Psalm 19 2

Psalm 19:2 kjv

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

Psalm 19:2 nkjv

Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge.

Psalm 19:2 niv

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.

Psalm 19:2 esv

Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.

Psalm 19:2 nlt

Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.

Psalm 19 verses

Psalm 19 2 Meaning

Psalm 19:2 describes the continuous, unending witness of the natural world to the Creator. Each new day perpetually announces God's creative power and wisdom, and each succeeding night likewise continually reveals profound knowledge about Him. This testimony is silent yet universally understandable, speaking of God's existence, order, glory, and intelligence through the design and regularity of creation itself. It is a constant, dynamic outflow of divine revelation available to all people.

Psalm 19 2 Context

Psalm 19 is unique in its structure, often referred to as a "two-book revelation." The first section (vv. 1-6) describes God's "general revelation" through creation, demonstrating His power, glory, and wisdom to all humanity through the celestial bodies. Verse 2 specifically elaborates on how the continuous cycles of day and night serve as constant witnesses. The latter section (vv. 7-14) shifts to God's "special revelation" through His written Word, the Torah, highlighting its perfection, transforming power, and a plea for personal uprightness. Verse 2, therefore, lays the foundational truth of God's universal witness in nature, setting the stage for the unparalleled revelation found in His perfect law. Historically, this Psalm serves as a profound theological counter-narrative to the prevailing ancient Near Eastern (ANE) polytheistic religions, where heavenly bodies were often deified. The Psalmist emphatically declares that the sun, moon, and stars are not gods to be worshipped, but rather are God's creations that incessantly testify to Him, the one true Creator.

Psalm 19 2 Word analysis

• Day unto day (יוֹם לְיוֹם - yom l'yom): This Hebrew repetition emphasizes continuous, perpetual action without interruption. It signifies the unbroken succession of days, each carrying forth the same testimony. It highlights the consistency and reliability of creation's witness.
• uttereth (נָבַע - naba): Meaning "to pour forth," "to bubble up," "to gush," or "to flow out." It implies a spontaneous, overflowing, and effusive declaration, like a fountain endlessly bubbling with water. This portrays the non-verbal speech of creation as an active, unceasing outflow of God's truth.
• speech (אֹמֶר - omer): This refers to a saying, utterance, or word. Unlike davar (דָּבָר) which can mean a more concrete word or event, omer here conveys the communicative aspect of creation. It's the declaration or message communicated by the heavens, which, as Psalm 19:3 clarifies, is a "speech without words." It is comprehensible without requiring linguistic understanding, reaching every tongue.
• and night unto night (וְלַיְלָה לְלַיְלָה - v'laylah l'laylah): Parallels "day unto day," reinforcing the unceasing and cumulative nature of the testimony. Night, often associated with silence or hiding, paradoxically also plays its part in revealing. The order of celestial bodies visible at night further proclaims divine wisdom and majesty.
• sheweth (חָוָה - chawah): Meaning "to declare," "to make known," "to reveal," "to explain." Similar to naba but can suggest a making visible or plain that which might have been hidden. It speaks of the declarative nature of night's revelation.
• knowledge (דַּעַת - da'at): Refers to understanding, insight, or discernment. The knowledge imparted is not just information but a deep apprehension of God's wisdom, power, and glory, made evident through the observable order and vastness of the cosmos. This knowledge is of God's invisible attributes, leading to an undeniable conclusion about His being.

Word Group Analysis:

• Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge: This powerful parallelism highlights the universal and relentless nature of general revelation. It depicts creation as a living entity that constantly, effortlessly, and undeniably communicates divine truth. The alternating cycles of light and darkness both contribute to this unending proclamation, making God's existence and attributes evident across all times and spaces, to all people, removing any excuse for ignorance (Rom 1:20). The choice of "speech" (omer) for day and "knowledge" (da'at) for night subtly conveys how day-sky’s simple, majestic light proclaims God's initial presence, while the complex, star-filled night sky further illuminates profound wisdom and discernment about His intricate design.

Psalm 19 2 Bonus section

• The Unspoken Word: While speaking of "speech" and "knowledge," Psalm 19:3 immediately clarifies that "There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard." This emphasizes the unique, non-verbal, and universally accessible nature of creation's testimony. It is a language of phenomena, apprehended through observation and contemplation, not through auditory reception or human language.
• Polemics against ANE Deities: The deliberate choice of words, especially "uttereth speech" (naba omer), is a powerful statement against contemporary beliefs where heavenly bodies like the sun and moon were worshipped as gods (e.g., Ra in Egypt, Shamash in Mesopotamia). This Psalm reorients the worshipper's gaze: these celestial bodies are not deities themselves, but servants that actively declare the one true God, pointing beyond themselves to their Creator.
• Foundation for General Revelation: This verse is a cornerstone for the theological doctrine of general revelation, which asserts that God has revealed Himself to all humanity through His created order. While insufficient for salvation, it serves to make humanity accountable and without excuse, demonstrating God's majesty and wisdom.

Psalm 19 2 Commentary

Psalm 19:2 concisely captures the essence of God's constant self-disclosure through the natural world. It underscores that creation is not a static display but an active, dynamic herald, tirelessly proclaiming its Maker's attributes. The "speech" poured forth by the day is the observable glory, power, and vastness evident in the sun, sky, and daily rhythms. The "knowledge" revealed by the night is the profound wisdom and intricate design seen in the stars, constellations, and the consistent celestial order. This testimony is ongoing, unaffected by human language barriers or geographical boundaries, establishing an undeniable witness to God's creative might and sovereign intelligence. It means that no person can claim ignorance of God's existence; His handiwork is universally accessible proof of His being, His goodness, and His meticulous ordering of the cosmos. It does not provide the pathway to salvation, which requires special revelation in His Word and Christ, but it effectively removes any excuse for not acknowledging the Divine.