Psalms 19

1 TO THE OVERSEER. A PSALM OF DAVID. The heavens [are] recounting the glory of God, And the expanse [is] declaring the work of His hands.

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, and there are no words. Their voice has not been heard.

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

4 Their line has gone forth into all the earth, And their sayings to the end of the world, In them He placed a tent 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 And he, as a bridegroom, goes out from his covering, He rejoices as a mighty one To run the path.

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

6 From the end of the heavens [is] his going out, And his revolution [is] to their ends, And nothing is hid from his heat.

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

7 The law of YHWH [is] perfect, refreshing the soul, The testimonies of YHWH [are] steadfast, Making the simple wise,

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

8 The precepts of YHWH [are] upright, Rejoicing the heart, The command of YHWH [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 YHWH [is] clean, standing for all time, The judgments of YHWH [are] true, They have been righteous—together.

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

10 They are more desirable than gold, Indeed, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey, Even liquid honey of the comb.

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 Also—Your servant is warned by them, “In keeping them [is] a great reward.”

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

12 [His] errors—who understands? Declare me innocent from hidden ones,

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

13 Also—keep back Your servant from presumptuous ones, Do not let them rule over me, Then I am perfect, And declared innocent of much 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 sayings of my mouth, And the meditation of my heart, Be for a pleasing thing before You, O YHWH, my rock, and my redeemer!

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