Devine Scripture

Psalms 19:5

What does Psalms 19:5 mean?

A plain-English look at Psalms 19:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Psalms 19:5 means

This verse pictures the sun's daily emergence with two vivid metaphors. First, it is like a bridegroom, coming forth from his bridal chamber full of joy, splendor, and anticipation. This evokes a sense of freshness, beauty, and delight as the sun begins its daily course. Second, it is compared to a strong man, or a mighty warrior, who joyfully embraces the challenge of a race, eager and confident in his strength. Both images convey the sun's powerful, consistent, and glorious appearance each morning, full of vigor and purpose as it begins its journey across the sky.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Who is like a newly married man coming from his bride-tent, and is glad like a strong runner starting on his way.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he, as a bridegroom, goeth out from his covering, He rejoiceth as a mighty one To run the path.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

May he give thee according to thy own heart; and confirm all thy counsels.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he is as a bridegroom going forth from his chamber; he rejoiceth as a strong man to run the race.

Context

Following the introduction of the sun's tabernacle in the previous verse, this verse vividly describes the sun's initial appearance and energy. It uses two powerful human similes—the bridegroom and the strong man—to convey its refulgent beauty and tireless strength. This description establishes the sun's majestic and purposeful daily journey, which the next verse will elaborate upon in terms of its vast reach and undeniable influence.

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,

v.5This passage

v.6His going forth is from the end of the heavens, And his circuit unto the ends of it; And there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

Cross references

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

  • Philippians 3:13

    Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,

  • 1 Corinthians 9:24

    Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain.

  • Isaiah 62:5

    For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee; and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

  • Ecclesiastes 1:5

    The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to its place where it ariseth.

  • John 3:29

    He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, that standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is made full.

  • Isaiah 61:10

    I will greatly rejoice in Jehovah, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with a garland, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

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