Psalms 19

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.

For the music director. A psalm of David. The heavens declare God's glory; the skies above announce what he has made.

2 Day to day utters speech, and night to night shows knowledge.

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

3 There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.

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

4 Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun,

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.

5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices as a strong man to run a race.

It's like a bridegroom coming out of his room, like a fit athlete happy to run a race.

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

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

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.

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

8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

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

9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.

Reverence for the Lord is right, and lasts forever. The Lord's judgments are both true and fair.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

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.

11 Moreover by them is your servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

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

12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse you me from secret faults.

Who's aware of their own mistakes? Don't punish me for these faults I'm unaware of.

13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.

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.

14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

May you be pleased with the words I speak, and the thoughts I think, Lord my rock and my redeemer.