PSALM 19*
God’s Glory in the Heavens and in the Law
I
the firmament proclaims the works of his hands.a
night unto night whispers knowledge.
their voice is not heard;
their messages, to the ends of the world.
He has pitched in them a tent for the sun;*
and like a hero joyfully runs its course.
its course runs through to the other;
nothing escapes its heat.
II
refreshing the soul.
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.b
rejoicing the heart.
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
enduring forever.
The statutes of the LORD are true,
all of them just;
than a hoard of purest gold,
Sweeter also than honey
or drippings from the comb.c
obeying them brings much reward.
III
Cleanse me from my inadvertent sins.
let them never control me.
Then shall I be blameless,
innocent of grave sin.
the thoughts of my heart before you,
LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
* [Psalm 19] The heavenly elements of the world, now beautifully arranged, bespeak the power and wisdom of their creator (Ps 19:2–7). The creator’s wisdom is available to human beings in the law (Ps 19:8–11), toward which the psalmist prays to be open (Ps 19:12–14). The themes of light and speech unify the poem.
* [19:4] No speech, no words: the regular functioning of the heavens and the alternation of day and night inform human beings without words of the creator’s power and wisdom.
* [19:5] The sun: in other religious literature the sun is a judge and lawgiver since it sees all in its daily course; Ps 19:5b–7 form a transition to the law in Ps 19:8–11. The six synonyms for God’s revelation (Ps 19:8–11) are applied to the sun in comparable literature.
* [19:12] Warned: the Hebrew verb means both to shine and to warn, cf. Dn 12:3.
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