Bible Commentaries

Verse 1

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

(Title

&) A Psalm. It is uncertain when this highly finished and beautiful ode was composed; though some think it was written by David in the wilderness when persecuted by Saul.

The heavens

8:3; 33:6; 115:16; 148:3,4; Isaiah 40:22-26; Jeremiah 10:11,12; Romans 1:19,20

the firmament

Rakeeâ, from rakâ, to stretch out, the expanse, not only containing the celestial bodies, but also the air, light, rain, dews, etc., all of which display the infinite power and wisdom of their Almighty Creator.

150:1,2; Genesis 1:6-8,14,15; Daniel 12:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:31 - very good; 1 Chronicles 16:31 - Let the heavens; Job 28:27 - he prepared it; Job 36:24 - which; Psalm 28:5 - operation; Psalm 74:16 - prepared; Psalm 89:5 - heavens; Psalm 96:6 - Honour; Psalm 97:6 - The heavens; Psalm 111:3 - honourable; Psalm 145:10 - All thy; Isaiah 6:3 - the whole earth; Isaiah 40:21 - General; Isaiah 40:26 - Lift; Jeremiah 31:35 - which giveth; Acts 14:17 - he left; Acts 17:27 - they; Hebrews 1:10 - the works; James 1:17 - from the

Verse 2

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

Day unto

24:7-10; 78:3-6; 134:1-3; 148:12; Exodus 15:20,21; Isaiah 38:19

nigh unto

74:16; 136:8,9; Genesis 1:17,18; 8:22

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:5 - and; Genesis 1:31 - very good; Psalm 28:5 - operation

Verse 3

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

There

Or, "They have no speech, nor words, nor is their voice heard; yet into all the earth hath gone out their sound, and to the extremity of the world their words." The Hebrew, kav, rendered, line, like the Greek [phthoggos] by which the LXX., (who are followed by St. Paul), render it, no doubt signifies the sound as well as the cord which emits it. The Vulgate, Jerome, and Symmachus, render it to the same purpose.

Deuteronomy 4:19

where

or, without these their voice is heard. Heb. without their voice heard.

Verse 4

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Their

98:3; Isaiah 49:6; Romans 10:18; 2 Corinthians 10:13-16

line

or, rule, or, direction. In them.

Genesis 1:14-18; Malachi 4:2

Reciprocal: Joshua 10:12 - Sun; Joshua 10:13 - So the sun; Judges 5:31 - the sun; Job 25:3 - upon whom; Job 38:5 - who hath stretched; Job 38:13 - take; Psalm 20:5 - rejoice; Ecclesiastes 1:5 - sun; Hosea 6:3 - his going; Habakkuk 3:11 - habitation; 1 Corinthians 15:41 - General

Verse 5

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

bridegroom

Isaiah 61:10; 62:5; John 3:29

rejoiceth

Ecclesiastes 1:5; 1 Corinthians 9:24-26; Philippians 3:13,14; Hebrews 12:1,2

Reciprocal: Judges 5:31 - the sun; Job 39:21 - and; Psalm 65:8 - outgoings; Joel 2:7 - They shall run

Verse 6

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

His going

139:9; Job 25:3; Ecclesiastes 1:5; Colossians 1:23

circuit

Job 22:14

Reciprocal: Genesis 1:16 - to rule; Genesis 1:18 - General; Proverbs 17:8 - gift

Verse 7

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

law

or, doctrine.

78:1-7; 119:72,96-100,105,127,128; 147:19,20; Deuteronomy 6:6-9; 17:18-20; Joshua 1:8; Job 23:12; Romans 3:2; 15:4

perfect

18:30; 111:7; Deuteronomy 32:4; Romans 12:2; James 1:17

converting

or, restoring.

