Psalm 19:13
Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.
Keep Your Servant
This phrase reflects a plea for divine protection and guidance. The Hebrew root for "servant" is "ebed," which denotes a person who is in a position of service or submission. In the biblical context, being a servant of God is a position of honor and dedication. The psalmist acknowledges his role as a servant, seeking God's oversight and care. This reflects a deep relationship with God, where the believer willingly submits to His authority, trusting in His wisdom and provision.

Also from willful sins
The term "willful sins" refers to deliberate and intentional acts of disobedience against God's commandments. The Hebrew word for "willful" is "zed," which implies arrogance or pride. These are sins committed with full knowledge and intent, contrasting with sins of ignorance or weakness. The psalmist's request to be kept from such sins highlights the understanding that human nature is prone to pride and rebellion, and thus requires divine intervention to remain faithful and obedient.

May they not rule over me
This phrase expresses a desire for freedom from the dominion of sin. The Hebrew word for "rule" is "mashal," which means to have dominion or control. The psalmist recognizes the enslaving power of sin and seeks God's help to prevent it from gaining mastery over his life. This reflects the biblical teaching that sin can dominate and control a person's life, but through God's strength, believers can overcome and live in righteousness.

Then I will be blameless
The aspiration to be "blameless" is a desire for moral and spiritual integrity. The Hebrew word "tamim" means complete, whole, or without defect. In the biblical context, being blameless does not imply sinless perfection but rather a wholehearted devotion to God and His ways. The psalmist understands that only by God's grace and protection from sin can he achieve a state of blamelessness, living a life that is pleasing to God.

And innocent of great transgression
The term "great transgression" refers to serious violations of God's law. The Hebrew word "pasha" is often used to describe rebellion or revolt against divine authority. The psalmist seeks to be innocent, or "naqah," meaning to be free from guilt or punishment. This reflects a deep awareness of the gravity of sin and the desire to avoid actions that would lead to severe consequences or separation from God. The plea for innocence underscores the importance of living a life aligned with God's will, avoiding actions that would lead to spiritual downfall.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The author of Psalm 19, traditionally believed to be King David, who is expressing a deep desire for purity and righteousness before God.

2. God
The ultimate authority and protector whom David is addressing, seeking divine help to avoid sin.

3. Willful Sins
These are deliberate, intentional sins that David is asking God to keep him from committing.

4. Great Transgression
This refers to significant or grave sins that can have severe consequences on one's spiritual life.

5. Servant
David refers to himself as God's servant, indicating his submission and dedication to God's will.
Teaching Points
Understanding Willful Sins
Recognize that willful sins are deliberate actions against God's commands. They require vigilance and a heart aligned with God's will to avoid.

The Role of God's Protection
Acknowledge that we need God's help to resist sin. Regular prayer and reliance on the Holy Spirit are essential in maintaining spiritual integrity.

The Importance of Blamelessness
Strive for a life that is blameless before God, understanding that this is a process of continual growth and repentance.

Cleansing from Sin
Embrace the cleansing power of confession and repentance. God is faithful to forgive and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Guarding Against Sin's Rule
Be proactive in identifying areas of weakness and temptation in your life. Use Scripture and prayer as tools to prevent sin from gaining control.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some examples of willful sins in your life, and how can you seek God's help to overcome them?

2. How does understanding the concept of "great transgression" impact your view of sin and its consequences?

3. In what ways can you actively guard your heart to prevent willful sins from taking root?

4. How does the struggle with sin described in Romans 7 relate to your personal experiences, and what encouragement can you draw from it?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's cleansing from sin. How did it change your relationship with Him and your approach to future temptations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Romans 7:15-25
Paul discusses the struggle with sin and the desire to do good, which parallels David's plea for help against willful sins.

1 John 1:9
This verse speaks about confession and cleansing from sin, aligning with David's desire to be blameless and cleansed.

James 1:14-15
James explains how desire leads to sin, which can become willful if not checked, similar to David's concern.

Proverbs 4:23
This verse emphasizes guarding one's heart, which is crucial in preventing willful sins from taking root.

