Psalm 19/Notes/Phrasal.Vv. 10-11.67573

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  • יִרְאַת יְהוָה: Fearing YHWH is the essence of covenant obedience (cf. Deut 10:12-13; cf. the reference to the faithful as יראי יהוה [e.g., Ps 118]). Thus, "the fear of YHWH" is used here as a metonymy for the requirements of the covenant—"the religion commanded by Yahweh, a synonym for his תורה" (Eaton 1968, 605). The phrase "fear of YHWH" refers to the fear which people experience because of YHWH (an objective genitive). Hence, "fear of YHWH" = "fearing YHWH."
  • The waw phrases in v. 11 ("gold and much pure gold... honey and virgin honey from the honeycomb") indicate addition: "they are better than gold and [they are even better than] much pure gold..." In English, the waw is better translated as "even." So e.g., ESV: "More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold..." (so NLT, NET; cf. KJV "yea"; cf. NIV: "than gold, than much pure gold").
  • On the definite article of הַנֶּחֱמָדִים, see the note in the Grammar layer.