Psalm 19

Psalm 19 is an excellent study of dichotomy in God's Word. It begins by glorifying God the Creator (Elohim), and ends with glorifying God as our Redeemer and Lord (Jehovah). When God is referred to as Jehovah, it is always in relationship to that which He has created. Then He is Jehovah, Lord of His creation.

The first six verses of Psalm 19 show how the very heavens proclaim the glory of God the Creator.

Psalm 19: 1 -- The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Literal translation according to current English usage:

Psalm 19: 1 --The heavens continue to declare the glory of God. The expanse sets forth His handiwork.

We can see the greatness of God when we look to the heavens.

Hebrews 1: 10 -- And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:

Psalm19: 2 -- Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

Day after day the heavens tell us about God, and night after night the stars show us His knowledge.

Psalm 147: 4 -- He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.

God made the stars to declare HIS Word, not worldly knowledge. The stars and planets do not forecast who you are going to marry, or how much money you will make, or any of the other claims made by astrologers. The Word of God is written in the stars.

Psalm 19: 3 -- There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

In the King James translation of the Bible, words added by translators are in italics. We also must remember that punctuation marks were added by translators. None of these were in the original texts. If we eliminate the added words and punctuation in this verse, we get a better understanding of the true meaning of the verse.

Psalm 19: 3 -- No speech nor language, their voice is not heard.

In today's usage we would say: "They declare without a voice." The heavens do not speak so that we hear them with our ears, but they do proclaim the greatness of God.

Psalm 19: 4 -- Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

The rule or direction of the heavens goes all over the earth. There is no place that their instructions and teaching do not reach. In the heavens, God has placed a house for the sun.

Verse 5 is an analogy. It describes the sun as a bridegroom who comes out from under his wedding canopy, rejoicing as a strong man to run a race. This gives us such a greater visual image than merely reading that the sun rises in the morning.

Psalm 19: 6 -- His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The sun's orbit goes from one end of the heavens to the other. There is no place on earth that does not feel the effect of the sun. It is just one of God's creations that touches every living thing.

Verse 7 is where the tone of the psalm changes. Instead of reading about God the Creator, we now read about God our Lord (Jehovah).

Psalm 19: 7 -- The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The word 'statutes' is used in the way we used 'precepts'. A precept is 'direction meant as a rule of action or conduct'. The precepts of the Lord are right, causing the heart to rejoice. If we act the way the Word says we are to act, our heart will rejoice.

'Commandment' means 'charge', like a judge charges the jury. We are given instruction by the One in ultimate authority. This instruction is pure, or perfectly clear, and gives light to our eyes.

Psalm 19: 9 -- The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgements of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

Reverence for God provides a continuous, ongoing cleansing in our life. His judgements or decrees, are always true (truth) and righteous. God never makes a bad judgement.

Psalm 19: 10 -- More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

Fine gold in great quantities is less desirable than the judgements of God. And His judgements are sweeter than honey -- they will taste better than our favorite dessert.

In this verse the word 'warn' would be more easily understood as the word 'instructed'. We are instructed by God's Word. If we keep His Word, we will win a great reward.

This verse does not refer to errors made by God. It is asking who can understand His 'wanderers', which are the planets seen in the night sky. The second half of the verse is asking God to acquit us, or set us free, from hidden matters that would bind us.

Again in this verse we have a word added by the translators that is incorrect. The word 'sins' should be 'men'. We ask God to keep us away from presumptuous (prideful) men, so they do not have dominion over us. Then we will walk uprightly, and be declared innocent of transgression, which is rebellion against God.

Psalm 19 is a beautiful example showing God's glory and great love for us. We see how the heavens proclaim Him and His Word, so that it is visible to every creature on earth. We read also that God is our Redeemer and Lord. His Words makes us wise, and are to be more desired than great wealth. His Word is true. Finally, our words and thoughts are supposed to be in alignment with God's Word. When we are in alignment with God, we stand on firm ground.

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