Psalm 19:11-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 19:7-14

God's glory, (that is, his goodness to man) appears much in the works of creation, but much more in and by divine revelation. The holy scripture, as it is a rule both of our duty to God and of our expectation from him, is of much greater use and benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe in, or the light of the sun. The discoveries made of God by his works might have served if man had retained his integrity; but, to recover him out of his fallen state, another course must be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 19:11

Moreover, by them is thy servant warned ,.... By whom the psalmist means himself, who was the servant of the Lord, not only in common with other saints, but as he was a king and prophet, and as such he received advantage from the word of God; all his instructions as a prophet, and all his rules of government as a king; and the whole of that wisdom, prudence, and knowledge, with which the conducted in both offices, were from the Lord by his word: and it may be applied to any servant of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 19:12

Who can understand his errors ?.... Sin is an error, a wandering out of the way of God, swerving from the rule of his word; and many mistakes are made by the people of God themselves; even so many that they cannot number them; they are more than the hairs of their head; they cannot understand, find out and express, neither their number, nor their evil nature, nor the many aggravating circumstances which attend them: this the psalmist said, upon a view of the large extent, glory, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 19:13

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins ,.... Some understand these words of persons: the Septuagint, and the versions that follow that, render it "from strangers": such who are strangers to God and godliness; that is, keep from all conversation with them in things sinful, or from others' sins; from having a fellowship with them, being a partaker of them, lest their plagues and punishments should be shared in: others, as the Targum, "from proud men", who are haughty, insolent,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth ,.... Meaning either his speech in common conversation, which should not be filthy and foolish, rotten and corrupt; but such as ministers grace to the hearer: or else his address to God, both in prayer and thanksgiving; and the meditation of my heart ; his inward thoughts continually revolving in his mind; or his meditation on the word of God and divine things; or mental prayer, which is not expressed, only conceived in the mind; be acceptable in thy sight ;... 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

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 19:11

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

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