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The true relation of the two parts of this verse to each other seems to be that of contrast. Here is some. thing called "perfection" existing among men in a great variety of forms. "But," says the psalmist, "according to my experience and observation, these are altogether too superficial, and too precarious, and too short-lived to make men happy, and the very best of them, the idealisms of human life, as we have seen, can never be attained. But 'Thy commandment is exceeding broad,' and that will do, unless men hinder, what nothing else will do." "Thy commandment is exceeding broad;" we say all when we say that it is as broad as the Divine nature, and that is limitless and eternal; beyond all bounds, above all heights, beneath all depths. "As the man is, so is his strength." As God is, so is His commandment, word, will, and way. And what does it tell me? It tells me that these earthly and human "perfections." which can never be realized, even the partial realizations of which so soon begin to fade and fall into ruin, are yet, if I will, the symbol to my faith of that which will not deceive, will not fail, and that all will come to me through this very law or commandment which is "exceeding broad," because it is Gospel. It seems to shut the door of hope, only that it may fling it more widely open. It seems to lock and bar the prison gates, only that they may be burst asunder by a conquering Redeemer, and that the very walls of the prison-house may be thrown to the ground, while the prisoners are called into largeness and eternal liberty. Then they begin to find the commandment of God, in this better, sweeter sense, "exceeding broad." It is the high but fair standard to which they conform; it is, at the same time, the power that upholds and strengthens while such conformity is sought. It is an education, a development, a joy that never palls; a prospect that is never darkened, although our eyes are not always open to see it. It is high above us and away beyond us, yet it is always bending down to help us, and never casts an unfriendly look, and never speaks in a harsh tone. It is the very soul of consideration, and tenderness, and grace. It seems to speak to us as though it were a God, and says, "Cast all your cares on me. I am broad enough, and strong enough to bear them all. I am for God in this world, I — His Gospel commandment, with law, and love, and light in it — I am the will of God and His uplifting power, and all whom I bless I lead onwards to more and more, to better and better, never lowering the standard, never suspending the education, never suffering a limit to be put to it. Ever teaching my subjects that the law of life they have in me is a law of breadth, liberty, enlargement, until the scantiness and the failures of earth are exchanged for the fulnesses and the realizations of heaven."

(A. Raleigh, D. D.)

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KJV: I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

WEB: I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless. MEM