Psalm 19:7–11

Context

Psalm 19 bears the superscription "A Psalm of David." The psalm has three parts. Verses 1–6 celebrate how the heavens and the sun silently declare the glory of God. Verses 7–11 praise the law of the LORD, and verses 12–14 close with a prayer to be cleansed from secret faults.

In verses 7–11 the psalmist calls the law by six names: "law," "testimony," "statutes," "commandment," "fear of the LORD," and "judgments." To each name he attaches a quality, such as "perfect," "sure," or "right," and an effect, such as "converting the soul" (that is, reviving it) or "enlightening the eyes." Verse 10 compares them to gold and honey, and in verse 11 the psalmist calls himself "thy servant" and confesses that he is "warned" (admonished and instructed) by them. Commentators also frequently note that verses 1–6 refer to God by the general title El, whereas from verse 7 onward He is called by the covenant name "the LORD" (Yahweh).

Interpretation

• Reading in terms of the categories of revelation: In the Reformed tradition, verses 1–6 are often read as general revelation through creation and verses 7–11 as special revelation through the word. The passage is frequently used to explain that nature makes God known, but that the knowledge leading to salvation is given through the written word.
• Reading torah as instruction: Many scholars hold that the Hebrew word torah, translated here as "law," means "instruction" in a sense broader than legal statutes. Jewish tradition likewise reads this psalm as a song of delight in the Torah as a whole.
• Reading it as a guide for sanctification: The Reformed and Wesleyan traditions regard the law as a standard that guides the life of the believer, and they sometimes explain this passage in connection with sanctification.
• Literary readings: Some scholars consider the section on the sun and the section on the law to have originally been separate poems. Others read them as a single composition in which the law illuminates human beings just as the sun shines upon all things.

Questions of Application

Because this passage celebrates the law with joy, the question is often raised of how it fits with Paul's teaching that no one is justified by the law. The Lutheran tradition, while strictly distinguishing law and gospel, explains that the torah of this psalm contains both promise and instruction. Reformed churches often explain the passage in terms of the "third use" of the law, that is, its role as the rule of life for believers.

In the Korean Church

The passage is frequently cited in sermons on the value of God's word and in exhortations to read the Bible. The phrase in verse 10, "sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb," is widely used as a Scripture memorization verse.

Related Passages

• Psalm 119:97–104
• Psalm 1:2
• Romans 1:20
• Romans 7:12
• 2 Timothy 3:15