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To the director: A song of David.

19 The heavens tell about the glory of God.
    The skies announce what his hands have made.
Each new day tells more of the story,
    and each night reveals more and more about God’s power.[a]
You cannot hear them say anything.
    They don’t make any sound we can hear.
But their message goes throughout the world.
    Their teaching reaches the ends of the earth.

The sun’s tent is set up in the heavens.
    It comes out like a happy bridegroom from his bedroom.
It begins its path across the sky
    like an athlete eager to run a race.
It starts at one end of the sky
    and runs all the way to the other end.
    Nothing can hide from its heat.

The Lord’s teachings are perfect.
    They give strength to his people.
The Lord’s rules can be trusted.
    They help even the foolish become wise.
The Lord’s laws are right.
    They make people happy.
The Lord’s commands are good.
    They show people the right way to live.

Learning respect for the Lord is good.
    It will last forever.
The Lord’s judgments are right.
    They are completely fair.
10 His teachings are worth more than pure gold.
    They are sweeter than the best honey dripping from the honeycomb.
11 His teachings warn his servants,
    and good things come to those who obey them.

12 People cannot see their own mistakes,
    so don’t let me commit secret sins.
13 Don’t let me do what I know is wrong.
    Don’t let sin control me.
If you help me, I can be pure
    and free from sin.
14 May my words and thoughts please you.
    Lord, you are my Rock—the one who rescues me.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 19:2 Or “Like the changing of the guards, each day passes the news to the next day and each night passes information to the next night.”

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