II. Psalms Nineteen Commentary Verses

19:1-6- The Heavens Bespeak the Glory of Jehovah God, Elegant, Magnificent, Creator

YLT TEXT: To the Overseer[1]. -- A Psalm of David[2]. The heavens[3] are recounting[4] the honour[5] of God[6], And the work of His hands The expanse[7] is declaring. Day to day uttereth speech[8], And night to night sheweth knowledge[9]. There is no speech, and there are no words. Their voice hath not been heard. Into all the earth hath their line[10] gone forth, And to the end of the world their sayings, For the sun He placed a tent[11] in them, And he, as a bridegroom, goeth out from his covering, He rejoiceth as a mighty one To run the path. From the end of the heavens is his going out, And his revolution[12] is unto their ends, And nothing is hid from his heat. (Psalms 19:1-6, Psalms 19:1-6, NLT).

COMMENTARY: The light that comes from the heavens—our observable universe—which is, besides the aesthetics, codified information, literally does tell a story[13]. It is radiative energy stemming from sundry heavenly hosts which can be decodified to gain insights about these sources. And what we learn bespeaks design and power. Specifically, how so? It bespeaks design precisely because the heavens are a connected system; a system, and its parts, governed by the logic of (algorithmic, codified) mathematics[14]. The heavens speak logically, in the language of mathematics, itself another form of aesthetics exuded by the heavens. It is for this reason that we as logical creatures endowed with the capacity to think mathematically and thus design in our own right, understand the little bit that we do about the heavens. And now as to said power, but first, a short definition: Power is realized energy per unit amount of time; the shorter the time over which said energy is realized, the greater the power. The heavens bespeak power precisely because of the inherent energy of the heavens-system, energy by which it betrays itself to us, and because of the very brief interval of time during which all this energy was realized. It is thought that the energy of the observable heavens is only a fraction of the total energy therein, hence the energy here realized is staggering to say the least, and even more so the originating power, given a quite finite and specific beginning to our universe. All this energy is part and parcel of the to-date unaccounted-for primordial energy of our universe.

Now design bespeaks a designer; this is axiomatic. And power bespeaks a source, this too is axiomatic. What we learn from the heavens, from the story it quite literally tells us, plausibly attests to the Creation claims of the transcendent Creator-Designer Jehovah. Thus, Jehovah must be a Being with unimaginable inherent energy, and with unimaginable intellect and know-how, and a Being that of necessity stands entirely outside the mundane Causal Network He designed and manifested and upholds to, it goes without saying, His exceeding glory:

The heavens are recounting the honour of God,and the work of His hands the expanse is declaring. Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night sheweth knowledge. (Psalms 19:2; consider Psalms 8:3, Figure 1)

Mathematics is of God, who is the Master Mathematician. The language of mathematics is lucid, it is the lucid language of logic, nay, of the LogoS. It is in fact so lucid, that many do not hear it unless it is spoken just so; and too many others who do hear it, do not hear the LogoS in it:

There is no speech, and there are no words. Their voice hath not been heard. Into all the earth hath their line gone forth, And to the end of the world their saying (Romans 1:20, Figure 1).

The heavens we behold so keenly these days bespeak a glorious Algorithm O so silent, so elegant (Figure 1).

19:7-11- The Law of Jehovah, a Greater Majesty

YLT TEXT: The law[15] of Jehovah[16] is perfect[17], refreshing[18] the soul[19], The testimonies[20] of Jehovah are stedfast, Making wise the simple, The precepts[21] of Jehovah are upright, Rejoicing the heart, The command[22] of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes, The fear of Jehovah[23] is clean[24], standing to the age, The judgments[25] of Jehovah are true[26], They have been righteous[27] -- together. They are more desirable than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey, even liquid honey of the comb. Also -- Thy servant is warned[28] by them, 'In keeping[29] them is a great reward.' (Psalms 19:7-11, Psalms 19:7-11, NLT).

