Psalms 19–14
Psalm 19:1-14
Psa.19.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- למנצח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזמור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לדוד: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 3:1 (verbal): Shares the same superscription formula in many manuscript traditions—an opening heading directing the music leader and attributing the psalm to David ('For the director of music. A psalm of David').
- Psalm 4:1 (verbal): Another psalm that begins with the director-of-music/Davidic heading, showing the common liturgical/authorial superscription found across the Psalter.
- Psalm 23:1 (structural): Famous Davidic psalm whose superscription attributes authorship to David ('A psalm of David'), illustrating the recurring authorial identification also found in Psalm 19:1.
- Psalm 51:1 (structural): A penitential psalm headed 'A psalm of David'; parallels Psalm 19:1 in its ascription to David and function as a named, liturgical composition.
Alternative generated candidates
- To the chief musician. A psalm of David.
- To the chief musician. A psalm of David.
Psa.19.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מספרים: VERB,piel,ptc,3,m,pl
- כבוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ומעשה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ידיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs,suff:3,m,sg
- מגיד: VERB,hiph,ptc,ms
- הרקיע: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Romans 1:20 (thematic): Argues that creation (what has been made) reveals God's invisible attributes and eternal power—parallel to Psalm 19's claim that the heavens declare God's glory.
- Isaiah 40:26 (verbal): Calls attention to the heavens and their Maker—'lift up your eyes... who created these?'—echoing the motif of the sky testifying to God's power and handiwork.
- Psalm 8:3-4 (thematic): The psalmist reflects on the heavens as 'the work of your fingers,' a contemplative response to the same reality of the heavens revealing God's majesty.
- Job 38:4-7 (allusion): God's speech about the foundations of the earth and the rejoicing of the morning stars portrays the heavens as part of God's creative testimony—comparable to Psalm 19's depiction of the heavens declaring God's glory.
- Jeremiah 10:12 (verbal): Attributes creation of the earth to the Lord's power and wisdom, linking the idea of the created order as evidence of God's handiwork similar to Psalm 19:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
- The heavens declare the glory of God; the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.
Psa.19.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- יום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליום: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יביע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ולילה: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ללילה: PREP
- יחוה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דעת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 19:1 (structural): Immediate contextual parallel: v.1 begins the same theme that the heavens declare God's glory, which v.3 expresses as ongoing speech from day to day.
- Psalm 19:4 (structural): Close continuation of the same unit: v.4 develops v.3's idea by describing the heavens' 'line' and 'words' going out through all the earth and to the end of the world.
- Romans 1:19-20 (thematic): Paul echoes the theme that creation makes God's existence and attributes known to humanity, similar to Psalm 19's claim that day and night 'utter' or 'show' knowledge.
- Romans 10:18 (quotation): Paul explicitly alludes to the language of Psalm 19 (the voice going out through all the earth), applying the psalm's image of creation's witness to the spread of the gospel.
- Job 12:7-10 (thematic): Job invites observation of animals and the earth as sources of instruction about God, paralleling Psalm 19's motif that the created order 'speaks' and imparts knowledge.
Alternative generated candidates
- Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
- Day pours forth speech to day, and night reveals knowledge to night.
Psa.19.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- אין: PART,neg
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- דברים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בלי: PREP
- נשמע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- קולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 19:1-3 (structural): Immediate context: verses 1–3 personify the heavens as 'declaring' and 'uttering speech,' which verse 4 then qualifies by saying there is no human speech or words — the same image continued and explained within the psalm.
- Romans 10:18 (quotation): Paul cites the language of Psalm 19 in arguing that creation's 'voice' has gone out to all the earth; he treats the psalmic figure of the heavens' 'voice' as communicative, echoing and reapplying the psalm text (LXX/OT citation).
- Romans 1:20 (thematic): Both texts argue that God's invisible attributes are disclosed through creation: although the heavens do not speak in human words, they make God's existence and power evident (creation as testimony to God).
- Job 12:7-10 (thematic): Job appeals to beasts, birds and the earth as witnesses to God's hand — like Psalm 19, Job affirms that the created order reveals knowledge of God even without human speech.
Alternative generated candidates
- There is no speech, nor are there words; yet their voice goes out through all the earth.