23:3; 119:9; James 1:21-25

testimony

93:5; 119:14,24,111,152; Isaiah 8:16,20; John 3:32,33; 5:39; Acts 10:43; 2 Timothy 1:8; 1 John 5:9-12; Revelation 19:10

sure

111:7; 2 Samuel 23:5; 2 Timothy 2:19; Hebrews 6:18,19

making

119:130; Proverbs 1:4,22,23; Colossians 3:16; 2 Timothy 3:15-17

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:15 - the testimony; Deuteronomy 4:6 - this is your; Deuteronomy 4:8 - General; Deuteronomy 31:12 - men; 2 Samuel 16:23 - oracle of God; 1 Kings 2:3 - testimonies; 2 Kings 23:3 - his commandments; Ezra 7:10 - the law; Ezra 7:25 - the wisdom; Nehemiah 9:13 - gavest; Nehemiah 13:3 - when they; Job 28:23 - General; Job 33:27 - right; Psalm 51:13 - converted; Psalm 56:4 - In God I will; Psalm 116:6 - preserveth; Psalm 119:47 - which; Psalm 119:138 - testimonies; Proverbs 2:6 - out; Proverbs 7:7 - the simple; Proverbs 8:5 - General; Proverbs 8:6 - for; Proverbs 8:9 - General; Proverbs 9:4 - General; Isaiah 35:8 - the wayfaring; Isaiah 45:19 - speak righteousness; Jeremiah 8:9 - lo; Ezekiel 18:9 - walked; Ezekiel 20:19 - walk; Hosea 14:9 - for; Micah 2:7 - do not; Matthew 24:35 - my; Mark 13:31 - my; John 6:63 - the words; John 17:17 - Sanctify; Acts 11:14 - words; Romans 7:7 - I had; Romans 7:12 - the law; Romans 16:18 - the simple; 2 Corinthians 3:7 - was; 1 Timothy 1:8 - the law; 1 Timothy 4:6 - good doctrine; 2 Timothy 3:16 - and is; James 1:25 - the perfect; 1 Peter 2:2 - the sincere; 2 Peter 1:19 - a more; 1 John 5:3 - and

Verse 8

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

statutes

105:45; 119:12,16,80,171; Genesis 26:5; Exodus 18:16; Deuteronomy 4:5,6; Ezekiel 36:27

right

119:128; Nehemiah 9:13

rejoicing

40:8; 119:14,24,54,92,121,143; Deuteronomy 12:11,12; 16:11,14; Nehemiah 8:12; Isaiah 64:5; Jeremiah 15:16; Romans 7:22

is pure

12:6; 119:40; Proverbs 30:5; Romans 7:12-14

enlightening

13:3; 119:98-100,105,130; Proverbs 2:6; 6:23; Romans 2:17-20; 3:20; 7:7; Galatians 2:19; 3:10-13,21

Reciprocal: Leviticus 20:22 - statutes; Leviticus 23:14 - it shall be; 2 Samuel 22:23 - judgments; 2 Kings 17:37 - the statutes; Nehemiah 1:7 - the commandments; Job 33:27 - right; Psalm 18:30 - tried; Psalm 33:4 - the word; Psalm 56:4 - In God I will; Psalm 93:5 - Thy; Psalm 119:96 - but thy; Psalm 119:111 - for they; Psalm 119:140 - pure; Proverbs 8:9 - General; Isaiah 8:20 - it is; Hosea 14:9 - for; Romans 2:18 - being instructed; 2 Corinthians 3:7 - was; Ephesians 6:1 - for

Verse 9

The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

The fear

34:11-14; 36:1; 115:13; Genesis 22:12; 42:18; 1 Samuel 12:24; 1 Kings 18:3,4,12; Nehemiah 5:15; Proverbs 8:13; Acts 10:22; Romans 3:10-18

enduring

111:10; 112:1-6

judgments

10:5; 36:6; 72:1,2; 119:7,39,62,75,106,137,138,142,1; 147:19; Exodus 21:1; Deuteronomy 4:8; Isaiah 26:8; Romans 2:2; 11:22; Revelation 15:3; 16:7; 19:2

true

Heb. truth.

Reciprocal: Leviticus 25:17 - fear; 2 Samuel 22:23 - judgments; 1 Chronicles 16:12 - the judgments; Nehemiah 1:7 - the commandments; Job 23:12 - I have esteemed; Psalm 111:8 - are done; Psalm 119:86 - All thy; Proverbs 19:23 - fear; Acts 10:35 - feareth; 2 Corinthians 7:1 - in

Verse 10

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

than gold

119:72,127; Job 28:15-17; Proverbs 3:13-15; 8:10,11,19; 16:16

sweeter

63:5; 119:103; Job 23:12; Proverbs 24:13

honeycomb

Heb. the dropping of honey-combs.