COMMENTARY: The Spirit of Jehovah God has prepared us by way of introducing the simpler, albeit majestic things concerning His Creation in the previous verses to now behold the deeper, quintessentially majestic things concerning His Holiness in the remainder of the verses. Only those of us who have found Jehovah God in His relatively simpler things just before will find Him in the deeper, richer things of His that now follow. Let us go first to a sort of outline-table to introduce the remainder of the verses, and then we shall discuss them in turn (Table 1).

(1) It is good to be refreshed. A good meal, sleep, a shower, a workout, fun conversation with a good friend/s, on it goes. How does Jehovah’s Law fit in here; how does it refresh? We are told that it refreshes the soul: “…The law of Jehovah is perfect, refreshing the soul…”. It is a different kind of “refresh” that we are considering now than the former refreshes. The human soul is corrupt, it is corrupted, it is not at all what Jehovah God intended it to be when He gave it to each of us to personally develop in a manner that reflects His heart. Jehovah’s Law shows us our corruption and at the same time shows us that by the Law we may “refresh” our souls unto perfection. Of course, none of us can, of ourselves, make this refresh happen—that is the work of God in, once again, the LogoS, Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17, ”A Letter of Invitation,” Figure 1). God’s Law stands for all that is right (it is perfect—totally foreign to the human experience, and necessarily misunderstood), and that perfection is the craving of many a corrupted, weary soul that longs to be refreshed unto the perfection it was intended to have—these are the souls that cry out for refreshing to God (Psalms 119:18-the wonderful things in God’s Law are in the face of Jesus Christ; to know Jesus is to understand God’s Law).

(2) Jehovah God is unchanging—thus is deity by default; it follows that His testimonies are as well: “...The testimonies of Jehovah are stedfast…”. The testimonies of Jehovah God are His very Reality, and thus they are Truth, which is absolute (=quintessentially steadfast). Why are the testimonies of Jehovah God His Reality? Because testimonies attest to something; here, Jehovah’s testimonies attest to (betray) who He is, which Being (ontological), is His Reality. And Jehovah God’s Reality is necessarily Truth.

We can go a little further with this. Truth is foundational to Wisdom. In the negative, Wisdom is not Wisdom unless it be Truth. It follows that Jehovah’s testimonies make wise the simple (and the not so simple, and the whatever else there is that is lacking wisdom). It is God’s Reality, that is, it is Truth, that makes the simple wise and the wise wiser. God’s Reality, Truth, is precisely the Word of God, even the LogoS. The LogoS testifies to God, to God’s Reality, to Truth (Figure 1).

(3) Jehovah’s precepts—(not least moral) principles by way of instructions—are upright; that is, they are morally right, ethical (Matthew 5-6, 7:12, “The Beatitudes”): “…The precepts of Jehovah are upright, rejoicing the heart…”. Jehovah is upright because He is God (the proof of His deity is from first to last in the ministry of Jesus Christ). Thus, it follows necessarily, that the Source of all ethical standards is Jehovah God. That there are other ethical proposals besides those found in in the Word of God, is but redundancy where these align with the Word of God, and where they do not align, they are by default outliers, not ethical in the strict sense—the Standard here is in the Word of Jehovah God.

Moreover, Jehovah’s instructions cause the heart to rejoice:

Premise 1: An upright instruction to an upright heart is a rejoicing thereto.

Premise 2: All of Jehovah God’s instructions are upright.

Conclusion: An upright heart will receive Jehovah’s instructions with rejoicing.

The interesting question is, how do you and I receive Jehovah’s instructions, with rejoicing, or otherwise? Given the preceding argument, it is a testimony to the uprightness of our heart this response.

