Psalm 19
Lexham English Bible
Yahweh’s Creation and Law
For the music director. A psalm of David.[a]
19 The heavens are telling the glory of God,
and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.
2 Every day[b] they pour forth speech,
and every night[c] they tell knowledge.
3 There is no speech and there are no words;
their sound is inaudible.
4 Yet in all the world their line[d] goes out,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them[e] he has pitched a tent for the sun,
5 and it is like a bridegroom
who comes out of his bridal chamber.
It is glad like a strong man
to run its course.
6 Its rising is from one[f] end of the heavens
and its circuit to the other end[g] of them;
and nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 The law of Yahweh is perfect, reviving life.[h]
The testimony of Yahweh is firm, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of Yahweh are right, making the heart rejoice.
The command of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of Yahweh is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of Yahweh are true; they are righteous altogether,
10 more desirable than gold, even much fine gold;
and sweeter than honey, even honey in the comb.
11 Moreover, your servant is warned[i] by them;
in keeping them is great reward.
12 Who can perceive his errors?
Acquit me from hidden faults.
13 Also, keep back your servant from arrogant sins;[j]
let them not rule over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and I shall be innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your presence,
O Yahweh, my rock and my redeemer.
Footnotes
- Psalm 19:1 The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one
- Psalm 19:2 Literally “day to day”
- Psalm 19:2 Literally “night to night”
- Psalm 19:4 LXX “line”
- Psalm 19:4 That is, the heavens
- Psalm 19:6 Hebrew “the”
- Psalm 19:6 Hebrew “ends”
- Psalm 19:7 Or “soul”
- Psalm 19:11 Or “illumined”
- Psalm 19:13 Usage elsewhere might suggest “arrogant people”
Psalm 19
English Standard Version
The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
19 (A)The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 (B)Their (C)voice[b] goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for (D)the sun,
5 (E)which comes out like (F)a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 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.
7 (G)The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
(H)reviving the soul;
(I)the testimony of the Lord is (J)sure,
(K)making wise (L)the simple;
8 (M)the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is (N)pure,
(O)enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules[d] of the Lord are (P)true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than (Q)gold,
even much (R)fine gold;
(S)sweeter also than honey
and drippings of (T)the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
(U)in keeping them there is great reward.
12 (V)Who can discern his errors?
(W)Declare me innocent from (X)hidden faults.
13 (Y)Keep back your servant also from (Z)presumptuous sins;
let them not have (AA)dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my (AB)rock and my (AC)redeemer.
Footnotes
- Psalm 19:1 Hebrew the expanse; compare Genesis 1:6–8
- Psalm 19:4 Or Their measuring line
- Psalm 19:7 Or blameless
- Psalm 19:9 Or just decrees
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