Psalms 19:5

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 19:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.
Psalms 19:5 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, etc.] His nuptial chamber, on which Elias writes f294, “we call the garment (or canopy) spread over the head of the bridegroom and bride, supported by four pillars, in the time of their espousals, hpj.” who looks lovely and beautiful in his nuptial robes, cheerful and pleasant in his countenance, creating pleasure and delight in all his friends that see him and hear his voice: and this simile is expressive of the brightness and glory of the sun when it rises; and of the joy and pleasure which it produces in the minds of men when they behold it: all which sets forth the loveliness and beauty of Christ, as he is held forth in the ministration…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The sun, as the most glorious heavenly body, is specially used to illustrate the sentiment; and his vigorous, cheerful, daily, and extensive course, and his reviving heat (including light), well display the wondrous wisdom of his Maker.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber - That is, when he rises in the morning. He rises from the darkness of the night, and comes forth as the bridegroom comes out of the chamber where he has slept. The allusion is to the bright, and joyful, and cheerful aspect of the rising sun. The image of the bridegroom is employed because we associate with a bridegroom the idea of hilarity, cheerfulness, joy. The essential image is that the sun seems to rise from a night of repose, as man does in the morning, and that after such a night of repose he goes forth with cheerfulness and alacrity to the employments of the day. The figure is an obvious but a very beautiful one, though there is a…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Bridegroom - Gloriously adorned with light as with a beautiful garment, and smiling upon the world with a pleasant countenance. Chamber - In which he is poetically supposed to have rested all night, and thence to break forth as it were on a sudden. Strong man - Conscious and confident of his own strength. Psalms 19:6”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“bridegroom: Isa 61:10, Isa 62:5; Joh 3:29 rejoiceth: Ecc 1:5; Co1 9:24-26; Phi 3:13, Phi 3:14; Heb 12:1, Heb 12:2 Psalms 19:6”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification