Log inSign up

Psalm 19 · a question people ask

"Who can discern his errors?" (19:12). How can I ask forgiveness for what I can't see?

In the text

The psalm asks the question and then prays: "Forgive me from hidden errors" (19:12). It doesn't say how the LORD answers. It goes on to a second request: "Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me" (19:13). So the prayer covers errors the psalmist can't see, and sins that would rule over him. Errors is shegi'ot, a word the Hebrew Bible has only here; Brown-Driver-Briggs gives "error", and Strong's "a moral mistake" (tap errors). Presumptuous is zedim, which Brown-Driver-Briggs gives as "insolent". The psalm names none of these errors or sins. Its answer to its own question is a prayer, and it ends: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my rock, and my redeemer" (19:14).

The verses

“Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors. Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my rock, and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:12-14 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Psalm 19

Psalm 19: The heavens declare

Psalm 19 names God once while the heavens speak (19:1), then says "the LORD" seven times as it praises his law and prays (19:7-14). The sun's "nothing hidden" (19:6) and the prayer's "hidden errors" (19:12) are one Hebrew verb, and the heavens' voice in 19:4 is, in Hebrew, their line.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekPsalm 19 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about Psalm 19

All questions about Psalms →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions