“Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.” -Psalm 19:4–6
Modern man, rooted as he is in scientism, often criticizes the Bible’s use of poetic descriptions, calling their use unscientific, barbaric, rudimentary, mythological, and ignorant. And here is an example of such poetry.
To speak in scientific terms would decimate the beauty and power of the imagery that plays the imminent role in such poetry as the Psalms. Further, to criticize the Bible for not speaking in such scientific terms as the modern man demands, would be like criticizing a science book for not expressing its truths in more poetic language, say, iambic pentameter, as an English poet would expect. The Psalms are Hebrew poetry and should be read as such.
David makes the most basic and obvious connection to every man with an ounce of rational cognizance “that he might reprove the whole world of ingratitude, if, in beholding the sun, they are not taught the fear and the knowledge of God.”
He uses three splendid metaphors to describe the glory of the sun that would be obvious to all in his day. A tent or pavilion (the sky) has been erected for the sun to display itself. First, it appears in the morning, a sunrise bright, bold, and beautiful the way a bridegroom captures the attention of all who attend his wedding. He rises and presents himself filling the tent with his visage. Second, it runs across the sky like an athlete (a strong man) running a race in the games (much like our modern olympics) so popular amongst the ancients. Finally, its light spans the sky as it travels its circuit—where no one can escape the violence of its heat.