For the music director; a psalm of David.
19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; 2
the sky displays his handiwork. 3
19:2 Day after day it speaks out; 4
night after night it reveals his greatness. 5
19:3 There is no actual speech or word,
nor is its 6 voice literally heard.
19:4 Yet its voice 7 echoes 8 throughout the earth;
its 9 words carry 10 to the distant horizon. 11
In the sky 12 he has pitched a tent for the sun. 13
19:5 Like a bridegroom it emerges 14 from its chamber; 15
like a strong man it enjoys 16 running its course. 17
19:6 It emerges from the distant horizon, 18
and goes from one end of the sky to the other; 19
nothing can escape 20 its heat.
19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect
and preserves one’s life. 21
The rules set down by the Lord 22 are reliable 23
and impart wisdom to the inexperienced. 24
19:8 The Lord’s precepts are fair 25
and make one joyful. 26
The Lord’s commands 27 are pure 28
and give insight for life. 29
19:9 The commands to fear the Lord are right 30
and endure forever. 31
The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy
and absolutely just. 32
19:10 They are of greater value 33 than gold,
than even a great amount of pure gold;
they bring greater delight 34 than honey,
than even the sweetest honey from a honeycomb.
19:11 Yes, your servant finds moral guidance there; 35
those who obey them receive a rich reward. 36
19:12 Who can know all his errors? 37
Please do not punish me for sins I am unaware of. 38
19:13 Moreover, keep me from committing flagrant 39 sins;
do not allow such sins to control me. 40
Then I will be blameless,
and innocent of blatant 41 rebellion.
19:14 May my words and my thoughts
be acceptable in your sight, 42
O Lord, my sheltering rock 43 and my redeemer. 44