Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

As indicated even in the translations of the cited verse that are included in the question, varying renderings of it express the idea of refreshment in multiple different ways, including:

refreshing
reviving
restoring
converting
renewing
strengthening
giving new life
preserving

To me, the idea being expressed is that obedience to the commands in God's Law changes (and thus refreshes) a person's spiritual status by taking that person from various multiple negative spiritual states or conditions to positive ones, including (among many other possible ways):

error to truth
God's disfavor to God's favor
sin to righteousness
spiritual death to spiritual life
opposing God to being reconciled to God
condemnation to forgiveness
weak faith to strong faith
fear to joy.

November 07 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

How does the law refresh someone (Psalm 19:7)

Reading and studying God's Word can be refreshing and invigorating. The psalmist declared: "The law of Yahweh is complete, bringing back the soul, the testimony of Yahweh is confirmed, making wise the simple; 8 The precepts of Yahweh are right, rejoicing the heart, the commandment of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes; (Psalm 19:7, 8 Rotherham Bible) Yahweh's’s laws and reminders revive our soul, enhance our spiritual well-being, bring us inward joy, and make our eyes shine with a clear vision of Jehovah's wonderful purposes. How delightful!

Such detailed regulations covering day-to-day living had a lofty purpose: to make the Israelites clean​—physically, spiritually, mentally, and morally. Just read verse 9 of the same Psalm: "The reverence of Yahweh is clean, enduring evermore. The decisions of Yahweh are faithful; they are righteous altogether:"

The law refreshes the soul by providing spiritual revival, direction, and wisdom through God's perfect instruction. It strengthens the soul when it is tired, restores it to a good condition, and gives new life and a renewed sense of purpose. This refreshment comes from understanding and obeying God's instructions, which leads to an invigorated spiritual state. 

The primary sense of the Hebrew word (variously translated as "refreshing," "reviving," "restoring," or "converting") is to bring back to life and vigour those who are spiritually exhausted, defeated, or downcast.

By providing proper guidance, the law helps a person move from negative spiritual states (such as error, sin, or confusion) to positive ones (such as truth, righteousness, and clarity), thereby transforming their inner being.

The law of the Lord is seen as a source of life, offering the spiritual nourishment needed to live a vital and purposeful existence in relationship with God. 

The 18th-century German philosopher and educator Immanuel Kant, who is well-respected for his treatises on logic and reason, wrote: "Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the oftener and the more steadily we reflect on them: the starry heavens above and the moral law within." Yes, the one who created the laws that govern the physical "starry heavens" also made "the moral law within." (Romans 2:14,15) That "law within," nourished and developed by God's Word, can guide us in our pursuit of happiness and purpose in life. It is for this reason that the psalmist, after being moved to acknowledge the glory of God from observing the starry heavens, went on to say: Psalm 19:7-9. Rotherham Bible, "The law of Yahweh is complete, bringing back the soul. The testimony of Yahweh is confirmed, making wise the simple; 8 The precepts of Yahweh are right, rejoicing the heart, The commandment of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 The reverence of Yahweh is clean, enduring evermore. The decisions of Yahweh are faithful, they are righteous altogether."

God provided us with moral laws that can help us act wisely, but as free moral agents, it is up to us to accept and apply them.

Reading and studying God's Word can be refreshing and invigorating.

Being imperfect and sinful, we all make mistakes. (Romans 5:12; James 3:2) Like Lot, we may be deceived by outward appearances and may err in judgment. Thus, the psalmist David pleaded: "Mistakes—who can discern?"

When he made a grave mistake because his imperfect flesh prodded him to take a wrong course, he greatly desired God's help. He wanted God to restrain him from presumptuous deeds. David did not wish presumptuousness to become his dominant attitude. Instead, he desired to be fully devoted to God.

How does the law refresh someone (Psalm 19:7)? remember the following thought: God's judicial decisions are so fine, healthful, and beneficial that they are even "sweeter than honey and the flowing honey of the combs." (Ps 19:9, 10)

7 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report