(4) How is the command of Jehovah pure? “…The command of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes…”. It is holy, that is how. Jehovah’s commands are holy, like He is holy. Jehovah’s commands are commandments unto holiness. His commands are designed to make one holy (Leviticus 11:44-45, 1Peter 1:13-16, “Be Holy”). In this way, they enlighten the eyes unto holiness: ‘…Do this, it is like unto holy Jehovah your Father God; do not do that, it has not at all the holiness of Jehovah in it…’. In this manner do Jehovah’s commands quicken our holiness cognizance (Psalms 119:9). He is fostering His image in us via the “schoolmaster” of His commands—one rightly predisposed to receive them and obey them is enlightened aright (=unto holiness) by them. This enlightening is the work of the blessed Holy Spirit, our Helper. Our Helper helps us appreciate God’s commands for what they are certainly, but beyond that, as teachers unto holiness.

(5) Cleanliness is next to Godliness—thus it was understood in Israelite society from early on in its relationship with the LogoS of Clean and Unclean (Figure 1). And here from the lips of the very LogoS of Clean and Unclean we are given the spirit (as opposed to the letter) of Clean and Unclean:

The fear of Jehovah is clean, standing to the age.

There we have it, plain and simple (as opposed to super-added and complicated, as in the generations after Ezra): The Fear of the LORD is clean, no more, no less. David could not have known that Isaiah would, several hundred years later, further define Clean by One coming many more centuries later still, even Jesus Christ:

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse,

And a branch from his roots will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him,

The spirit of wisdom and understanding,

The spirit of counsel and strength,

The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, (Isaiah 11:1-3, red font added).

What is the Fear of the LORD? It is, as the text tells us, clean, which means: Undefiled with respect to God’s Laws, Precepts, Commands, and Judgments, all of which are subjects of discussion in these verses. In other words, we have hit the Mother Lode with this one—precisely the Fear of the LORD is the means to the ends we have been discussing. The Fear of the LORD is Clean. A little more practically, the Fear of the LORD presupposes, is motivated by, love for Him, which manifests in a sober reverence for all that He holds dear, which is identically all that He says to us (John 14:15, 23-24), as found in His Word. Motivated by love, yes, but nevertheless, humanly speaking, a “tall order” here in its detailed outworking this reverence, to say nothing of consistency therein. Therefore, thanks be to God that we are clean by the Word the Clean One spoke to us (John 15:3), upon whom | which we stand, stand Clean, to the age. Praised be your Name great savior God, even Clean, Fear of the LORD, I AM, LogoS, Word of God (Figure 1). Amen.

(6) Jehovah’s decisions and verdicts are true— “spot-on” is meant. Besides the literal message here (that is, this accuracy is for Jehovah a Name), Jehovah’s judgments lend an invaluable decision-making advantage to whosoever wishes to learn His leanings in practical matters. One can check on Jehovah’s leaning in a matter and go with it like a winner. One must learn how Jehovah judges a situation (a lifelong learning actually—the sooner one starts the better), and if that same situation presents itself one knows the right way to go to win—to win spiritually by doing what pleases Jehovah God, particularly because one’s leaning will be righteous, in line with Jehovah’s judgment which is righteous, of course, and to win physically by getting ahead of the curve. The Bible is our ultimate guide and is fraught with Jehovah’s decisions and verdicts (for example, the Book of Proverbs=the Book of Judgments, Proverbs 1:1ff—this is just one example amongst many); it is wise to know which way He leans in a matter so that one leans that way too (=agreement).

The Spirit of God surely helped David come to appreciate this “goldmine” because David can’t say enough about how terrific Jehovah’s judgments are not least for his own personal benefit: “…The judgments of Jehovah are true, they have been righteous – together [i.e., altogether]. They are more desirable than gold, yea, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey, Even liquid honey of the comb. Also -- Thy servant is warned by them, in keeping them is a great reward…”. Smart guy this lover of Jehovah God David.

19:12-14- O Jehovah, my Rock and my Redeemer, Hold me Fast

YLT TEXT: Errors[30]! who doth understand[31]? From hidden[32] ones declare me innocent, Also -- from presumptuous[33] ones keep back Thy servant, Let them not rule[34] over me, Then am I perfect[35], And declared innocent[36] of much transgression[37], Let the sayings of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, Be for a pleasing[38] thing before Thee, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer! (Psalms 19:12-14, Psalms 19:12-14, NLT).

