The Works and the Word of God.

For the music director. A Psalm of David.

19 The (A)heavens tell of the glory of God;
And their (B)expanse declares the work of His hands.
Day to (C)day pours forth speech,
And (D)night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words;
Their voice is not heard.
Their [a](E)line has gone out into all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.
In them He has (F)placed a tent for the sun,
Which is like a groom coming out of his chamber;
It rejoices like a strong person to run his course.
Its (G)rising is from [b]one end of the heavens,
And its circuit to the [c]other end of them;
And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

(H)The Law of the Lord is [d](I)perfect, (J)restoring the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is (K)sure, making (L)wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are (M)right, (N)rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is (O)pure, (P)enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are (Q)true; they are (R)righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than (S)gold, yes, than much pure gold;
(T)Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, (U)Your servant is warned by them;
In keeping them there is great (V)reward.
12 Who can (W)discern his errors? (X)Acquit me of (Y)hidden faults.
13 Also keep Your servant back (Z)from presumptuous sins;
Let them not (AA)rule over me;
Then I will be (AB)innocent,
And I will be blameless of (AC)great wrongdoing.
14 May the words of my mouth and (AD)the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
Lord, (AE)my rock and my (AF)Redeemer.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 19:4 Another reading is sound
  2. Psalm 19:6 Lit the end
  3. Psalm 19:6 Lit the ends
  4. Psalm 19:7 I.e., blameless

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