Psalms19
English Standard Version
1To the . A of . The the of , and the above his .
2 to pours , and to .
3There is , are there , whose is .
4Their goes through the , and their to the of the . In them he has a for the ,
5which comes like a his , and, like a , its with .
6Its is the of the , and its to the of them, and there is its .
7The of the Lord is , the ; the of the Lord is , making the ;
8the of the Lord are , the ; the of the Lord is , the ;
9the of the Lord is , ; the of the Lord are , and .
10More to be are they , even ; also and of the .
11 , by them is your ; in them there is .
12 his ? Declare me faults.
13Keep your from sins; let them have over me! I shall be , and of .
14Let the of my and the of my be in your , O Lord, my and my .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 19.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The glory of God's works. (1–6). His holiness and grace as shown in his word. (7–10). Prayer for the benefit of them. (11–14).
vv1-6
The heavens so declare the glory of God, and proclaim his wisdom, power, and goodness, that all ungodly men are left without excuse. They speak themselves to be works of God's hands; for they must have a Creator who is eternal, infinitely wise, powerful, and good. The counter-changing of day and night is a great proof of the power of God, and calls us to observe, that, as in the kingdom of nature, so in that of providence, he forms the light, and creates the darkness, Isa 45:7, and sets the one against the other. The sun in the firmament is an emblem of the Sun of righteousness, the Bridegroom of the church, and the Light of the world, diffusing Divine light and salvation by his gospel to the nations of the earth. He delights to bless his church, which he has espoused to himself; and his course will be unwearied as that of the sun, till the whole earth is filled with his light and salvation. Let us pray for the time when he shall enlighten, cheer, and make fruitful every nation on earth, with the blessed salvation. They have no speech or language, so some read it, and yet their voice is heard. All people may hear these preachers speak in their own tongue the wonderful works of God. Let us give God the glory of all the comfort and benefit we have by the lights of heaven, still looking above and beyond them to the Sun of righteousness.
vv7-10
The Holy Scripture is of much greater benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe, or the light of the sun. To recover man out of his fallen state, there is need of the word of God. The word translated “law,” may be rendered doctrine, and be understood as meaning all that teaches us true religion. The whole is perfect; its tendency is to convert or turn the soul from sin and the world, to God and holiness. It shows our sinfulness and misery in departing from God, and the necessity of our return to him. This testimony is sure, to be fully depended on: the ignorant and unlearned believing what God saith, become wise unto salvation. It is a sure direction in the way of duty. It is a sure fountain of living comforts, and a sure foundation of lasting hopes. The statues of the Lord are right, just as they should be; and, because they are right, they rejoice the heart. The commandments of the Lord are pure, holy, just, and good. By them we discover our need of a Saviour; and then learn how to adorn his gospel. They are the means which the Holy Spirit uses in enlightening the eyes; they bring us to a sight and sense of our sin and misery, and direct us in the way of duty. The fear of the Lord, that is, true religion and godliness, is clean, it will cleanse our way; and it endureth for ever. The ceremonial law is long since done away, but the law concerning the fear of God is ever the same. The judgments of the Lord, his precepts, are true; they are righteous, and they are so altogether; there is no unrighteousness in any of them. Gold is only for the body, and the concerns of time; but grace is for the soul, and the concerns of eternity. The word of God, received by faith, is more precious than gold; it is sweet to the soul, sweeter than honey. The pleasure of sense soon surfeit, yet never satisfy; but those of religion are substantial and satisfying; there is no danger of excess.
vv11-14
God's word warns the wicked not to go on in his wicked way, and warns the righteous not to turn from his good way. There is a reward, not only after keeping, but in keeping God's commandments. Religion makes our comforts sweet, and our crosses easy, life truly valuable, and death itself truly desirable. David not only desired to be pardoned and cleansed from the sins he had discovered and confessed, but from those he had forgotten or overlooked. All discoveries of sin made to us by the law, should drive us to the throne of grace, there to pray. His dependence was the same with that of every Christian who says, Surely in the Lord Jesus have I righteousness and strength. No prayer can be acceptable before God which is not offered in the strength of our Redeemer or Divine Kinsman, through Him who took our nature upon him, that he might redeem us unto God, and restore the long-lost inheritance. May our hearts be much affected with the excellence of the word of God; and much affected with the evil of sin, and the danger we are in of it, and the danger we are in by it.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
שָׁמַיִם: the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies revolve)
סָפַר: properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e. celebrate
כָּבוֹד: properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
אֵל: strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
רָקִיעַ: properly, an expanse, i.e. the firmament or (apparently) visible arch of the sky
נָגַד: properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to one present); specifically, to expose, predict, explain, praise
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
Cross References
Psalms 19Paul quotes verse 4 to describe the universal spread of the gospel message.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels how God's invisible attributes are clearly seen through the physical creation.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Affirms the Holy Scriptures are perfect, sure, and able to make one wise unto salvation.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts the 'secret faults' of verse 12 with defiant, high-handed 'presumptuous sins.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
Expresses the New Testament prayer and promise that sin should not have dominion over believers.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the sweet experience of God's words being sweeter than honey to the mouth.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Provides a narrative example of God keeping someone back from sinning against Him.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Connects the title 'my redeemer' with Job's famous declaration of his living Redeemer.
Supported by Matthew Henry