Psalm 19:8-11; “8 The precepts of YHVH are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of YHVH is pure, enlightening the eyes.  9 The fear of YHVH is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of YHVH are true; they are righteous altogether. 10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”

The word pure in verse 8 means clear, clean, sincere.…but what does it mean when it says the clear, clean and sincere commandment of YHVH is enlightening the eyes?  It literally means it gives or extends LIFE.  To have no light in the eyes means you are either nearing death or have already deceased.  This doesn’t sound like bondage.  To say the commandments are done away with actually sets in motion death to ourselves.

Verse 9 goes onto say that the Fear of YHVH is clean.  The word clean in Hebrew means pure and clean.  But the Hebrew Root of this word gives a much deeper understanding of the concept meant in this verse.  It means to be bright, unadulterated, and uncontaminated just to name a few.  Can you see the connection between the commandment of YHVH and the fear of YHVH?  Both bring a pureness and brightness [life] to our very souls!!  The commandments are eternal and the reverence for YHVH endures forever [eternal], so when we allow these truths to govern and permeate us, we too inherit eternity in the kingdom of Elohim.

Many beautiful truths in these short four verses:

1. Precepts are right
2. Precepts cause rejoicing in the heart
3. Commandments pure
4. Commandments enlightening the eyes [Giving Life]
5. Fear of YHVH is Clean [Bright & Uncontaminated]
6. Fear of YHVH endures forever
7. Judgments of YHVH are True
8. Judgments of YHVH are righteous altogether
9. More desirable than gold…than fine gold
10. Sweeter than honey
11. Sweeter than the drippings of the honeycomb
12. Great reward

May we have a joyful Shabbat!!

Courtesy of
River of Life Tabernacle
Tammy McLendon
Great peace have they who love Your law. Psalm 119:165a