PSALM XIX _The heavens and their host proclaim the majesty of God_, 1-6; _the excellence and perfection of the Divine law_, 7-10; _its usefulness_, 11. _The psalmist prays for pardon and preservation from sin_, 12, 13; _and thy his Words and thoughts may be holy_, 14. NOTES ON PSALM XIX The... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 19:2. _DAY UNTO DAY UTTERETH SPEECH_] Each day is represented as teaching another relative to some new excellence discovered in these _manifold works_ of God. The _nights_ also, by the same figure, are represented as giving information to each other of the increase of knowledge already... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 19:3. THERE IS _NO SPEECH NOR LANGUAGE_ WHERE _THEIR VOICE IS_ _NOT HEARD._] Leave out the expletives here, which pervert the sense; and what remains is a tolerable translation of the original: - אין אמר ואין דברים בלי נשמע קולם _Ein omer veein debarim, beli nishma kolam_. "No speech... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 19:5. _WHICH_ IS _AS A BRIDEGROOM, C._] This is a reference to the _rising of the sun_, as the following verse is to the _setting_. He makes his appearance above the horizon with splendour and majesty every creature seems to rejoice at his approach; and during the whole of his course,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 19:7. _THE LAW OF THE LORD_] And here are _two_ books of Divine Revelation: 1. The _visible_ HEAVENS, and the _works of creation_ in general. 2. The BIBLE, or Divinely inspired writings contained in the _Old_ and _New Testaments_. These may all be called _the LAW_ of _the Lord_; תורה... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 19:8. _THE STATUTES OF THE LORD_] פקודים _pikkudim_, from פקד _pakad_, he visited, _cared, took notice of, appointed to a charge_. The _appointments_, or _charge delivered_ by God to man for his regard and observance. ARE _RIGHT_] ישרים _yesharim_, from ישר _yashar_, to make _straight,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 19:9. _THE FEAR OF THE LORD_] יראה _yirah_, from ירא _yara,_ to _fear_, to _venerate_; often put for the whole of Divine worship. The reverence we owe to the Supreme Being. IS _CLEAN_] טהורה _tehorah_, from טהר _tahar_, to be _pure,_ _clean_; not differing much from ברה _barah_, (see a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 19:10. _MORE TO BE DESIRED_ ARE THEY _THAN GOLD_] This is strictly true; but who believes it? By most men _gold_ is preferred both to _God_ and his _judgments_; and they will barter every heavenly portion for gold and silver! _SWEETER ALSO THAN HONEY_] To those whose mental taste is re... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 19:11. _BY THEM IS THY SERVANT WARNED_] נזהר _nizhar_, from זהר _zahar_, to be _clear, pellucid_. By these laws, testimonies, c., thy servant is _fully instructed he sees all clearly_; and he _discerns_ that in _keeping of them there is great reward_: every man is wise, holy, and happy,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 19:12. _WHO CAN UNDERSTAND_ HIS _ERRORS?_] It is not possible, without much of the Divine light, to understand all our _deviations_ from, not only the _letter_, but the _spirituality_, of the Divine law. Frequent self-examination, and walking in the light, are essentially necessary to t... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 19:13. _FROM PRESUMPTUOUS_ SINS] Sins committed not through _frailty_ or _surprise_, but those which are the offspring of _thought, purpose_, and _deliberation_. Sins against judgment, light, and conscience. The words might be translated, _Preserve thy_ _servant also from the proud_; fr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 19:14. _LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH_] He has prayed against practical sin, the sins of the _body_; now, against the _sins_ of the _mouth_ and of the _heart_. Let my _mouth_ speak nothing but what is _true, kind_, and _profitable_; and my _heart_ meditate nothing but what is _holy, pure_,... [ Continue Reading ]