COMMENTARY: Jehovah’s Law, testimonies, precepts, commands, Fear of the LORD—all previous subjects—make lucid errors, that is, they make lucid sin (Romans 7:7ff), for without Jehovah’s Law, testimonies, precepts, commands, Fear of the LORD, there is, by definition, no error/sin: “…Errors, who doth understand?...”. Without this ethical and spiritual roadmap from God one knows not error. Why? Because without this Standard from the highest Authority, namely Jehovah God, personal ethics and spirituality are at best relative. So, it is by the Word of God, the LogoS, by which we come to “understand” in this context (Figure 1). Notwithstanding: “…Errors, who doth understand...?”, asks David (asks the Holy Spirit). I pray it is you and I Christian friend, for we are without excuse in this learned Church Age. That one would confess their sins and believe on the Savior Jesus Christ shows this understanding (“A Letter of Invitation” unbelieving friend, consider also “Be Holy”).

Now enters trouble. So far so good and indeed all is well and good and said roadmap has a chance so long as things are open for discussion as it were, but hidden sins—now there is trouble; who can discern them, besides God? (Or, what fool thinks He doesn’t?) Who even wants to discern them—hardly anyone it would follow if they are kept buried nice and deep in their safe, secret, secure little, or maybe not so little, heart-vault? This calls for some sober, Word-guided introspection and careful attention to the roadmap promptings of the Spirit of God who alone can “crack” heart-vaults. One must, like David here, want to discern them. Not easy to do oftentimes. But if that scary first step of the will can indeed be hurdled, then taking the next step involves asking a more than willing God to show them to us: ‘…My Lord, show me my hidden sins. O Lord, just a few of them at first lest I despair of Victory for I fear there are many; bring me along my Lord—I am willing, you are Able (Philippians 4:6-7). Help me great savior God, My Lord and Redeemer, and glorify thyself in this at my expense, and where I fail you, declare me innocent, wash me clean by your precious redeeming blood great savior God…’.

Now enters yet more trouble, trouble heaped upon trouble: What are we to say of presumptuous sins, those sins that presume to be a Law unto themselves? “…From hidden ones declare me innocent, also -- from presumptuous ones keep back thy servant, let them not rule over me…”. Satan’s Sin was (is) presumptuous. How so? That unclean thing presumed (presumes) to vaunt itself above everything that is of Jehovah God (Isaiah 14:12-15). Presumptuous sins “strut their stuff” as it were. That is why they are easy to spot, in contrast to hidden sins, which must be revealed to us by God. Presumptuous sins must be throttled by God—that is why David petitions God on the one hand about revelation (hidden sins), and on the other about rule (presumptuous sins). And ever since Satan’s first efforts at this, this unclean thing has gathered unto itself aplenty flesh and blood and otherwise stepping-stone stooges to try to do just that—it rules over these presumptuous sorts—kin in spirit. By God’s grace, David understood this; and that is precisely why David asks that presumptuous sins not rule over him. Hidden sins, presumptuous sins—presumably a one-two knockout punch thrust by the enemy. But David’s prayer cuts Satan’s thrusts asunder: “…Then am I perfect, and declared innocent of much transgression…”. The petitions of David here are terrific (revelation, non-rule), but are incomplete as they stand, and David quite knows it. If hidden sins and presumptuous sins are presumably a one-two knockout punch thrust by the enemy, then the targets of those blows—that little member called the tongue, itself ever so tightly tethered to that sin-seedbed called the heart, both must needs be shored up by Jehovah God: “…Let the sayings of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be for a pleasing thing [not for an unclean thing…] before Thee, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer!...”. O let it be thus with my mouth and my heart before thee great savior God, my Rock and my Redeemer! I know I walk but by thy Grace my Lord. Amen.

Praised be thy Name eternal LogoS, my Rock and my Redeemer. Amen.

III. Illustrations and Tables

Figure 1. The LogoS. John 1:1-5, Psalms 19:2.

