King James Version
Psalms 19
14 verses with commentary
The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork .
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.</strong> This opening verse of one of Scripture's most celebrated psalms establishes a profound theological truth: creation is God's non-verbal revelation, constantly proclaiming His glory to all humanity. The psalm divides into two parts—God's revelation in nature (verses 1-6) and God's revelation in Scripture ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **The heavens declare.**—Better, *the heavens are telling. *The poet is even now gazing at the sky, not philosophising on a familiar natural phenomenon, nor is he merely enjoying beauty. Not only is his æsthetic faculty satisfied, but his spirit, his religious nature is moved. He has an immediate apprehension, an intuition of God. He is looking on the freshness of the morning, and all he sees ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
30. Referring to Job 33:28 (Psa 50:13).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
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)
**Verses 1-6**
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...
Read full commentary →Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
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KJV Study Commentary
Day to day 'pours out speech' and night to night 'reveals knowledge.' The Hebrew 'naba' (pours forth) suggests gushing or flowing abundantly. Creation continuously testifies to God's glory without ceasing. This anticipates Paul's teaching that creation makes God's attributes visible (Romans 1:19-20). Reformed theology sees general revelation as sufficient to render humanity accountable but insuffi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Uttereth.**—Literally, *ours out, *or *makes to well up, *like a fountain, undoubtedly in reference to the light streaming forth.
**Sheweth.**—Literally, *breathes out; *perhaps with reference to the cool evening breeze, so welcome in the East. (See Song of Solomon 2:17, Note.) Notice that it is not here the heavens that are telling (as in Psalm 19:1) the tale of God’s glory to man, or “to t...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
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)
**Verses 1-6**
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...
Read full commentary →There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. where: or, without these their voice is heard: Heb. without their voice heard
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KJV Study Commentary
Creation's speech has 'no speech' and 'no words,' their voice 'not heard.' This paradox indicates non-verbal communication—creation testifies without audible language yet communicates clearly. The revelation is universal, transcending language barriers. This demonstrates that God's existence and attributes are evident to all people in all cultures (Romans 1:20), leaving humanity without excuse for...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **There is no speech.**—The literal rendering is *Not speech, not words, their voice is not heard. *Explaining this is (1) the English version (Bible and Prayer Book) and (if intelligible at all) the LXX. and Vulg.: “There is no speech nor language without their (the heavens’) speech being heard (*i.e., *understood).” But this gives an inadmissible sense to *davar, *which does not mean languag...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**32. justify--**to do thee justice; and, if I can, consistently with it, to declare thee innocent. At Job 33:33 Elihu pauses for a reply; then proceeds in Job 34:1.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
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)
**Verses 1-6**
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...
Read full commentary →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, line: or, rule, or, direction
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KJV Study Commentary
Creation's 'voice' goes out to all earth, their words to the world's end. Paul applies this verse to gospel preaching in Romans 10:18, showing how natural revelation anticipates special revelation. The sun's tent in the heavens introduces solar imagery for God's revelation. The Hebrew 'qav' (measuring line/voice) suggests both extent and precision. Creation's testimony is both universal and exact.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Their line.**—Heb., *kav, *a cord, used of a plummet line (Zechariah 1:16); a measuring cord (Jeremiah 31:39, where also same verb, *gone forth*)*. *In Isaiah 28:10, the word is used ethically for a definition or law. But neither of these seems very appropriate here. The verse wants *sound *or *voice, *and words of this intention actually appear in the LXX., Vulg., Symmachus, Jerome, and the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
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)
**Verses 1-6**
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...
Read full commentary →Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
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KJV Study Commentary
The sun is like a bridegroom from his chamber, rejoicing like a strong man to run his course. The Hebrew 'chathan' (bridegroom) and 'gibbor' (strong man/warrior) portray vigor and glory. The sun's daily course reflects God's faithful ordering. This imagery anticipates Christ as the bridegroom (Matthew 9:15) and the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2) who arose with healing in His wings.
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Which is.**—Better, *and he is. *The suddenness of the Oriental sunrise is finely caught in the image of the uplifted tent-curtain and appearance of the radiant hero (“strong man;” Heb., *gibbor. *Comp. Judges 5:31). This want of twilight, this absence of silent preparation for the supreme moment, distinguishes Eastern songs of sunrise from the poetry of the West. There are no musterings of ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
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)
**Verses 1-6**
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...
Read full commentary →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.
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KJV Study Commentary
The sun's rising is from heaven's end, its circuit to the other end; nothing is hidden from its heat. The Hebrew 'tequphah' (circuit/course) describes the sun's apparent path. Universal coverage—nothing escapes its light and heat—parallels God's omniscience and omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-12). This anticipates judgment day when all hidden things will be revealed (1 Corinthians 4:5, Hebrews 4:13).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
CHAPTER 34
Job 34:1-37.
**1. answered--**proceeded.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 19
Chapter Outline
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)
**Verses 1-6**
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...
Read full commentary →The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. law: or, doctrine converting: or, restoring
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.</strong> This verse begins the psalm's second movement, shifting from general revelation (creation) to special revelation (Scripture). While the heavens declare God's glory, His word reveals His will. The following verses (7-9) present six statements about Scripture using six dif...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **The law.**—The ear catches even in the English the change of rhythm, which is as marked as the change of subject. Instead of the free lyric movement of the preceding verse, we come suddenly upon the most finished specimen of didactic poetry in regular metre, exhibiting a perfect balance of expression as well as of thought, so perfect in the original, that in Psalm 19:7-9 the number of words ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
2. This chapter is addressed also to the "friends" as the thirty-third chapter to Job alone.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
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 fr...
