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Psalm 19

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
    their voice is never heard.[a]
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
    and their words to all the world.

God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
    It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens
    and follows its course to the other end.
    Nothing can hide from its heat.

The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
    reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
    bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
    giving insight for living.
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
    lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
    each one is fair.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
    even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even honey dripping from the comb.
11 They are a warning to your servant,
    a great reward for those who obey them.

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
    Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
    Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
    and innocent of great sin.

14 May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Footnotes

  1. 19:3 Or There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

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