The Word is like Pure Silver Refined 7 Times
The Word is like Pure Silver Refined 7 Times.
Seven (7): The Biblical number that represents perfection, completeness, wholeness, fulfillment, finished.
“Every word God speaks is sure and every promise is pure. His truth is tested, found to be flawless, and ever faithful. It’s as pure as silver refined 7 times.” (Psalm 12:6).
In Psalm 12 David is pointing out the profound contrast between human speech and divine speech. Every quality of God’s words: pure, flawless, trustworthy, faithful, truthful, contrasts with men’s words: dishonest, impure, deceitful, devious, malicious. God’s words are pure silver refined 7 times, completely and perfectly pure. We can trust our lives to God’s words. When silver is refined one time in a furnace, it is fairly pure. At its 7th refining, it is utterly and unquestionably pure of any harmful or foreign matter. Clearly David loved God’s Word, he delighted in God’s words. He expanded on this major theme in his life in his Psalm 19:7-11:
“The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true, each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.”
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the Psaltery, and the longest chapter in the Bible. Practically every verse commemorates God’s Word, is focused on the importance of Torah, and so Ps. 119 is known as a tribute to Scripture, a long testimonial to God’s Law. Since it is a poem, Ps. 119 could be called an Ode to the Word. What is often referred to as “Law” actually means teaching or instruction. The Hebrew word is Torah, and the author of Ps. 119 includes many synonyms for Torah… word, commands, precepts, decrees, utterances, statutes, law, testimonies, judgments, ordinances, promises. But it all comes back to one thing: the Word of God, what has become known as Holy Scripture, the very thoughts of God.
Psalm 119 can also be called the Psalm of Delight, because of the many references to a believer delighting in the Word. This psalm confirms that God-followers find Bible study to be a profound source of joy like no other. Highlights of delight in this psalm include:
:14 – “I delight in the way of Your precepts more than all kinds of wealth.”
:16 – “In Your statutes I delight, I shall not forget Your Word.”
:24 – “Your precepts are my delight, my constant counselors.”
:35 – “Guide me in the track of Your commands, for in it I delight.”
:47 – “Let me delight in Your commands that I have loved.”
:70 – “Their heart grows dull like fat. As for me, in Your teaching I delight.”
:77 – “May Your mercies befall me, that I may live, for Your teaching is my delight.”
:92 – “Had not Your teaching been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.”
:117 – “Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, for they are my heart’s delight.”
:140 – “Your promise has been tested through and through, and I your servant love it dearly.”
:143 – “Trouble and anguish have found me, yet your commands are my delight.”
:174 – “I desired your rescue and Your salvation, O Lord, and your teaching is my delight.”
As Scripture makes clear, followers of God are steadfastly loyal to Torah, to the Word of God, both Old and New Testaments. Believers are completely devoted to God’s teaching to light their way along life’s dark path; to divine revelation for the enlightenment needed to be wise and virtuous. Lovers of Scripture enjoy a fountain of life-giving water for thirsty souls. And by reading His pure and flawless Word, we are inspired to love God with all our mind. By delighting in Scripture, we are allowed to part the curtain and, unbelievably, read God’s mind. What a joy! What a privilege! What a delight!