19:1 This verse is a summary statement. The "heavens"refers to what appears in the sky above us. The "firmament"or "sky"is the canopy that seems to cover the earth from our vantage point as we look up. It is a synonym for "heavens."The glory of God in this context points to the splendor of the Creator. As we look up, we see the amazing handiwork of God.
19:2-4b Every day and every night this revelation of the power and greatness of the Creator goes out since human beings observe it daily. The presence of the heavenly host is a non-verbal testimony to God's existence that reaches every part of the planet. Everyone regardless of his or her language can understand it (cf. Rom. 1:18-20).56This is "the paradox of wordless speech."57
19:4c-6 God has placed the sun in the heavens. He, not it, is supreme. The figures of the bridegroom and the runner picture the glory and power of this centerpiece of God's creation. Since it is so glorious its creator must be even more glorious. The pagans used the same figures of speech to describe the sun, which they worshipped as sovereign.58
The name of God used in verses 1-6 is El, a title that describes the power of God. Elis "the strong one."In verses 7-9 and 14 the psalmist wrote that Elis Yahweh, the name of God that stresses His covenant relationship to Israel. Thus he claimed that the Creator is Israel's God, not some pagan nature deity.
