Down to Earth But Heavenly Minded

What does Psalms 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).

Chapter Context
This psalm of David celebrates two separate revelations which God has given human beings. He has revealed Himself in nature and in Scripture. Psalm 8 is a companion psalm because it, too, refers to nature as revealing God’s majesty. Romans 1:18–25 also points out that God revealed himself through nature, but the passage indicates that disobedient people rejected this revelation.

Verse by Verse

Verse 1. The heavens declare the glory of God,and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

David, the shepherd-king, was accustomed to spending time outdoors. Both day and night he scanned the sky, and what he saw—the immense array of stars, the sun, and the moon—taught him to worship the Creator. The existence and structure of what we see in the heavens and sky keep on declaring God’s glory. God’s glory is His perfections revealed. All the stars, the sun, moon, and clouds are His “handiwork.” Just as an artist’s painting is his handiwork, even so the heavens and the sky are God’s handiwork.

That’s as true today as it was thousands of years ago: science continues to deepen our appreciation for God’s design. The more we learn about how the universe is structured, and how it works, the more fully we grasp the power of God. The message of this verse is also important for establishing “universal” evidence. Nature itself declares that there is a God, and tells us much about Him—this is something all people have some ability to understand.

The natural world reveals that God is wise, powerful, and eternal. Paul wrote that God’s “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world” (Romans 1:20). He also wrote in verse 20 that God’s revelation of Himself in nature leaves those who reject Him inexcusable.

Pointing out that God made what we see in the night sky was also a statement of theology, in the ancient world. God instructed His people not to worship the heavenly objects. In Deuteronomy 4:19 He said, “And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them.” Those stars and planets are not deities, or spirits—they are the creations of God.

Context Summary
Psalm 19:1–6 focuses on creation as a means by which God reveals Himself to mankind. The heavens and the sky offer testimony about God both night and day. This revelation reaches everyone, just as the sun in its strength appears daily and reaches everywhere. This establishes, in part, the idea that all people have ample evidence telling them that God exists.

Verse 2. Day to day pours out speech,and night to night reveals knowledge.

The revelation of God in nature continues every moment of every day. Every day and every night, like an ever-flowing stream, nature pours out its message about God. The poetic language of this verse suggests that every day delivers a message about the Creator, and every night conveys knowledge about God’s glory.

This passage echoes portions of Psalm 8. There, David says he saw God’s glory in nature (Psalm 8:1), and described what he saw in nature as God’s creative work. He described the heavens, the moon, and the stars as having been set in place as the work of God’s fingers (Psalm 8:3). The sight of God’s creation made him wonder why God took notice of man and cared for him (Psalm 8:4).

Whether we gaze at the sky by day or by night, we can see the Creator’s glory and our finite existence. When the apostle Paul preached at Athens, he proclaimed God as having “made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth” (Acts 17:24). He urged his audience, therefore, to turn from the worship of idols and repent (Acts 17:30).

Verse 3. There is no speech, nor are there words,whose voice is not heard.

Because every living human being is exposed to nature, no one can claim to have missed out on its message about the Creator. Combined with verse 1, this is an important counter to the argument that some people “do not know” about God. David insists “there is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.” This statement may mean there is no speech or language where nature’s message is not heard, or it may mean it is not a speech or language whose voice is not heard.

Creation is like a book of pictures without words, but its message is clear to all who read it. People on every continent and on every island can read creation’s message and conclude there is a wise, eternal, powerful, and benevolent God behind it all. Those who reject nature’s message also reject nature’s Creator. Although some human beings deny the Creator and insist that the universe came into existence by accident, they must bear the guilt and consequences of their unwillingness to believe in God (Romans 1:19–20).

Verse 4. Their voice goes out through all the earth,and their words to the end of the world.In them he has set a tent for the sun,

The heavens and the sky carry their message about God’s glory throughout the earth. The apostle Paul quoted this statement in Romans 10:18. By doing so he noted that the message about God delivered by nature preceded the message of the gospel, and made the Gentiles and Jews inexcusable (Romans 1:18–20).

In his preaching, Paul often referred to nature as God’s creation before presenting the gospel of Christ. By doing this, he pointed out things which even non-believers can see as evidence of the truth. For instance, he told the pagans at Lystra they should turn from vain idols to the living God, “who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them” (Acts 14:15). Also, at Athens he referred to God as the maker of the world and everything in it (Acts 17:24) before summoning the Athenians to repent (Acts 17:30–31).

Here, David refers to the sky as the domain God has given to the sun. He established its place and the way we observe its track through the sky.

