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.
“For the leader of the music. A psalm of David.” The heavens declare the glory of God; The firmament showeth forth 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 uttereth instruction unto day, And night showeth knowledge unto night.
3 They do not really speak; they do not say any words. There is no voice [from them] for anyone to hear.
They have no speech nor language, And their voice is not 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];
Yet their sound goeth forth to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle 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.
Which cometh forth like a bridegroom from his chamber, And rejoiceth, like a strong man, to run his course.
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.
He goeth forth from the extremity of heaven, And maketh his circuit to the end of it; And nothing is hid from his heat.
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 the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; The precepts of the LORD are 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 statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandments of the LORD are 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 the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; The judgments of the LORD are true and 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.
More precious are they than gold; yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter than honey and 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.
By them also is thy servant warned, And in keeping of 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 knoweth his own offences? Oh, cleanse thou 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 also thy servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me! Then shall I be upright; I shall not be polluted with gross 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.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer!
