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Psalm 19 dwells on three main subjects: The Glory of Yahweh, The Treasure of Yahweh’s laws, and David praying to Yahweh. The three sections describe the greatness of Yahweh's creation and how it reveals his existence and nature to every nation, the treasures of Yahweh's laws and how they cannot changed or modified, and that there are no other gods before him. It concludes with David praying to Yahweh to forgive his sins and to protect him from committing both willful and accidental sins.

Background and description[edit]

According to the text, Psalm 19 was written by King David. Psalm 19 is said as part of the preliminary Jewish Service on Saturday (Sabbath) mornings and also at festivals.^[1] Parts of it are quoted in the New Testament book of Romans. Even though there only are 15 verses, they cover topics of central importance to the author's faith. He uses similes and metaphorical phrases to describe the purity of Yahweh and his laws. David speaks well as he describes the universal greatness of Yahweh, the perfection of his laws and the author's need of his protection, forgiveness and guidance.

Verses 1-7: The glory of Yahweh[edit]

The heavens are proclaiming the glory of God, and the sky manifests the work of his hands. Day unto day pours forth speech, and night unto night unfolds knowledge. Without speech and without words, without their voice being heard. Through all the earth their call went forth, and their words to the edge of the world. To the sun he gave a tent; then like a bridegroom it goes forth from its bower, rejoicing like a warrior to run its course. From the edge of the heavens is its going forth, and its return is to their edge, never turning aside form its pavilion.
— Psalm 19:1-7 The Anchor Bible^[2]

The opening verses of Psalm 19 present the heavenly bodies and their movement as a universal witness to the glory of God that is understood by people of every language. The language connects day and night as a continuous presentation. The words suggest energy, strength, joy, and light.^[3]

Some commentators have suggested that the author may have used ideas from the literature of the proto-Phoenicians, who worshiped heavenly bodies such as the sun. However, others point out that the belief in one God is not in doubt here because the author specifically says that the heavens and the things in them were made by his God.^[4]

This idea is recalled in the book of Romans: “For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities-his eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Paul the Apostle later quotes verse four as a prophecy about the universal spread of the awareness of Jesus Christ as the expected Messiah.^[5]

Verses 8-12: The treasure of Yahweh’s laws[edit]

The law of Yahweh is perfect, refreshing my soul; The decree of Yahweh is stable, giving my mind wisdom. The precepts of Yahweh are direct, rejoicing my heart; The command of Yahweh is radiant, enlightening my eyes. The edict of Yahweh is pure, enduring forever. The judgments of Yahweh are truth, all of them are just. More desirable than gold, and much fine gold. And sweeter than honey from the honey comb. Indeed your servant is enlightened by them; in observing them there is great reward.
— Psalm 19:8-12 The Anchor Bible^[6]

In Verses 8-12 the law of Yahweh, that is the Torah, is presented as another source of revelation about God’s character and expectations. The instructions are referred to as “direct” from the Hebrew yesharim meaning to make straight, smooth, right or upright. As one commentator^[7] has interpreted, since this law of Yahweh shows a person what to do and keep in mind, what to avoid, how to please God, and what help he can expect from God, they are highly desirable and valuable.

The description of the law as radiant and enlightening ties the earlier references to the lights of nature to the character of God and to his laws as revealing truths.^[8] The Torah is associated with light in other passages as well, such as Proverbs 6:23 “For the commandment is a lamp, the teaching is a light …”

Dr. Samuel Terrien observed several parallels between the sun and the authors description of the law of Yahweh:^[9] “Like the sun the law of Yahweh is perfect, temimah, that is to say sound, round, and complete, for it restores life to the inward man. Like the sun the law is sure and faithful, for it provides a sense of security at the right moment and it gives joy to the man who obeys its prescriptions. Like the sun, the law is bright, and its light enables man to walk ahead on his way in full knowledge of his goal. Like the rays of the sun, falling sharply at high noon, the judgments of Yahweh are straight, dividing good from evil; “they are altogether just.””

Verses 13-15: David praying to Yahweh[edit]

Who can understand errors? From my aberrations cleanse me. Above all, keep your servant from the presumptuous ones, lest they rule over me. Then shall I be blameless and innocent of great crime. May the words of my mouth be according to your desire, And the thoughts of my hearts according to your will, O Yahweh, my Mountain, and my Redeemer.
— Psalm 19:13-15 The Anchor Bible^[10]

Verse 15 is used as part of the conclusion of the Amidah, the main daily prayer in Judaism.^[11]

As the author spends time thinking about God’s demands, he realizes that his own actions and thoughts fall short of this law that he loves.^[12] The author prays to be kept from sins of ignorance as well as deliberate sins. He also asks that his words and thoughts be pleasing to God.^[13]

Cultural references[edit]

Sweeter than Honey a poem by Ella Dietz in her 1884 book, The Triumph of Time: Mystical Poem.

