Psalm chapter 19
English Standard Version
1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. 2Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. 3There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, 5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy. 6Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. 14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
New International Version
1For the director of music. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. 3They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. 4Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 5It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth. 7The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. 10They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb. 11By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward. 12But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
New American Standard Bible
1The heavens tell of the glory of God; And their expanse declares the work of His hands. 2Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. 3There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard. 4Their line has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun, 5Which is like a groom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices like a strong person to run his course. 6Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. 10They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much pure gold; Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. 11Moreover, Your servant is warned by them; In keeping them there is great reward. 12Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. 13Also keep Your servant back from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be innocent, And I will be blameless of great wrongdoing. 14May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Christian Standard Bible
1For the choir director. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. 2Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge. 3There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard. 4Their message has gone out to the whole earth, and their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun. 5It is like a bridegroom coming from his home; it rejoices like an athlete running a course.
6It rises from one end of the heavens and circles to their other end; nothing is hidden from its heat. 7The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one’s life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise. 8The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad; the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up. 9The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous. 10They are more desirable than gold— than an abundance of pure gold; and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.
11In addition, your servant is warned by them, and in keeping them there is an abundant reward. 12Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. 13Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed from blatant rebellion. 14May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
New Living Translation
1The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. 2Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. 3They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.
4Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. 5It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. 6The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.
7The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. 9Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. 10They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. 11They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.
King James Version
New King James Version
1{To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.} The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. 2Day unto day utters speech, And night unto night reveals knowledge. 3 There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. 4 Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, 5Which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, And rejoices like a strong man to run its race. 6Its rising is from one end of heaven, And its circuit to the other end; And there is nothing hidden from its heat. 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; 8The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11Moreover by them Your servant is warned, And in keeping them there is great reward. 12Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. 13Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.
What does Psalm chapter 19 mean?
This psalm of David begins by referring to the heavens and the sky as proofs of God's creative work. The first verse uses Hebrew terms similar to those found in the first verses of Genesis. The existence, structure, and details of nature shout the reality of a Creator (Psalm 19:1).David states this revelation continues both night and day. The point is not merely that nature looks impressive. The function of the universe also announces the incredible design of God. A vivid example of this is how earth is affected by the sun. The sun rises in full strength, traverses the sky, and sets at the opposite end of the horizon. The sun's warmth and rays touch everything on earth (Psalm 19:2–6).
As well as nature, God can be seen in the inspired Word He gives mankind. God's revelation in Scripture is perfect, trustworthy, right, pure, clean, and true. It revives the soul, brings wisdom, creates joy in the heart, gives enlightenment, and endures forever. God's written revelation in Scripture is more valuable than the finest gold and sweeter to the taste than honey. These are framed in a poetic, repeated structure, which echoes some of the book of Proverbs. God's servant finds warning and great reward in His written revelation (Psalm 19:7–11).
David concludes the Psalm with prayer. He asks for deliverance from the grasp of presumptuous sins—meaning the kind of arrogant actions that invite harsh consequences. He asks God to accept his speech and the meditation of his heart. David not only wants to obey God, he seeks to please Him, in words and thoughts, as well. David addresses God as Lord, rock, and redeemer. This final verse has served as a model, not only for prayer, but also for songs of praise for much of Christian history (Psalm 19:12–14).
