Psalm 19:5 kjv
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
Psalm 19:5 nkjv
Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Psalm 19:5 niv
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
Psalm 19:5 esv
which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
Psalm 19:5 nlt
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
Psalm 19 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text (Shortened) | Reference (Note) |
|---|---|---|
| God's Control & Ordinances over Celestial Bodies | ||
| Gen 1:14-19 | And God said, "Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens..." | God creates and sets the function of celestial lights. |
| Jer 31:35 | Thus says the Lord, who gives the sun for a light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for a light by night... | God's established, unwavering order for celestial bodies. |
| Ps 104:19 | He appointed the moon for seasons; The sun knows its setting. | God orders the precise movements of celestial bodies. |
| Job 9:7 | He commands the sun not to shine and sets a seal upon the stars... | God's absolute power to control all creation. |
| Isa 40:26 | Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these... | God is the creator who calls the stars by name. |
| Col 1:16-17 | For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth... and by Him all things hold together. | Christ as the orchestrator and sustainer of creation. |
| Heb 1:3 | And He is the radiance of His glory... upholding all things by the word of His power... | Christ sustains all things by His powerful word. |
| Polemic Against Sun Worship / God as Supreme Creator | ||
| Deut 4:19 | And beware, lest you raise your eyes to heaven and when you see the sun... be drawn away and worship them... | Warning against deifying the created cosmos. |
| Deut 17:3 | And has gone and served other gods and worshiped them, either the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven... | Express prohibition against worship of celestial bodies. |
| Job 31:26-28 | If I have observed the sun when it shone... so that my mouth has kissed my hand... that also would have been an iniquity... | Condemns hidden idolatry of nature worship. |
| 2 Ki 23:5 | And he put an end to the idolatrous priests... those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and to the moon... | Historical record of purging sun worship. |
| Eze 8:16 | Then he brought me into the inner court of the house of the Lord... about twenty-five men with their backs toward the temple... and they were bowing to the sun toward the east. | Profanity of sun worship within God's temple. |
| Rom 1:25 | Because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator... | Explains the essence of idolatry as worshipping creation. |
| God's Dwelling / Stretching out the Heavens | ||
| Isa 40:22 | It is He who sits above the circle of the earth... who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to dwell in. | God's magnificent power to stretch and establish the heavens. |
| Ps 104:2 | Covering Yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a curtain. | God's creation of the vast expanse. |
| Zec 2:5 | For I myself will be a wall of fire around it, declares the Lord, and I will be its glory within it. | God's presence as a dwelling and protection. |
| Acts 7:49 | 'Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me?' says the Lord... | God transcends man-made dwellings. |
| Ps 115:3 | But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. | God's supreme authority residing in the heavens. |
| Revelation in Creation (General Revelation) | ||
| Ps 19:1 | The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. | Immediate preceding verse, establishing general revelation. |
| Ps 19:4a | Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. | The cosmic witness extends universally. |
| Rom 1:19-20 | For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made... | God's attributes are visible and understood through creation. |
Psalm 19 verses
Psalm 19 5 Meaning
Psalm 19:5 conveys that the Almighty God, as the supreme Creator, has precisely established and governs the sun's place and path within the heavens. The imagery of God "pitching a tent" for the sun highlights divine sovereignty and order over the cosmos, emphasizing that the sun is a creature subject to God's will, not an independent deity, and functions according to its divinely ordained design.
Psalm 19 5 Context
Psalm 19 is a hymn celebrating God's revelation, initially through creation (verses 1-6), often termed general revelation, and subsequently through His perfect law (verses 7-14), known as special revelation. Verse 5 is an integral part of the first section, specifically detailing the sun's role as a preeminent witness to God's glory and divine order. In the ancient Near East, many cultures deified the sun (e.g., Shamash in Babylon, Re in Egypt, Shemesh in Canaan). The psalmist, likely David, presents a direct theological counterpoint by unequivocally declaring the sun to be God's created servant, not a god to be worshipped. By stating that God "pitched a tent" for the sun, the psalm demotes the sun from a celestial deity to an entity residing in a divinely provided dwelling, subject to God's control and operating within a circumscribed, appointed sphere. This emphasis on the sun's subordination powerfully asserts the unique sovereignty of the God of Israel.
