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

To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.

God’s Revelation in the Heavens

19 The heavens are declaring the glory of God,
    and their expanse shows the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech,
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
There is no speech nor are there words—
    their voice is not heard—
yet their message[a] goes out into all the world,
    and their words to the ends of the earth.

He has set up a tent for the sun in the heavens,[b]
which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
        or like a champion who rejoices at the beginning of a race.
Its circuit is from one end of the sky to the other,
    and nothing is hidden from its heat.

God’s Revelation in the Law

The Law of the Lord is perfect,
    restoring life.
The testimony of the Lord is steadfast,
    making foolish people wise.
The precepts of the Lord are upright,
    making the heart rejoice.
The commandment of the Lord is pure,
    giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean,
    standing forever.
The judgments of the Lord are true;
    they are altogether righteous.
10 They are more desirable than gold,
    even much fine gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even the drippings from a honeycomb.
11 Moreover your servant is warned by them;
    and there is great reward in keeping them.

12 Who can detect his own[c] mistake?
    Cleanse me from hidden sin.
13 Preserve your servant from arrogant people;[d]
    do not let them rule over me.
Then I will be upright[e]
    and acquitted of great wickedness.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 19:4 Or sound; so LXX; MT DSS 11QPsc Syr read line
  2. Psalm 19:4 Lit. them
  3. Psalm 19:12 The Heb. lacks his own
  4. Psalm 19:13 Or from presumptuous sins
  5. Psalm 19:13 Or perfect, or blameless