Psalms 19:10
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Psalms 19:10
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Chapter Context
Psalms 19 is a poetic and liturgical chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of righteousness, mercy, discipleship. Written during various periods (c. 1000-400 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Temple worship utilized these compositions across various periods of Israel's history.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-14: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Psalms and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Psalms 19:10
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Analysis
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Having described six attributes of God's word and their six effects (verses 7-9), David now expresses Scripture's supreme value. He uses two comparisons—gold and honey—representing wealth and pleasure, the two things humanity most naturally desires. Yet God's word surpasses both.
"More to be desired are they than gold" (hanechmadim mizahav, הַנֶּחֱמָדִים מִזָּהָב) uses chamad, meaning to desire, covet, take pleasure in. This is the same word from the tenth commandment: "Thou shalt not covet." What should be desired above all else? Not gold but God's word. Zahav (gold) represented ultimate material wealth in the ancient world—portable, imperishable, universally valued. Yet Scripture is more desirable.
"Yea, than much fine gold" (umipaz rav, וּמִפַּז רָב) intensifies the comparison. Paz is refined, pure gold—the highest quality. Rav means much, abundant. David doesn't compare Scripture merely to a small amount of ordinary gold but to vast quantities of the finest gold. Even unlimited material wealth cannot match the value of God's word.
"Sweeter also than honey" (umetugim middevash, וּמְתוּקִים מִדְּבַשׁ) shifts to taste. Matok means sweet, pleasant. Honey was the primary sweetener in the ancient world, the sweetest natural substance commonly available. God's word brings greater pleasure than the most delightful physical taste. "And the honeycomb" (venophet tzufim, וְנֹפֶת צוּפִים) adds emphasis—not processed honey but fresh honey still in the comb, the purest and sweetest form. Even this doesn't match Scripture's sweetness to the soul.
Historical Context
The comparison of God's word to gold and honey appears throughout Scripture. Psalm 119:72 declares: "The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver." Psalm 119:103 asks: "How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" These were not mere literary flourishes but genuine valuations.
In the ancient world, gold represented security, power, and pleasure. Yet Solomon, who possessed unprecedented wealth, concluded that wisdom (which comes from God's word) is more precious than rubies, and "all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her" (Proverbs 3:15). He learned experientially what David declared here: material wealth cannot satisfy like God's truth.
Honey's sweetness made it a biblical symbol of delight and goodness. The Promised Land was described as flowing with "milk and honey" (Exodus 3:8). Jonathan's eyes were enlightened when he tasted honey (1 Samuel 14:27). Yet Ezekiel discovered that while God's words were "as honey for sweetness" initially (Ezekiel 3:3), proclaiming them brought bitterness (3:14). Scripture is sweet to receive but sometimes difficult to obey or proclaim. Still, its ultimate effect is delight in God.
Reflection
- Why does David compare Scripture's value to gold and its pleasure to honey rather than to other things?
- What would it look like practically to 'desire' God's word more than wealth or pleasure?
- How can Scripture be 'sweet' when it sometimes corrects, rebukes, or calls for costly obedience?
- What have you found more 'desirable' or 'sweet' than God's word, and how might this verse challenge that?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Psalms 119:72, 119:103, 119:127, Job 23:12, Proverbs 8:19, 16:16