Meaning, commentary and cross references
Psalms 19:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
NIV · New International Version
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
WEB · World English Bible
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.
What does Psalms 19:1 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Psalms 19:1
The heavens declare the glory of God,.... By which we are to understand not the heavens literally taken, though these with the firmament are the handiworks of God, and do declare the glory of his perfections, especially his wisdom and power; these show that there is a God, and that he is a glorious one: but either Gospel churches, often signified by the kingdom of heaven, in the New Testament; the members of them being heaven-born souls, and the doctrines and ordinances ministered among them being from heaven; and there being a very great resemblance between them and heaven, in the company and communion enjoyed in them; and who declare the glory of the divine perfections, which is very…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Psalms 19:1–6
This instance of the divine power serves not only to show the folly of atheists, who see there is a heaven and yet say, "There is no God," who see the effect and yet say, "There is no cause," but to show the folly of idolaters also, and the vanity of their imagination, who, though the heavens declare the glory of God, yet gave that glory to the lights of heaven which those very lights directed them to give to God only, the Father of lights. Now observe here, 1. What that is which the creatures notify to us. They are in many ways useful and serviceable to us, but in nothing so much as in this, that they declare the glory of God, by showing his handy-works, Psa 19:1.
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Psalms 19:1–6
1. The heavens declare the glory of God. [444] I have already said, that this psalm consists of two parts, in the first of which David celebrates the glory of God as manifested in his works; and, in the other, exalts and magnifies the knowledge of God which shines forth more clearly in his word. He only makes mention of the heavens; but, under this part of creation, which is the noblest, and the excellency of which is more conspicuous, he doubtless includes by synecdoche the whole fabric of the world. There is certainly nothing so obscure or contemptible, even in the smallest corners of the earth, in which some marks of the power and wisdom of God may not be seen; but as a more distinct…
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Psalms 19:1–4 (WEB)
1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork. 2Day after day they pour out speech, and night after night they display knowledge. 3There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. 4Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
Cross references
- Psalms 8:3
- Romans 1:19–20
because that which is known of God is revealed in them, for God revealed it to them.
- Psalms 50:6
- Psalms 148:3–4
- Psalms 33:6
- Genesis 1:14–15
God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to mark seasons, days, and years;
- Psalms 150:1–2
- Daniel 12:3
Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine as the stars forever and ever.
Key words
In the Baptist Catechism
- Q3. How do we know there is a God?
The light of nature in man, and the works of God, plainly declare that there is a God; but His Word and Spirit only, do effectually reveal Him unto us for our salvation.