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 OVERSEER. A PSALM OF DAVID. The heavens [are] recounting the glory of God, And the expanse [is] declaring the work of His hands.

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

Day to day utters speech, And night to night shows knowledge.

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

There is no speech, and there are no words. Their voice has not been 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 has gone forth into all the earth, And their sayings to the end of the world, In them He placed 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, as a bridegroom, goes out from his covering, He rejoices as a mighty one To run the path.

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

From the end of the heavens [is] his going out, And his revolution [is] to their ends, And nothing is hid from his heat.

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

The law of YHWH [is] perfect, refreshing the soul, The testimonies of YHWH [are] steadfast, Making the simple wise,

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 YHWH [are] upright, Rejoicing the heart, The command of YHWH [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 YHWH [is] clean, standing for all time, The judgments of YHWH [are] true, They have been righteous—together.

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 desirable than gold, Indeed, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey, Even liquid honey of the comb.

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

Also—Your servant is warned by them, “In keeping them [is] a great reward.”

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

[His] errors—who understands? Declare me innocent from hidden ones,

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

Also—keep back Your servant from presumptuous ones, Do not let them rule over me, Then I am perfect, And declared innocent of much 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 sayings of my mouth, And the meditation of my heart, Be for a pleasing thing before You, O YHWH, my rock, and my redeemer!