Psalm 19:4 kjv
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psalm 19:4 nkjv
Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psalm 19:4 niv
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
Psalm 19:4 esv
Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
Psalm 19:4 nlt
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
Psalm 19 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rom 1:20 | For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen... | Creation reveals God's attributes. |
| Rom 10:18 | But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” | Cites Ps 19:4, affirming universal witness. |
| Ps 8:1 | Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. | God's majesty declared by creation. |
| Isa 40:26 | Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name... | Creation as testimony to the Creator. |
| Acts 14:17 | Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. | God's self-revelation to all nations. |
| Job 38:37 | Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens... | Implies creation's unspoken instruction. |
| Ps 97:6 | The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory. | Heavens' witness, universal observation. |
| Ps 29:10 | The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as King forever. | God's sovereignty over creation's forces. |
| Ps 104:24 | How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. | God's wisdom evident in creation's diversity. |
| Wisdom 13:1,5 | Surely all who were ignorant of God were foolish... From the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator. | Creation as an intelligible pointer to God. |
| Hab 3:3 | God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran. His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth. | God's glory filling the earth. |
| Job 26:14 | And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” | Vastness of creation implies Creator's power. |
| Jn 1:9 | The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. | Christ as universal revelation, complements general. |
| Ps 93:1 | The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength... | God's regal power evident universally. |
| Ps 50:6 | The heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. | Heavens testifying to God's moral nature. |
| Jer 33:25 | This is what the Lord says: 'If I have not made my covenant with day and night and established the fixed laws of heaven and earth...' | Order of creation reflects divine law. |
| 1 Chr 16:33 | Let the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. | Creation's active praise. |
| Gen 1:6-8 | Then God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the vault... God called the vault “sky.” | Foundation of the "heavens." |
| Isa 45:18 | For this is what the Lord says—he who created the heavens, he is God; he who fashioned and made the earth... | God as the sole Creator of heavens and earth. |
| Acts 17:28 | 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ | All humanity exists within God's universal sway. |
| Col 1:6 | that has come to you. In all the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you... | Gospel's global reach, parallel to creation's. |
| Joel 2:10 | Before them the earth shakes, the heavens tremble... | Creation's response to divine power. |
Psalm 19 verses
Psalm 19 4 Meaning
Psalm 19:4 proclaims that the silent, ceaseless declaration of God's glory by the heavens and the firmament extends throughout the entire earth, reaching its farthest boundaries. It speaks of a universal, non-verbal message communicated by creation itself, testifying to the existence and attributes of the Almighty Creator, without audible words, but with undeniable impact.
Psalm 19 4 Context
Psalm 19 is unique in its portrayal of God's revelation, unfolding in two complementary "books": the "book of nature" (verses 1-6) and the "book of the law" (verses 7-14). Verse 4 marks the climax and the summary of the first part, emphasizing the universal reach of creation's testimony to God's glory. It immediately follows the declaration that the heavens speak without words (verses 1-3). Historically, this psalm stands in stark contrast to polytheistic ancient Near Eastern cultures, where celestial bodies were worshipped as deities. Psalm 19 boldly asserts that these celestial bodies are not gods, but creations of the one true God, instruments of His glory, passively yet powerfully declaring His existence and majesty. This sets a foundation that even without special revelation, humanity is accountable to God for the general revelation observed in the natural world.
Psalm 19 4 Word analysis
- Their line (קַו - qaw): This Hebrew word can mean "measuring line" (like a plumb line used by a builder) or "chord" of a stringed instrument, leading to the sense of a "sound" or "voice." In the context of "gone out through all the earth," a "measuring line" metaphorically indicates the boundary, reach, or established order that extends everywhere, marking the Creator's universal dominion and the perfect structure He imposes on the cosmos. However, considering verses 1-3 emphasize "speech," "words," and "voice," many scholars interpret qaw here as "voice" or "sound," suggesting a continuous, resonant witness that, while without articulate human language, pervades the earth. The Septuagint (ancient Greek translation) renders it "φθόγγος" (phthongos), meaning "sound" or "voice," supporting this interpretation. The Apostle Paul in Rom 10:18 also interprets it this way.
- Is gone out (יָצָא - yatsa'):* This verb signifies emergence, spreading forth, or moving from an inner to an outer state. It vividly portrays the dynamic, active nature of creation's testimony—it's not static but actively, continually being proclaimed and broadcast to the world. It suggests an unhindered progression.
- Through all the earth (בְּכָל־הָאָרֶץ - b'khol ha'aretz): "B'khol" means "in all" or "throughout the whole," and "ha'aretz" means "the earth," denoting the physical globe or land. This phrase stresses the absolute universality and unrestricted reach of this natural revelation. No part of the world is untouched by this pervasive witness.
- And their words (וּבִקְצֵה תֵבֵל מִלֵּיהֶם - u-vik'tseh tevel milleihem):
- וּבִקְצֵה - u-vik'tseh: "and to the end/extremity of." This emphasizes the boundary-pushing nature of the revelation, reaching even the most remote corners.
- תֵבֵל - tevel: Often translated "the world" or "the inhabited world." This reinforces the universal scope, implying that all humanity, no matter where they live, receives this message.
- מִלֵּיהֶם - milleihem: "their words" or "their message." This plural form reinforces that despite having "no speech or words" in a human sense (verse 3), the heavens do communicate a distinct, intelligible "message" about God through their sheer existence and consistent operation. It's a non-verbal yet profound discourse.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Their line / voice is gone out through all the earth": This clause describes the outward procession and pervasive distribution of creation's inherent message. Whether understood as an extending "line" that defines God's universal domain or an ever-present "sound," it conveys a consistent, ongoing broadcast. It signifies a revelation that permeates all geographical boundaries.
- "and their words to the ends of the world": This parallel clause intensifies the previous statement, reiterating the global scope of this "message." "Words" (מִלֵּיהֶם) here refers to the testimony, the substance of the declaration made by the celestial bodies. It reinforces the idea that what is communicated is profound and clear enough to be understood universally, establishing the accountability of all humanity before their Creator.
Psalm 19 4 Bonus section
- This verse underpins the biblical doctrine of "general revelation," indicating that God's existence and attributes can be broadly inferred from the created order. This knowledge, though not salvific, makes humanity inexcusable for rejecting God (Rom 1:20).
- The vivid imagery of the "line" or "voice" "going out" imbues the silent heavens with agency, illustrating the active nature of their testimony despite their lack of articulate speech. It is a profound paradox that silent expanses speak with such universal impact.
- Ancient cosmological beliefs often attributed divine power or deified celestial bodies. Psalm 19, particularly verse 4, stands as a polemic against such idolatry by demoting the sun, moon, and stars from deities to created instruments through which the one true God reveals Himself. They are not worshipped but are worshippers in their function of bearing witness.
Psalm 19 4 Commentary
Psalm 19:4 beautifully culminates the first section of the psalm, presenting creation as God's perpetual and worldwide orator. This verse emphasizes that the natural world, particularly the celestial dome, consistently and silently declares God's attributes to every inhabitant of the globe. This isn't an obscure message for the learned, but a pervasive reality accessible to all people, at all times, in all places. It’s a divine billboard across the sky, leaving no one without an initial witness to the Creator's existence, power, wisdom, and majesty. While it offers no salvific details, this general revelation through nature prepares the heart and establishes a foundational truth, creating an initial accountability for humanity before a holy God who has revealed Himself abundantly in the visible universe. This powerful witness highlights humanity's moral obligation to acknowledge the Divine Hand behind creation, laying the groundwork for the necessity of special revelation in the Law and ultimately in Christ.