Synonymous or Not?
In Psalms 119, there are some ten words that point out the Word of God. These ten words, though usually considered as synonymous, are not literally synonymous, but refer to some latent and distinguishing properties of both the Father and Jesus Christ. The first is,
1. The law: Meaning God’s instructions, and doctrines.
Psalms 119:1, “Blessed are the undefiled — who walk in the law of the LORD.”
Matthew 5:17, Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Jesus came to establish, to embody the law in living form and to preserve the law in men.
Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the law of righteousness to every one that believeth.” End meaning final purpose, that to which all the parts tend and in which all terminate, the chief point, the sum of.
2. The Way: Meaning the way in which men should walk in the obedience of God’s word.
Psalms 119:14, “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies.”
Jesus said, John 14:6, “I am the way.”
3. The Word: Meaning God’s edicts, his mandates.
Psalms 119:17, “Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.”
John 1:1, “The Word (Jesus) was God.” With, verse 14, “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”
4. Statutes: God’s binding legislation on all the people distinguishing it from any act of legislature that would extend only to an individual, group, or company.
Psalms 119:8, “I will keep thy statutes.”
5. Judgments: Meaning that God would work both miracles to vindicate the innocent and guilty. He will judge crimes that are secret, crimes know only to those who commit them and himself.
Psalms 119:7, “I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.”
Romans 11:33, “How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!”
6. Commandments: It’s a mandate; an order of injunction given by God’s authority.
Psalms 119:96. God’s commandments are “exceeding broad” meaning His commandments are infinite, and extend to eternity.
Matthew 19:7, Jesus said, “If thou will enter into life, keep the commandments.”
7. Precepts: The Ten Commandments are as so many precepts, and meant for the moral regulation of our moral conduct.
Jesus said, Matthew 22:37, “Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
8. Testimonies: A testimony is a solemn affirmation for the purpose of establishing some fact. Examples; In Scripture, “The two tables of the law,”
Exodus 25:21, “In the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee.”
The gospel which testifies of Christ,
2 Timothy 1:8, “Be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.”
9. Righteousness: Righteousness is nearly equivalent to holiness. The perfections of God’s holiness exact moral integrity and faithfulness.
Psalms 119:40, “Quicken me in thy righteousness.”
Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness.”
1 John 2:1, “Jesus Christ the righteous.” Why?
Verse 2, “He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our’s only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
10. Truth or Faithfulness: The truth of God is His veracity and faithfulness.
Psalms 119:30, “I have chosen the way of truth.”
John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the truth.”
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com