Psalm 19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:2

Day unto day uttereth speech - Each day is represented as teaching another relative to some new excellence discovered in these manifold works of God. The nights also, by the same figure, are represented as giving information to each other of the increase of knowledge already gained. "The labors of these our instructers know no intermission; but they continue incessantly to lecture us in the science of Divine wisdom. There is one glory of the sun, which shines forth by day; and there are... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:3

There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard - Leave out the expletives here, which pervert the sense; and what remains is a tolerable translation of the original: - קולם נשמע בלי דברים ואין אמר אין Ein omer veein debarim , beli nishma kolam . "No speech, and no words; their voice without hearing." מליהם תבל ובקצה קום יצא הארץ בכל Bechol haarets yatsa kavvam : Ubiktsey thebel milleyhem . "Into all the earth hath gone out their sound; and to the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:5

Which is as a bridegroom, etc. - This is a reference to the rising of the sun, as the following verse is to the setting. He makes his appearance above the horizon with splendor and majesty; every creature seems to rejoice at his approach; and during the whole of his course, through his whole circuit, his apparent revolution from east to west, and from one tropic to the same again, no part of the earth is deprived of its proper proportion of light and heat. The sun is compared to a bridegroom... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:7

The law of the Lord - And here are two books of Divine Revelation: The visible Heavens, and the works of creation in general. The Bible, or Divinely inspired writings contained in the Old and New Testaments. These may all be called the Law of the Lord; תורה torah , from ירה yarah , to instruct, direct, put straight, guide. It is God's system of instruction, by which men are taught the knowledge of God and themselves, directed how to walk so as to please God, redeemed from... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:8

The statutes of the Lord - פקודים pikkudim , from פקד pakad , he visited, cared, took notice of, appointed to a charge. The appointments, or charge delivered by God to man for his regard and observance. Are right - ישרים yesharim , from ישר yashar , to make straight, smooth, right, upright, opposed to crookedness in mind or conduct; showing what the man should be, both within and without. This is Their character. Rejoicing the heart - As they show a man what he is to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:9

The fear of the Lord - יראה yirah , from ירא yara , to fear, to venerate; often put for the whole of Divine worship. The reverence we owe to the Supreme Being. Is clean - טהורה tehorah , from טהר tahar , to be pure, clean; not differing much from ברה barah , (see above), to be clean and bright as the heavens; as purified Silver. Its object is to purge away all defilement, to make a spotless character. Enduring for ever - לעד עומדת omedeth laad , standing up to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:10

More to be desired are they than gold - This is strictly true; but who believes it? By most men gold is preferred both to God and his judgments; and they will barter every heavenly portion for gold and silver! Sweeter also than honey - To those whose mental taste is rectified, who have a spiritual discernment. Honey-comb - Honey is sweet; but honey just out of the comb has a sweetness, richness and flavour, far beyond what it has after it becomes exposed to the air. Only those who... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:11

By them is thy servant warned - נזהר nizhar , from זהר zahar , to be clear, pellucid. By these laws, testimonies, etc., thy servant is fully instructed; he sees all clearly; and he discerns that in keeping of them there is great reward: every man is wise, holy, and happy, who observes them. All Christian experience confirms this truth. Reader, what says thine? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:12

Who can understand his errors? - It is not possible, without much of the Divine light, to understand all our deviations from, not only the letter, but the spirituality, of the Divine law. Frequent self-examination, and walking in the light, are essentially necessary to the requisite degree of spiritual perfection. Cleanse thou me from secret faults - From those which I have committed, and have forgotten; from those for which I have not repented; from those which have been committed in my... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:13

From presumptuous sins - Sins committed not through frailty or surprise, but those which are the offspring of thought, purpose, and deliberation. Sins against judgment, light, and conscience. The words might be translated, Preserve thy servant also from the proud; from tyrannical governors, i.e., from evil spirits - Bishop Horsley. So most of the versions understand the place. Let them not have dominion over me - Let me never be brought into a habit of sinning. He who sins presumptuously... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:13

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