Psalm 19:6 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

NIV: It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.

NASB: Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

CSB: It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat.

NLT: The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

In this verse David writes that the sun rises from the end of the heavens, and its circuit takes it to the end of the heavens. Like everyone else, David observed the daily rising of the sun in the east and its setting in the west after making its way through the sky. It completes its journey by returning to its rising place each morning. The observation is strictly from a human perspective, just as modern weathermen still use terms like "sunrise" and "sunset."

The sun's presence is felt as well as seen. Nothing escapes the light and heat of the sun. Although some places on earth are colder than others, even the coldest places feel its heat. In God's wisdom, He placed the sun at precisely the right distance from the earth, on average about 93 million miles, or 150 million km, away. Wherever the sun is visible it offers a testimonial to God's creative wisdom and power. No one can say he or she has received no evidence of God's existence (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:18–20).

Psalm 19:1–6 focuses on creation as a means by which God reveals Himself to mankind. The heavens and the sky offer testimony about God both night and day. This revelation reaches everyone, just as the sun in its strength appears daily and reaches everywhere. This establishes, in part, the idea that all people have ample evidence telling them that God exists.

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 5/2/2024 1:00:46 PM