Table 1. The deeper things of Jehovah God that reveal His character.

Jehovah’s Thus and So	Its Quality	Its Practicality
Jehovah’s Law[39].	Perfect.	Refreshing the soul.
Jehovah’s Testimonies[40].	Steadfast.	Making wise the simple.
Jehovah’s Precepts[41].	Upright.	Rejoicing the heart.
Jehovah’s Command[42].	Pure.	Enlightening the eyes.
Jehovah, Fear of[43].	Clean.	Standing to the Age.
Jehovah’s Judgments[44].	True, righteous.	Treasure, sweet, warn, reward.

Works Cited and References

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Young's Literal Translation.

The YLT is in the public domain.

Notes (words under study are highlighted and the immediate context is bracketed [])

[1] [To the] Overseer—Strong’s H5329. Literally, “Chief Musician,” but we like to direct this address squarely to Jehovah—we like the YLT “Overseer” here. As far as the literal meaning goes, this psalm is a song, is intended to be a song, is intended to be sung to music. What a difference it makes in the heart and mind to sing this psalm out loud, rather than to just read it. If you wish, make up your own melody and sing it out loud, sing it to God dearest reader! We think you will come away from it with a wonderful set of insights, and rejoicing (in God, in your spirit, you and He thus communicating pleasantly, glorifying and praising Him). We used “The Little Drummer Boy” melody and just sort of broke up the verses into musically manageable chunks (two to three or four words usually) and sang it a few such chunks at a time to that melody. You will probably want to do your serious reading of it later but singing it up front we found to be a blessing, and we pray that God blesses you too! To the Overseer, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, a Psalm of David, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum. The heavens are recounting, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum, the honor of God, pa-rum-pum-pum-pum …

[2] [A Psalm of] David. The sweet psalmist of Israel (2Samuel 23:1). See also.

[3] [The] heavens-Strong’s H8064 [are recounting the honour of God.] The first and second heavens (=earth’s atmosphere+inner space, outer space, where the third heavens is then thought to be the literal throne room of God [2Corinthians 12:2]). The Karman line at 100 km/62 mi is used as the boundary between our atmosphere and outer space. See also. Besides our sun and atmosphere referenced here is surely the celestial (planetary, stellar, etc.) heavens. The finely tuned orbits, the aesthetics, the vastness, are all constituents of the “heavens.”

[4] [The heavens are] recounting-Strong’s H5608 [the honour of God]. Declaring is terrific here. Verbal usage is Piel (intensive expression of the action), participle (ongoing declaration here ever in the present moment).

[5] [The heaverns are recounting the] honor-Strong’s H3519 [of God]. We prefer glory here, and that bespeaks God’s goodness (Exodus 33:17-20), which is quite apparent to humankind, as to David’s eyes, heart, and mind in this context.

[6] [The heavens are recounting the honour of] God-Strong’s H410. El is utilized, not the decidedly plural Elohim. Why? After all, Jehovah God is decidedly a blessed Trinity. We think this praise is likely directed to the Agent of Creation specifically, namely, the second Person of the Triune God Jehovah, Jesus Christ.

[7] [And the work of His hands The] expanse-Strong’s H7549 [is declaring]. Often firmament—the sky above (clouds, blue sky, atmosphere, that part of the “heavens” quite local and familiar to us everyday).

[8] [Day to day uttereth] speech-Strong’s H562. Day to day “speaks volumes” is pretty good here. Speech is very good in this context—via speeches narratives unfold, and that is the gist. Daytime narratives, narratives particular to the miracle of “day,” as the diurnal “revolution” of the sun for example, or the tides (a lunar effect), quite different yet rather related to the miracle of “night,” as the regular waxing and waning of the moon for example, or the motion of the planets, etc. Two distinct narratives that “speak” for themselves to rational minds about a First Cause and attendant Prime Mover. Simple narratives that, for survival, we quite depend upon to resound again and again in all their particulars.