Verse 5. which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

In this verse David compares the radiance of the sun to that of a man who emerges from his home on his wedding day. He is full of joy and handsomely arrayed as he goes to his fiancée’s home to claim her as his bride. He also compares the sun to a strong man, probably a well-conditioned athlete, who runs a prescribed course.

The similes accurately describe our earthly observation of the brilliant sun as it rises in the east in the morning, runs its course, and sets in the west in the evening. Some see Jesus in these illustrations. He came from his home in heaven to earth to claim His bride, the church, and like a strong man finished His prescribed course by way of the cross and the open tomb and then returned to heaven. Interestingly, Malachi 4:2 calls him “the sun of righteousness.” Jesus, the light of the world, came into the world, but the world rejected Him because “people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil” (John 3:19).

Verse 6. Its rising is from the end of the heavens,and its circuit to the end of them,and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

In this verse David writes that the sun rises from the end of the heavens, and its circuit takes it to the end of the heavens. Like everyone else, David observed the daily rising of the sun in the east and its setting in the west after making its way through the sky. It completes its journey by returning to its rising place each morning. The observation is strictly from a human perspective, just as modern weathermen still use terms like “sunrise” and “sunset.”

The sun’s presence is felt as well as seen. Nothing escapes the light and heat of the sun. Although some places on earth are colder than others, even the coldest places feel its heat. In God’s wisdom, He placed the sun at precisely the right distance from the earth, on average about 93 million miles, or 150 million km, away. Wherever the sun is visible it offers a testimonial to God’s creative wisdom and power. No one can say he or she has received no evidence of God’s existence (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:18–20).

Verse 7. The law of the Lord is perfect,reviving the soul;the testimony of the Lord is sure,making wise the simple;

Although creation points to the Creator (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:18–20), it does not provide a complete picture of His attributes and will. Creation was placed under a curse when Adam and Eve sinned, so at times it may present a distorted picture of God. For example, the recurring seasons show that He is faithful and benevolent, but natural disasters may lead humans to picture the Creator as cruel. However, as David states in this verse, “the law of the LORD is perfect.”

David did not have the whole Bible to consult, but he had the full record of the statutes and precepts God had given to Israel. The law that God had given to Israel in written form was flawless. As such, it can revive the soul. It gives life to those who heed it and revival when the human spirit is downcast. David also affirms that “the testimony of the LORD is sure.” This is a reference, in part, to the Ten Commandments. They impart wisdom to the humble, those who exercise a childlike submission to them. The Ten Commandments imparted to Israel the wisdom to know right from wrong. However, Israel did not always choose to obey them.

Context Summary
Psalm 19:7–14 introduces the law of the Lord—meaning Scripture—as God’s perfect revelation of Himself and His will. The prior passage identified nature as a revelation of God. Psalm 119, as well, extols God’s Word as His perfect revelation and cites the blessings which come to those who love and obey it.

Verse 8. the precepts of the Lord are right,rejoicing the heart;the commandment of the Lord is pure,enlightening the eyes;

Whatever actions the Lord commissions His people to do are right. His charges reflect His righteous character, and they give joy to those who obey them. Jesus promised that obedience to His commands would bring joy (John 15:10–11). The commandment of the Lord is His prescription or direction for doing His will. It is described as “pure.” God’s Word is undefiled and produces a pure life in those who obey it. In 2 Timothy 3:15–17 the apostle Paul refers to God’s Word as “sacred” and able to make a person “wise for salvation” and capable of leading a life that honors God.

Those who reject God’s Word and depend on their own wisdom for a meaningful life are perishing. They will someday regret their choice (Revelation 20:11–15). First Corinthians 1:19 says, “It is written, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” With these words, David credits God’s Word with brightening the eyes of those whose eyes are dim. In other words, Scripture enlightens our minds to understand God’s Word and His will.

Verse 9. the fear of the Lord is clean,enduring forever;the rules of the Lord are true,and righteous altogether.

The “fear of the LORD” seems like a strange term for the law God gave to Israel, but the Law was intended to teach the people of Israel to fear the Lord. The meaning of “fear,” here, is the archaic sense of profound respect, humility, and acceptance. This is not a sense of panic, but of deference. This statement points out that reverential fear of the Lord is clean and endures forever. Unlike false religions that are defiled, God’s Word is undefiled and everlasting. A judge may render an inaccurate decision, but God’s judgments are true, David writes, and they are thoroughly righteous.

One of the instructions the Lord gave to Israel’s king appears in Deuteronomy 17:18–19. It directs him to “write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it in all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them.” In Psalm 34:11 David wrote, “Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”

Verse 10. More to be desired are they than gold,even much fine gold;sweeter also than honeyand drippings of the honeycomb.