- There is no speech, there are no words; their voice is not heard.
Psa.19.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קום: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- ובקצה: CONJ+PREP
- תבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מליהם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לשמש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 19:1-4 (structural): Immediate context: the opening verses of the psalm frame the heavens as proclaiming God's glory and the sun as a universal witness that runs its circuit across the sky.
- Job 38:12-13 (verbal): God challenges Job about commanding the morning and laying hold on the ends of the earth—language and imagery closely parallel the sun’s regular circuit and its reaching to the earth’s ends.
- Ecclesiastes 1:5 (thematic): Describes the regular rising and setting of the sun and its return to its place—echoes the psalm’s emphasis on the sun’s ordained, cyclical course across the world.
- Psalm 104:19 (thematic): Speaks of God appointing the moon and setting the sun its time for setting—another psalmic portrayal of God’s sovereign ordering of celestial bodies and their courses.
- Romans 1:20 (thematic): Paul’s argument that the created heavens make God’s invisible attributes known to humanity parallels Psalm 19’s claim that the heavens (including the sun) declare God’s glory.
Alternative generated candidates
- Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world; in them he has placed a tent for the sun.
- Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In them he has placed a tent for the sun.
Psa.19.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- כחתן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מחפתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ישיש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כגבור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לרוץ: VERB,qal,inf
- ארח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Gen.1:14-18 (thematic): Creation places the sun among the heavenly lights to govern day and mark its appointed course—parallels Psalm 19’s depiction of the sun playing its ordained role across the sky.
- Job 38:12-15 (structural): Yahweh’s speech about commanding the morning and the sun’s daily circuit echoes Psalm 19’s imagery of the sun rising and joyfully running its course at God’s command.
- Ps.104:19 (verbal): Both psalms speak of the cosmic order—God appointing the moon for seasons and the sun ‘knowing’ its setting—reinforcing the theme of the created lights following God’s design.
- Mal.4:2 (thematic): The ‘sun’ as a figure of blessing and rising rejoicing (the ‘sun of righteousness’) parallels Psalm 19’s positive, life-giving portrayal of the sun as it comes forth joyfully.
- John 3:29 (allusion): The bridegroom motif and the joy associated with him in the New Testament (the bridegroom rejoicing) parallels Psalm 19’s simile of the sun as a bridegroom coming forth rejoicing.
Alternative generated candidates
- It is like a bridegroom coming forth from his chamber; it rejoices like a warrior to run his course.
- It is like a bridegroom coming forth from his chamber; it rejoices like a champion to run his course.
Psa.19.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- מקצה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מוצאו: NOUN,m,sg,suff-3ms
- ותקופתו: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,suff-3ms
- על: PREP
- קצותם: NOUN,m,pl,suff-3mp
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- נסתר: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- מחמתו: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff-3ms
Parallels
- Ecclesiastes 1:5 (verbal): Depicts the sun's regular rising and setting—‘the sun rises, and the sun goes down… hastens to its place’—a close verbal/thematic parallel to the sun’s ordered circuit across the heavens in Psalm 19:7.
- Job 38:12-15 (verbal): God’s sovereign command of the morning and the sun’s allotted place echoes Psalm 19’s portrayal of the sun’s ordained course and its movement across the sky.
- Psalm 104:19 (thematic): Speaks of God appointing seasons and the sun’s time to set—another depiction of the sun’s regulated path under divine ordering, paralleling Psalm 19’s emphasis on the sun’s circuit.
- Romans 1:20 (thematic): Uses the created order to reveal God’s invisible attributes—parallels Psalm 19’s broader theme that the heavens (including the sun’s regular course) declare God’s glory and power.
Alternative generated candidates
- From one end of the heavens is its rising, and its circuit to the other end; nothing is hidden from its heat.
- Its rising is from one end of the heavens, and its circuit to the other end; nothing is hidden from its heat.
Psa.19.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- תורת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- תמימה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- משיבת: VERB,piel,ptc,NA,f,sg,NA
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עדות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- נאמנה: ADJ,f,sg
- מחכימת: VERB,piel,ptc,NA,f,sg,NA
- פתי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 119:98–100 (verbal): Like Ps 19:8, these verses credit God’s commandments/word with making the speaker wiser than enemies and preserving understanding—close lexical and thematic overlap about Torah’s effect on the simple/young.
