The creatures show God's glory, 1-6. The excellency of the divine law, 7-12. David prays for grace, 12-14.
1 [To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.]
The heavens declare the glory of God,/
and the firmament shows the work of his hands.
2 Day to day utters speech,/
and night to night shows knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language/
where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line has gone out through all the earth/
and their words to the end of the world./
In them he has set a tabernacle for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber./
It rejoices like a strong man running a race.
6 Its going forth is from the end of the heaven/
and its circuit to its ends,/
and there is nothing hid from its heat.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect,/
converting the soul./
The testimony of the LORD is sure,/
making the simple wise.
8 The statutes of the LORD are right,/
rejoicing the heart./
The commandment of the LORD is pure,/
enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean,/
enduring forever./
The judgments of the LORD are true/
and righteous altogether.
10 They are to be more desired than gold,/
even much fine gold,/
and also sweeter than honey/
and the honey-comb.
11 Moreover, by them your servant is warned,/
and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can understand his errors?/
Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins./
Do not let them have dominion over me./
Then I shall be upright/
and be innocent from the great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth/
and the meditation of my heart/
be acceptable in your sight,/
O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.
Matthew Henry Commentary - Psalms, Chapter 19[➚]
John Calvin's Chapter Summary:
David, with the view of encouraging the faithful to contemplate the glory of God, sets before them in the first place, a mirror of it in the fabric of the heavens, and in the exquisite order of their workmanship which we behold; and in the second place, he recalls our thoughts to the Law, in which God made himself more familiarly known to his chosen people. Taking occasion from this, he continues to discourse at considerable length on this peculiar gift of Heaven, commending and exalting the use of the law. Finally, he concludes the psalm with a prayer.
[v.4] - Quoted in Romans 10:18.
[v.6] - The pronouns in this verse were changed to third person neuter to avoid any confusion in the subject of this verse. "Its" refers to the sun mentioned at the end of verse 4.
[v.9] - Quoted in Revelation 19:2.