Psalms 19:13

KJV

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

KJV (with Strong's)

Keep back {H2820} thy servant {H5650} also from presumptuous {H2086} sins; let them not have dominion {H4910} over me: then shall I be upright {H8552}, and I shall be innocent {H5352} from the great {H7227} transgression {H6588}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Also keep your servant from presumptuous sins, so that they won't control me. Then I will be blameless and free of great offense.

Berean Standard Bible

Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression.

American Standard Version

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be clear from great transgression.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 19:13 presents a profound and urgent prayer from King David, revealing his deep spiritual self-awareness and absolute reliance on God for moral integrity. Following his meditation on God's revelation in creation and the perfection of His Law, the psalmist transitions from confessing "secret faults" to a fervent plea for divine protection against "presumptuous sins"—deliberate, high-handed acts of rebellion. This petition is not merely for forgiveness but for divine restraint, asking God to prevent such willful disobedience from gaining mastery over his life, thereby enabling him to live in unwavering uprightness and remain innocent from the "great transgression" that would sever his relationship with God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 19:13 serves as the climactic personal response within a psalm that masterfully transitions from God's general revelation to His special revelation. The initial six verses eloquently describe the "heavens declaring the glory of God" and the sun's majestic circuit, showcasing God's power and order throughout creation. Verses 7-11 then shift focus to the unparalleled perfection and life-transforming power of God's Law, or Torah, extolling its ability to revive the soul, make wise the simple, and bring joy to the heart. This profound appreciation for the Law's inherent goodness and its capacity to warn and enlighten (as noted in [Psalms 19:11](/psalms/19-11 "Psalms 19:11 - The Law's Warning and Reward")) naturally leads the psalmist to an introspective examination of his own life in light of such a holy standard. Verse 12, with its confession of "secret faults" (sins committed unknowingly or unintentionally), sets the immediate stage for the more serious and urgent plea in verse 13 against deliberate, defiant sin, highlighting a progression from ignorance to conscious rebellion and a comprehensive desire for purity before God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** David, as the divinely appointed king of Israel and a man committed to the covenant, lived under the detailed provisions of the Mosaic Law. This Law made crucial distinctions between different categories of sin. Sins committed unintentionally or in ignorance had specific, prescribed atonement rituals (e.g., [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Laws for Unintentional Sins")), allowing for reconciliation. However, "high-handed" or presumptuous sins (Hebrew: _zadon_), which involved deliberate and defiant rebellion against a known divine command, carried severe penalties, including being "cut off from among his people" (as explicitly stated in [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30-31 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Punishment for High-Handed Sin")). This cultural and legal framework deeply informed David's understanding of sin's gravity. He recognized that such deliberate defiance was not merely a personal failing but a direct affront to God's sovereignty, holiness, and covenant faithfulness, threatening his relationship with the Lord and his standing within the community of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes within the Psalter and broader biblical theology. It underscores the theme of **human depravity and absolute dependence on God's grace** for spiritual preservation. Even a devout king like David acknowledges his inherent susceptibility to sin, even after meditating on God's perfect Law, recognizing that true integrity requires divine intervention. The prayer highlights the critical **distinction between unintentional and intentional sin**, emphasizing the profound spiritual danger and heightened culpability associated with the latter, which constitutes an act of direct rebellion against God's known will. The fervent plea for sin not to have "dominion" over him speaks directly to the theme of **spiritual freedom and mastery**, a deep longing for God's Law to govern his life rather than the enslaving power of sin, echoing sentiments found in [Psalm 119:133](/psalms/119-133 "Psalm 119:133 - Let Your Word Direct My Steps"). Ultimately, the pursuit of "uprightness" and "innocence" reflects the overarching biblical theme of **holiness and integrity** as the desired outcome of a life lived in conformity to God's character and commands, a state of being that is only truly possible through God's preserving grace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Presumptuous (Hebrew, _zêd'_):** This term (H2086) carries the strong connotation of arrogance, insolence, and acting with a "high hand." It describes sins committed intentionally, defiantly, and with a deliberate disregard for God's known commands or authority. Unlike "secret faults" (sins of ignorance or weakness), _zêd_ implies a willful, rebellious spirit, a conscious choice to transgress. It is a sin rooted in pride, where one presumes to know better than God or to be above His law, a direct challenge to divine sovereignty.
* **Dominion (Hebrew, _mâshal'_):** This verb (H4910) means "to rule," "to reign," "to have power over," or "to master." When David prays, "let them not have dominion over me," he is asking God to prevent presumptuous sins from becoming a ruling force in his life, from enslaving him, or from establishing a habitual pattern of rebellion. It is a plea for spiritual freedom, that sin would not become his master but that God's will and Law would hold sway over his thoughts, desires, and actions.
* **Great Transgression (Hebrew, _peshaʻ rab'_):** The term _peshaʻ_ (H6588) denotes a "rebellion," "revolt," or "breach of trust," often in the context of a covenant relationship. Coupled with _rab_ (H7227), meaning "great" or "mighty," it refers to a severe, egregious act of rebellion against God, a profound betrayal of the covenant relationship. This is not merely a single sin but a state of persistent, high-handed defiance that leads to a fundamental rupture with God, potentially implying apostasy or a state of being "cut off" from the covenant community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins];"**: This is a humble and urgent petition for divine intervention. David acknowledges his own vulnerability to sin, particularly the grave danger of deliberate, defiant rebellion. He is not asking for strength to resist on his own, but for God's active restraint and protection, recognizing that only God can truly "keep back" or withhold him from such a perilous path. The inclusion of "also" links this prayer to the preceding request for forgiveness of "secret faults," demonstrating a comprehensive desire for purity and a deep understanding of sin's various forms.
* **"let them not have dominion over me:"**: This clause expresses a profound desire for spiritual freedom and self-control under God's rule. David understands that unaddressed presumptuous sins can quickly escalate from individual acts to a ruling power, enslaving the individual and shaping their character. He prays for God to prevent sin from becoming a master, a habitual pattern, or an enslaving force that dictates his choices and alienates him from God's will and purposes.
* **"then shall I be upright,"**: This outlines the positive, desired outcome of God's protective grace. "Upright" (Hebrew: _tâmam_) signifies moral integrity, blamelessness, and completeness in one's walk with God. It describes a life lived in conformity to God's standards, characterized by sincerity, ethical soundness, and a wholehearted devotion. This uprightness is not self-achieved but is presented as a direct result of God's intervention in keeping him from presumptuous sins and their dominion.
* **"and I shall be innocent from the great transgression."**: This final clause articulates the ultimate spiritual safeguard David seeks. To be "innocent" (Hebrew: _nâqâh_) means to be clear, clean, or free from guilt and its consequences. The "great transgression" refers to the most grievous form of rebellion, a profound and deliberate breach of covenant with God. David prays that by God's preserving grace, he would be entirely absolved and preserved from falling into such a devastating spiritual state of ultimate defiance and rupture with the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily functions as a **Petitionary Prayer**, a direct and fervent appeal to God for protection and deliverance from the most dangerous forms of sin. It employs clear **Parallelism** by contrasting the negative state of sin's potential dominion with the positive, desired outcome of uprightness and innocence, reinforcing the psalmist's spiritual aspirations. The concept of sin having "dominion" over someone is a powerful **Metaphor**, portraying sin not merely as an action but as an enslaving power or a tyrannical ruler from which the psalmist seeks divine liberation. Furthermore, the progression from "secret faults" (in verse 12) to "presumptuous sins" and finally to the "great transgression" (in verse 13) demonstrates a powerful **Climax**, building in intensity and gravity, highlighting the escalating danger and devastating potential of unaddressed and willful sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 19:13 profoundly articulates the believer's absolute dependence on divine grace for sanctification, not merely justification. It reveals that human righteousness is not self-generated but is a gift and a continuous work of God's preserving power, especially in guarding against the most dangerous forms of rebellion. The psalmist's plea acknowledges the insidious nature of sin, which, if unchecked, can move from unintentional error to deliberate defiance and ultimately to a state of profound alienation from God. This prayer underscores the biblical truth that true freedom is found not in autonomy from God's law but in being freed from sin's enslaving power, enabling a life of integrity and fidelity to the covenant. It is a timeless model for those who earnestly desire to walk blamelessly before a holy God.

