Psa 19 | HCSB | STEP | For the choir director . A Davidic psalm . The heavens declare the glory of God , and the sky proclaims the work of His hands .

Psalms 19

The Witness of Creation and Scripture

1 For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky ^{▼▼Or expanse} proclaims the work of His hands. ^b
2 Day after day they pour out speech;
night after night they communicate knowledge. ^{▼▼Or Day to day pours out speech, and night to night communicates knowledge}
3 There is no speech; there are no words;
their voice is not heard.
4 Their message ^{▼▼LXX, Sym, Syr, Vg; MT reads line} has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world. ^e

In the heavens ^{▼▼Lit In them} He has pitched a tent for the sun. ^g
5 It is like a groom coming from the ^{▼▼Lit his} bridal chamber;
it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
6 It rises from one end of the heavens
and circles ^{▼▼Lit its circuit is} to their other end; ^j
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The instruction of the Lord is perfect,
renewing one’s life; ^k
the ^{▼▼testimony: A reference to either the Mosaic law in general or to a specific section of the law, the Ten Commandments, which were written on stone tablets and placed in the ark of the covenant (also called the ark of the testimony)}testimony of the Lord is trustworthy,
making the inexperienced wise. ^m
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
making the heart glad; ⁿ
the command of the Lord is radiant,
making the eyes light up. ^o
9 The ^{▼▼fear(s) God or the Lord/ the fear of the Lord: No single English word conveys every aspect of the word fear in this phrase. The meaning includes worshipful submission, reverential awe, and obedient respect to the covenant-keeping God of Israel.}fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever; ^q
the ordinances of the Lord are reliable
and altogether righteous. ^r
10 They are more desirable than gold –
than an abundance of pure gold; ^s
and sweeter than honey,
which comes from the honeycomb. ^t
11 In addition, Your servant is warned by them;
there is great reward in keeping them. ^u

12 Who perceives his unintentional sins?
Cleanse me from my hidden faults. ^v
13 Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins; ^w
do not let them rule over me. ^x
Then I will be innocent
and cleansed from blatant rebellion. ^y
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to You, ^z
Lord, my rock and my Redeemer. ^aa