19:8 The Lord’s precepts are fair 1
and make one joyful. 2
The Lord’s commands 3 are pure 4
and give insight for life. 5
111:10 To obey the Lord is the fundamental principle for wise living; 6
all who carry out his precepts acquire good moral insight. 7
He will receive praise forever. 8
1 tn Or “just.” Perhaps the idea is that they impart a knowledge of what is just and right.
2 tn Heb “[they] make happy [the] heart.” Perhaps the point is that they bring a sense of joyful satisfaction to the one who knows and keeps them, for those who obey God’s law are richly rewarded. See v. 11b.
3 tn Heb “command.” The singular here refers to the law as a whole.
4 tn Because they reflect God’s character, his commands provide a code of moral and ethical purity.
5 tn Heb [they] enlighten [the] eyes.
6 tn Heb “the beginning of wisdom [is] the fear of the
7 tn Heb “good sense [is] to all who do them.” The third masculine plural pronominal suffix must refer back to the “precepts” mentioned in v. 7. In the translation the referent has been specified for clarity. The phrase שֵׂכֶל טוֹב (shekhel tov) also occurs in Prov 3:4; 13:15 and 2 Chr 30:22.
8 tn Heb “his praise stands forever.”