1 Samuel 14:26-29

Reciprocal: Job 28:13 - knoweth; Psalm 119:14 - rejoiced; Proverbs 2:4 - thou; Proverbs 2:10 - General; Proverbs 3:17 - ways of; Proverbs 16:24 - an; Proverbs 22:18 - it is; Proverbs 24:14 - shall the; Ecclesiastes 2:14 - one; Song of Solomon 5:16 - mouth; Jeremiah 15:16 - thy word; Ezekiel 3:3 - it was; 1 Corinthians 3:12 - gold; Revelation 10:10 - sweet

Verse 11

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Moreover

119:11; 2 Chronicles 19:10; Proverbs 6:22,23; Ezekiel 3:17-21; 33:3-9; Matthew 3:7; Acts 20:31; 1 Corinthians 4:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:14; Hebrews 11:7

keeping

Proverbs 3:16-18; 11:18; 29:18; Isaiah 3:10,11; Matthew 6:4,6,18; Hebrews 11:6,26; James 1:25; 2 John 1:8; Revelation 14:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 39:43 - blessed them; Deuteronomy 5:29 - that it might; Deuteronomy 6:18 - shalt do; Deuteronomy 11:27 - General; Deuteronomy 15:5 - General; Deuteronomy 17:20 - right hand; Ruth 2:12 - recompense; 2 Samuel 22:21 - rewarded; 2 Chronicles 15:7 - your work; Psalm 119:24 - my counsellors; Proverbs 3:17 - ways of; Proverbs 13:13 - rewarded; Proverbs 19:8 - he that keepeth; Proverbs 24:14 - shall the; Ezekiel 3:21 - he shall; Ezekiel 18:22 - in his; Matthew 5:12 - for great; John 13:17 - happy; 1 Corinthians 15:58 - ye know; Hebrews 10:35 - great

Verse 12

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

can

40:12; Job 6:24; Isaiah 64:6; 1 Corinthians 4:4; Hebrews 9:7

cleanse

51:5-10; 65:3; 1 John 1:7

secret

90:8; 139:2,23,24; Leviticus 4:2-35; Jeremiah 17:9

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:2 - hidden; Leviticus 5:17 - though; Leviticus 13:6 - wash; Numbers 15:22 - General; Deuteronomy 21:6 - wash their hands; Deuteronomy 21:8 - lay not; 1 Kings 8:46 - there is no man; Job 9:3 - he cannot; Job 22:5 - thine; Job 31:37 - declare; Job 34:32 - which; Psalm 51:2 - cleanse; Psalm 69:5 - and my sins; Ezekiel 45:20 - every one; Romans 7:15 - what; Romans 7:21 - evil; Galatians 3:11 - that; Galatians 5:17 - the flesh; Philippians 3:9 - not; Hebrews 10:26 - if; 1 John 1:9 - and to

Verse 13

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

Keep

Genesis 20:6; 1 Samuel 25:32-34,39

presumptuous

Exodus 21:14; Numbers 15:30,31; Deuteronomy 17:12,13; 2 Peter 2:10

let

119:133; Romans 6:12-14,16-22

upright

7:10; 11:7; 84:11; Acts 24:16

I shall

18:23; 1 Chronicles 10:13,14

great

Heb. much.

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 11:14 - wrote a letter; Psalm 51:12 - uphold; Psalm 119:11 - that I; Luke 22:40 - Pray; John 8:36 - General; Romans 7:21 - a law; Galatians 5:17 - the flesh; 2 Thessalonians 3:3 - and; Hebrews 10:26 - if

Verse 14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Let

5:1,2; 51:15; 66:18-20; 119:108; Genesis 4:4,5; Proverbs 15:8; Romans 15:16; Hebrews 11:4; 13:15; 1 Peter 2:5

strength

Heb. rock.

18:1,2

redeemer

Job 19:25; Isaiah 43:14; 44:6; 47:4; 54:5; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; Titus 2:14; 1 Peter 1:18,19; Revelation 5:9 Reciprocal: Joshua 1:8 - thou shalt; Psalm 9:16 - Higgaion; Psalm 27:1 - strength; Psalm 28:7 - strength; Psalm 31:4 - my strength; Psalm 49:3 - meditation; Psalm 139:4 - there is not; Proverbs 15:26 - but; Isaiah 41:14 - saith; Jeremiah 16:19 - my strength; Luke 11:1 - teach; Romans 12:1 - acceptable; Ephesians 5:10 - acceptable; 1 Timothy 4:15 - Meditate; Hebrews 12:28 - we may