Psalm 19:7-14

Psalm 19:7-14
Proper 21B

BibleHub

The lawA of the LordB is perfect,C

Notes on verse 7a

A “law” = torah. From yarah (to throw, shoot, be stunned; to flow as water so figuratively to instruct or teach). This is law, instruction, teaching, or statute. It can also refer to the first five books of the Bible – the Torah.
B “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
C “perfect” = tamim. From tamam (to finish or accomplish; to make perfect, demonstrate that you are upright; consume; to complete in a literal or figurative sense). This is entire in a literal or figurative sense. So, it could be complete, full, intact, or without defect. Alternately, it could refer to being sound, having integrity, being sincere or perfect.

    revivingD the soul;E
the decreesF of the Lord are sure,G

Notes on verse 7b

D “reviving” = shub. To turn back, return, turn away – literally or figuratively. Doesn’t necessarily imply going back to where you started from. This is also the root verb for the Hebrew word for repentance “teshubah.”
E “soul” = nephesh. Related to naphash (to refresh or be refreshed). This is soul, self, person, emotion. It is a breathing creature. Can also refer to appetites and desires.
F “decrees” = eduth. From ed (witness, testimony, recorder); from ud (to admonish, repeat, duplicate, testify, restore, record, relieve). This is testimony, ordinance, decree, warning, or witness.
G “are sure” = aman. This is to believe, endure, fulfill, confirm, support, be faithful. It is to put one’s trust in, be steadfast. Figuratively, this is to be firm, steadfast, or faithful, trusting, believing, being permanent, morally solid. This is where the word “amen” comes from.

    making wiseH the simple;I
the preceptsJ of the Lord are right,K

Notes on verses 7c-8a

H “making wise” = chakam. This is to be wise or teach wisdom. It is wisdom in thought, word, or action.
I “simple” = pthiy. 19x in OT. From pathah (to be simple, entice, deceive, persuade, allure, be silly); from pethi (simple, silly, foolish, easily deceived); from pathah (to be wide open, deceive, entice, persuade, to be simple, delude). This is open-minded, simple, silly, foolish, or seducible.
J “precepts” = piqqud. From paqad (to attend to or visit – can be used for a friendly or violent encounter; to oversee, care for, avenge, or charge). This is something that is appointed or decreed by God. It can refer to the Law as a whole or a commandment individually.
K “right” = yashar. From yashar (to be straight, right, even, smooth, or agreeable; figuratively, to make something pleasant or prosperous). This is straight, right, level. Also, it is pleasing, whether pleasing God or pleasing other people. So, it is upright or righteous.

    rejoicingL the heart;M
the commandmentN of the Lord is clear,O

Notes on verse 8b

L “rejoicing” = samach. This is to rejoice or be glad. Properly, it is to brighten up in a literal or figurative sense.
M “heart” = leb. From the same as lebab (the heart, courage, one’s inner self, the mind, the will; only used in a figurative sense in the Bible); may be related to labab (to encourage; properly, to be encased as with fat; used in a good sense, this means to transport someone with love; used in a bad sense, it can mean to dull one’s senses).. This is inner self, mind, will, feelings, the center.
N “commandment” = mitsvah. From tsavah (to charge, command, order, enjoin). This is a commandment, law, ordinance obligation, or tradition. It is something commanded whether by God or by a human authority. This term is sometimes used collectively to refer to the Law.
O “clear” = bar. 7x in OT. From barar (to clarify, brighten, or polish; to examine, select, choose, purge, sharpen, or purify). This is pure, clean, or empty. It can also mean innocent or beloved.

    enlighteningP the eyes;Q
the fearR of the Lord is pure,S

Notes on verses 8c-9a

P “enlightening” = or. This is to light, shine, set on fire – to be luminous in a literal or figurative sense.
Q “eyes” = ayin. This is eye in a literal or figurative sense so eye, appearance, favor, or a fountain (the eye of the landscape).
R “fear” = yirah. From yare (to fear, be afraid, dreadful; also fearful reverence – to fear in a moral sense is to say to revere, respect). This is fear or reverence.
S “pure” = tahor. From taher (bright, which implies being pure or clean; to purge, cleanse, or purify; clean in a ritual sense or a moral one (i.e. moral or holy)). This is clean or pure in a literal, ritual, or ethical sense.

