Verse
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Psalm chapter 19

New International Version

Christian Standard Bible

King James Version

New King James Version

1{To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.} The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, 5Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. 6Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. 12Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

What does Psalm chapter 19 mean?

This psalm of David begins by referring to the heavens and the sky as proofs of God's creative work. The first verse uses Hebrew terms similar to those found in the first verses of Genesis. The existence, structure, and details of nature shout the reality of a Creator (Psalm 19:1).

David states this revelation continues both night and day. The point is not merely that nature looks impressive. The function of the universe also announces the incredible design of God. A vivid example of this is how earth is affected by the sun. The sun rises in full strength, traverses the sky, and sets at the opposite end of the horizon. The sun's warmth and rays touch everything on earth (Psalm 19:2–6).

As well as nature, God can be seen in the inspired Word He gives mankind. God's revelation in Scripture is perfect, trustworthy, right, pure, clean, and true. It revives the soul, brings wisdom, creates joy in the heart, gives enlightenment, and endures forever. God's written revelation in Scripture is more valuable than the finest gold and sweeter to the taste than honey. These are framed in a poetic, repeated structure, which echoes some of the book of Proverbs. God's servant finds warning and great reward in His written revelation (Psalm 19:7–11).

David concludes the Psalm with prayer. He asks for deliverance from the grasp of presumptuous sins—meaning the kind of arrogant actions that invite harsh consequences. He asks God to accept his speech and the meditation of his heart. David not only wants to obey God, he seeks to please Him, in words and thoughts, as well. David addresses God as Lord, rock, and redeemer. This final verse has served as a model, not only for prayer, but also for songs of praise for much of Christian history (Psalm 19:12–14).
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