19:1 The heavens declare God’s glory;1
the sky displays his handiwork.2
19:2 Day after day it speaks out;3
night after night it reveals his greatness.4
19:3 There is no actual speech or word,
nor is its5 voice literally heard.
19:4 Yet its voice6 echoes7 throughout the earth;
its8 words carry9 to the distant horizon.10
In the sky11 he has pitched a tent for the sun.12
19:5 Like a bridegroom it emerges13 from its chamber;14
like a strong man it enjoys15 running its course.16
19:6 It emerges from the distant horizon,17
and goes from one end of the sky to the other;18
nothing can escape19 its heat.
19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect
and preserves one’s life.20
The rules set down by the Lord21 are reliable22
and impart wisdom to the untrained.23
19:8 The Lord’s precepts are fair24
and make one happy.25
The Lord’s commands26 are pure27
and give moral insight.28
19:9 The commands to fear the Lord are right29
and permanent.30
The regulations given by the Lord are trustworthy
and completely just.31
19:10 They are of greater value32 than gold,
than even a great amount of pure gold;
they bring greater delight33 than honey,
than even the sweetest honey from honeycomb.
19:11 Yes, your servant finds moral guidance there;34
those who obey them receive a rich reward.35
19:12 Who can avoid sinning?36
Please do not punish my unintentional sins.37
19:13 Moreover, keep me from committing flagrant38 sins;
do not allow such sins to control me.39
Then I will be blameless,
and innocent of blatant40 rebellion.
19:14 May my words and my thoughts
be acceptable in your sight,41
O Lord, my protector42 and my defender.43
Psalm 2044
For the music director; a psalm of David.