Side by side
Psalm 19
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: The Sky PreachesVerses 1 to 6
"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands" (19:1).
Every day the sky makes its announcement.
"Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge" (19:2).
"Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard," (19:3) "their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world" (19:4).
No words, yet heard everywhere. It is creation's silent sermon.
In the sky, God pitched a tent for the sun. "Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course" (19:5) — the sun rises and runs its full course, and "nothing is deprived of its warmth" (19:6).
1For the choirmaster. 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. 3Without speech or language, without a sound to be heard, 4their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun. 5Like a bridegroom emerging from his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course, 6it rises at one end of the heavens and runs its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.
Section 2: The Law Is PerfectVerses 7 to 11
"The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple" (19:7).
"The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes" (19:8).
"The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous" (19:9).
"They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb" (19:10).
"By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward" (19:11).
7The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous. 10They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. 11By them indeed Your servant is warned; in keeping them is great reward.
Section 3: Cleanse MeVerses 12 to 14
"Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults" (19:12).
A person cannot even see all their own failures. They need God's light to show them.
"Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression" (19:13).
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer" (19:14).
12Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. 13Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression. 14May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
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