Psalm 19

The Witness of Creation and Scripture

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky[a] proclaims the work of His hands.(A)
Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge.[b]
There is no speech; there are no words;
their voice is not heard.
Their message[c] has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.(B)

In the heavens[d] He has pitched a tent for the sun.(C)
It is like a groom coming from the[e] bridal chamber;
it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
It rises from one end of the heavens
and circles[f] to their other end;(D)
nothing is hidden from its heat.

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

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

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 19:1 Or expanse
  2. Psalm 19:2 Or Day to day pours out speech, and night to night communicates knowledge
  3. Psalm 19:4 LXX, Sym, Syr, Vg; MT reads line
  4. Psalm 19:4 Lit In them
  5. Psalm 19:5 Lit his
  6. Psalm 19:6 Lit its circuit is

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.
Every day[b] they pour forth speech,
and every night[c] they tell knowledge.
There is no speech and there are no words;
their sound is inaudible.
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,
and it is like a bridegroom
who comes out of his bridal chamber.
It is glad like a strong man
to run its course.
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.
The law of Yahweh is perfect, reviving life.[h]
The testimony of Yahweh is firm, making wise the simple.
The precepts of Yahweh are right, making the heart rejoice.
The command of Yahweh is pure, enlightening the eyes.
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

  1. Psalm 19:1 The Hebrew Bible counts the superscription as the first verse of the psalm; the English verse number is reduced by one
  2. Psalm 19:2 Literally “day to day”
  3. Psalm 19:2 Literally “night to night”
  4. Psalm 19:4 LXX “line”
  5. Psalm 19:4 That is, the heavens
  6. Psalm 19:6 Hebrew “the”
  7. Psalm 19:6 Hebrew “ends”
  8. Psalm 19:7 Or “soul”
  9. Psalm 19:11 Or “illumined”
  10. Psalm 19:13 Usage elsewhere might suggest “arrogant people”