[9] [And night to night sheweth] knowledge-Strong’s H1847. Know-how, Jehovah’s know-how. The days talk it, the nights no less walk it.

[10] [Into all the earth hath their] line-Strong’s H6957. [gone forth]. The Hebrew has the sense of “measure,” and together with the context, one possibility is the ecliptic—as seen from the orbiting earth, this is the yearly path the sun follows as projected on the celestial sphere. Another possibility in context is maybe the equinoxes (length of day=length of night). Then again, “line” here might very well be the “narratives” of Causation, Creation, and Caring sustenance (the latter is clearly built into the Creation).

[11] [For the sun He placed a] tent-Strong’s H168 [in them]. Sphere, domain. David is speaking figuratively but let us conjecture a bit. It is intuitively obvious that our sun occupies a special place in the heavens singularly because it anchors and fuels and in many ways protects life-riddled planet earth, and in some respects God here says that He created a sphere, or shall we say domain, for this special star, our sun. This sun, this star, even our sun, has a “tent,” or tabernacle is better, in the heavens, and, by association, by default, so do we on this exceedingly special planet in the heavens. So, what specifically would this tabernacle consist of? Maybe it consists of the inexplicable (besides God) physical fine tuning that supports the myriad complex life forms, crowned by human beings, that is particular to our earth-sun system. Complex life forms that to date are found nowhere else in the visible universe. No such complex-life harboring tabernacles to be found elsewhere to date. But it is no doubt because the sun disappears at sundown (into its “tent”) and reappears at sunup that David speaks figuratively here.

[12] [And his] revolution [is unto their ends]. The diurnal “revolution” of the sun (as perceived from an orbiting earth) from sunup to sundown.

[13] Our expanding universe puts a limit on how far “back” this story unfolds.

[14] Feedback (the most fundamental algorithm of the Creation, by which most others can be coded up; this is a personal conclusion based on our own work with feedback), Feynman diagrams (mathematically laden yet elegant and practical spacetime-event “flow charts”), path integrals, tensors.., to name a few of the nouns and verbs of the language of mathematics spoken by the heavens, to say nothing of the practical “glue words” known and yet to be realized.

[15] [The] law-Strong’s H8451 [of Jehovah is perfect, refreshing the soul]. Literally, Torah is meant. The Decalogue comes to mind first here but see also for the broad range of possibilities (codes, customs, precepts [from teachings], statutes [from divine legislature—very binding, very forceful], etc.—all of this is part and parcel of God’s Holy Word).

[16] [The law of] Jehovah-Strong’s H3068 [is perfect, refreshing the soul]. In the context of Creation we had El, probably Jesus, the personal Agent of Creation, but here in the context of Law we have the agency of the triune Jehovah; moreover it is His eternal Name (I AM, Exodus 3:13-14), which is fitting in this context because His Law (His Word per se) is no less eternal. The Creation shall pass, but God’s Word, indeed His Law, shall stand forever (Matthew 24:35).

[17] [The law of Jehovah is] perfect-Strong’s H8549. Both whole (consummate) and without flaw. Right, righteous, right-on.

[18] [The law of Jehovah is perfect] refreshing-Strong’s H7725 [the soul]. We like renewing in this context. Verbal usage is Hiphil (causative—to cause renewing), participle (gerund present participle; we get unbroken action in the ever-present moment).

[19] [The law of Jehovah is perfect, refreshing the] soul-Strong’s H5315. A lower manifestation of one’s uncarnate essence; mind and emotion are central to the soul; spirit, the higher manifestation, also comprises one’s uncarnate essence, but spirit is different than soul, where spirit consists of the animating force within human beings derived from Jehovah God. Soul is comparatively more passive in that sense, and reactive; mind (intellect, thought), for example, cannot function apart from (separately, unilaterally, is meant) the spirit, which peculiarly (personally) animates it. Mind follows spirit, and spirit follows, or does not follow, (the) Spirit (of Jehovah God). And one’s spirit is exposed by one’s mind—the higher essence is exposed by the lower essence. In this context consider Romans 12:2. See also.

