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19 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.

13 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.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

The Perfect Revelation of the Lord

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

19 The (A)heavens declare the glory of God;
And the (B)firmament[a] shows [b]His handiwork.
Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
(C)Their [c]line has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

In them He has set a [d]tabernacle for the sun,
Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
(D)And rejoices like a strong man to run its race.
Its rising is from one end of heaven,
And its circuit to the other end;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

(E)The law of the Lord is perfect, [e]converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making (F)wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than (G)gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the [f]honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can understand his errors?
(H)Cleanse me from secret faults.
13 Keep back Your servant also from (I)presumptuous sins;
Let them not have (J)dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of [g]great transgression.

14 (K)Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my [h]strength and my (L)Redeemer.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 19:1 expanse of heaven
  2. Psalm 19:1 the work of His hands
  3. Psalm 19:4 LXX, Syr., Vg. sound; Tg. business
  4. Psalm 19:4 tent
  5. Psalm 19:7 restoring
  6. Psalm 19:10 honey in the combs
  7. Psalm 19:13 Or much
  8. Psalm 19:14 Lit. rock

(A psalm by David for the music leader.)

The Wonders of God and the Goodness of His Law

The heavens keep telling
    the wonders of God,
and the skies declare
    what he has done.
Each day informs
    the following day;
each night announces
    to the next.
They don't speak a word,
and there is never
    the sound of a voice.
(A) Yet their message reaches
    all the earth,
and it travels
    around the world.

In the heavens a tent
    is set up for the sun.
It rises like a bridegroom
and gets ready like a hero
    eager to run a race.
It travels all the way
across the sky.
    Nothing hides from its heat.

(B) The Law of the Lord is perfect;
    it gives us new life.
His teachings last forever,
and they give wisdom
    to ordinary people.
The Lord's instruction is right;
    it makes our hearts glad.
His commands shine brightly,
    and they give us light.

Worshiping the Lord is sacred;
    he will always be worshiped.
All his decisions
    are correct and fair.
10 They are worth more
    than the finest gold
and are sweeter than honey
    from a honeycomb.

11 By your teachings, Lord,
    I am warned;
by obeying them,
    I am greatly rewarded.
12 None of us know our faults.
Forgive me when I sin
    without knowing it.
13 Don't let me do wrong
    on purpose, Lord,
or let sin have control
    over my life.
Then I will be innocent,
and not guilty
    of some terrible fault.

14 Let my words and my thoughts
    be pleasing to you, Lord,
because you are my mighty rock[a]
    and my protector.

Footnotes

  1. 19.14 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.

Psalm 19

For the music leader. A psalm of David.

19 Heaven is declaring God’s glory;
    the sky is proclaiming his handiwork.
One day gushes the news to the next,
    and one night informs another what needs to be known.
Of course, there’s no speech, no words—
        their voices can’t be heard—
    but their sound[a] extends throughout the world;
        their words reach the ends of the earth.

God has made a tent in heaven for the sun.
The sun is like a groom
    coming out of his honeymoon suite;
    like a warrior, it thrills at running its course.
It rises in one end of the sky;
    its circuit is complete at the other.
        Nothing escapes its heat.

The Lord’s Instruction is perfect,
    reviving one’s very being.[b]
The Lord’s laws are faithful,
    making naive people wise.
The Lord’s regulations are right,
    gladdening the heart.
The Lord’s commands are pure,
    giving light to the eyes.
Honoring the Lord is correct,
    lasting forever.
The Lord’s judgments are true.
    All of these are righteous!
10 They are more desirable than gold—
        than tons of pure gold!
    They are sweeter than honey—
        even dripping off the honeycomb!
11 No doubt about it:
    your servant is enlightened by them;
    there is great reward in keeping them.
12 But can anyone know
    what they’ve accidentally done wrong?
    Clear me of any unknown sin
13         and save your servant from willful sins.
        Don’t let them rule me.
Then I’ll be completely blameless;
    I’ll be innocent of great wrongdoing.

14 Let the words of my mouth
    and the meditations of my heart
    be pleasing to you,
    Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 19:4 LXX, Vulg, Sym; MT line or string
  2. Psalm 19:7 Or soul

God’s Works and Word

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

19 The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the skies announce what his hands have made.
Day after day they tell the story;
    night after night they tell it again.
They have no speech or words;
    they have no voice to be heard.
But their message goes out through all the world;
    their words go everywhere on earth.
The sky is like a home for the sun.
The sun comes out like a bridegroom from his bedroom.
    It rejoices like an athlete eager to run a race.
The sun rises at one end of the sky
    and follows its path to the other end.
    Nothing hides from its heat.

The teachings of the Lord are perfect;
    they give new strength.
The rules of the Lord can be trusted;
    they make plain people wise.
The orders of the Lord are right;
    they make people happy.
The commands of the Lord are pure;
    they light up the way.
Respect for the Lord is good;
    it will last forever.
The judgments of the Lord are true;
    they are completely right.
10 They are worth more than gold,
    even the purest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even the finest honey.
11 By them your servant is warned.
    Keeping them brings great reward.

12 People cannot see their own mistakes.
    Forgive me for my secret sins.
13 Keep me from the sins of pride;
    don’t let them rule me.
Then I can be pure
    and innocent of the greatest of sins.

14 I hope my words and thoughts please you.
    Lord, you are my Rock, the one who saves me.