Psalms 19
Big idea: Two witnesses, and a shift in register between them so sharp that some have thought this was two psalms. The first speaks without words: day after day the sky pours out speech that has no language, and the sun runs its circuit like a bridegroom coming out of his room. The second is words and nothing else: law, covenant, precepts, commandment, fear, ordinances — six names for the same thing in three verses, each with what it does to a person. And then the psalm turns inward and admits the problem with a witness this clear: who can discern his errors?
Psalm 19 ends asking for words acceptable in God's sight. Psalm 20 is the congregation supplying words for their king.
19:1–6 — The heavens declare the glory of God
A witness with no words in it, and the poem keeps drawing attention to that: they pour out speech, they display knowledge, and there is no language where their voice is not heard — which is either a paradox or the point. What creation communicates needs no translation because it is not made of words at all. The movement then narrows from the whole sky to one object, and ends with the thing on earth that nothing escapes.
1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. 2 Day after day they pour out speech, and night after night they display knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. 4 Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which is as a bridegroom coming out of his room, like a strong man rejoicing to run his course. 6 His going out is from the end of the heavens, his circuit to its ends. There is nothing hidden from its heat.
19:7–14 — Sweeter than honey; keep back your servant
Six names for God's word, each with a verb attached — the poem never says the law is good, it says what the law DOES. Then it prices the collection against gold and honey, the two most desirable things available. And then the clarity turns on the man reading it: the sun that nothing could hide from in verse 6 becomes a light he cannot hide from either, and the psalm ends by asking for its own words to pass inspection.
7 Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple. 8 Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever. Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether. 10 They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb. 11 Moreover your servant is warned by them. In keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.
Scripture text: World English Bible (public domain).