Read full commentary →The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.</strong> David continues his celebration of Scripture's character and effects, now emphasizing its moral rightness and clarifying power. Each quality of God's word produces a corresponding benefit in those who receive it.<br><br>"The statutes of the LORD are right" (<em>piqu...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Right.**—Here in its original sense of “straight,” or direct. A fine moral insight suggested this touch. The road of duty, when plain and unmistakable, inspires a sense of gladness, even if it be difficult and dangerous.
“Stern Lawgiver, yet thou dost wear
The Godhead’s most benignant grace;
Nor know we anything so fair
As is the smile upon thy face.
Flowers laugh before thee on their beds,
...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**3. palate--**(See on Job 12:11; Job 33:2).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
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 fr...
Read full commentary →The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. true: Heb. truth
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.</strong> David's celebration of God's word reaches its climax with two final characteristics and their effects. This verse synthesizes the preceding descriptions, presenting Scripture's moral purity and eternal reliability, its truth and comprehensive righteousness.<br><br>"The fe...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **The fear of the Lord.**—Here plainly not a moral quality of the individual, but, as in Proverbs 15:33 (comp. Deuteronomy 17:19), religion, the service demanded by the Law, which, being *“*pure and undented,” endures, while the false systems of idolatrous nations perish. Based on the eternal principle of right, the judgments of God, it is eternal as they are.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**4. judgment--**Let us select among the conflicting sentiments advanced, what will stand the test of examination.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
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 fr...
Read full commentary →More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb . the honeycomb: Heb. the dropping of honeycombs
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.</strong> Having described six attributes of God's word and their six effects (verses 7-9), David now expresses Scripture's supreme value. He uses two comparisons—gold and honey—representing wealth and pleasure, the two things humanity most naturally desires. Yet God's word surpasses ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Honeycomb.**—(See margin.) The honey that drops from the comb is the finest and purest.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**5. judgment--**my right. Job's own words (Job 13:18; 27:2).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-10**
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 fr...
Read full commentary →Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
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KJV Study Commentary
God's servant is 'warned' by His rules, and keeping them brings 'great reward.' The Hebrew 'zahar' (warn) suggests both caution and enlightenment. The 'eqeb' (reward) is consequence, not wage—obedience brings inherent blessing. This anticipates Jesus' teaching that obeying His commands leads to abiding in His love (John 15:10). Reformed theology affirms that while salvation is by grace, obedience ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Warned.**—Better, *illuminated, instructed.*
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
6. Were I to renounce my right (that is, confess myself guilty), I should die. Job virtually had said so (Job 27:4, 5; 6:28). Maurer, not so well, "Notwithstanding my right (innocence) I am treated as a liar," by God, by His afflicting me.
**my wound--**literally, "mine arrow," namely, by which I am pierced. So "my stroke" ("hand," Job 23:2, Margin). My sickness (Job 6:4; 16:13).
**without tra...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-14**
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 di...
Read full commentary →Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
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KJV Study Commentary
David asks 'Who can discern his errors?' and prays to be declared innocent from 'hidden faults.' The Hebrew 'shegiah' (errors) are unintentional sins, while 'nistar' (hidden) are sins concealed from self-awareness. This demonstrates the depth of human sinfulness—we cannot fully know our own hearts (Jeremiah 17:9). Only God's word reveals hidden sin (Hebrews 4:12). This anticipates the need for Chr...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(12) His eulogium on the Law was not Pharisaic or formal, for the poet instantly gives expression to his sense of his own inability to keep it. If before we were reminded of St. Paul’s, “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good,” (Romans 7:12), his own spiritual experience, contained in the same chapter, is here recalled: “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil that ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
7. (Job 15:16). Image from the camel.
**scorning--**against God (Job 15:4).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-14**
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 di...
Read full commentary →Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. the great: or, much
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KJV Study Commentary
David prays to be kept from 'presumptuous sins' that they not have dominion. The Hebrew 'zed' (presumptuous) indicates willful, arrogant rebellion. Then he would be 'blameless' and 'innocent of great transgression.' This distinguishes between weakness sins and defiant sins. Numbers 15:30-31 prescribed cutting off for presumptuous sins. This anticipates the New Testament distinction between struggl...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Presumptuous sin.**—The Heb., from root meaning to “boil up” or “over,” is properly masculine, and always elsewhere means proud or arrogant men. (So Symmachus and Aquila.) Hence here explain, “Keep thy servant from the companionship of arrogant men, so that they may not get dominion over me, and lead me away from thy Law.”
**The great transgression.**—Rather, *a great transgression, *though...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
8. Job virtually goes in company (makes common cause) with the wicked, by taking up their sentiments (Job 9:22, 23, 30; 21:7-15), or at least by saying, that those who act on such sentiments are unpunished (Mal 3:14). To deny God's righteous government because we do not see the reasons of His acts, is virtually to take part with the ungodly.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-14**
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 di...
Read full commentary →Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. strength: Heb. rock
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.</strong> The psalm concludes with one of Scripture's most beloved prayers—a petition for purity in speech and thought, grounded in relationship with God as both strength and redeemer. Having celebrated creation's testimony and Scripture's perfection, David prays that...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14) **Meditation.**—Heb., *higgaîon. *(See Psalm 9:16; Psalm 92:3.)
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**9. with God--**in intimacy (Psa 50:18, Margin).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 11-14**
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 di...
Read full commentary →