Psalms 19:1 «To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. » The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. _The heavens declare the glory of God_] The world, saitb Clement of Alexandria, is _Dei Scriptura,_ the first Bible that God made for the institution of man. The he... [ Continue Reading ]
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. Ver. 2. _Day unto day uttereth speech_] Some read it, one day succeeding another uttereth (or welleth out, as a fountain, continually, and plentifully) speech, yet without sound, _Sicut fons scaturiens_ (R. Menahem); by a dumb ki... [ Continue Reading ]
Psalms 19:3 [There is] no speech nor language, [where] their voice is not heard. Ver. 3. _There is no speech nor language where their voice_] And yet few hear these universal preachers, these _Regii Professores,_ these real expositors of the divinity, as one styleth them, who do preach to all peopl... [ Continue Reading ]
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, Ver. 4. _Their line is gone out through all the earth_] Or, their rule, or direction, or delineation, or Scripture, _confer _ Isa 28:13 _Quod in coelis tanquam in vol... [ Continue Reading ]
Which [is] as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, [and] rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. Ver. 5. _Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber_] _sc._ After long expectation, with a great, deal of pomp and gaiety; such is the sun rasing, when he first showeth himself above our hor... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 6. _His going forth is from the end of the heaven_] _i.e,_ From the east unto the west, in which course, notwithstanding, while he compasseth the circle of heav... [ Continue Reading ]
The law of the LORD [is] perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD [is] sure, making wise the simple. Ver. 7. _The law of the Lord is perfect_] Or, doctrine; the whole word of God, commonly distinguished into law and gospel, is perfect, immaculate, sincere, entire, complete. If Cicero... [ Continue Reading ]
The statutes of the LORD [are] right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD [is] pure, enlightening the eyes. Ver. 8. _The statutes of the Lord are right_] As being the issue of the most righteous will of God. Of human laws Demosthenes saith, that they are ευρημα των Yεων, the invention... [ Continue Reading ]
The fear of the LORD [is] clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD [are] true [and] righteous altogether. Ver. 9. _The fear of the Lord is clean_] That is, the doctrine which teacheth the true fear of God is such as cleanseth the conscience, ferreteth out corruption, sanctifieth the whol... [ Continue Reading ]
More to be desired [are they] than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Ver. 10. _More to be desired are they than gold_] Old people are all for profit, young for pleasure; here is gold for the one, yea, the finest gold (gold of Fez, _Aceto melle_, Plin. l. xi.... [ Continue Reading ]
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: [and] in keeping of them [there is] great reward. Ver. 11. _Moreover by them is thy servant warned_] Clearly admonished, or furbished and brightened, Daniel 12:3, made circumspect. God's testimonies were David's counsellors, Psalms 119:24, better than ever wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Who can understand [his] errors? cleanse thou me from secret [faults]. Ver. 12. _Who can understand his errors?_] This David speaketh doubtless out of a deep sense of his own imperfections and defects in what the law (so much by him commended) requireth; and to prevent mistakes, lest any man, heari... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 13. _Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins_] Heb. Withdraw, inhibit, for we are naturally prone to the worst of si... [ Continue Reading ]
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Ver. 14. _Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation, &c._] _Sint ad beneplaeitum verba, &c._ Let both my words and thoughts, as well as my life and actions, be to favoura... [ Continue Reading ]