* [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30-31 "Numbers 15:30-31 - The Consequences of High-Handed Sin"): This passage explicitly defines and prescribes severe consequences for "high-handed" sin, which aligns perfectly with the concept of "presumptuous sins" in Psalms 19:13, emphasizing their unique gravity and the potential for being "cut off" from the covenant community.
* [Romans 6:12-14](/romans/6-12-14 "Romans 6:12-14 - Sin's Dominion and Christ's Deliverance"): Paul's teaching here directly echoes David's prayer, urging believers not to let sin "reign in your mortal body" and assuring them that "sin will have no dominion over you" because they are under grace, not law, through Christ's work.
* [Hebrews 10:26-27](/hebrews/10-26-27 "Hebrews 10:26-27 - Warning Against Willful Sin"): This New Testament warning about the dire consequences of "deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth" provides a New Covenant parallel to the "great transgression" and the danger of persistent, willful rebellion against God, for which no sacrifice remains.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 19:13 is a timeless and essential prayer that every believer should internalize and regularly offer. It calls us to a profound humility, acknowledging our inherent susceptibility to all forms of sin, even the most grievous and defiant, and our absolute need for God's continuous, preserving intervention. It challenges us to cultivate a sensitive and discerning conscience that distinguishes between unintentional failings born of weakness or ignorance and deliberate acts of defiance against God's known will. This prayer is a powerful reminder that true spiritual maturity involves not just seeking forgiveness for past sins but actively praying for divine preservation from future ones, particularly those born of pride, arrogance, and conscious rebellion. It compels us to desire freedom from sin's mastery, seeking to live a life genuinely "upright" and "innocent" before God, reflecting His character and honoring His perfect Law. Our spiritual health is measured not only by our confession of sin but by our earnest, daily plea for God to "keep us back" from its insidious and destructive power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I differentiate between "secret faults" (unintentional sins) and "presumptuous sins" in my own life, and what is my typical response to each?**
* **What specific areas of my life might be susceptible to "presumptuous sins," where I might be tempted to act with a "high hand" against God's known commands or the promptings of the Holy Spirit?**
* **In what ways might sin be seeking to gain "dominion" over me, and how can I actively resist its enslaving power through prayer, vigilance, and obedience to God's Word?**
* **What does it truly mean for me to be "upright" and "innocent from the great transgression" in my walk with God today, and what practical steps can I take towards this ideal?**

