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 Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.] The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows 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 after day they pour forth speech, and night after night they display knowledge.

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

There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not 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 voice has gone out to all the earth, their words to the farthest part of the world. In them he has 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, like a strong man rejoicing 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 heavens, his circuit to its ends; There is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 The Lord's law is beneficial, renewing spiritual life. The Lord's teaching is trustworthy, making inexperienced people wise.

The LORD's Law is perfect, restoring the soul. The LORD's testimony 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 LORD's precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. The LORD's commandment 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 forever. The LORD's ordinances are true, and 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, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.

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

Moreover by them is your servant warned. 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 can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.

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 your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of 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 in your sight always, LORD, my rock and my redeemer.