Psalms 19:1

PSALM 19

GOD'S WORKS AND GOD'S WORD DECLARE HIS GLORY THE WORLD BOOK; AND THE WORD BOOK

(FOR THE CHIEF MUSICIAN. A PSALM OF DAVID).

This magnificent psalm naturally falls into two divisions. "Psalms 19:1-6 describe the glory of God as seen in the heavenly bodies, especially the sun ... Psalms 19:7-14 deal with the excellence of the revelation of God in the Law."[1] Spurgeon called this psalm, "The World Book and the Word Book," both of them having been written by The Father.[2]

"Ordinarily a hymn begins with a summons to raise a song of praise to the Lord; but here it is omitted; because the hymn began aeons ago when, `The morning stars sang together,' (Job 38:7) at the time of creation";[3] and the praise of God has continued without intermission throughout all ages and to the present time; nor shall it ever cease.

The Authorized Version is here superior to anything that has been offered in its place, as we shall observe in the following notes.

Psalms 19:1-4

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament showeth his handiwork.

Day unto day uttereth speech,

And night unto night showeth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language;

Their voice is not heard

Their line is gone out through all the earth,

And their words to the end of the world."

We cannot accept this rendition of Psalms 19:3, to the effect, as Rawlinson put it, that, "There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard."[4]

The King James Version here has the following:

"There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard." (Note that the word where is added).

What is taught here is not that the heavens are speechless, or that there are no words, or no sound; but that there are no human beings of whatever language which are beyond the reach of the glorious message thundering in the ears of all men from the starry heavens themselves. In other words, "There are no men anywhere on earth, regardless of what language they use, who are beyond the reach of what the heavens are continually saying in the ears of all men."

If this observation is not correct, let someone explain what is meant in Psalms 19:4, "Their line is gone out through all the earth; and their words to the end of the world."

"Their line is gone out through all the earth" (Psalms 19:4). The Anchor Bible renders the word "line" in this place as "call," indicating some kind of a summons or declaration that would necessarily involve "sound" and "words."

Oh yes, this writer is aware that no actual words or sounds are used; but that is simply not what the psalmist is saying here. He is declaring that the heavenly world is indeed delivering a message to mankind, regardless of where they live or what language they speak.

That our analysis here is correct is borne out by the fact that the Septuagint (LXX) renders the word "line" in Psalms 19:4 as "sound," and also agrees with the KJV in using "words" in the second line. The inspired apostle Paul quoted this place; and how did he render it?

"Their sound went out into all the earth,

And their words to the end of the world."

- Romans 10:18.

Yes indeed, the message of the sidereal heavens may easily be reduced to words (in whatever language); and what do they say?

The invisible things of Him (God) since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse (Romans 1:20).

The glory, power, and divinity of God are clearly taught by the marvel of Creation itself; and Paul declared that men are without excuse who refuse to see the "power and divinity of God" which is continually being shouted in their ears by the whole glorious Creation.

It must be pointed out, however, that there is no moral, ethical, or soul-saving revelation to be found in the World Book. The Word Book, namely the Bible, is the only source of that type of revelation.