Psalms 19
What Happens in This Chapter
This psalm has two halves. First it says the sky, the sun, and the passing days show God's greatness without speaking a word. Then it praises God's law as perfect, trustworthy, and worth more than gold. It ends with a prayer for help with hidden and willful sins, and for words and thoughts that please God.
Plain reading written for kids. Short sentences, everyday words, one idea at a time.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
1The heavens tell how great God is. The sky shows the work of his hands.
2Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
2Each day tells the next day about it. Each night passes the knowledge on to the next night.
3There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
3They do not talk out loud. There are no words for anyone to hear.
4Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
4Still their message goes out over the whole earth. Their words reach the far ends of the world. In the sky God has set up a home for the sun.
The KJV says "their line is gone out." It means their message spreads everywhere, over the whole earth.
5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
5The sun comes out like a groom on his wedding day. It is glad, like a strong runner starting a race.
6His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
6It rises at one end of the sky. It travels all the way to the other end. Nothing is left out of its warmth.
7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
7God's law is perfect. It brings a person back to life inside. What God says can be trusted. It makes simple people wise.
8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
8God's rules are right, and they make the heart glad. God's commands are clear and bright. They give light to the eyes.
9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
9Deep respect for God is clean, and it lasts forever. God's decisions are true, and every one of them is fair.
"The fear of the LORD" means deep respect and wonder toward God. It does not mean being scared of him.
10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
10They are worth wanting more than gold, even the very best gold. They are sweeter than honey fresh from the comb.
11Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
11I serve you, God, and your words warn me. Keeping them brings a great reward.
12Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
12Who can see all his own mistakes? Please make me clean from the wrongs I do not even notice.
13Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
13Hold me back from sins I would choose on purpose. Do not let those sins rule me. Then I will be blameless. I will be clear of great wrong.
14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
14Let the words I say and the thoughts I think please you, LORD. You are my rock, and you are the one who sets me free.
"Redeemer" was a word for a family member who paid to buy someone back out of trouble or slavery.
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