    enduringT forever;U
the ordinancesV of the Lord are trueW

Notes on verse 9b

T “enduring” = amad. This is to stand up in a literal or figurative sense. So it can be establish, continue, endure, take a stand, act, be a servant, stand still, remain, stand against an enemy.
U “forever” = ad. From adah (to advance or continue; to take away or remove; adorning oneself with ornaments). This is old, perpetuity, eternity. It is a duration going back or forward.
V “ordinances” = mishpat. From shaphat (to judge, defend, pronounce judgment, condemn, govern). This is a verdict or formal sentence whether from humans or from God. It includes the act of judging as well as the place that judging takes place, the suit itself, and the penalty. Abstractly, this is justice, which includes the rights of the participants.
W “true” = emet. Related to “are sure” in v7. From aman (see note G above). This is firmness or stability. Figuratively, it is faithfulness, truth, or trustworthiness. This is the same root that “amen” comes from.

    and righteousX altogether.Y
10 More to be desiredZ are they than gold,AA

Notes on verses 9c-10a

X “righteous” = tsadeq. From tsedeq (rightness, righteousness, just cause, vindication; that which is right in a natural, moral, or legal sense; abstractly equity; figuratively prosperity). This is being just or righteousness. It refers to right in a moral or legal sense. So, it can be doing justice, clearing oneself, or turning to righteousness.
Y “altogether” = yachad. From yachad (to join, be united). This is a unit, both, altogether, unitedness, alike.
Z “more to be desired” = chamad. This is to desire or delight in someone or something. It can also mean something that is precious or coveted. So, it can also refer to lust.
AA “gold” = zahab. Root may mean to shimmer. This is gold or something that has the color of gold like oil. It can also refer to a clear sky – to good weather.

    even muchBB fine gold;CC
sweeterDD also than honeyEE
    and drippingsFF of the honeycomb.GG

Notes on verse 10b

BB “much” = rab. From rabab (increasing in any aspect whether quantity, authority, size, quality, greatness, etc.). This is abundance, many, elder, exceedingly, great. It refers to abundance of amount, rank, or status.
CC “fine gold” = paz. 9x in OT. From pazaz (being refined; gold as refined). This is refined or pure gold.
DD “sweeter” = mathoq. 12x in OT. From mathoq (to be sweet, sweeten, become pleasant, cover, to suck, to relish). This is something that is sweet or pleasant.
EE “honey” = debash. Root may mean being gummy. This is honey or honeycomb because it is so sticky. It can also refer to syrup.
FF “drippings” = nopheth. 5x in OT. Perhaps from nuph (to rock back and forth, wave, sprinkle, quiver, beckon, offer, present). This is dripping as honey flowing from a honeycomb.
GG “honeycomb” = tsuph. 2x in OT. From tsuph (to flow, float, engulf, swim). This is comb or honeycomb.

11 Moreover,HH by them is your servantII warned;JJ
    in keepingKK them there is greatLL reward.MM

Notes on verse 11

HH “moreover” = gam. This is also, moreover, again.
II “servant” = ebed. From abad (to work, serve, compel; any kind of work; used causatively, can mean to enslave or keep in bondage). This is a servant, slave, or bondservant.
JJ “warned” = zahar. This is to be a light, shine, or gleam. Figuratively, it can refer to enlightening, warning, or teaching. It is to teach by giving caution.
KK “keeping” = shamar. This is to keep, watch, or preserve. It means to guard something or to protect it as a thorny hedge protects something.
LL “great” = rab. Same as “much” in v10. See note BB above.
MM “reward” = eqeb. 15x in OT. Perhaps from aqab (to assail, supplant, overreach, follow or grab someone’s heel, to trip someone up); perhaps from aqeb (heel, hind part, hoof, rear guard of an army, one who lies in wait, usurper). This is a heel as the final part of something i.e. the result, consequence, or reward. It can also be used as an adverb to mean as ever.

