Chapter Overview
Summary
Psalm 19 (MT) / Psalm 18 (LXX) is a two-part meditation: vv. 2–7 (MT) on creation's wordless revelation via the heavens; vv. 8–15 (MT) on torah's verbal revelation. Paul cites 19:4 at Romans 10:18 as proof that the gospel has reached all the earth — the Gentile-revelation theology. C. S. Lewis called this psalm 'the greatest poem in the Psalter and one of the greatest lyrics in the world.'
Notable Variants
19:4 'their line goes out through all the earth' cited at Rom 10:18 as proof of universal-gospel-reach; the two-book theology (creation / Scripture) that natural-and-special revelation traditions build on.
Structural Notes
MT Ps 19 = LXX Ps 18. 15 verses.
For the choirmaster. A psalm of David.
Superscription tracks MT.
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.
'The heavens declare the glory of God' — the programmatic natural-revelation verse. Romans 1:20 ('God's invisible attributes … are clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world') is the Pauline doctrinal-extension.
Day after day pours out speech, and night after night reveals knowledge.
'Day after day pours out speech' tracks MT. The continuous-creative-revelation theme.
There is no speech and there are no words; their voice is not heard.
'There is no speech and there are no words' tracks MT. The paradox: wordless-but-communicative revelation.
Yet their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
Masoretic (WLC)
בְּכָל־הָאָרֶץ יָצָא קַוָּם וּבִקְצֵה תֵבֵל מִלֵּיהֶם
Yet their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world
Septuagint (LXX)
εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν γῆν ἐξῆλθεν ὁ φθόγγος αὐτῶν καὶ εἰς τὰ πέρατα τῆς οἰκουμένης τὰ ῥήματα αὐτῶν
Into all the earth has gone out their sound, and to the ends of the world their words
ROMANS 10:18 CITATION. Paul cites this verse verbatim in its LXX form: "But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for 'their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.'" (eis pasan tēn gēn exēlthen ho phthongos autōn).
The LXX's phthongos ('sound, tone') renders Hebrew qav ('line, measuring-cord') — a striking interpretive rendering. The LXX translator either misread qav or interpretively rendered it as 'voice/sound.' Paul's Romans-10 application requires the LXX reading: the gospel-message has gone out as far as the created order proclaims God — that is, universally.
The 'all the earth' / 'ends of the world' (pasan tēn gēn / ta perata tēs oikoumenēs) universal-reach language supplies NT missionary vocabulary (Matt 28:19 'all nations,' Acts 1:8 'ends of the earth').
It comes out like a bridegroom from his chamber, rejoicing like a champion to run its course.
Sun-as-bridegroom imagery tracks MT. The bridegroom-running-his-course image becomes in Christian hymnography a Christological figure for Christ the bridegroom.
Its rising is from one end of the heavens, and its circuit reaches to the other end; nothing is hidden from its heat.
Sun's circuit tracks MT.
The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul. The testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the simple wise.
The pivot to torah-theology. 'The law of the LORD is perfect (teleios)' — one of the Psalter's fullest Torah-celebration verses. The six-fold catalog of torah (law, testimony, precepts, commandment, fear, judgments) with six adjectives (perfect, trustworthy, right, pure, clean, true) is an elaborate wisdom-literature celebration.
The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
Second of the six-fold catalog tracks MT.
The fear of the LORD is clean, standing forever. The judgments of the LORD are true, righteous altogether.
Third of the six-fold catalog tracks MT.
More desirable than gold — than much fine gold; sweeter than honey — than honey dripping from the comb.
'More desirable than gold … sweeter than honey' tracks MT. Torah-desirability-hyperbole that Psalm 119 massively extends.
Moreover, by them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
'In keeping them there is great reward' tracks MT.
Who can discern their errors? Cleanse me from hidden faults.
'Cleanse me from hidden faults' tracks MT. The awareness of moral-blindness — 'unknown sins' — is the wisdom-prerequisite for grace.
Also keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule over me. Then I will be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
'Keep your servant from willful sins' tracks MT.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable before you, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
'Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable' tracks MT. This verse has entered Christian liturgy as a standing-pre-sermon prayer. 'My rock and my Redeemer' (rock / go'el) — two signature Psalmic divine titles.