Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

PSALMS 19:4KJV
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Psalms 19:4 (KJV)

What does Psalms 19:4 mean?

Psalms 19:4 says that the message about God’s greatness, seen in creation, has spread everywhere on earth—nothing is left out. The verse uses the image of the sun having a “tabernacle” or tent set for it, showing how God has arranged the heavens with order and purpose.

King David is speaking in this psalm, reflecting on how the sky and everything in it silently declare God’s glory to all people. The verse builds on the idea that creation itself communicates about God, reaching every corner of the world, and introduces the sun as a key example of God’s handiwork.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 19:4

  • "line" (קַו, qav): This word often means a measuring line or cord, but here it is often understood as a poetic way to describe the “voice” or “message” of the heavens stretching across the earth. It suggests something that extends or marks out a boundary, emphasizing the reach of creation’s testimony.
  • "tabernacle" (אֹהֶל, ohel): This word means “tent” or “dwelling place.” The verse pictures God setting up a special place in the sky for the sun, like someone pitching a tent, highlighting God’s intentional design.
  • "words" (מִלָּה, millah): This word means “words” or “speech.” The verse pairs it with “line” to show that creation communicates in a way that goes out to the ends of the world, even if it is not literal speech.

Why Psalms 19:4 matters

  • Psalms 19:4 clarifies that the message about God in creation is not limited to one place or people—it is universal, reaching “all the earth.”
  • The verse uses poetic language to show that the heavens communicate about God without words, yet their message is unmistakable and everywhere.
  • This verse connects the first part of the psalm (about creation’s testimony) to the next section, where the sun becomes a vivid example of God’s order and provision.

Where else these words appear

“line” Hebrew H6957 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:23 And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
  • Isaiah 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
  • Isaiah 44:13 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

“world” Hebrew H8398 · used in 36 verses

  • 1 Samuel 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.
  • Psalms 77:18 The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightnings lightened the world: the earth trembled and shook.
  • Isaiah 14:17 That made the world as a wilderness, and destroyed the cities thereof; that opened not the house of his prisoners?

“words” Hebrew H4405 · used in 38 verses

  • 2 Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.
  • Job 19:23 Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book!
  • Job 33:1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.

“end” Hebrew H7097 · used in 87 verses

  • Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters were abated.
  • Joshua 3:15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water,(for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
  • Psalms 46:9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.