Psalm 19 5 Word analysis
- In them (בָהֶם, bā-hem): This prepositional phrase points to "the heavens" or "firmament" mentioned in earlier verses (Ps 19:1-4). It specifies the precise location within God's grand cosmic architecture where the sun is situated. This highlights God's dominion over and within His creation, indicating deliberate placement and order.
- hath he set (שָׂם, śām): This verb is robust, signifying "to place," "to put," "to set," or "to appoint." It denotes a purposeful, intentional divine act rather than a natural occurrence or random placement. It underscores the active, foundational work of the Creator in establishing cosmic structures and functions.
- a tabernacle (אֹהֶל, ’ō-hel): Meaning "tent" or "tabernacle," this metaphor is rich in significance. It portrays the sun not as an independent, roving god but as an entity residing in a place assigned or prepared by God. This demotes the sun from any claim to divinity, illustrating its subordinate and dependent status within God's creation. The imagery also suggests protection, order, and a stable yet non-permanent dwelling, hinting at the sun's daily journey and predictable cycle, all within God's design.
- for the sun (לַשֶּׁמֶשׁ, laš-še-meš): The direct reference to "the sun" (שֶׁמֶשׁ, shemesh) explicitly names the celestial body subject to God's authority. This phrase reinforces the anti-idolatrous stance of the psalm, presenting the sun as an obedient created thing rather than a revered deity, as was common in surrounding cultures.
- Words-group analysis: "In them hath he set a tabernacle" This grouping highlights God's comprehensive control and precision in establishing cosmic order. The heavens are not an anarchic space but are meticulously organized by divine action. The verb "set" combined with "tabernacle" signifies an act of divine appointment and placement, assuring the sun's consistent movement and predictable benefits for creation. This contrasts with chaotic pagan cosmologies, where divine beings often battled or operated haphazardly.
- Words-group analysis: "a tabernacle for the sun" This phrase firmly establishes the sun as a dependent creature. The "tent" is not built by the sun itself, nor is it its own sovereign domain. It is provided "for" it, indicating provision, designated purpose, and circumscribed limits by the Creator. The implication is one of stability and order: the sun "emerges" daily from its "tent" to run its course (as the following verses elaborate) with a consistency that testifies to the unwavering faithfulness and meticulous design of God.
Psalm 19 5 Bonus section
The imagery of "tabernacle" (אֹהֶל) could also subtly link to the Israelite Tabernacle, which symbolized God's presence among His people. If the cosmic sun has a divinely provided dwelling, it might foreshadow God's ordered and prepared dwelling among humanity, illustrating a grand theological parallel between God's arrangement of the cosmos and His relationship with His creation, particularly humanity. Additionally, scholars highlight that the use of 'tent' instead of 'house' suggests motion and a temporary station for the sun, aligning with its daily circuit described in Psalm 19:6 rather than a fixed abode. This detail emphasizes not just placement, but an ordered movement that consistently bears witness to God.
Psalm 19 5 Commentary
Psalm 19:5 serves as a theological cornerstone in declaring God's absolute sovereignty over creation. By metaphorically describing God as "pitching a tent" for the sun, the psalmist crafts a vivid image that simultaneously glorifies God's immense power and debunks prevailing pagan beliefs. This deliberate placement signifies that the sun, despite its vital role and grand display of energy, is entirely dependent on its Creator. Its designated dwelling denotes order, predictability, and control; the sun rises and sets precisely according to the divine blueprint, consistently performing its assigned task. This systematic function, emerging from a specific "dwelling," underscores God's reliable and faithful character as seen through the meticulous arrangement of the cosmos. The "tent" itself can evoke notions of a temporary, but essential, place for a purpose, symbolizing that even the most powerful natural phenomenon is an instrument in the hand of God, subject to His divine ordinances, rather than an entity to be worshipped.
For example, observing the unceasing, perfect cycle of sunrise and sunset each day, as well as the seasonal changes the sun influences, consistently declares the unwavering power and detailed craftsmanship of an unseen divine Architect. Just as a diligent homeowner provides a sturdy, secure dwelling for valuable possessions, God has secured the sun's course within its cosmic "tent," ensuring its steadfast service to His world.