Psalms 19:1-14

  • God’s creation and law bear witness

    • ‘Heavens declare God’s glory’ (1)

    • God’s perfect law restores strength (7)

    • “Sins I am unaware of” (12)

To the director. A melody of David. 19  The heavens are declaring the glory of God;+The skies above* proclaim the work of his hands.+  2  Day after day their speech bubbles forth,And night after night they reveal knowledge.  3  There is no speech, and there are no words;Their voice is not heard.  4  But into all the earth their sound* has gone out,And to the ends of the inhabited earth* their message.+ In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun;  5  It is like a bridegroom emerging from the bridal chamber;It rejoices like a mighty man running his course.  6  It emerges from one end of the heavens,And it circles to their other end;+And nothing is concealed from its heat.  7  The law of Jehovah is perfect,+ restoring strength.*+ The reminder of Jehovah is trustworthy,+ making the inexperienced one wise.+  8  The orders from Jehovah are righteous, causing the heart to rejoice;+The commandment of Jehovah is clean, making the eyes shine.+  9  The fear of Jehovah+ is pure, lasting forever. The judgments of Jehovah are true, altogether righteous.+ 10  They are more desirable than gold,Than much fine* gold,+And sweeter than honey,+ the honey that drips from the combs. 11  By them your servant has been warned;+In keeping them, there is a large reward.+ 12  Who can discern mistakes?+ Pronounce me innocent from sins I am unaware of. 13  And hold your servant back from presumptuous acts;+Do not let them dominate me.+ Then I will be complete,+And innocent of blatant sins.* 14  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heartBe pleasing to you,+ O Jehovah, my Rock+ and my Redeemer.+

Footnotes

Or “expanse.”
Or possibly, “measuring line.”
Or “productive land.”
Or “restoring (bringing back) the soul.”
Or “refined.”
Or “much transgression.”