Psalm 19

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:5

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber ; literally, and he is as a bridegroom. The bridegroom went forth to meet the bride in glorious apparel, and "preceded by a blaze of torch-light" (Kay). The sun's "chamber" is where he passes the night—below the earth; from this he bursts forth at morning in his full glory, scattering the darkness, and lighting up his splendid "tabernacle ." And rejoiceth as a strong man-to run a race (comp. 5:31 , "As the sun when he goeth forth in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:6

His going forth is from the end of the heaven The poet, like other poets, describes the phenomena as they appear to him. He does not broach any astronomical theory. And his circuit ( i.e. his course) unto the ends of it; i.e. he proceeds from one end of the heavens to the other. And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof. Many things are hidden from the light of the sun, but nothing from its "heat." which is the vital force whence the whole earth receives life and energy. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:7

The Law of the Lord is perfect. Whatsoever proceeds from God is perfect in its kind; his "Law" especially—the rule of life to his rational creatures. That salvation is not by the Law is not the fault of the Law, but of man, who cannot keep it. "The Law" itself "is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good" ( Romans 7:12 ). Converting the soul . The word employed, me shibah , is used of restoring from disorder and decay ( Psalms 80:19 ), from sorrow and affliction ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:7-10

The Word of God. This passage may be regarded as teaching three things concerning the Word of God, or the Bible. I. WHAT IT IS . Six names are used, and six different statements are made with regard to the Bible. 1 . It is "the Law of the Lord," and, as such, it is "perfect." 2 . It is "the testimony of the Lord," and, as such, it is "sure." In it God speaks with solemn earnestness and insistance, and what he says may be trusted. 3 . It is "the statutes of the Lord;"... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:7-11

The transition from the glories of the material universe to the "law of the Lord" is abrupt and startling. Some go so far as to say that there is no connection at all between the first and second parts of the psalm. But it is the law and order that pervades the material universe which constitutes its main glory; and the analogy between God's physical laws and his moral laws is evident, and generally admitted (see the great work of Bishop Butler, part 1.). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:8

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; rather, the precepts of the Lord are right. Another of the many synonyms under which the Law may be spoken of (see Dr. Kay's preface to the hundred and nineteenth psalm). God's precepts "rejoice the heart" of the godly. They are not felt as stern commands, but as gracious intimations of what God desires man to do for his own good. The commandment of the Lord is pure; i.e. spotless, clean, without fault (comp. Psalms 19:7 ,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:8-14

The voice of Jehovah in his Word. The Prophet Isaiah, in his forty-fifth chapter, and in the eighth and ninth verses, refers both to the work of God's hands in the world which he has created, and to the words of his lips in the promises he has made; and in both cases it is said, "not in vain" "Not in vain" is the earth formed; "not in vain" is the promise uttered. In both there is a Divine aim and purpose. That antithesis between the works and the Word of God is more ancient than Isaiah's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:9

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever . Hengstenberg explains "the fear of the Lord" in this place as "the instruction afforded by God for fearing him." And certainly, unless we adopt some such explanation, we shall find it difficult to account for the intrusion of the clause into its present position. The Law, the testimony, the statutes (or precepts), the commandment ( Psalms 19:7 , Psalms 19:8 ), and the judgments ( Psalms 19:9 ), are external to man, objective; the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:10

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold . (For the difference between "gold" ( זהב ) and "fine gold" ( פז ), see the 'Homiletic Commentary on Job,' p. 458.) God's Law is a far greater good to man, and therefore far more to be desired, than any amount of riches; much more must it be preferable to honey and the honeycomb. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:11

Moreover by them is thy servant warned . This verse is a sort of connecting link between the second and the third parts of the psalm. Through its subject-matter, which is still the Law of the Lord, it belongs to the second part; but metrically, and by the introduction of the person of the psalmist ("thy servant"), it belongs to the third. David feels that to him it is the crowning excellency of the Law, that it teaches, instructs, or "warns" him. And in keeping of them there is great... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:7-10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:7-11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:8-14

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 19:11

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