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.

For the Leader. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth His handiwork;

2 Each day speaks constantly about God's glory to the next day; each night shares knowledge of God with the next night.

Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night revealeth knowledge;

3 They speak without speech or words; their voice is not audible;

There is no speech, there are no words, neither is their voice heard.

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 is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath He set 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.

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run his course.

6 It rises on one side of the heavens and travels across to the other. Nothing is hidden from its heat.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

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 perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

8 The Lord's instructions are right, making people glad. The Lord's commandments are sincere, helping people see what is good.

The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening 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, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, they are righteous altogether;

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, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

11 They also warn your servant. By keeping them I'm richly rewarded.

Moreover by them is Thy servant warned; in keeping of 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 can discern his errors? Clear Thou me from hidden faults.

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 back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins, that they may not have dominion over me; then shall I be faultless, and I shall be clear from great transgression.

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 meditation of my heart be acceptable before Thee, O LORD, my Rock, and my Redeemer.