### FAQ
**What exactly are "presumptuous sins" and how do they differ from other sins?**

Answer: "Presumptuous sins" (Hebrew: _zêd_, H2086) are sins committed intentionally, defiantly, and with a "high hand" against God's known will or command. They are characterized by arrogance, a deliberate disregard for divine authority, and a conscious choice to transgress. This contrasts sharply with "secret faults" or unintentional sins, which are committed out of ignorance, weakness, or oversight (as mentioned in [Psalms 19:12](/psalms/19-12 "Psalms 19:12 - Plea for Forgiveness of Secret Faults")). The Old Testament specifically distinguished these, with presumptuous sins carrying much graver consequences because they represent a direct act of rebellion against God's sovereignty, as seen in [Numbers 15:30-31](/numbers/15-30-31 "Numbers 15:30-31 - Punishment for High-Handed Sin")).

**Why is it important that presumptuous sins "not have dominion over me"?**

Answer: The prayer that presumptuous sins "not have dominion over me" (Hebrew: _mâshal_, H4910) highlights the enslaving nature of sin. When sin gains "dominion," it means it has become a ruling power, a master that dictates one's choices, habits, and even identity. David's prayer is for spiritual freedom—that deliberate acts of rebellion would not become a pattern or an addiction that controls his life and separates him from God. This concept is foundational to New Testament teaching on sanctification, where believers are called to live no longer as slaves to sin but as servants of righteousness (e.g., [Romans 6:12-14](/romans/6-12-14 "Romans 6:12-14 - Sin's Dominion Broken")). It's a plea for God to empower the believer to live under His righteous rule, not sin's tyranny.

**What is the "great transgression" that David seeks to be innocent from?**

Answer: The "great transgression" (Hebrew: _peshaʻ rab_, H6588 + H7227) refers to a severe, egregious act of rebellion or a profound breach of trust, particularly against a covenant. While it can refer to a single, grave sin (like murder, idolatry, or apostasy), it often implies a state of persistent, high-handed defiance that leads to a fundamental rupture in one's relationship with God. It signifies a complete turning away from God, a betrayal of the covenant, or even a hardened state of rebellion that makes one "cut off" from the community of faith. David's prayer is for God to preserve him from such a devastating spiritual state, ensuring his continued integrity and faithfulness in the covenant relationship, recognizing the ultimate spiritual danger of such a profound and deliberate break with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 19:13 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the only one who perfectly embodied uprightness and was entirely innocent from any transgression, great or small. Jesus lived a life completely free from "presumptuous sins," never once acting with a "high hand" against His Father's will but always in perfect, willing obedience, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). For humanity, trapped by sin's dominion and unable to free themselves from its enslaving power, Christ's atoning death and victorious resurrection provide the very deliverance David prayed for. Through faith in Him, believers are freed from the enslaving power of sin, for "sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace" ([Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Sin's Dominion Broken")). His sacrifice atones for all our sins—both our "secret faults" and our "presumptuous sins"—making us "upright" and "innocent" in God's sight, not by our own merit but by His imputed righteousness ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Moreover, the Holy Spirit, given through Christ, now indwells believers, empowering them to walk in newness of life, enabling them to resist willful sin and to pursue true holiness, thereby fulfilling the deepest longings of David's prayer for divine preservation and spiritual integrity ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Walking According to the Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 119:133

¶ Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

Romans 6:12

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

1 Samuel 25:39

And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed [be] the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife.

Acts 24:16

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and [toward] men.

Psalms 7:10

¶ My defence [is] of God, which saveth the upright in heart.

Psalms 84:11

For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.