Psalms 19
1 For the music director. A psalm of David. The heavens declare God's glory; the skies above announce what he has made.
To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. The heavens are sounding the glory of God; the arch of the sky makes clear the work of his hands.
2 Each day speaks constantly about God's glory to the next day; each night shares knowledge of God with the next night.
Day after day it sends out its word, and night after night it gives knowledge.
3 They speak without speech or words; their voice is not audible;
There are no words or language; their voice makes no sound.
4 Yet what they say is heard all over the earth; their message goes to the whole world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them has he put a tent for the sun,
5 It's like a bridegroom coming out of his room, like a fit athlete happy to run a race.
Who is like a newly married man coming from his bride-tent, and is glad like a strong runner starting on his way.
6 It rises on one side of the heavens and travels across to the other. Nothing is hidden from its heat.
His going out is from the end of the heaven, and his circle to the ends of it; there is nothing which is not open to his heat.
7 The Lord's law is beneficial, renewing spiritual life. The Lord's teaching is trustworthy, making inexperienced people wise.
The law of the Lord is good, giving new life to the soul: the witness of the Lord is certain, giving wisdom to the foolish.
8 The Lord's instructions are right, making people glad. The Lord's commandments are sincere, helping people see what is good.
The orders of the Lord are right, making glad the heart: the rule of the Lord is holy, giving light to the eyes.
9 Reverence for the Lord is right, and lasts forever. The Lord's judgments are both true and fair.
The fear of the Lord is clean, and has no end; the decisions of the Lord are true and full of righteousness.
10 They are more to be valued than gold, even the finest gold; they are sweeter than honey, even the purest honey coming straight from the honeycomb.
More to be desired are they than gold, even than much shining gold; sweeter than the dropping honey.
11 They also warn your servant. By keeping them I'm richly rewarded.
By them is your servant made conscious of danger, and in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who's aware of their own mistakes? Don't punish me for these faults I'm unaware of.
Who has full knowledge of his errors? make me clean from secret evil.
13 Don't let your servant commit deliberate sins. Don't let them rule over me. Then I will be without fault, innocent of such rebellion.
Keep your servant back from sins of pride; let them not have rule over me: then will I be upright and free from great sin.
14 May you be pleased with the words I speak, and the thoughts I think, Lord my rock and my redeemer.
Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in your eyes, O Lord, my strength and my salvation.
