Who can understand his errors? rather, who can discern (or, perceive ) his errors ? i.e. all of them. Who will not overlook some, try as he may to search out his heart? Cleanse thou me from secret faults . Those which are hidden from me, which I cannot discern. read more
The saint's prayer against sin. "Cleanse thou me." Natural theology, revelation, spiritual experience,—these are the three successive spheres of thought through which this wondrously beautiful psalm leads us. God in nature; God in Scripture; God in the heart and conscience to which he manifests himself. And in this last sphere, reading the psalm with Christian eyes, we can see what the inspired psalmist "desired to see, but saw not"— God in Christ. First (as in Psalms 8:1-9 .), David... read more
A consideration of the Law cannot but raise the thought of transgression. Man "had not known sin but by the Law" ( Romans 7:7 ), and he cannot contemplate the Law without being reminded of possible disobedience to it. The psalmist's thoughts are led in this direction, and he ends with an earnest prayer against "secret sins" ( Psalms 19:12 ), against "presumptuous sins" ( Psalms 19:13 ), and against sins of word and thought ( Psalms 19:14 ), addressed to "God his Strength [or, 'his... read more
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins (comp. Exodus 21:14 ; Numbers 15:30 ; Deuteronomy 17:12 ). Wilful, intentional, deliberate sins are intended—such as cut off from grace. They are called "presumptuous ones," being "personified as tyrants who strive to bring the servant of God into unbecoming subjection to them" (Hengstenberg). Let them not have do minion over me (comp. Psalms 119:133 ; Romans 6:14 ). Then shall I be upright ; or, "blameless" ( ἄμωμος , ... read more
Who can understand his errors? - The word rendered errors is derived from a verb which means to wander, to go astray; then, to do wrong, to transgress. It refers here to wanderings, or departures from the law of God, and the question seems to have been asked in view of the purity, the strictness, and the extent of the law of God. In view of a law so pure, so holy, so strict in its demands, and so extended in its requirements - asserting jurisdiction over the thoughts, the words, and the whole... read more
Keep back thy servant also - Restrain thy servant; or, do not suffer him to commit those sins.From presumptuous sins - The word used here is manifestly designed to stand in some respects in contrast with the secret faults mentioned in the previous verse. The word - זד zêd - means properly that which is boiling, swelling, inflated; then proud, arrogant; with the accessory notion of shameless wickedness or impiety. Gesenius, Lexicon. The word is rendered proud in Psalms 86:14; Psalms 119:21,... read more
Psalms 19:12. Who can understand his errors? Upon the consideration of the perfect purity of God’s law, and the comparing of his spirit and conduct with it, he is led to make a penitent reflection upon his sins. Is the commandment thus holy, just, and good? then who can understand his errors? Lord, I am a sinful creature, and fall infinitely short of the demands of thy law, and am condemned by it. Cleanse thou me Both by justification, or the pardon of my sins, through the blood of thy... read more
Psalms 19:13. Keep back thy servant also Hebrew, חשׂךְ , chasoch, cohibe, subtrahe, restrain, or withdraw. The word is emphatical, and implies the natural and great proneness of man to commit even wilful sins, and the necessity of divine grace, as a bridle, to keep men from the commission of them. From presumptuous sins Having begged pardon for his secret faults, including therein, probably, sins of ignorance and infirmity; he now prays for restraining grace, to keep him from sins... read more
Psalms 19:0 Knowing GodThe wonders of the universe display God’s glory, power and wisdom. Although these things cannot speak, day after day they tell people that there is a God and teach them something of his nature (1-4a). The sun, with its splendour and brilliance, is a particularly notable witness to God’s glory (4b-6).If, however, people are to know God personally and live according to his will, they need a more detailed knowledge than the physical creation can provide. They need God’s... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:11-14
Man's relation to the Divine Law. The former part of the psalm is a comparison and a contrast between God's revelation of himself in nature and in his Law. Now the psalmist passes on to consider his own relation to the Divine Law; what light it throws upon his character and circumstances, and what rewards it bestows upon those who abide in the steadfast observance of it. I. WHAT THE DIVINE LAW TAUGHT THE PSALMIST . ( Psalms 19:12 , Psalms 19:13 .) 1 . His... read more