Psalms 19:13 - 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.

Generated Verse: Psalms 19:13

What does "Psalms 19:13" mean?


Psalm 19:13 is a plea for God's protection and guidance against sin, especially "presumptuous sins." Let's break down the verse:

"Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins..." This is the heart of the plea. "Presumptuous sins" are those committed deliberately, arrogantly, and with a conscious disregard for God's law. They are not accidental stumbles or sins of weakness, but rather intentional acts of defiance. The psalmist asks God to "keep back" or restrain him from committing such sins.

"Let them not have dominion over me." This expresses the desire to be free from the controlling power of sin. The psalmist understands that sin can become a master, enslaving him and leading him further into disobedience. He asks God to prevent presumptuous sins from gaining such control.

"Then I will be upright." This is the consequence of God's help. "Upright" means morally correct, honest, and living in accordance with God's will. It suggests a life of integrity and righteousness.

"I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression." This is the ultimate goal. The psalmist wants to be found "blameless" (without fault) and "innocent of great transgression" (free from serious sin). It's not necessarily a claim of perfect sinlessness, but rather a desire to be free from the weighty guilt and consequences of deliberate, serious disobedience.

In Summary:

The verse is a prayer for God's protection from intentional, defiant sins. The psalmist acknowledges his vulnerability to such sins and recognizes that he needs God's help to avoid them. He understands that freedom from presumptuous sin will lead to a life of uprightness, blamelessness, and innocence, a life pleasing to God.

Key takeaways:

The verse acknowledges the reality of deliberate, defiant sin ("presumptuous sins").
It expresses the need for God's help to resist temptation and avoid such sins.
It recognizes the power of sin to enslave.
It highlights the importance of living a life of integrity and righteousness.
It reveals a desire for a clear conscience and freedom from the guilt of serious sin.

Applications:

The verse is relevant for believers today because it reminds us to be humble about our ability to resist sin and to seek God's help in living a life that is pleasing to Him. It encourages us to be vigilant against the temptation to deliberately disobey God and to strive for a life of integrity and righteousness. It also highlights the importance of confessing our sins and seeking forgiveness when we do fall short.