Bible Commentaries
Psalms 19

Verse 1

To the chief Musician. See App-64 . The changes from 2 Samuel 22:0 were made when David handed the Psalm over for general use in public worship. The position of this Psalm in the Structure (p. 721) shows that it corresponds with, Psalms 29:0 , with its two answering parts, the "Glory" and the "Voice" of Jehovah. The verbs in the first part (1-6) are literary, and in the second part astronomical, thus interlacing and uniting the two parts in one whole.

Title. A Psalm of David. One Psalm: one whole, not two odd scraps strung together by some late "redactor". See App-65 .

declare = rehearse (the Piel part, implying repetition. Compare Psalms 71:15 .Genesis 24:66 . Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 .

GOD. Hebrew El. App-4 .

firmament = expanse.

sheweth = is setting forth. Compare first occurrence (Genesis 3:11 .Psalms 97:6 ; Psalms 111:6 ).

Verse 2

Day unto day = Day after day.

uttereth = constantly poureth forth. Hebrew. naba', to tell forth, or prophesy.

speech = speaking. See note on Psalms 18:30 .

unto = after.

knowledge = intelligence, information.

Verse 3

language = words.

Where. Omit this word. There is no Ellipsis ( App-6 ).

voice = sound: i.e. "their voice is not heard"

Verse 4

Their, &c. Quoted in Romans 10:18 .

line = inheritance. Hebrew measuring, or allotting line. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for inheritance. Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "voice". So Romans 10:18 , thus connecting the written word. See note on Psalms 19:7 .

earth. Hebrew ' erez = the earth (as created).

words = sayings, or teachings. See note on Psalms 18:30 .

world. Hebrew. tebel = the world (as inhabited). Greek. oikoumene.

tabernacle = tent, or house. Hence the signs of the Zodiac are called the "houses" of the sun, because in them he moves and dwells, and completes his circuit. This corresponds with God's servants dwelling and moving in the written "Word" (Psalms 19:11 ).

Verse 5

Which is = And he.

chamber = bridal canopy. Hebrew. chuppah. First occurrence; elsewhere, only in Isaiah 4:5 ("defence"). Joel 2:16 ("closet").

And. Omit this "And".

strongman. Hebrew. gibbor. App-14 .

Verse 7

law. Note the synthetic parallelism of the second half of this Psalm, which compares the written words in the Scripture with the words written in the heavens, and preserved in the names of the signs of the Zodiac and the constellations. See App-12 . Note in verses: Psalms 19:7-9 the six titles of the Word, its six attributes, and its six effects (see App-10 ).

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . The Covenant God, in contrast with El (Psalms 19:1 ) the Creator. Occurs seven times in this latter half of the Psalm.

perfect: like all His other works. Note the six words in verses: Psalms 19:7-9 .

converting = returning. As the sun returns in the heavens, so here the same word is used of the sinner's conversion (or returning). Note that all the verbs in this second half are astronomical , as those in the first half are literary. See note above.

the soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

testimony = witness. Compare Psalms 89:37 .

sure = faithful and enduring; as the sun is "the faithful witness in the heavens" (Psalms 89:37 ).

Verse 8

statutes = precepts. Heb pikkudim. Found only in the Psalms, and in the Plural

right = righteous: i.e. equitable and just.

enlightening = giving light, as the sun (Genesis 1:15 , Genesis 1:17 , Genesis 1:18 . Isaiah 60:19 ).

Verse 9

fear = reverence.

clean = cleansing (especially Levitically). Compare Leviticus 16:30 . Numbers 8:7 , Numbers 8:21 .Ezekiel 36:33 , &c. Hebrew. taher.

judgments = judicial requirements.

true = faithful (in perpetuity).

Verse 11

by them = in them. Hebrew. bahem, as in Psalms 19:4 , going about the Scriptures, moving and dwelling in the written Word, as the sun does in the heavens. (Compare 1 Timothy 4:15 ; 1 Timothy 3:14 .)

warned = enlightened; hence, taught or admonished.

keepings = observing, or watching; as observers watch the heavenly bodies. Compare Psalms 130:6 . Isaiah 21:11 ).

there is great reward = great [is] the reward.

Verse 12

understand = discern.

his. Not in Hebrew text.

errors = wanderings. Like those of the "planets" (= wanderers).

Cleanse = clear, or acquit. Hebrew. nakah.

secret = hidden things; things that are not discerned.

Verse 13

Keep back = restrain or hold back; as the motions of the heavenly bodies are controlled. First occurrence Genesis 20:6 ; Genesis 22:12 , Genesis 22:16 ; Genesis 39:9 . Compare 1 Samuel 25:39 , &c.

from presumptuous sins. Figure of speech Hypallage. App-6 . Hebrew keep back presumptuous [men] from me.

have dominion over = rule, as the sun and moon rule the day and night (Genesis 1:18 . Psalms 136:8 , Psalms 136:9 ).

the great = much.

transgression. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .

Verse 14

meditation. Hebrew. haggaion. See App-66 .

be acceptable = come with acceptance.

in Thy sight = before Thee.

strength = rock. Hebrew. zur. See notes on Psalms 18:1 , Psalms 18:2 .

redeemer. Hebrew. ga'al. See note on Exodus 6:6 . The Psalm begins with the Creator and ends with the Redeemer. Compare the heavenly worship, where we have the same two in the same order (Revelation 4:11 with Psalms 5:9 ).