The Law of the Lord

Psalm 19 paints an odd picture. The law of the Lord is refreshing? It gives joy to the heart? It gives light to the eyes? It is more precious than gold and sweeter than honey? The law??

Psalm 1 calls the person who delights in the law of the Lord blessed. Delighting in law?

My hubby talks about using Strong's Exhaustive Concordance to trace words through the Bible. I can select a verse that talks about the law and see what the original Hebrew or Greek words were and find all the other verses that use the same original word. I did two searches, to get the N.T. and O.T. references.

The original Hebrew word (according to Strong's Concordance) is Towrah (Torah) (Strong's number 8451).
This word has been translated, in the Bible, as custom (1), instruction (10), instructions (1), Law (1), law (188), laws (10), ruling (1), teaching (7), teachings (1). It appears in the O.T. 220 times. 

The original Greek word (according to Strong's Concordance) is Nomos (Strong's number 3551). It has been translated as Law 193, laws 2, principle 1. It appears in the Bible (N.T.) 196 times. It is defined as anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, a command.

Non-Hebrew Bibles typically show Torah as Law. People in individualistic countries have issues with authority sometimes. In the Messianic Jewish tradition, Torah is translated as "instruction," "teaching," "guidance," and "to aim/point," in addition to Law. My individualistic side has less of an issue with these terms, even if they amount to the same. God had them written to guide me, to point me in the right direction, not to hassle or subdue me.

May I come to view the law as a thing to delight in and may it give my heart joy. May it do the same for you!