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Wannabee · #4 (**permalink**) 02-27-2004, 09:30 PM

Bob, here's some quick tidbits. It's obviously not exhaustive, but will give you a little bit of an idea of what I'm talking about.

As most conservatives agree, the second half of this psalm complements the first. The first relates to general revelation via creation. The second relates to special revelation via God's Word. "A" gives you the knowledge that we can all know about God through His creation. "B" reveals that we cannot know who God is outside of His Word. That's pretty simplistic I know.

Psalm 19

(1) To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
(2) Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
(3) There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
(4) 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,
(5) Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
(6) 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.
(7) The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
(8) The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
(9) The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
(10) More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
(11) Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
(12) Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
(13) 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.
(14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

Let's get to the psalm. First, notice that in the first verse we see God refered to as "God." This is "El" and refers to the Creator. Most fitting in this first part of the psalm where creation declares God.

In verse 9 we have YHWH, the covenant name for God in the section dealing with His Word. This is significant I think.

Of course we could know this if we understood it from good English translations because LORD is capitalized in these verses, signifying the use of YHWH. However, God is translated from various names, so the Creator God would most likely be missed in English.

Now, as we look at the structure of the first part we see what appears to be two somewhat parallel statements. The heavens declare the glory and the expanse or firmament proclaims the work of His hands (more literal). It is interesting that in the Hebrew the order of words is opposite in the second statement from the first.

Heavens declare glory of God
God's handiwork proclaimed by firmament

This is a method (sorry can't remember term) of Hebrew poetry that is missed in English. The following verses don't keep this arrangement, sort of setting apart this first verse.

In verse three the words "Where" or "There is" are not in the original. The reason is because the point is that they don't have a voice. There very existence declares the glory of God without the need of speech. In fact, speech cannot do them justice. Observe the heavens, to attempt to describe the grandeur with which they declare God's glory would only diminish the magnificence found in the heavens.

See what I'm saying?

Okay, look at verse 4. "Line" here does not due it justice. This word can be translated two ways, either as a measuring line (Master Builder) or as a line of a verse (Is. 28:10,13). Both can work here in the context. In fact, many scholars believe that this is intentional, giving a wonderful play on words on the part of God (through David). See the measuring line of creation proclaiming the glory of God throughout all the earth, and the words of the verse to the end of the world. There's a lot there, but honestly I've only scratched the surface and I'm already in over my head. Lots of work to do here.

Bridegroom and Strongman (Warrior). This is awesome imagery. Man in his glory as he proclaims his marriage and the victorious warrior.

Sorry, that's all I can do for now, we just had company show up. Hopefully that will whet your appetite enough for you to see what I'm saying. Most of this I can't take credit for, I read it in our professor's thesis on Psalm 19 and apologetics.

Have fun,
Joe

[Edited on 2-28-2004 by Wannabee]