More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist emphasizes not just any gold, but "much fine gold," highlighting the absolute purity and immense value of God's Word. He then elevates this further by comparing it to the "drippings of the honeycomb," which was considered the purest, most exquisite honey, suggesting the Word's sweetness surpasses even nature's finest delights.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The psalm is building a case for the profound value of God's law, revealed wisdom, and commands. After demonstrating how the heavens declare God's glory and how God's law perfectly restores the soul, the psalmist now shifts to a personal declaration of its immense worth. He will go on to explain how this divine instruction makes him wise and brings him reward, ultimately praising God as his rock and redeemer.
We all desire wealth, right? But what if God's Word is infinitely more valuable than any fortune we could imagine?
The Law's Unrivaled Value
The Psalmist uses the most precious commodities of his day – gold and honey – to describe the value of God's Word. He doesn't just say 'gold,' but 'much fine gold,' emphasizing purity and abundance. This isn't just about material wealth; it points to something far more profound.
Comparing Treasures
By comparing God's Word to these, the Psalmist is saying it surpasses all earthly riches and delights. It’s not just like gold or honey; it is more desirable and sweeter.
What brings you true joy and satisfaction? The Psalmist found a sweetness in God's Word that no earthly pleasure could match.
The Nourishment of Divine Truth
The comparison to honey and its drippings isn't just about sweetness; it's about nourishment and delight. Honey was a staple, a source of energy and pleasure. The purest honey, the drippings from the comb, represented the very best of this sweet sustenance.
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Spiritual Appetite vs. Earthly Pleasure
When the Psalmist says God's Word is 'sweeter,' he’s speaking to a deep longing within us that only divine truth can truly quench.
This passage echoes Psalm 19:10 by directly stating that the Law is better than silver and gold, reinforcing the immense value placed on God's Word over earthly riches.
Proverbs 3:13-14Similar to how Psalm 19:10 highlights the desirability and sweetness of God's Word, Proverbs 3 emphasizes the blessedness of finding wisdom and understanding, presenting them as more valuable than precious metals.
Proverbs 8:10-11This passage directly compares the value of wisdom (which is intertwined with God's law and Word) to gold and precious stones, aligning with Psalm 19:10's assertion that God's commands are more desirable than fine gold.
Song of Solomon 4:11This verse uses imagery of honey and sweetness to describe the Beloved's words, providing a poetic parallel to Psalm 19:10's comparison of God's Word to the sweetness of honey and the honeycomb.
poolePsalms 19:10: "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."
Than much fine gold; than gold of the best quality, and in the greatest quantity. Sweeter also than honey; which was most sweet in those Eastern countries. The honeycomb; than that honey which the bees have most diligently wrought in their combs, and which freely flows from them; which is sweeter than the rest.
ellicottPsalms 19:10: "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."
(10) Honeycomb. —(See margin.) The honey that drops from the comb is the finest and purest.
The Psalmist emphasizes not just any gold, but "much fine gold," highlighting the absolute purity and immense value of God's Word. He then elevates this further by comparing it to the "drippings of the honeycomb," which was considered the purest, most exquisite honey, suggesting the Word's sweetness surpasses even nature's finest delights.
The psalm is building a case for the profound value of God's law, revealed wisdom, and commands. After demonstrating how the heavens declare God's glory and how God's law perfectly restores the soul, the psalmist now shifts to a personal declaration of its immense worth. He will go on to explain how this divine instruction makes him wise and brings him reward, ultimately praising God as his rock and redeemer.
The psalm is building a case for the profound value of God's law, revealed wisdom, and commands. After demonstrating how the heavens declare God's glory and how God's law perfectly restores the soul, the psalmist now shifts to a personal declaration of its immense worth. He will go on to explain how this divine instruction makes him wise and brings him reward, ultimately praising God as his rock and redeemer.
"More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb." — The Psalmist emphasizes not just any gold, but "much fine gold," highlighting the absolute purity and immense value of God's Word. He then elevates this further by comparing it to the "drippings of…
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Last reviewed October 2026