David did not place an arbitrary value on God’s Word because its value is beyond measure. He simply placed its value “above” that of much fine gold. In Psalm 119:127 David stated the value he placed on God’s commandments. He wrote: “I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.” By “fine gold” David likely means large pieces of solid gold or quantities of purified precious metal. All the gold in the world is worth less than God’s Word. Gold cannot buy salvation or purchase a joyful life, but God’s Word teaches us how to be saved and lead a joyful life (Romans 10:13–17; Psalm 16:11).

Further, David compares God’s Word to honey and drippings from the honeycomb. This was the kind of honey people in Bible times valued most highly. Unbelievers may find God’s Word to be bitter, but believers find it to be sweeter than honey and something that grows even sweeter as they feast on it.

Verse 11. Moreover, by them is your servant warned;in keeping them there is great reward.

David wrote from personal experience as God’s servant. He credited the law of God, God’s Word, with warning him against danger. God did not give us His Word to deprive us of enjoyment but to keep us from what would harm us. Sin sets a snare for believers but the Scriptures teach us how to avoid its snare.

God warned Israel not to enter into an agreement with the Canaanites and their gods. He knew doing so would snare them into sinning against Him. They would be trapped into serving the Canaanites’ false gods (Exodus 23:23–33). However, God’s Word offers great reward for obedience. Peace and security are two of those rewards. David wrote in Psalm 119:165: “Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.”

Another reward is the crown Paul said awaited him at the end of his life. He wrote that he had fought a good fight, kept the faith, and finished his course, therefore the Lord would grant him “the crown of righteousness” (2 Timothy 4:7–8).

Verse 12. Who can discern his errors?Declare me innocent from hidden faults.

A close relationship with God was critically important to David. Therefore, he asks the Lord in this verse to declare him innocent of hidden faults. “Hidden faults” are sins committed in ignorance or without knowledge. The Old Testament law provided forgiveness for sins committed in ignorance. Still, Leviticus 5:17 makes it clear that whoever commits a sin unknowingly is nevertheless guilty of that sin. Numbers 15:22–29 speaks about unintentional sins and explains the procedure for forgiveness. The sacrifice of a bull was involved along with a grain offering, a drink offering, and the offering of a male goat.

Believers today, like Old Testament believers, are not expected to instantly and perfectly recognize every sin they commit. Some sins are committed unknowingly, such as accidentally saying something that hurts or insults another person. First John 1:9 assures us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteous.” We do not offer a sacrifice for hidden sins because Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was sufficient to remove all our guilt.

Verse 13. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;let them not have dominion over me!Then I shall be blameless,and innocent of great transgression.

The prior verse referred to “hidden sins,” meaning those a person may commit without realizing it until later. Here, however, David prays the Lord will restrain him from committing willful sins, called “presumptuous sins” in this case. Willful sins are committed with the eyes wide open.

When David committed adultery with Bathsheba he was fully aware of what he was doing. He saw her and sent for her. He also willfully arranged for Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, to be killed in battle. He was, therefore, guilty of adultery and murder. Both acts violated obvious moral law and the explicit commandments God had given to Israel (Exodus 20:13–14). No sacrifice could atone for willful sins, but when David confessed his sins, God forgave him (Psalm 32:5; 51:16–17; 2 Samuel 12:13).

Committed often enough, willful sins can become addictive and enslave their victim. David affirms here that if willful sins did not rule him, he would be beyond reproach and great transgression. The original Hebrew language does not include the definite article “the” with “great transgression.” Most likely, David does not have one specific sin in mind. If he did, perhaps, by “great transgression” David meant the sin of idolatry.

Verse 14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heartbe acceptable in your sight,O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

David wanted his words and the thoughts of his heart to be acceptable to the Lord. When a worshiper brought an animal to the sanctuary to be sacrificed to the Lord, a priest would examine it to see if it was free of blemishes. If a blemish was found, neither the animal nor the worshiper was accepted by the Lord (see Leviticus 1:3–10; 22:17–25).

Taking that concept of being “blemish-free” to heart, our words should comfort or edify those who hear them. Colossians 4:6 exhorts us to use speech that is “gracious, seasoned with salt, so that [we] may know how [we] ought to answer each person.” Hebrews 10:25 summons us to encourage one another. Ephesians 4:15 directs us to speak the truth in love, and Ephesians 5:19 tells us to “[address] one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.”

Jesus taught that the heart is the source of our words. He declared, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). It is important, therefore, to fill the heart with Scripture (Psalm 119:11).

In this Psalm, David addresses the Lord as his rock and his redeemer. He recognized that the Lord was the provider of his security and his salvation. By shedding His blood on the cross, Jesus is our Redeemer (1 Peter 1:18–19), and as our living Lord He keeps us safe (1 Peter 1:3–5).

End of Psalm 19

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