< Psalms 19 >
1 [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.
To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the expanse sheweth the work of his hands.
2 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].
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3 They do not really speak; they do not say any words. There is no voice [from them] for anyone to hear.
There is no speech and there are no words, yet their voice is heard.
4 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];
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their language to the extremity of the world. In them hath he set a tent for the sun,
5 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.
And he is as a bridegroom going forth from his chamber; he rejoiceth as a strong man to run the race.
6 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.
His going forth is from the end of the heavens, and his circuit unto the ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7 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.
The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple;
8 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].
The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 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.
The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever; the judgments of Jehovah are truth, they are righteous altogether:
10 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.
They are more precious than gold, yea, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey and the dropping of the honeycomb.
11 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.
Moreover, by them is thy servant enlightened; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 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.
Who understandeth [his] errors? Purify me from secret [faults].
13 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.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be perfect, and I shall be innocent from great transgression.
14 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.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.