[20] [The] testimonies-Strong’s H5715 [of Jehovah are stedfast]. The testimonies of Jehovah God are His very Reality (physical+spiritual), thus they attest to very Truth. The testimonies of Jehovah God quite saturate our (limited) reality. Truth by definition is steadfast and myriad other excellent things like that.

[21] [The] precepts-Strong’s H6490 [of Jehovah are upright]. “Precept” per se comes from the Latin praecipere, to teach, thus if precepts is the correct starting point, we prefer instructions here. Jehovah God’s instructions are upright—how can they be otherwise! Moreover, Jehovah’s instructions cause the heart to rejoice; an upright instruction to an upright heart is a rejoicing, just like an evil instruction to an upright heart is a sore vexation. Instructions seems to fit well in this context.

[22] [The] command-Strong’s H4687 [of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes]. Command, commandment. It is: ‘…do this, do not do that…’. The Ten Commandments come to mind (Exodus 20:1-7, 8-14, 15-17).

[23] [The] fear of Jehovah [is clean, standing to the age]. The fear of the LORD. Here is Jesus Christ (Isaiah 11:2-3). Jesus Christ is the fullest, richest, most robust “definition” of this exceedingly thick theological term.

[24] [The fear of Jehovah is] clean-Strong’s H2889 [standing to the age]. These six words convey the notion of “clean” that Jesus inculcated largely to closed minds and stopped-up ears; a large part of His ministry was dedicated to getting God’s intended meaning of “clean” across to humankind (cf. the super-added human definition, not least in the Jewish Tradition of Clean and Unclean Jesus rejected in His day). “Clean” is a very important concept Jehovah God wishes us to grasp from His perspective. Alright then, what does clean mean, from Jehovah’s perspective? The Fear of Jehovah, the Fear of Jehovah is clean.

[25] [The] judgments-Strong’s H4941 [of Jehovah are true, they have been righteous together]. The further context bodes well for laws or ordinances here. Jehovah God makes a judgment when He stipulates a law, perhaps it is to be understood in that sense. “Decisions” fit here too.

[26] [The judgments of Jehovah are] true-Strong’s H571 [they have been righteous together]. Truth. Jehovah’s laws, His judgments thereof, betray His Reality. (Truth is singularly, is hands down, Jehovah God’s Reality.)

[27] [The judgments of Jehovah are true, they have been] righteous-Strong’s H6663 [together]. Righteous, that is, perfectly Right—thus is Truth, it is perfectly Right, because it is consummate Reality, Jehovah God’s Reality. Verbal usage is Qal, perfect (completed action!). Jehovah God’s judgments are perfectly Right. Jesus Christ justifies us here with His righteousness and thus we are made perfectly Right before, and with, Jehovah God, which is what He requires of us (Matthew 5:48), and may dwell in His presence forever thanks to Jesus (“A Letter of Invitation”).

[28] [Thy servant is] warned-Strong’s H2094 [by them]. Warn, like, for example:

DANGER: FATALLY HIGH VOLTAGE, DO NOT TOUCH. Verbal usage is Niphal (Qal, passive voice), participle (ongoing action in the present here). Note the participle.

[29] [In] keeping-Strong’s H8104 [them is great reward]. Verbal usage is Qal, infinitive (infinitive construct, as a verbal noun). Heeding, keeping, obeying. Note the infinitive (as opposed to the finite verb form, thus, duration, going forward keeping). This verbal construction implies that the reward is not just other-worldly, and later, but may also be realized here, and now, going forward, given the condition (=heeding, keeping, obeying).

[30] Errors-Strong’s H7691 [who doth understand]. A sin is a sin and is always an error—Sin is meant here.

[31] [Errors! Who doth] understand-Strong’s H995. We like discern in this context, which speaks of hidden and presumptuous sins. Verbal usage is Qal, imperfect (ongoing action in past time). Note the imperfect.

