THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD

Passage: Psalms 19:1-14

Key verse: 4

NIV

Psalm 19[a]
For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 The heavens(A) declare(B) the glory of God;(C)
    the skies(D) proclaim the work of his hands.(E)
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.(F)
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.(G)
In the heavens God has pitched a tent(H) for the sun.(I)
5     It is like a bridegroom(J) coming out of his chamber,(K)
    like a champion(L) rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens(M)
    and makes its circuit to the other;(N)
    nothing is deprived of its warmth.

7 The law of the Lord(O) is perfect,(P)
    refreshing the soul.(Q)
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,(R)
    making wise the simple.(S)
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,(T)
    giving joy(U) to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
    giving light to the eyes.(V)
9 The fear of the Lord(W) is pure,
    enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
    and all of them are righteous.(X)

10 They are more precious than gold,(Y)
    than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,(Z)
    than honey from the honeycomb.(AA)
11 By them your servant is warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
    Forgive my hidden faults.(AB)
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;(AC)
    may they not rule over me.(AD)
Then I will be blameless,(AE)
    innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
    be pleasing(AF) in your sight,
    Lord, my Rock(AG) and my Redeemer.(AH)

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 19:1 In Hebrew texts 19:1-14 is numbered 19:2-15.
  2. Psalm 19:4 Septuagint, Jerome and Syriac; Hebrew measuring line
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

19 (A)The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
4 (B)Their (C)voice[b] goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for (D)the sun,
5     (E)which comes out like (F)a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its 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 (G)The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
    (H)reviving the soul;
(I)the testimony of the Lord is (J)sure,
    (K)making wise (L)the simple;
8 (M)the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is (N)pure,
    (O)enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules[d] of the Lord are (P)true,
    and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than (Q)gold,
    even much (R)fine gold;
(S)sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of (T)the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    (U)in keeping them there is great reward.

12 (V)Who can discern his errors?
    (W)Declare me innocent from (X)hidden faults.
13 (Y)Keep back your servant also from (Z)presumptuous sins;
    let them not have (AA)dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and 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 (AB)rock and my (AC)redeemer.

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 19:1 Hebrew the expanse; compare Genesis 1:6–8
  2. Psalm 19:4 Or Their measuring line
  3. Psalm 19:7 Or blameless
  4. Psalm 19:9 Or just decrees
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. All creation declares God's glory (1-6)

The testimony of nature to the power, wisdom and glory of the Creator God is silent, but eloquent. The sun is one witness to God's glory. He comes out of his tent like a bridegroom arrayed in splendor. He paces steadily across the sky like a champion runner. He proclaims that the hand that made him is divine.

2. God speaks in his word (7-1

)

The testimony of God's word enables us to know God personally. God speaks to our hearts and minds through his word. We can know and love God by keeping his commands and obeying his word. When we come to know him through his word, he gives joy to the heart and light to the eyes. God's word revives the soul, and makes wise the simple.

3. Forgive my hidden faults (11-14)

God's word warns us and exposes our sins so that we can repent. When we hold his word in our hearts, he keeps our thoughts pure and our steps sure.

Prayer: 'May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.'

One Word: Meditate on God's work and word; obey