Psalm 19

The Witness of Creation and Scripture

For the choir director. A psalm of David.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the expanse(A) proclaims the work of his hands.(B)
Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge.[a]
There is no speech; there are no words;
their voice is not heard.
Their message[b] has gone out to the whole earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.(C)
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun.(D)
It is like a bridegroom coming from his home;
it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
It rises from one end of the heavens
and circles to their other end;(E)
nothing is hidden from its heat.

The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life;(F)
the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise.(G)
The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad;(H)
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up.(I)
The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;(J)
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous.(K)
10 They are more desirable than gold—
than an abundance of pure gold;(L)
and sweeter than honey
dripping from a honeycomb.(M)
11 In addition, your servant is warned by them,
and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.(N)

12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults.(O)
13 Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins;(P)
do not let them rule me.(Q)
Then I will be blameless
and cleansed from blatant rebellion.(R)
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,(S)
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.(T)

Footnotes

  1. 19:2 Or Day to day pours out speech, and night to night communicates knowledge
  2. 19:4 LXX, Sym, Syr, Vg; MT reads line

Psalm 19

God’s Glory in Creation and the Law

To the leader. A Psalm of David.

The heavens are telling the glory of God,
    and the firmament[a] proclaims his handiwork.(A)
Day to day pours forth speech,
    and night to night declares knowledge.(B)
There is no speech, nor are there words;
    their voice is not heard;
yet their voice[b] goes out through all the earth
    and their words to the end of the world.

In the heavens[c] he has set a tent for the sun,(C)
which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
    and like a strong man runs its course with joy.(D)
Its rising is from the end of the heavens
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and nothing is hid from its heat.(E)

The law of the Lord is perfect,
    reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
    making wise the simple;(F)
the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
    enlightening the eyes;(G)
the fear of the Lord is pure,
    enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
    and righteous altogether.(H)
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.(I)

11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.(J)
12 But who can detect one’s own errors?
    Clear me from hidden faults.(K)
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;[d]
    do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless
    and innocent of great transgression.(L)

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.(M)

Footnotes

  1. 19.1 Or dome
  2. 19.4 Gk Jerome Compare Syr: Heb line
  3. 19.4 Heb In them
  4. 19.13 Or from proud thoughts