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Psalm 19

God’s Glory in Creation and the Law

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

1

The heavens are telling the glory of God;

and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

2

Day to day pours forth speech,

and night to night declares knowledge.

3

There is no speech, nor are there words;

their voice is not heard;

4

yet their voice goes out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.

 

In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,

5

which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,

and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

6

Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

and its circuit to the end of them;

and nothing is hid from its heat.

 

7

The law of the L ord is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the decrees of the L ord are sure,

making wise the simple;

8

the precepts of the L ord are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the L ord is clear,

enlightening the eyes;

9

the fear of the L ord is pure,

enduring forever;

the ordinances of the L ord are true

and righteous altogether.

10

More to be desired are they than gold,

even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey,

and drippings of the honeycomb.

 

11

Moreover by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

12

But who can detect their errors?

Clear me from hidden faults.

13

Keep back your servant also from the insolent;

do not let them have dominion over me.

Then I shall be blameless,

and innocent of great transgression.

 

14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable to you,

O L ord, my rock and my redeemer.


13. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins. By presumptuous sins he means known and evident transgressions, 469469     That is, known and evident to the person committing them. He sins against knowledge. accompanied with proud contempt and obstinacy. By the word keep back, he intimates, that such is the natural propensity of the flesh to sin, that even the saints themselves would immediately break forth or rush headlong into it, did not God, by his own guardianship and protection, keep them back. It is to be observed, that while he calls himself the servant of God, he nevertheless acknowledges that he had need of the bridle, lest he should arrogantly and rebelliously break forth in transgressing the law of God. Being regenerated by the Spirit of God, he groaned, it is true, under the burden of his sins; but he knew, on the other hand, how great is the rebellion of the flesh, and how much we are inclined to forgetfulness of God, from which proceed contempt of his majesty and all impiety. Now, if David, who had made so much progress in the fear of God, was not beyond the danger of transgressing, how shall the carnal and unrenewed man, in whom innumerable lusts exercise dominion, be able to restrain and govern himself by his own free will? Let us learn, then, even although the unruliness of our wayward flesh has been already subdued by the denial of ourselves, to walk in fear and trembling; for unless God restrain us, our hearts will violently boil with a proud and insolent contempt of God. This sense is confirmed by the reason added immediately after, that they may not have dominion over me. By these words he expressly declares, that unless God assist him, he will not only be unable to resist, but will be wholly brought under the dominion of the worst vices. This passage, therefore, teaches us not only that all mankind are naturally enslaved to sin, but that the faithful themselves would become the bond-slaves of sin also, if God did not unceasingly watch over them to guide them in the path of holiness, and to strengthen them for persevering in it. There is also another useful lesson which we have here to attend to, namely, that we ought never to pray for pardon, without, at the same time, asking to be strengthened and fortified by the power of God for the time to come, that temptations, in future, may not gain advantage over us. And although we may feel in our hearts the incitements of concupiscence goading and distressing us, we ought not, on that account, to become discouraged. The remedy to which we should have recourse is to pray to God to restrain us. No doubt, David could have wished to feel in his heart no stirrings of corruption; but knowing that he would never be wholly free from the remains of sin, until at death he had put off this corrupt nature, he prays to be armed with the grace of the Holy Spirit for the combat, that iniquity might not reign victorious over him. In the end of the verse there are two things to be observed. David, in affirming that he shall then be upright and clean from much wickedness, attributes, in the first place, the honor of preserving him innocent to the spiritual assistance of God; and depending upon it, he confidently assures himself of victory over all the armies of Satan. In the second place, he acknowledges, that unless he is assisted by God, he will be overwhelmed with an immense load, and plunged as it were into a boundless abyss of wickedness: for he says, that aided by God, he will be clear not of one fault or of two, but of many. From this it follows, that as soon as we are abandoned by the grace of God, there is no kind of sin in which Satan may not entangle us. Let this confession of David then quicken us to earnestness in prayer; for in the midst of so many and various snares, it does not become us to fall asleep or to be indolent. Again, let the other part of the Psalmist’s exercise predominate in our hearts — let us boast with him, that although Satan may assault us by many and strong armies, we will nevertheless be invincible, provided we have the aid of God, and will continue, in despite of every hostile attempt, to hold fast our integrity.


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