DAWN

     Explanation: Psalm 19 contains David's description of natural and supernatural revelation and his prayer to be faithful to the insights they provide. The first image above illustrates the first stanza, pertaining to the revelation in the heavens. The second image pertains to the second stanza, which talks about the study of the Word of God, the supreme revelation. The third image pertains to the third stanza, in which David expresses his desire to be kept from sin, best exemplified by Christ's victory over temptation.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Psalm 8. Psalm 119. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 19-a - #1-a & Psalm 19-b #1-b. Psalm 19 - #2. ]

     David begins his Psalm by noting how the glory and the knowledge of God is revealed in nature, particularly in the heavens. His glory is seen daily and nightly (1-6). The wisdom given by the Law of God is even greater. It is perfect, converting the soul. It makes one wise. It causes the heart to rejoice. It is pure. It enlightens the eyes. It is clean, enduring forever. It is completely true and righteous. It is more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. It warns and rewards the servant of the LORD (7-11). No one can understand his errors. So David asks to be cleansed from his secret faults and to be kept from presumptuous sins so that they might not have dominion over him. Then he will be upright and innocent from the great transgression. And, in closing, he asks the LORD to let the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart to be acceptable in his sight (12-14).

A Psalm of David.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
² Day unto day uttereth speech,
and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
³ There is no speech nor language,
where their voice is not heard.
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,
⁵ Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
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.

⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect,
converting the soul:
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple.
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 for ever:
the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover by them is thy servant warned:
and in keeping of them there is great reward.

¹² Who can understand his errors?
cleanse thou me from secret faults.
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.
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.

* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]