- Psalm 119:105 (thematic): Both verses portray God’s word as life‑giving and guiding: Ps 19:8 speaks of reviving the soul, while 119:105 presents the word as a lamp and light for the believer’s path.
- Psalm 119:130 (verbal): The image of Scripture’s ‘opening’ or ‘unfolding’ bringing light and understanding echoes Ps 19:8’s claims that the Lord’s instruction restores and enlightens the soul and mind.
- Proverbs 2:6–8 (thematic): Proverbs depicts wisdom as a divine gift that gives knowledge, discretion and preservation—paralleling Ps 19:8’s assertion that the LORD’s instruction makes the simple wise and revives the soul.
- 2 Timothy 3:16 (allusion): The New Testament claim that ‘all Scripture is useful for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness’ echoes Ps 19:8’s functions of God’s word—reviving, instructing and making the simple wise.
Alternative generated candidates
- The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is faithful, making wise the simple.
- The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
Psa.19.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- פקודי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ישרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- משמחי: VERB,piel,part,.,m,pl
- לב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ברה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאירת: VERB,piel,part,.,f,sg
- עינים: NOUN,f,du,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 111:7 (verbal): 'The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure' closely echoes Psalm 19's affirmation that the LORD's precepts/judgments are true and righteous.
- Psalm 119:128 (verbal): 'I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right' parallels the language of the LORD's precepts/statutes being 'right' (ישרים) in Psalm 19.
- Psalm 119:105 (thematic): 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path' connects with 'the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes'—both stress the revelatory, illuminating function of God's word.
- Deuteronomy 32:4 (thematic): 'His work is perfect... all his ways are judgment' thematically parallels Psalm 19's emphasis on the truth and righteousness of God's judgments and statutes.
- John 17:17 (allusion): 'Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth' echoes Psalm 19's claim that God's word/commandments are true and pure, an NT application of the Psalm's theme.
Alternative generated candidates
- The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the statutes of the LORD are pure, enlightening the eyes.
- The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Psa.19.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- יראת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- טהורה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- עומדת: VERB,qal,ptc,f,sg
- לעד: ADV
- משפטי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- צדקו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- יחדו: ADV
Parallels
- Psalm 119:160 (verbal): Closely parallels wording and idea: 'The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever'—echoing 'the judgments of the LORD are true, righteous altogether' and their enduring quality.
- Psalm 111:7-8 (verbal): Affirms the trustworthiness and righteousness of God's works and precepts ('the works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are sure'), echoing the claim that the LORD's judgments are true and righteous.
- Deuteronomy 32:4 (thematic): Affirms the perfection and justice of God's ways ('His work is perfect, for all his ways are justice'), thematically paralleling the declaration that the LORD's judgments are true and righteous.
- Proverbs 9:10 (thematic): Shares the emphasis on 'the fear of the LORD' as a foundational, positive quality ('The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom'), echoing the opening phrase 'the fear of the LORD is clean.'
- John 17:17 (allusion): New Testament echo: 'Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.' Resonates with Psalm's affirmation that God's judgments/word are true and enduring.
Alternative generated candidates
- The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true—altogether just.
- The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, altogether righteous.
Psa.19.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- הנחמדים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- מזהב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומפז: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- ומתוקים: CONJ+ADJ,m,pl,abs
- מדבש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונפת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- צופים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 19:7-9 (structural): Immediate context: the preceding verses praise the perfection and value of God's law, which culminates in v.11's comparison of divine precepts to gold and honey.
- Psalm 119:72 (thematic): Explicitly values God's law above riches: 'The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver,' echoing Ps 19:11's 'more desirable than gold.'
- Psalm 119:103 (verbal): Uses the same sweet imagery for God's words: 'How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth,' paralleling Ps 19:11's 'sweeter than honey.'
- Proverbs 24:13-14 (thematic): Compares wisdom and instruction to honey and a honeycomb—advising the reader to value wisdom's sweetness—similar metaphoric use of honey in Ps 19:11.
