Devine Scripture

Psalms 19:3

What does Psalms 19:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 19:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 19:3 means

Remarkably, this verse clarifies that the powerful message conveyed by the heavens is not delivered through audible sounds or recognizable human languages. The declaration of God's glory through creation is not a spoken sermon that can be heard with ears or translated into various tongues. Instead, it is a silent, visual, and experiential testimony that transcends linguistic barriers. Its impact comes from observation and reflection, communicating truth without requiring a specific vocabulary.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

There is no speech nor language; Their voice is not heard.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

There is no speech nor language; Their voice is not heard.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

There are no words or language; their voice makes no sound.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

There is no speech, and there are no words. Their voice hath not been heard.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

May he send thee help from the sanctuary: and defend thee out of Sion.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

There is no speech and there are no words, yet their voice is heard.

Context

This verse provides a crucial clarification after verses 1 and 2 described the heavens' continuous 'speech' and 'knowledge.' It resolves the apparent paradox by stating that this communication is not verbal or linguistic, distinguishing it from human forms of communication. This explanation then allows the psalm to pivot in the next verse to describe the *broad reach* of this unspoken, universal message, particularly through the sun.

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

v.3This passage

v.4Their 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,

Cross references

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

  • Deuteronomy 4:19

    and lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the host of heaven, thou be drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which Jehovah thy God hath allotted unto all the peoples under the whole heaven.

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Topics, devotionals, original-language word studies, and figures connected to Psalms 19:3.

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