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God’s Works and Word

For the director of music. A song of David.

19 The heavens tell the glory of God.
    And the skies announce what his hands have made.
Day after day they tell the story.
    Night after night they tell it again.
They have no speech or words.
    They don’t make any sound to be heard.
But their message goes out through all the world.
    It goes everywhere on earth.
The sky is like a home for the sun.
The sun comes out like a bridegroom from his bedroom.
    It rejoices like an athlete eager to run a race.
The sun rises at one end of the sky,
    and it follows its path to the other end.
    Nothing hides from its heat.

The Lord’s teachings are perfect.
    They give new strength.
The Lord’s rules can be trusted.
    They make plain people wise.
The Lord’s orders are right.
    They make people happy.
The Lord’s commands are pure.
    They light up the way.
It is good to respect the Lord.
    That respect will last forever.
The Lord’s judgments are true.
    They are completely right.
10 They are worth more than gold,
    even the purest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even the finest honey.
11 They tell your servant what to do.
    Keeping them brings great reward.

12 No one can see all his own mistakes.
    Forgive me for my secret sins.
13 Keep me from the sins that I want to do.
    Don’t let them rule me.
Then I can be pure
    and free from the greatest of sins.

14 I hope my words and thoughts please you.
    Lord, you are my Rock, the one who saves me.

Psalm 19[a]

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

The heavens(A) declare(B) the glory of God;(C)
    the skies(D) proclaim the work of his hands.(E)
Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.(F)
They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.(G)
In the heavens God has pitched a tent(H) for the sun.(I)
    It is like a bridegroom(J) coming out of his chamber,(K)
    like a champion(L) rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens(M)
    and makes its circuit to the other;(N)
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

The law of the Lord(O) is perfect,(P)
    refreshing the soul.(Q)
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,(R)
    making wise the simple.(S)
The precepts of the Lord are right,(T)
    giving joy(U) to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.(V)
The fear of the Lord(W) is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.(X)

10 They are more precious than gold,(Y)
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,(Z)
    than honey from the honeycomb.(AA)
11 By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.(AB)
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;(AC)
    may they not rule over me.(AD)
Then I will be blameless,(AE)
    innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing(AF) in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock(AG) and my Redeemer.(AH)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 19:1 In Hebrew texts 19:1-14 is numbered 19:2-15.
  2. Psalm 19:4 Septuagint, Jerome and Syriac; Hebrew measuring line