Psalms 19

To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. A Psalm composed by David (and delivered by him to the master of the music in the tabernacle), declaring that no man could be ignorant of God who would consider his admirable works; much less could the Jews, whom he had instructed by his law; and therefore justly expected their greater care not wilfully to offend him.

Psalms 19:1

JL HE heavens declare ihe glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handy-work. There is no part of this great fabric of the world which doth not direct us to a most mighty Being, by whom it was made: but above all the rest, the heavens, which are so vastly extended, and wherein we see so many glorious bodies, proclaim aloud to all mankind the immense greatness, and power, and wisdom, and goodness of God; which shine most brightly there.

Psalms 19:2

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. By their settled and orderly revolution the day and the night are made; from whose constant succession, and commodious variations, there issues forth (as water from a fountain) perpetual instruction, and.matter of praise and thanks to his most wise goodness.

Psalms 19:3

Tlxere is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. They cannot speak, iudeed, as we can do; nor do we hear any words they utter: and yet, without these, they are understood by all nations; even by the most barbarous, who understand not a word of any other language.

Psalms 19:4

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and thbir words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun. They all read here, as in a book, the wonderful art and skill of that almighty Being, who framed this regular structure; though they be never so rc- Digitized. by Microsoft® [psalm XX, moto, they hear them preach (as the apostles hereafter shall preach more fully) how great and how good he is: especially if they hearken to that universal minister of his, tho sun, which hath its habitation fixed for it here;

Psalms 19:5

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong 7iian to rim a race.* And comes forth every morning decked with such a radiant light, that no bridegroom looks so cheerfully, or is so adorned, on his marriage-day. Its swiftness also is as admirable as its beauty, for the mightiest champion can but weakly imitate it, in the speediness, evenness, and unwearicdness of its course. Ver. G. 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] It runs from the east to the west every day; and, in its yearly revolution, visits the southern and northern parts: so that all the earth feels the benefit of its quickening heat.

Psalms 19:7

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the sotd: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. Thus, is God visible to all the world in the face of the heavens; but to us he is conspicuous in a more excellent manner, by the revelation he hath made of himself in the law of Moses: which is a more perfect light to guide us, than the sun itself; restoring and comforting the most drooping souls, more than the sun cheers bur bodily spirits. For it is a sure testimony of God’s will and of his love, and preserves ignorant souls from being seduced to worship the sun as a god: for it makes them, at the first word, so wise, as to understand that “the Lord created the heavens, as well as the earth.”

Psalms 19:8

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlighte?iing the eyes. And from thence delivered to us a complete rule of life for all sorts of men among us: who see with great joy all officers and rulers, both sacred and civil, directed how to manage all for the public good; and every private man taught to keep himself pure from all manner of wickedness: it being as clear as the sun what he ought to do, and what to avoid.

Psalms 19:9

Tliefear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, and righteous altogetlier. .The true worship of God is here unalterably settled, (Deut. xii. 32.) free from all profane mixtures of superstition: and all our transactions with men are prescribed to be in perfect truth and righteousness.

Psalms 19:10

More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and the honeycomb. AV.e are happier in this than in all the gold and precious treasures which are brought from other countries; or in the most delicious pleasures which he hath provided for us iaour own. ■Ver. 11. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.] I say nothing but what I have tried: for, by following the admonitions of thy holy laws, both in my private and my public capacity, thy servant is become thus illustrious: and in their observance there is not only much satisfaction at present, but a far greater reward in the conclusion.

Psalms 19:12

Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. All our unhappincss is, that we do not observe them so strictly as we ought. They are a perfect rule; but our obedience, alas! is so exceedingly imperfect, that we cannot so much as number our wanderings from it: many of which we never c$*served; and therefore are so far from meriting any reward for obedience, that I must humbly beg thy pardon for the demerits of my negligence:

Psalms 19:13

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuotis sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and J sJiall be innocent from the great transgression. And the assistance of, thy grace likewise (without which I shall still farther swerve from thy law), to preserve me from all wilful sins against thee. I am devoted to thy service, O Lord; therefore I. beseech thee so to strengthen my will to please thee, that no’ temptation may prevail with me to consent deliberately to offend thee. Then shall I (notwithstanding my infirmities and ignorances) be accounted upright before thee; and be free from a great deal of guilt, which otherways, by manifold transgressions, I shall draw upon me.

Psalms 19:14

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, an:d my redeemer. And I shall havo the confidence also then to address myself unto thee, both openly and in secret, with hopes that all my sacrifices (offered from a heart that sincerely studies to be obedient to thee) shall be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord; to whom I fly for safety and deliverance, in f all the assaults which the enemies, either of my body or my soul, make upon me.