Psalm 19:5

EXPOSITION

Verse 5. Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber. A bridegroom comes forth sumptuously apparelled, his face beaming with a joy which he imparts to all around; such, but with a mighty emphasis, is the rising Sun.

And rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. As a champion girt for running cheerfully addresses himself to the race, so does the sun speed onward with matchless regularity and unwearying swiftness in his appointed orbit. It is but mere play to him; there are no signs of effort, flagging, or exhaustion. No other creature yields such joy to the earth as her bridegroom the sun; and none, whether they be horse or eagle, can for an instant compare in swiftness with that heavenly champion. But all his glory is but the glory of God; even the sun shines in light borrowed from the Great Father of Lights.

"Thou sun, of this great world both eye and soul, Acknowledge Him thy greater; sound his praise
Both when you climb, and when high noon hast gained, And when you fall."

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 4-6. See Psalms on "Psalms 19:4" for further information.

Verse 5. Which is as a bridegroom, etc. The sun is described like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, dressed and prepared, and as a giant rejoicing to run his race; but though the sun be thus prepared, and dressed, and ready, yet if the Lord send a writ and a prohibition to the sun to keep within his chamber, he cannot come forth, his journey is stopped. Thus also he stops man in his nearest preparation for any action. If the Lord will work, who shall let it? Isaiah 43:13 . That is, there is no power in heaven or earth which can hinder him. But if the Lord will let, who shall work? Neither sun, nor stars, nor men, nor devils, can work, if he forbids them. The point is full of comfort. Joseph Caryl.

Verse 5. Which is as a bridegroom, etc. The Sun of Righteousness appeared in three signs especially; Leo, Virgo, Libra.

1. In Leo, roaring as a lion, in the law; so that the people could not endure his voice.
2. In Virgo, born of a pure virgin in the gospel.
3. In Libra, weighing our works in his balance at the day of judgment. Or as Bernard distinguishes his threefold coming aptly -- venit ad homines, venit in homines, venit contra homines: in the time past he came unto men as upon this day (The Nineteenth Psalm is one "appointed to be read" on Christmas Day); in the time present, he comes by his spirit into men every day; in the time future, he shall come against men at the last day. The coming here mentioned is his coming in the flesh -- for so the fathers usually gloss the text -- he came forth of the virgin's womb, as a bridegroom out of his chamber. As a bridegroom, for the King of heaven at this holy time made a great wedding for his Son. Matthew 22:1 . Christ is the bridegroom, man's nature the bride, the conjunction and blessed union of both in one person is his marriage. The best way to reconcile two disagreeing families is to make some marriage between them: even so, the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us in the world that he might hereby make our peace, reconciling God to man and man to God. By this happy match the Son of God is become the Son of Man, even flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bones; and the sons of men are made the sons of God, "of his flesh and of his bones," as Paul saith, Ephesians 5:30 . So that now the church being Christ's own spouse, saith, "I am my Beloved's, and my Beloved is mine." Song of Solomon 6:3 . My sin is his sin, and his righteousness is my righteousness. He who knew no sin, for my sake was made sin; and I, contrariwise, having no good thing, am made the righteousness of God in him: I which am brown by persecution, and black by nature ( Song of Solomon 1:5 ), so foul as the sow that wallows in the mire, through his favour am comely, without spot or wrinkle, so white as the snow, like a lily among thorns, even the fairest among women. Song of Solomon 2:2 . This happy marriage is not a marriage, but it make's a merry age, being "the consolation of Israel," and comfort of Jerusalem's heart. Indeed, Christ our husband doth absent himself from us in his body for a time; but when he did ascend into heaven he took with him our pawn, namely his flesh; and he gave us his pawn, namely, his Spirit, assuring us that we shall one day, when the world is ended, enter with him into the wedding chamber, and there feast with him, and enjoy his blessed company for evermore. John Boys.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 1-5. Parallel between the heavens and the revelation of Scripture, dwelling upon Christ as the central Sun of Scripture.

Verse 5. Rejoiceth as a strong man, etc. The joy of strength, the joy of holy labour, the joy of the anticipated reward.