King James Version

What Does Psalms 19:9 Mean?

Psalms 19:9 in the King James Version says “The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. true: Heb...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. true: Heb. truth”

Psalms 19:9 · KJV

Fear & CourageTruth

Context

7

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

8

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. true: Heb. truth

10

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

11

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

Read Psalms 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 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.

"The fear of the LORD is clean" (yir'at-Yahweh tehorah, יִרְאַת־יְהוָה טְהוֹרָה) introduces "fear" (yir'ah) as equivalent to God's word. The "fear of the LORD" is foundational wisdom (Proverbs 1:7, 9:10)—not terror but reverence, awe, worship, and obedient respect. That this fear is "clean" (tahor, pure, undefiled) indicates it purifies those who possess it. Unlike pagan religious fear that enslaves, biblical fear of God liberates by aligning us with reality and righteousness.

"Enduring for ever" (omedet la'ad, עוֹמֶדֶת לָעַד) contrasts with everything temporal. Amad means to stand, remain, endure. God's word does not change with cultural shifts or philosophical fashions. Jesus declared: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away" (Matthew 24:35). Peter wrote: "The word of the Lord endureth for ever" (1 Peter 1:25). This permanence provides stable foundation in an unstable world.

"The judgments of the LORD" (mishpetey-Yahweh, מִשְׁפְּטֵי־יְהוָה) refers to God's judicial decisions, His righteous verdicts, His evaluations of right and wrong. These are "true" (emet, אֱמֶת)—corresponding to reality, reliable, faithful—"and righteous altogether" (tzadqu yachdav, צָדְקוּ יַחְדָּו). Tzedek (righteousness) appears in emphatic form: they are righteous completely, entirely, in every respect. Not one of God's judgments fails the standard of perfect righteousness. Every divine verdict is just; every evaluation is accurate; every standard is right.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The term "fear of the LORD" dominated Israel's wisdom tradition. Job was described as one who "feared God" (Job 1:1). Solomon wrote: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). This fear encompassed the entire proper human response to God—worship, trust, obedience, reverence. To fear the LORD was to orient one's life around His revealed will.

The eternal quality of God's word distinguished Israel's Scripture from surrounding nations' religious texts. Ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hammurabi's Code, for example) were products of their time and culture, acknowledged as human constructions. Israel's Torah was different: divine revelation that transcended any particular era. Moses had declared: "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever" (Deuteronomy 29:29).

The affirmation that God's judgments are "true and righteous altogether" addressed a perennial challenge: when God's ways contradict human reasoning or preference, which authority prevails? Abraham questioned whether God would judge justly (Genesis 18:25). Job struggled with seemingly unjust suffering. Yet Scripture consistently affirms that when our judgment conflicts with God's, His is right and ours is flawed. His judgments are righteous—every single one, without exception.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does 'fear of the LORD' relate to loving God—are they compatible or contradictory?
  2. What practical difference does it make that God's word 'endures for ever' in a rapidly changing world?
  3. Why is it significant that God's judgments are 'true and righteous altogether'—completely, without exception?
  4. How should the eternal, pure, and righteous nature of Scripture shape how believers read and apply it?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
יִרְאַ֤ת1 of 10

“The fear”

H3374

fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence

יְהוָ֥ה2 of 10

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

טְהוֹרָה֮3 of 10

“is clean”

H2889

pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)

עוֹמֶ֪דֶת4 of 10

“enduring”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

לָ֫עַ֥ד5 of 10

“for ever”

H5703

properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e., (by implication) duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity (substantially as a noun, either with or wit

מִֽשְׁפְּטֵי6 of 10

“the judgments”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

יְהוָ֥ה7 of 10

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱמֶ֑ת8 of 10

“are true”

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

צָֽדְק֥וּ9 of 10

“and righteous”

H6663

to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense)

יַחְדָּֽו׃10 of 10

“altogether”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly

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 19:9 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 19:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 12:24Psalms 119:142Psalms 119:137-138Psalms 119:1Psalms 34:11-14Psalms 115:13

Test Your Knowledge

Psalms 19 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterPsalms Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Psalms 19 with CommentaryAll Psalms ChaptersComplete Psalms QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes