Devine Scripture

Psalms 19:1

What does Psalms 19:1 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 19:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 19:1 means

This verse declares that the cosmos continuously communicates God's majesty and creative power. The vastness of the heavens and the intricate design of the sky above us are a constant, visible sermon. They don't use spoken words but rather demonstrate through their very existence the incredible skill and authority of their Maker. Anyone who looks up at the stars or observes the expanse of the sky is confronted with undeniable evidence of a glorious God, whose handiwork is evident in every celestial body and atmospheric phenomenon.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament showeth his handiwork.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament showeth his handiwork.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

The heavens are sounding the glory of God; the arch of the sky makes clear the work of his hands.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

To the Overseer. --A Psalm of David. The heavens <FI>are<Fi> recounting the honour of God, And the work of His hands The expanse <FI>is<Fi> declaring.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Unto the end. A psalm for David.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

The heavens declare the glory ofGod; and the expanse sheweth the work of his hands.

Context

This verse opens the psalm by immediately establishing the primary theme of God's revelation through creation. It sets the stage for the subsequent verses, which elaborate on how this silent communication from the heavens functions. This initial declaration then leads into the more specific example of the sun's role and later transitions to the distinct but complementary revelation found in God's law, creating a dual witness to His character.

v.1This passage

v.2Day unto day uttereth speech, And night unto night showeth knowledge.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Psalms 8:3

    When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

  • Psalms 50:6

    And the heavens shall declare his righteousness; For God is judge himself. [Selah

  • Genesis 1:6

    And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

  • Psalms 150:1

    Praise ye Jehovah. Praise God in his sanctuary: Praise him in the firmament of his power.

  • Isaiah 40:22

    It is he that sitteth above the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in;

  • Jeremiah 10:11

    Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.

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