Matthew 6:13
The Lord's Prayer includes a plea for deliverance from evil, echoing David's request for protection from sin.
A Conjunction of RequestsO. Sedgwick, B. D.Psalm 19:13
A Man May Deceive Himself About the Dominion of SinO. Sedgwick, B. D.Psalm 19:13
Avoiding Presumptuous SinsBishop Sanderson.Psalm 19:13
Differences 'twixt Acts Germinated and Custom in SinO. Sedgwick, B. D.Psalm 19:13
Differences 'twixt the Dominion and Victory of SinO. Sedgwick, B. D.Psalm 19:13
How to be Kept from the Dominion of SinO. Sedgwick, B. D.Psalm 19:13
How to Obtain and Maintain UprightnessO. Sedgwick, B. D.Psalm 19:13
Intentional SinsJ. H. Hill.Psalm 19:13
It is an Hard Thing to Get Off the Dominion of SinO. Sedgwick, B. D.Psalm 19:13
No Dominion in the World Like that of ChristO. Sedgwick, B. D.Psalm 19:13
Of Presumptuous SinsAdam Littleton, D. D.Psalm 19:13
On the Nature of Presumptuous SinsRobert South, D. D.Psalm 19:13
Open SinsAlexander MaclarenPsalm 19:13
Presumptuous SinW. L. Watkinson.Psalm 19:13
Presumptuous SinningGeorge Clayton.Psalm 19:13
Presumptuous SinsPsalm 19:13
Presumptuous SinsBishop Sanderson.Psalm 19:13
Presumptuous SinsE. Summers.Psalm 19:13
Presumptuous SinsCharles Haddon Spurgeon Psalm 19:13
The Anatomy of Presumptuous SinsPsalm 19:13
The Anatomy of UprightnessO. Sedgwick, B. D.Psalm 19:13
The Means of Moral PreservationA. Jack, D. D.Psalm 19:13
The Nature and Danger of Presumptuous SinsT. Waterland.Psalm 19:13
The Nature, Danger, Aggravations, and Cure of Presumptuous SinE. Hopkins, D. D.Psalm 19:13
What Dominion of Sin Doth ImportO. Sedgwick, B. D.Psalm 19:13
Why David Prays Against Sin in DominionO. Sedgwick, B. D.Psalm 19:13
Nature as a PreacherW. Forsyth Psalm 19:1-14
The Voice of Jehovah in His WordC. Clemance Psalm 19:8-14
Man's Relation to the Divine LawC. Short Psalm 19:11-14
People
David, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Acquitted, Blameless, Clear, Declared, Dominion, Faultless, Free, Innocent, Ones, Perfect, Presumptuous, Pride, Rule, Servant, Sin, Sins, Transgression, Upright, Willful
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 19:13

     5511   safety
     5934   restraint
     6021   sin, nature of
     6030   sin, avoidance
     6115   blame
     8244   ethics, and grace

Psalm 19:7-14

     5376   law, purpose of
     5830   delight

Psalm 19:11-13

     1613   Scripture, purpose

Psalm 19:12-14

     8478   self-examination

Library
Secret Faults
'Who can understand his errors? cleanse Thou me from secret faults.' PSALM xix. 12. The contemplation of the 'perfect law, enlightening the eyes,' sends the Psalmist to his knees. He is appalled by his own shortcomings, and feels that, beside all those of which he is aware, there is a region, as yet unilluminated by that law, where evil things nestle and breed. The Jewish ritual drew a broad distinction between inadvertent--whether involuntary or ignorant--and deliberate sins; providing atonement
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Open Sins
'Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.'--PSALM xix. 13. Another psalmist promises to the man who dwells 'in the secret place of the Most High' that' he shall not be afraid for the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, nor for the pestilence that walketh at noonday,' but shall 'tread upon the lion and adder.' These promises divide the dangers that beset us
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"The Sun of Righteousness"
WE SHOULD FEEL QUITE JUSTIFIED in applying the language of the 19th Psalm to our Lord Jesus Christ from the simple fact that he is so frequently compared to the sun; and especially in the passage which we have given you as our second text, wherein he is called "the Sun of Righteousness." But we have a higher justification for such a reading of the passage, for it will be in your memories that, in the 10th chapter of the Epistle to the Romans, the Apostle Paul, slightly altering the words of this
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871

Secret Sins
Now, David, having seen God's law, and having praised it in this Psalm, which I have read in your hearing, he is brought, by reflecting on its excellency, to utter this thought, "Who can understand his errors?" and then to offer this prayer, "Cleanse thou me from secret faults." In the Lateran Council of the Church of Rome, a decree was passed that every true believer must confess his sins, all of them, once a year to the priest, and they affixed to it this declaration, that there is no hope of pardon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Presumptuous Sins
I shall this morning, first of all, endeavor to describe presumptuous sins; then, secondly, I shall try, if I can, to show by some illustrations, why the presumptuous sin is more heinous than any other; and then thirdly, I shall try to press the prayer upon your notice--the prayer, mark you, of the holy man--the prayer of David: "Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins. " I. First, then, WHAT IS PRESUMPTUOUS SIN? Now, I think here must be one of four things in a sin in order to make it
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857

