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.
[When people look at everything that] God [has placed in] the skies, they can see that he is very great; they can see the great things that he has created.
2 Day to day utters speech, And night to night shows knowledge.
Day after day [it is as though the sun] proclaims [the glory of God], and night after night [it is as though the moon and stars] say that they know [that God made them].
3 There is no speech, and there are no words. Their voice has not been heard.
They do not really speak; they do not say any words. There is no voice [from them] for anyone to hear.
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,
But what they declare [about God] goes throughout the world, and [even people who live in] the most distant/remote places on earth can know it. The sun is in the skies where God placed it [MET];
5 And he, as a bridegroom, goes out from his covering, He rejoices as a mighty one To run the path.
it rises each morning like a bridegroom [who is happy] as he comes out of his bedroom after his wedding. It is like a strong athlete who is very eager to start running in 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.
The sun rises at one side of the sky and goes across [the sky and sets on] the other side, and nothing can hide from its heat.
7 The law of YHWH [is] perfect, refreshing the soul, The testimonies of YHWH [are] steadfast, Making the simple wise,
The instructions that Yahweh has given us are perfect; they (revive us/give us new strength). We can be sure that the things that Yahweh has told us will never change, and [by learning them] people who have not been previously taught/instructed will become wise.
8 The precepts of YHWH [are] upright, Rejoicing the heart, The command of YHWH [is] pure, enlightening the eyes,
Yahweh’s laws are fair/just; [when we obey them], we become joyful. The commands of Yahweh are clear, and [by reading them] [PRS] we start to understand [how God wants us to behave].
9 The fear of YHWH [is] clean, standing for all time, The judgments of YHWH [are] true, They have been righteous—together.
It is good for people to revere Yahweh; that is something that they will do forever. What Yahweh has decided is fair, and it is always right.
10 They are more desirable than gold, Indeed, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey, Even liquid honey of the comb.
The things that God has decided are more valuable than gold, even the finest/purest gold. They are sweeter than honey that drips from honeycombs.
11 Also—Your servant is warned by them, “In keeping them [is] a great reward.”
Furthermore, [by reading them] I learn [what things are good to do and what things are evil], and they promise a great reward to [us who] obey them.
12 [His] errors—who understands? Declare me innocent from hidden ones,
But there is no one who can know all his errors [RHQ]; so Yahweh, forgive me for these things which I do that I do not realize are wrong.
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.
Keep me from doing things that I know are wrong; do not let my sinful desires control me. If you do that, I will no longer be guilty for committing such sins, and I will not commit the great sin [of rebelling terribly] against you.
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!
O Yahweh, you are [like] an [overhanging] rock [MET] under which I can be safe; you are the one who protects me. I hope/desire that the things that I say and what I think will [always] please you.
