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Wisdom & Poetry · WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE

Psalm 19

Psalm 19 is read especially through the theme of creation, within Book I (Psalms 1–41). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application.

CreationWisdomMercy & Forgiveness
Old Testament

Psalm 19

1For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.

2Day after day they pour out speech, and night after night they display knowledge.

3There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.

4Their voice has gone out through all the earth, their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,

5which is as a bridegroom coming out of his room, like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.

6His going out is from the end of the heavens, his circuit to its ends. There is nothing hidden from its heat.

7The LORD’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. The LORD’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple.

8The LORD’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. The LORD’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.

9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The LORD’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.

10They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.

11Moreover your servant is warned by them. In keeping them there is great reward.

12Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.

13Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression.

14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my rock, and my redeemer.

READ IN CONTEXT

Understanding Psalm 19

Psalm 19 is read especially through the theme of creation, within Book I (Psalms 1–41). Its language invites attentive prayer before quick application. Read it within the complete five-book Psalms collection, then compare its prayer language with the types of prayer found across Scripture. Classification is a reading aid rather than a replacement for the Psalm's own movement and tension.

Collection

Book I (Psalms 1–41). The five-book shape of the Psalter helps readers hear individual prayers within a deliberately arranged collection.

Themes detected

Creation, Wisdom, Mercy & Forgiveness. Read for these themes while remaining open to tension and secondary movements.

TEXT-DERIVED READING NOTES

What to notice in Psalm 19

Psalm 19 contains 14 verses and about 257 words in this translation. These observations come from the chapter itself; they are prompts for close reading, not claims about its only possible meaning.

The opening movement

Verse 1 begins: “For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.” Ask what situation, voice, image, or argument this opening establishes for everything that follows.

The closing movement

Verse 14 closes: “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my rock, and my redeemer.” Compare the ending with the opening and note what changed, resolved, intensified, or remained open.

Vocabulary worth tracing

Recurring or prominent content words include lord’s, heavens, speech, night, voice, words. Follow where each word appears and whether its meaning shifts with the speaker or setting.

COMMON QUESTIONS

About Psalm 19

Which Bible translation is shown here?+

This page reproduces the World English Bible Protestant edition (WEBP), a modern-English translation dedicated to the public domain.

How should I cite a specific verse?+

Use the book, chapter, and verse—for example, Psalms 19:1—and name the World English Bible if the wording matters. Each verse number above is a direct anchor link.

Does the chapter number define the complete literary unit?+

Not always. Chapter and verse numbers were added for navigation. Check the paragraphs, scenes, poetic stanzas, or argument before and after this chapter.

What kind of Psalm is this?+

Our reading profile emphasizes creation, with related themes of Creation, Wisdom, Mercy & Forgiveness. Many Psalms blend genres or move between moods, so this label is a guide rather than a rigid classification.

A SMALL NEXT STEP

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