Sin Immeasurable
The subject of this morning--our own sin, and the error of our own hearts, is one which we sometimes think we know, but of which we may always be quite sure that we have only began to learn, and that when we have learned the most we shall ever know on earth, the question will still be pertinent, "Who can understand his errors?" Now, this morning I propose first of all, very briefly indeed, to explain the question; then at greater length to impress it upon our hearts; and lastly we will learn the
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

Prayer and the Word of God (Continued)
"Some years ago a man was travelling in the wilds of Kentucky. He had with him a large sum of money and was well armed. He put up at a log-house one night, but was much concerned with the rough appearance of the men who came and went from this abode. He retired early but not to sleep. At midnight he heard the dogs barking furiously and the sound of someone entering the cabin. Peering through a chink in the boards of his room, he saw a stranger with a gun in his hand. Another man sat before the fire.
Edward M. Bounds—The Necessity of Prayer

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God. --Ps. xix.
The Heavens declare the Glory of God.--Ps. xix. Thy glory, Lord, the heavens declare, The firmament displays Thy skill; The changing clouds, the viewless air, Tempest and calm Thy word fulfil; Day unto day doth utter speech, And night to night Thy knowledge teach. Though voice nor sound inform the ear, Well-known the language of their song, When one by one the stars appear, Led by the silent moon along, Till round the earth, from all the sky, Thy beauty beams on every eye. Waked by Thy touch,
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

The Law and the Testimonies. --Ps. xix.
The Law and the Testimonies.--Ps. xix. Thy law is perfect, Lord of light! Thy testimonies sure, The statutes of Thy realm are right, And thy commandments pure. Holy, inviolate Thy fear, Enduring as Thy throne: Thy judgments, chastening or severe, Justice and truth alone:-- More prized than gold,--than gold whose waste Refining fire expels; Sweeter than honey to my taste, Than honey from the cells. Let these, O God! my soul convert; And make Thy servant wise; Let these be gladness to my heart,
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

the Spacious Firmament on High
[970]Addison's: John Sheeles, c. 1720 Psalm 19 Joseph Addison, 1712 The spacious firmament on high, With all the blue ethereal sky, And spangled heavens, a shining frame, Their great Original proclaim. The unwearied sun from day to day Does his Creator's power display, And publishes to every land The work of an almighty Hand. Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale, And nightly to the listening earth Repeats the story of her birth; Whilst all the stars that round
Various—The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA

The Promises of the Law and the Gospel Reconciled.
1. Brief summary of Chapters 15 and 16. Why justification is denied to works. Argument of opponents founded on the promises of the law. The substance of this argument. Answer. Those who would be justified before God must be exempted from the power of the law. How this is done. 2. Confirmation of the answer ab impossibili, and from the testimony of an Apostle and of David. 3. Answer to the objection, by showing why these promises were given. Refutation of the sophistical distinction between the intrinsic
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

Letter xxii. St. Ambrose in a Letter to his Sister Gives an Account of the Finding Of...
St. Ambrose in a letter to his sister gives an account of the finding of the bodies of SS. Gervasius and Protasius, and of his addresses to the people on that occasion. Preaching from Psalm xix., he allegorically expounded the "heavens" to represent the martyrs and apostles, and the "day" he takes to be their confession. They were humbled by God, and then raised again. He then gives an account of the state in which their bodies were found, and of their translation to the basilica. In another address
St. Ambrose—Works and Letters of St. Ambrose

The Progress of the Gospel
Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the end of the world. T he heavens declare the glory of God (Psalm 19:1) . The grandeur of the arch over our heads, the number and lustre of the stars, the beauty of the light, the splendour of the sun, the regular succession of day and night, and of the seasons of the year, are such proofs of infinite wisdom and power, that the Scripture attributes to them a voice, a universal language, intelligible to all mankind, accommodated to every capacity.
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Dryness of Preachers, and the Various Evils which Arise from their Failing to Teach Heart-Prayer --Exhortation to Pastors to Lead People Towards this Form Of
If all those who are working for the conquest of souls sought to win them by the heart, leading them first of all to prayer and to the inner life, they would see many and lasting conversions. But so long as they only address themselves to the outside, and instead of drawing people to Christ by occupying their hearts with Him, they only give them a thousand precepts for outward observances, they will see but little fruit, and that will not be lasting. When once the heart is won, other defects are
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

