King James Version

What Does Psalms 19:13 Mean?

Psalms 19:13 in the King James Version says “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I sh...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Psalms 19:13 · KJV

Context

11

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13

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

14

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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Commentary

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 struggling with sin and living in unrepentant rebellion (1 John 3:6-9).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Old Testament law distinguished between unintentional sin (with atonement provision) and presumptuous sin (deliberate rebellion with severe consequences).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you guard against presumptuous, willful sin versus weakness?
  2. What does it mean for sin to have 'dominion' versus struggling with temptation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
גַּ֤ם1 of 12
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

מִזֵּדִ֨ים׀2 of 12

“also from presumptuous”

H2086

arrogant

חֲשֹׂ֬ךְ3 of 12

“Keep back”

H2820

to restrain or (reflexive) refrain; by implication, to refuse, spare, preserve; to observe

עַבְדֶּ֗ךָ4 of 12

“thy servant”

H5650

a servant

אַֽל5 of 12
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

יִמְשְׁלוּ6 of 12

“sins let them not have dominion”

H4910

to rule

בִ֣י7 of 12
H0
אָ֣ז8 of 12
H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

אֵיתָ֑ם9 of 12

“over me then shall I be upright”

H8552

to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive

וְ֝נִקֵּ֗יתִי10 of 12

“and I shall be innocent”

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated

מִפֶּ֥שַֽׁע11 of 12

“transgression”

H6588

a revolt (national, moral or religious)

רָֽב׃12 of 12

“from the great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 19:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 19:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 119:133Romans 6:12-14Psalms 7:10Acts 24:161 Samuel 25:39Psalms 84:11

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