The Law of the Lord Is Perfect

Psalm 19

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1
i The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above 1 proclaims his handiwork.
 2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
 3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
 4 j Their k voice 2 goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for l the sun,
 5 m which comes out like n a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

7 o The law of the Lord is perfect, 3
p reviving the soul;
q the testimony of the Lord is r sure,
s making wise t the simple;
 8 u the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is v pure,
w enlightening the eyes;
 9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules 4 of the Lord are x true,
and righteous altogether.
 10 More to be desired are they than y gold,
even much z fine gold;
a sweeter also than honey
and drippings of b the honeycomb.
 11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
c in keeping them there is great reward.

12 d Who can discern his errors?
e Declare me innocent from f hidden faults.
 13 g Keep back your servant also from h presumptuous sins;
let them not have i dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my j rock and my k redeemer.

  1. Cross References
    Psalms 50:6
    The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah
    Romans 1:19 - 20
    For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
  2. Cross References
    Romans 10:18
    But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.
  3. Cross References
    Isaiah 28:10
    For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.
  4. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 1:5
    The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.
  5. Cross References
    Judges 5:31
    So may all your enemies perish, O Lord! But your friends be like the sun as he rises in his might." And the land had rest for forty years.
  6. Cross References
    Joel 2:16
    Gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber.
  7. Cross References
    Romans 7:12
    So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
  8. Cross References
    Psalms 23:3
    He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
    2 Timothy 3:16
    All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
  9. Cross References
    Exodus 25:16
    And you shall put into the ark the testimony that I shall give you.
    Psalms 78:5
    He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers to teach to their children.
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 111:7
    The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
  11. Cross References
    Matthew 11:25
    At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.
    1 Corinthians 1:27
    But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
    2 Timothy 3:15
    And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
  12. Cross References
    Psalms 119:130
    The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
    Proverbs 1:4
    To give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth -
  13. Cross References
    Psalms 103:18
    To those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
    Psalms 111:7
    The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.
    Psalms 119:4
    You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.
    Psalms 119:27
    Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
  14. Cross References
    Psalms 12:6
    The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.
  15. Cross References
    Psalms 13:3
    Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death.
  16. Cross References
    Psalms 119:142
    Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.
    Psalms 119:151
    But you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true.
    Psalms 119:160
    The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
  17. Cross References
    Psalms 119:72
    The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
    Psalms 119:127
    Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.
    Proverbs 8:10
    Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.
  18. Cross References
    Job 28:17
    Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold.
    Proverbs 8:19
    My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.
  19. Cross References
    Psalms 119:103
    How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
  20. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:24
    Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
  21. Cross References
    Proverbs 29:18
    Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.
  22. Cross References
    Psalms 40:12
    For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.
    1 Corinthians 4:4
    For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
  23. Cross References
    Leviticus 4:2
    Speak to the people of Israel, saying, If anyone sins unintentionally in any of the Lord 's commandments about things not to be done, and does any one of them.
    Numbers 15:27
    If one person sins unintentionally, he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering.
  24. Cross References
    Psalms 90:8
    You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.
    Job 34:32
    Teach me what I do not see; if I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?
  25. Cross References
    Genesis 20:6
    Then God said to him in the dream, "Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her.
    1 Samuel 25:33 - 34
    Blessed be your discretion, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from avenging myself with my own hand!
    1 Samuel 25:39
    When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, "Blessed be the Lord who has avenged the insult I received at the hand of Nabal, and has kept back his servant from wrongdoing. The Lord has returned the evil of Nabal on his own head." Then David sent and spoke to Abigail, to take her as his wife.
  26. Cross References
    Numbers 15:30
    But the person who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native or a sojourner, reviles the Lord, and that person shall be cut off from among his people.
  27. Cross References
    Psalms 119:133
    Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
    Romans 6:12
    Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
    Romans 6:14
    For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
  28. Cross References
    Psalms 18:2
    The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
  29. Cross References
    Job 19:25
    For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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