Of Deeper Matters, and God's Hidden Judgments which are not to be Inquired Into
"My Son, beware thou dispute not of high matters and of the hidden judgments of God; why this man is thus left, and that man is taken into so great favour; why also this man is so greatly afflicted, and that so highly exalted. These things pass all man's power of judging, neither may any reasoning or disputation have power to search out the divine judgments. When therefore the enemy suggesteth these things to thee, or when any curious people ask such questions, answer with that word of the Prophet,
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

The Pietist and the Perfectionist.
"He chastens us for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness."--Heb. xii. 10. Sanctification is a gracious work of God, whereby in a supernatural way He gradually divests from sin the inclinations and dispositions of the regenerate and clothes them with holiness. Here we meet a serious objection which deserves our careful attention. To the superficial observer, the spiritual experience of God's children seems diametrically opposed to this professed gift of sanctification. One says:
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Concerning Continence Also Itself Hath it not Been Most Openly Said...
43. Concerning continence also itself hath it not been most openly said, "And when I knew that no one can be continent unless God give it, this also itself was a part of wisdom, to know whose gift it was?" [2177] But perhaps continence is the gift of God, but wisdom man bestows upon himself, whereby to understand, that that gift is, not his own, but of God. Yea, "The Lord maketh wise the blind:" [2178] and, "The testimony of the Lord is faithful, it giveth wisdom unto little ones:" [2179] and, "If
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity.

Regeneration.
In the examination of this subject I will-- I. Point out the common distinction between regeneration and conversion. 1. Regeneration is the term used by some theologians to express the divine agency in changing the heart. With them regeneration does not include and imply the activity of the subject, but rather excludes it. These theologians, as will be seen in its place, hold that a change of heart is first effected by the Holy Spirit while the subject is passive, which change lays a foundation for
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual Government of the World.
1. The invisible and incomprehensible essence of God, to a certain extent, made visible in his works. 2. This declared by the first class of works--viz. the admirable motions of the heavens and the earth, the symmetry of the human body, and the connection of its parts; in short, the various objects which are presented to every eye. 3. This more especially manifested in the structure of the human body. 4. The shameful ingratitude of disregarding God, who, in such a variety of ways, is manifested within
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Need of Scripture, as a Guide and Teacher, in Coming to God as a Creator.
1. God gives his elect a better help to the knowledge of himself--viz. the Holy Scriptures. This he did from the very first. 2. First, By oracles and visions, and the ministry of the Patriarchs. Secondly, By the promulgation of the Law, and the preaching of the Prophets. Why the doctrines of religion are committed to writing. 3. This view confirmed, 1. By the depravity of our nature making it necessary in every one who would know God to have recourse to the word; 2. From those passages of the Psalms
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Word
The third way to escape the wrath and curse of God, and obtain the benefit of redemption by Christ, is the diligent use of ordinances, in particular, the word, sacraments, and prayer.' I begin with the best of these ordinances. The word . . . which effectually worketh in you that believe.' 1 Thess 2:13. What is meant by the word's working effectually? The word of God is said to work effectually when it has the good effect upon us for which it was appointed by God; when it works powerful illumination
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Shepherd-King
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Conversion of all that Come.
"Turn Thou me and I shall be turned." --Jer. xxxi. 18. The elect, born again and effectually called, converts himself. To remain unconverted is impossible; but he inclines his ear, he turns his face to the blessed God, he is converted in the fullest sense of the word. In conversion the fact of cooperation on the part of the saved sinner assumes a clearly defined and perceptible character. In regeneration there was none; in the calling there was a beginning of it; in conversion proper it became a
Abraham Kuyper—The Work of the Holy Spirit

Effectual Calling
'Them he also called.' Rom 8:80. Q-xxxi: WHAT IS EFFECTUAL CALLING? A: It is a gracious work of the Spirit, whereby he causes us to embrace Christ freely, as he is offered to us in the gospel. In this verse is the golden chain of salvation, made up of four links, of which one is vocation. Them he also called.' Calling is nova creatio, a new creation,' the first resurrection. There is a two-fold call: (1.) An outward call: (2.) An inward call. (1.) An outward call, which is God's offer of grace to
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

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