Psalm 19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth - He has prayed against practical sin, the sins of the body; now, against the sins of the mouth and of the heart. Let my mouth speak nothing but what is true, kind, and profitable; and my heart meditate nothing but what is holy, pure, and chaste. Acceptable in thy sight - Like a sacrifice without spot or blemish, offered up with a perfect heart to God. O Lord, my strength - צורי tsuri , "my fountain, my origin." My redeemer - גאלי goali , my... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:1

Verse 1 1.The heavens declare the glory of God. (444) I have already said, that this psalm consists of two parts, in the first of which David celebrates the glory of God as manifested in his works; and, in the other, exalts and magnifies the knowledge of God which shines forth more clearly in his word. He only makes mention of the heavens; but, under this part of creation, which is the noblest, and the excellency of which is more conspicuous, he doubtless includes by synecdoche the whole fabric... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:2

Verse 2 2.Day unto day uttereth speech. Philosophers, who have more penetration into those matters than others, understand how the stars are arranged in such beautiful order, that notwithstanding their immense number there is no confusion; but to the ignorant and unlettered, the continual succession of days is a more undoubted proof of the providence of God. David, therefore, having spoken of the heavens, does not here descend from them to other parts of the world; but, from an effect more... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:3

Verse 3 3.There is no language nor speech [where] their voice is not heard. This verse receives two almost contrary interpretations, each of which, however, has the appearance of probability. As the words, when rendered literally, read thus — No language, and no words, their voice is not heard — some connect the third and fourth verses together, as if this sentence were incomplete without the clause which follows in the beginning of the fourth verse, Their writing has gone forth through all the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:7

Verse 7 7.The law of the Lord. Here the second part of the psalm commences. After having shown that the creatures, although they do not speak, nevertheless serve as instructors to all mankind, and teach all men so clearly that there is a God, as to render them inexcusable, the Psalmist now turns towards the Jews, to whom God had communicated a fuller knowledge of himself by means of his word. While the heavens bear witness concerning God, their testimony does not lead men so far as that thereby... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:8

Verse 8 8.The statutes of Jehovah are right. The Psalmist at first view may seem to utter a mere common-place sentiment when he calls the statutes of the Lord right. If we, however, more attentively consider the contrast which he no doubt makes between the rectitude of the law and the crooked ways in which men entangle themselves when they follow their own understandings, we will be convinced that this commendation implies more than may at first sight appear. We know how much every man is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:9

Verse 9 9.The fear of Jehovah is clean. By the fear of God we are here to understand the way in which God is to be served; and therefore it is taken in an active sense for the doctrine which prescribes to us the manner in which we ought to fear God. The way in which men generally manifest their fear of God, is by inventing false religions and a vitiated worship; in doing which they only so much the more provoke his wrath. David, therefore, here indirectly condemns these corrupt inventions,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:10

Verse 10 10.More to be desired are they than gold. The Psalmist now exalts the law of God both on account of its price and sweetness. This commendation depends on the commendations given in the preceding verses; for the many and great advantages which he has just now enumerated, ought justly to make us account heavenly truth the highest and most excellent treasure, and to despise, when compared with it, all the gold and silver of the world. Instead of the word fine gold, which the Latins have... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:11

Verse 11 11.Moreover, by them is thy servant made circumspect. These words may be extended generally to all the people of God; but they are properly to be understood of David himself, and by them he testifies that he knew well, from his own experience, all that he had stated in the preceding verses respecting the law. No man will ever speak truly and in good earnest of heavenly truth, but he who has it deeply fixed in his own heart. David therefore acknowledges, that whatever prudence he had... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:12

Verse 12 12.Who can understand his errors? This exclamation shows us what use we should make of the promises of the law, which have a condition annexed to them. It is this: As soon as they come forth, every man should examine his own life, and compare not only his actions, but also his thoughts, with that perfect rule of righteousness which is laid down in the law. Thus it will come to pass, that all, from the least to the greatest, seeing themselves cut off from all hope of reward from the... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:14

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:11

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 19:12

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