Psalm 19:10 - Printer Friendly

ESV: More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

NIV: They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.

NASB: They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much pure gold; Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

CSB: They are more desirable than gold -- than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.

NLT: They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb.

KJV: More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

NKJV: More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

David did not place an arbitrary value on God's Word because its value is beyond measure. He simply placed its value "above" that of much fine gold. In Psalm 119:127 David stated the value he placed on God's commandments. He wrote: "I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold." By "fine gold" David likely means large pieces of solid gold or quantities of purified precious metal. All the gold in the world is worth less than God's Word. Gold cannot buy salvation or purchase a joyful life, but God's Word teaches us how to be saved and lead a joyful life (Romans 10:13–17; Psalm 16:11).

Further, David compares God's Word to honey and drippings from the honeycomb. This was the kind of honey people in Bible times valued most highly. Unbelievers may find God's Word to be bitter, but believers find it to be sweeter than honey and something that grows even sweeter as they feast on it.

Psalm 19:7–14 introduces the law of the Lord—meaning Scripture—as God's perfect revelation of Himself and His will. The prior passage identified nature as a revelation of God. Psalm 119, as well, extols God's Word as His perfect revelation and cites the blessings which come to those who love and obey it.

David refers to the details of creation as evidence for God's power and design. The appearance and function of nature are evidence of God's majesty. The second half of this psalm also celebrates God's revelation, but in the form of His Word. The law, precepts, and commandments of God are hailed for their perfection and benefit.

This psalm of David celebrates two separate revelations which God has given human beings. He has revealed Himself in nature and in Scripture. Psalm 8 is a companion psalm because it, too, refers to nature as revealing God's majesty. Romans 1:18–25 also points out that God revealed himself through nature, but the passage indicates that disobedient people rejected this revelation.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 5/3/2024 8:49:52 PM