Psalms 19:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 19:10 mean?

Psalms 19:10 describes the Lord’s judgments as more precious than wealth and more delightful than the sweetest food. The speaker values what the Lord says about right and wrong beyond things people ordinarily treasure or enjoy.

After calling those judgments true and righteous in verse 9, the speaker uses two familiar images to express their worth. Fine gold suggests exceptional wealth, while honey from the honeycomb suggests a fresh, natural sweetness.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 19:10

• “desired” — חָמַד (ḥamad): This word can mean to desire or find something pleasing. Here it describes the Lord’s judgments as something a person would eagerly want to possess.
• “fine gold” — פַּז (paz): This word refers to fine or pure gold. The comparison is with an especially prized form of gold, not merely an ordinary possession.
• “honeycomb” — נֹפֶת (nōphet) and צוּף (ṣūph): Together these words are often understood to describe honey dripping from the comb. The phrase brings out the image of fresh honey flowing from where bees made it.

Why Psalms 19:10 matters

• The word “they” has a particular subject. It points back to “the judgments of the LORD” at the end of verse 9, rather than to gold or honey.
• The comparison joins value with pleasure. “More to be desired” speaks of worth, while “sweeter also” describes the delight the speaker finds in those judgments.
• The verse continues a passage about the Lord’s instruction. Earlier lines use terms such as “law,” “testimony,” and “commandment” to describe what the Lord makes known.