Psalms 19

1 For the leader. A psalm of David. The heavens declare God’s glory, the sky tells what his hands have done.

To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the expanse sheweth the work of his hands.

2 Day tells it to day, night reveals it to night,

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.

3 without speaking, without words; without the sound of voices.

There is no speech and there are no words, yet their voice is heard.

4 But through all the world their voice carries their words to the ends of the earth. He has pitched a tent for the sun in the sky,

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their language to the extremity of the world. In them hath he set a tent for the sun,

5 it comes out like a bridegroom from his bridal chamber, it joyfully runs its course like a hero.

And he is as a bridegroom going forth from his chamber; he rejoiceth as a strong man to run the race.

6 From one end of the heavens it rises, and round it runs to the other, and nothing hides from its heat.

His going forth is from the end of the heavens, and his circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, renewing life. The decrees of the Lord are trusty, making the simple wise.

The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple;

8 The behests of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The command of the Lord is pure, giving light to the eyes.

The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes;

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, it endures forever. The Lord’s judgments are true and right altogether.

The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever; the judgments of Jehovah are truth, they are righteous altogether:

10 More precious are they than gold – than fine gold in plenty, and sweeter they are than honey, that drops from the comb.

They are more precious than gold, yea, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey and the dropping of the honeycomb.

11 By them is your servant warned; who keeps them has rich reward.

Moreover, by them is thy servant enlightened; in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can know their flaws? Absolve me from those I know not.

Who understandeth [his] errors? Purify me from secret [faults].

13 Keep your servant from wilful sins – from falling under their sway: then blameless and clear will I be from great offence.

Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be perfect, and I shall be innocent from great transgression.

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

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.