- Ezekiel 3:3 (cf. Revelation 10:9-10) (allusion): Prophetic motif of God's word being 'as honey' in the mouth (Ezekiel) and echoed in Revelation; parallels Ps 19:11's metaphor of divine revelation as sweet honey.
Alternative generated candidates
- More desirable are they than gold, even much refined gold; sweeter than honey and the drippings of the comb.
- More desirable are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter than honey and the drippings of the comb.
Psa.19.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- גם: ADV
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- נזהר: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- בשמרם: PREP+VERB,qal,inf,3,m,pl
- עקב: PREP
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 51:10-12 (thematic): A penitential plea for inner renewal and preservation from transgression—asks God to create a clean heart and restore to avoid ongoing sin, paralleling the request to be kept from presumptuous sins.
- Psalm 119:11 (thematic): Speaks of hiding God's word in the heart 'that I might not sin,' linking the means of moral preservation to divine instruction as a way to be kept from sin.
- Isaiah 6:5-7 (thematic): Isaiah's confession of sin and ritual cleansing (the coal on the lips) parallels the need for divine purging and prevention of guilt-bearing sin.
- Matthew 6:13 (thematic): The Lord's Prayer petition 'lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil' echoes the request that God keep the servant from sins gaining dominion.
- 1 John 1:9 (thematic): Promises cleansing from sin upon confession, corresponding to the psalmist's appeal for God to keep and cleanse the servant from presumptuous/hidden sins.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moreover, by them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
- Moreover, by them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Psa.19.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- שגיאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- יבין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מנסתרות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- נקני: VERB,hiph,impv,2,m,sg+PRON,1,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 51:6-7 (thematic): Like Ps 19:13, Ps 51 petitions God for inward cleansing—‘purge me… and I shall be clean’—addressing hidden/inner sin and the need for divine purification.
- Psalm 139:23-24 (thematic): Both verses request God’s examination and removal of concealed faults: ‘Search me… and see if there be any wicked way in me’ echoes the plea to be cleared from secret sins.
- Proverbs 20:9 (verbal): Proverbs poses the same rhetorical question—‘Who can say, I have made my heart clean?’—paralleling Ps 19:13’s inquiry about understanding or discerning one’s errors.
- Psalm 32:5 (structural): Ps 32 shows the pattern implicit in Ps 19:13: acknowledgment/confession of sin leads to God’s forgiveness and relief—‘I acknowledged my sin… and thou forgavest’.
- 1 John 1:8-9 (allusion): New Testament parallel: the call to confess and be cleansed—‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful… to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’—echoes Ps 19:13’s concern with hidden faults and divine cleansing.
Alternative generated candidates
- Who can discern his errors? Cleanse me from hidden faults.
- Who can discern his errors? Cleanse me from hidden faults.
Psa.19.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- גם: ADV
- מזדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חשך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- אל: NEG
- ימשלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אז: ADV
- איתם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ונקיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- מפשע: PREP,NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 19:12 (structural): Immediate context within the same psalm: a prior plea to be cleansed from 'hidden faults' closely linked to the request to be kept from presumptuous (willful) sins.
- Psalm 119:11 (thematic): Expresses storing God's word in the heart 'that I might not sin,' echoing the desire for divine help to avoid sin's dominion.
- Psalm 139:23-24 (thematic): A direct petition for God to search, know, and cleanse the heart and lead away from wicked ways—parallel concern for inward purity and deliverance from sin.
- Proverbs 28:13 (thematic): Contrasts concealing sins with confessing and forsaking them to obtain mercy; relates thematically to seeking cleansing from transgression.
- 1 John 1:9 (thematic): New Testament parallel promising that confession leads to forgiveness and purification—akin to the psalmist's appeal to be cleansed from great transgression.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also restrain your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me—then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
- Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me—then I shall be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
To the chief musician. A psalm of David.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
Day to day utters speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun; it comes forth like a bridegroom from his chamber; it rejoices like a strong man to run his course.
Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to their ends; there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the command of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
More desirable than gold—yes, much fine gold; sweeter than honey and the drippings of the comb.
Moreover, by them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Cleanse me from hidden faults.
Also keep back your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me—then I shall be blameless and cleansed from great transgression.