Psalms 19:5-7

19:5 Like a bridegroom it emerges ¹  from its chamber; ² 

like a strong man it enjoys ³  running its course. ⁴ 

19:6 It emerges from the distant horizon, ⁵ 

and goes from one end of the sky to the other; ⁶ 

nothing can escape ⁷  its heat.

19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect

and preserves one’s life. ⁸ 

The rules set down by the Lord ⁹  are reliable ¹⁰ 

and impart wisdom to the inexperienced. ¹¹ 

[19:5]  ¹ tn The participle expresses the repeated or regular nature of the action.

[19:5]  ² tn The Hebrew noun חֻפָּה (khufah, “chamber”) occurs elsewhere only in Isa 4:5 and Joel 2:16 (where it refers to the bedroom of a bride and groom).

[19:5]  ³ tn The imperfect verbal form draws attention to the regularity of the action.

[19:5]  ⁴ tn Heb “[on] a path.”

[19:6]  ⁵ tn Heb “from the end of the heavens [is] its going forth.”

[19:6]  ⁶ tn Heb “and its circuit [is] to their ends.”

[19:6]  ⁷ tn Heb “is hidden from.”

[19:7]  ⁹ tn Heb “[it] restores life.” Elsewhere the Hiphil of שׁוּב (shuv, “return”) when used with נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh, “life”) as object, means to “rescue or preserve one’s life” (Job 33:30; Ps 35:17) or to “revive one’s strength” (emotionally or physically; cf. Ruth 4:15; Lam 1:11, 16, 19). Here the point seems to be that the law preserves the life of the one who studies it by making known God’s will. Those who know God’s will know how to please him and can avoid offending him. See v. 11a.

[19:7]  ¹⁰ tn Traditionally, “the testimony of the Lord.” The noun עֵדוּת (’edut) refers here to the demands of God’s covenant law.

[19:7]  ¹¹ tn God’s covenant contains a clear, reliable witness to his moral character and demands.

[19:7]  ¹² tn Or “the [morally] naive,” that is, the one who is young and still in the process of learning right from wrong and distinguishing wisdom from folly.