Psalms 19
1 [When people look at everything that] God [has placed in] the skies, they can see that he is very great; they can see the great things that he has created.
For the chief musician. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies make his handiwork known!
2 Day after day [it is as though the sun] proclaims [the glory of God], and night after night [it is as though the moon and stars] say that they know [that God made them].
Day after day speech pours out; night after night it reveals knowledge.
3 They do not really speak; they do not say any words. There is no voice [from them] for anyone to hear.
There is no speech or spoken words; their voice is not heard.
4 But what they declare [about God] goes throughout the world, and [even people who live in] the most distant/remote places on earth can know it. The sun is in the skies where God placed it [MET];
Yet their words go out over all the earth, and their speech to the end of the world. He has pitched a tent for the sun among them.
5 it rises each morning like a bridegroom [who is happy] as he comes out of his bedroom after his wedding. It is like a strong athlete who is very eager to start running in a race.
The sun is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber and like a strong man who rejoices when he runs his race.
6 The sun rises at one side of the sky and goes across [the sky and sets on] the other side, and nothing can hide from its heat.
The sun rises from the one horizon and crosses the sky to the other; nothing escapes its heat.
7 The instructions that Yahweh has given us are perfect; they (revive us/give us new strength). We can be sure that the things that Yahweh has told us will never change, and [by learning them] people who have not been previously taught/instructed will become wise.
The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of Yahweh is reliable, making the simple wise.
8 Yahweh’s laws are fair/just; [when we obey them], we become joyful. The commands of Yahweh are clear, and [by reading them] [PRS] we start to understand [how God wants us to behave].
The instructions of Yahweh are right, making the heart glad; the commandment of Yahweh is pure, bringing light to the eyes.
9 It is good for people to revere Yahweh; that is something that they will do forever. What Yahweh has decided is fair, and it is always right.
The fear of Yahweh is pure, enduring forever; the righteous decrees of Yahweh are true and altogether right!
10 The things that God has decided are more valuable than gold, even the finest/purest gold. They are sweeter than honey that drips from honeycombs.
They are of greater value than gold, even more than much fine gold; they are sweeter than honey and the dripping honey from the honeycomb.
11 Furthermore, [by reading them] I learn [what things are good to do and what things are evil], and they promise a great reward to [us who] obey them.
Yes, by them your servant is warned; in obeying them there is great reward.
12 But there is no one who can know all his errors [RHQ]; so Yahweh, forgive me for these things which I do that I do not realize are wrong.
Who can discern all his own errors? Cleanse me from hidden faults.
13 Keep me from doing things that I know are wrong; do not let my sinful desires control me. If you do that, I will no longer be guilty for committing such sins, and I will not commit the great sin [of rebelling terribly] against you.
Keep your servant also from arrogant sins; let them not rule over me. Then I will be perfect, and I will be innocent from many transgressions.
14 O Yahweh, you are [like] an [overhanging] rock [MET] under which I can be safe; you are the one who protects me. I hope/desire that the things that I say and what I think will [always] please you.
May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Yahweh, my rock and my redeemer.
