of the resurrection of the body.
The first is written in hieroglyphics in the heavens and the earth. The second was written on tables of stone, and in many rites and ceremonies. The third is to be written on the heart by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Is perfect - temimah , it is perfection, it is perfect in itself as a law, and requires perfection in the hearts and lives of men. This is Its character.
Converting the soul - Turning it back to God. Restoring it to right reason, or to a sound mind; teaching it its own interest in reference to both worlds. This is Its use.
The testimony of the Lord - eduth , from ad , beyond, forward. The various types and appointments of the law, which refer to something beyond themselves, and point forward to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Some understand, the doctrinal parts of the law.
Is sure - neemanah , are faithful; they point out the things beyond them fairly, truly, and fully, and make no vain or false report. They all bear testimony to the great atonement. This is Their character.
Making wise the simple - The simple is he who has but one end in view: who is concerned about his soul, and earnestly inquires, "What shall I do to be saved?" These testimonies point to the atonement, and thus the simple-hearted is made wise unto salvation. This is Their use.
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