Several songs used in contemporary Jewish and Christian worship are based on parts of Psalm 19, including:

Denise Strothers – Psalm 19 on the album "Outpouring" – a soulful song based on Psalm 19:13-15
Vickie Winans – Sweeter than the Honeycomb on the album "Vickie Winans": Be Encouraged – a soulful song based on Psalm 19:8-12
A contemporary song for worship based on Psalm 119:8-12, as sung by the Central Christian Church in Singapore

Judaism[edit]

The psalm is recited in its entirety during the Pesukei Dezimra of Shabbat and Yom Tov.^[14]
Is recited at weddings in some traditions.^[15]
Is recited on the first day of Shavuot in some traditions.^[16]
Verse 14 is found in the repetition of the Amidah during Rosh Hashanah.^[17]
Verse 15 is recited during the closing to the Amidah.^[18]

References[edit]

^ Commentary on Psalm 19, in Berlin, Adele and Brettler, Marc Zvi, The Jewish Study Bible, Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York p.1302-1303
^ Mitchell Dahood, S.J. The Anchor Bible Psalms I 1-50 Doubleday and Company, Inc. Garden City, New York 1966 p. 120-125
^ Various Writers, The One-Volume Bible Commentary: A Commentary on the Holy Bible, The Macmillan Company New York, New York, 1950 p. 336-337
^ Terrien, Samuel, The Psalms and Their Meaning for Today, Merrill Company Inc. Publishers 1952, pp. 51-52
^ Psalm 19, in Earle, Ralph, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Holy Bible, Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, 1967, pp. 471-472
^ Mitchell Dahood, S.J. The Anchor Bible Psalms I 1-50, Doubleday and Company, Inc. Garden City, New York, 1966, pp. 120-125
^ Psalm 19, in Earle, Ralph. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Holy Bible, Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri 1967 pp. 471-472
^ Commentary on Psalm 19, Berlin, Adele and Brettler, Marc Zvi, The Jewish Study Bible, Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York pp.1302-1303
^ Terrien, Samuel The Psalms and Their Meaning for Today, Merrill Company Inc. Publishers, 1952, pp. 51-52
^ Mitchell Dahood, S.J. The Anchor Bible Psalms I 1-50 Doubleday and Company, Inc., Garden City, New York 1966 pp. 120-125
^ Commentary on Psalm 19, Berlin, Adele and Brettler, Marc Zvi, The Jewish Study Bible, Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York, pp.1302-1303
^ Terrien, Samuel The Psalms and Their Meaning for Today, Merrill Company Inc. Publishers, 1952, pp. 51-53
^ Earle, Ralph Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Holy Bible Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri, 1967, pp. 471-472
^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 374
^ The Artscroll Tehillim page 329
^ The Artscroll Tehillim page 329
^ The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah page 351
^ The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 119

[[Category:Psalms|019]] [[Category:Shacharit for Shabbat and Yom Tov]]

[1] Commentary on Psalm 19, in Berlin, Adele and Brettler, Marc Zvi, The Jewish Study Bible, Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York p.1302-1303

[2] Mitchell Dahood, S.J. The Anchor Bible Psalms I 1-50 Doubleday and Company, Inc. Garden City, New York 1966 p. 120-125

[3] Various Writers, The One-Volume Bible Commentary: A Commentary on the Holy Bible, The Macmillan Company New York, New York, 1950 p. 336-337

[4] Terrien, Samuel, The Psalms and Their Meaning for Today, Merrill Company Inc. Publishers 1952, pp. 51-52

[5] Psalm 19, in Earle, Ralph, Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Holy Bible, Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri, 1967, pp. 471-472

[6] Mitchell Dahood, S.J. The Anchor Bible Psalms I 1-50, Doubleday and Company, Inc. Garden City, New York, 1966, pp. 120-125

[7] Psalm 19, in Earle, Ralph. Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Holy Bible, Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri 1967 pp. 471-472

[8] Commentary on Psalm 19, Berlin, Adele and Brettler, Marc Zvi, The Jewish Study Bible, Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York pp.1302-1303

[9] Terrien, Samuel The Psalms and Their Meaning for Today, Merrill Company Inc. Publishers, 1952, pp. 51-52

[10] Mitchell Dahood, S.J. The Anchor Bible Psalms I 1-50 Doubleday and Company, Inc., Garden City, New York 1966 pp. 120-125

[11] Commentary on Psalm 19, Berlin, Adele and Brettler, Marc Zvi, The Jewish Study Bible, Oxford University Press, Oxford, New York, pp.1302-1303

[12] Terrien, Samuel The Psalms and Their Meaning for Today, Merrill Company Inc. Publishers, 1952, pp. 51-53

[13] Earle, Ralph Adam Clarke’s Commentary on the Holy Bible Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri, 1967, pp. 471-472

[14] The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 374

[15] The Artscroll Tehillim page 329

[16] The Artscroll Tehillim page 329

[17] The Complete Artscroll Machzor for Rosh Hashanah page 351

[18] The Complete Artscroll Siddur page 119

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