Psalm 19

William Helder © 2002, 2005

1. The spacious heav’ns declare
   God’s glory everywhere;
   The skies proclaim His might.
   The knowledge they display
   Day echoes forth to day
   And night makes known to night.
   They use no speech or word,
   Yet everywhere is heard
   The voice of all creation.
   The truth that it expounds
   Throughout the world resounds
   And reaches every nation.
   
2. God in the firmament
   Pitched for the sun a tent,
   The canopy of night.
   From there it like a groom
   With great rejoicing comes
   Arrayed in glorious light.
   Like one who runs a race
   With strong and eager pace,
   Across the vault of heaven
   The sun its path completes.
   So piercing is its heat
   That it leaves nothing hidden.
   
3. God’s law is sound and whole;
   It will revive the soul,
   For it new strength supplies.
   His testimony sure,
   Trustworthy evermore,
   Will make the simple wise.
   His precepts plainly show
   How right they are, and so
   The heart they cheer and brighten.
   The LORD’S commandments pure
   Shine forth with radiance clear
   And so the eyes enlighten.
   
4. The fear of God is clean
   And, free from sin and stain,
   Forever will endure.
   His judgments all express
   Unfailing righteousness;
   The LORD’S decrees are sure.
   They far exceed in worth
   The finest gold on earth:
   His precious testimony!
   It sweeter is by far
   Than all that’s sweet and pure
   In combs that drip with honey.
   
5. Your servant, who has heard
   The warnings of Your word,
   To them pays heed, O LORD.
   Those walking in Your way,
   Who Your commands obey,
   Will win a great reward.
   But, LORD, who can perceive
   What errors one may have
   Unwittingly committed?
   O cleanse me! Let me be
   Of secret failings free,
   Of hidden faults acquitted.
   
6. O LORD, from wilful ways
   Preserve me all my days:
   The rule of sin prevent.
   Then I shall blameless be,
   From grave offences free,
   And wholly innocent.
   O hear me as I pray:
   Let what my tongue may say
   And what my heart may ponder
   Be pleasing in Your sight,
   O LORD so great in might,
   My rock and my defender.