Psalms 19:9

9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.

Psalms 19:9 in Other Translations

KJV
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
ESV
9 the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
NLT
9 Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair.
MSG
9 God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree.
CSB
9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous.

Psalms 19:9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 19:9

The fear of the Lord [is] clean
Still the word of God is intended, which teaches men to fear the Lord; gives a full account of the worship of God, which is often meant by the fear of God; it instructs in the matter and manner of worship; and nothing more powerfully engages to serve the Lord with reverence and godly fear than the Gospel does: and this is "clean"; and the doctrines of it direct to the blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin, and to the righteousness of Christ, the fine linen, clean and white; the promises of it put the saints on cleansing themselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit; and the whole of it is the word of truth, by which God and Christ sanctify the church and the members of it, ( John 15:2 ) ( 17:17 ) ( Ephesians 5:25 Ephesians 5:26 ) . And this word is

enduring for ever;
the law is done away; the ceremonial law entirely, and the moral law, as a covenant of works, and as to the ministration of it by Moses; but the Gospel continues; it is an everlasting one; it endures for ever, notwithstanding all the opposition made to it by open persecution, or false teachers;

the judgments of the Lord [are] true, [and] righteous altogether;
"the judgments of the Lord" are the same with "the word of God", as appears from ( Psalms 119:25 Psalms 119:149 ) ; and these seem to design that part of the word, which contains rules of God's judging and governing his people; or the laws, orders, and ordinances of Christ in his house, which his people should observe, and yield a cheerful obedience to, he being their King, Judge, and Lawgiver: and these are "true", or "truth" F7 itself; being wisely made, according to the truth of things, and agreeable to the holiness and righteousness of God, and so righteous; not at all grievous, but easy, pleasant, and delightful, one and all of them.


FOOTNOTES:

F7 (tma) "veritas", Pagninus, Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Gejerus, Rivetus.

Psalms 19:9 In-Context

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 34:11; Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Isaiah 33:6
  • 2. Psalms 119:138,142
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