12 But who can detectNN one’s own errors?OO
    ClearPP me from hiddenQQ faults.

Notes on verse 12

NN “detect” = bin. This is to discern, consider, attend to. It refers to distinguishing things in one’s mind or, more generally, to understand.
OO “errors” = shegiah. 1x in OT. From shagah (to go astray, wander, mislead, sin; to reel as if drunk; figuratively being enraptured). This an error or some kind of mistake in the moral sphere.
PP “clear” = naqah. This is to be empty, cleanse, acquit, blameless, immune, innocent. It is to be clean or to make clean in a literal or figurative sense. It can also be bare in a negative sense, destroyed.
QQ “hidden” = sathar. This is hide, conceal, or be absent. It is hiding because something is covered – used in a literal or figurative sense.

13 Keep backRR your servant alsoSS from the insolent;TT
    do not let them have dominionUU over me.

Notes on verse 13a

RR “keep back” = chasak. This is to restrain, refrain, or hold back. It can mean to spare, to preserve or to punish, depending on the context.
SS “also” = gam. Same as “moreover” in v11. See note HH above.
TT “insolent” = zed. 13x in OT. From zud (to cook, boil up, or seethe; figuratively, it can mean to act with arrogance or insolence, to be rebellious). This is arrogant, proud, or presumptuous. It can also refer to an arrogant person.
UU “have dominion” = mashal. This is to rule, reign, govern, have authority, wield.

Then I shall be blamelessVV
    and innocentWW of great transgression.XX

Notes on verse 13b

VV “be blameless” = tamam. Related to “perfect” in v7. See note C above.
WW “innocent” = naqah. Same as “clear” in v12. See note PP above.
XX “transgression” = pesha. From pasha (to rebel, offend, quarrel; making a break from proper authority so can also refer to an apostate). This is transgression, rebellion, or sin. It could be a revolt on a national scale or an individual moral one.

14 LetYY the wordsZZ of my mouthAAA and the meditationBBB of my heart

Notes on verse 14a

YY “let” = hayah. Related to “Lord” in v7. See note above.
ZZ “words” = emer. From amar (to say, answer, challenge). This is something that is said – a word, saying, speech.
AAA “mouth” = peh. This is mouth in a literal or figurative sense. So, more literally, it can be beak or jaws. More figuratively, it refers to speech, commands, or promises.
BBB “meditation” = higgayon. 4x in OT. From hagah (to speak, declare, make a sound, imagine, or mutter; a murmur, moan, or growl, whether from delight or anger; to study, ponder, or meditate). This is meditation, musing, or whispering. It could also be some kind of resounding music or other musical notation like play with feeling.

    be acceptableCCC to you,DDD
    O Lord, my rockEEE and my redeemer.FFF

Notes on verse 14b

CCC “acceptable” = ratson. From ratsah (to be pleased with, delight, take pleasure in, or accept with favor; to approve or consent regarding something; can be used specifically of satisfying debts or being pardoned). This is delight shown in favor, good will, something that is accepted or acceptable.
DDD “you” = paneh. From panah (to turn, face, appear). This is face in a literal or figurative sense. It could be face, presence, anger, respect. It can also be used of God to indicate divine favor or presence.
EEE “rock” = tsur. From tsur (to confine, cramp, or bind in a literal or figurative sense; to besiege, assault, or distress). This is rock, stone, cliff, boulder, rocky. It can also be a refuge, a way to refer to God.
FFF “redeemer” = gaal. This is to redeem someone or something according to kinship laws. So, it could be acting on a relative’s behalf to buy back their property, to marry one’s brother’s widow, etc. This could be more briefly translated as to redeem, acts as kinsman, or purchase. As a noun, it could be deliverer or avenger.


Image credit: “Soul” by Michael Levine-Clark, 2016.

You May Also Like

Leave a Reply