[32] [From] hidden-Strong’s H5641 [ones declare me innocent, also from presumptuous ones keep back thy servant]. Concealed, so-called hidden, secret sins. Verbal usage is Niphal, participle. Note the participle (infers a chain of secret sins, “a bunch of them” so to speak). Practiced thought-sins. Thought-sins are presumed hidden. Sins come in three broad stripes, namely, thought, word, and deed, and of the three, it is the thought-sins that David (the Holy Spirit) here isolates. Sin begins between the ears and in the heart, that is where it takes root—personally, privately, protected places, so it is thought.

[33] [Also from] presumptuous-Strong’s H2086 [ones keep back Thy servant]. Presumptuous, bespeaks arrogance, wantonly overstepping well-understood mandates (God’s Law in context) under the presumption of self-righteousness (knowing better than God in the matter).

[34] [Let them not] rule-Strong’s H4910 [over me, then am I perfect]. Rule, dominion. How can sin thus rule? Addictions, fetishes (fancies, fascinations, fixations, etc.), and most of all, when there is no sincere desire to be ruled by Jehovah God.

[35] [Let them not rule over me, then am I] perfect-Strong’s H8552. Like unto Jehovah God. Perfection is the goal, and Jesus Christ is the means.

[36] [Then am I perfect and] declared innocent-Strong’s H5352 [of much transgression]. Blameless, innocent. Verbal usage is Niphal, perfect (completed action). Note the perfect.

[37] [Then am I perfect, and declared innocent of much] transgression-Strong’s H6588. He means violation of the spirit of the Law of Jehovah God, which is Sin. The Spirit of the Law of Jehovah God is summed up by love of God, love of others (Matthew 22:37-40).

[38] [Let the sayings of my mouth, And the meditation of my heart, Be for a] pleasing-Strong’s H7522 [thing before Thee, O Jehovah, my rock and my redeemer]. Pleasing is really good in context, the Hebrew sense is like unto acceptable.

[39] [The] law-Strong’s H8451 [of Jehovah is perfect, refreshing the soul]. Literally, Torah is meant. The Decalogue comes to mind first here but see also for the broad range of possibilities (codes, customs, precepts [from teachings], statutes [from divine legislature—very binding, very forceful], etc.—all of this is part and parcel of God’s Holy Word).

[40] [The] testimonies-Strong’s H5715 [of Jehovah are stedfast]. The testimonies of Jehovah God are His very Reality (physical+spiritual), thus they attest to very Truth. The testimonies of Jehovah God quite saturate our (limited) reality. Truth by definition is steadfast and myriad other excellent things like that.

[41] [The] precepts-Strong’s H6490 [of Jehovah are upright]. “Precept” per se comes from the Latin praecipere, to teach, thus if precepts is the correct starting point, we prefer instructions here. Jehovah God’s instructions are upright—how can they be otherwise! Moreover, Jehovah’s instructions cause the heart to rejoice; an upright instruction to an upright heart is a rejoicing, just like an evil instruction to an upright heart is a sore vexation. Instructions seems to fit well in this context.

[42] [The] command-Strong’s H4687 [of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes]. Command, commandment. It is: ‘…do this, do not do that…’. The Ten Commandments come to mind (Exodus 20:1-7, 8-14, 15-17).

[43] [The] fear of Jehovah [is clean, standing to the age]. The fear of the LORD. Here is Jesus Christ (Isaiah 11:2-3). Jesus Christ is the fullest, richest, most robust “definition” of this exceedingly thick theological term.

[44] [The] judgments-Strong’s H4941 [of Jehovah are true, they have been righteous together]. We like decisions, verdicts.

TOP

Jesus, Amen

19:1-6- The Heavens Bespeak the Glory of Jehovah God, Elegant, Magnificent, Creator

Figure 1. The LogoS. John 1:1-5, Psalms 19:2.

Table 1. The deeper things of Jehovah God that reveal His character.

Jehovah’s Thus and So

Notes (words under study are highlighted and the immediate context is bracketed [])