Psalm 19:1 NIV

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Psalms 19:1

(1) The heavens declare.—Better, the heavens are telling. The poet is even now gazing at the sky, not philosophising on a familiar natural phenomenon, nor is he merely enjoying beauty. Not only is his æsthetic faculty satisfied, but his spirit, his religious nature is moved. He has an immediate apprehension, an intuition of God. He is looking on the freshness of the morning, and all he sees is telling of God, bringing God before him. This constitutes the essence of the greater part of Hebrew... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Psalms 19:1-14

The Honey of God's Word Psalms 19:0 In the superbly sublime nineteenth Psalm David pronounces God's word to be sweeter than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb. In the same passage he declares that 'it is pure, enlightening the eyes'. Again the Psalmist says 'the entrance of Thy word giveth light'. It is not the careless reading or the listless hearing of the book, but its entrance into the soul which produces this inward illumination. The spiritual eyesight must be opened in order that... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Psalms 19:1-14

Psalms 19:1-14Is this originally one psalm or bits of two, pieced together to suggest a comparison between the two sources of knowledge of God, which the authors did not dream of? The affirmative is strongly maintained, but, we may venture to say, not so strongly sustained. The two parts are said to differ in style, rhythm, and subject. Certainly they do, but the difference in style accounts for the difference in structure. It is not an unheard of phenomenon that cadence should change with... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Psalms 19:1-11

Psalms 19:0 Christ in Creation and in Revelation 1 In creation (Psalms 19:1-6 ) 2. In revelation (Psalms 19:7-11 ) Psalms 19:1-6 . This Psalm also bears witness to Christ as Creator and as revealing Himself through the Word. The two great books, Creation and Revelation, bear witness to Him. The Heavens which declare the glory of God were created by Him (Colossians 1:16 ; John 1:3 ). And there is a testimony to Him in creation which is continuous. “Day unto day uttereth speech and night... read more

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - Psalms 19:1

19:1 [To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.] The {a} heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.(a) He reproaches man for his ingratitude, seeing the heavens, which are dumb creatures, set forth God’s glory. read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Psalms 19:1-14

Psalms 18:0 A song of victory. It opens with ejaculatory expressions of triumph for deliverance. All nature is described as convulsed when the Almighty presses to the rescue. The next division is meditation on the principles involved, the whole closing with a further outburst of triumph and confidence. 2 Samuel 22:0 is a copy of this ode saying a few variations, and the student is referred to our treatment of it at that place. Psalms 19:0 God’s revelation in the world and in the Word. We have a... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Psalms 19:1-14

Psalms 19:0 [Note. This is universally regarded as one of the most profound and affecting of David's compositions. Bacon says, "The heavens declare the glory of God, but not his will." God's will can only be known by his law. A marked difference between the style of the two portions of the psalm has been pointed out. The former portion is more varied in cadence, whilst the latter is more precise and condensed, nevertheless a pervading harmony has been recognised by the severest critics. It has... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Psalms 19:1

CONTENTS We have here another hymn, if not to the victories of Jesus in the works of grace, yet to his glory as manifested in the works of creation, and in the gospel of his salvation. In the former part, the wonders of God's power, as displayed in the creation of the heavenly bodies; in the latter, the still more marvellous power as set forth in the new creation of the soul. To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. Psalms 19:1 The book of God in creation, which the heavens open to the world;... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Psalms 19:1

David. This psalm was to be sung when he or his successors went to battle. In a higher sense, it may allude to the victories of Christ, and of his Church. (Berthier) --- Christian must offer up this prayer for their governors. (Worthington) --- It was probably composed when the Ammonites and Syrians made such great preparations for war, ver. 8., and 2 Kings x. 6, 18. (Calmet) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:1-6

1-6 The heavens so declare the glory of God, and proclaim his wisdom, power, and goodness, that all ungodly men are left without excuse. They speak themselves to be works of God's hands; for they must have a Creator who is eternal, infinitely wise, powerful, and good. The counter-changing of day and night is a great proof of the power of God, and calls us to observe, that, as in the kingdom of nature, so in that of providence, he forms the light, and creates the darkness, Isaiah 45:7, and sets... read more