|
Psalm 19 (ESV)
1The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4Their measuring line goes out through
all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5which comes out like a bridegroom
leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7The law of the LORD is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;
8the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9the fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules of the LORD are true,
and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13Keep back your servant also
from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14Let the words of my mouth and
the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
|
|
Psalm 19 (Personal Paraphrase)
1The sky, daily and nightly, preaches a wonderful sermon entitled: "Praise the Wonder-Full Creator!"
The expanse, with passion, heralds, "Admire the artwork of the Master Artist!"
2Every day preaches the same sermon,
every night illumines hidden meaning in its message.
3Now, understand, there are no words to listen for,
for sky does not have a mouth like you and me.
4Rather, day and night are like a natural mirror, reflecting the Beauty of the Divine
to everyone living on earth.
Such Bountiful Beauty overflows like light into all nature and can be seen by anyone, anywhere.
In the sky Divine Wisdom pitched a tent for the Sun,
5and the Sun every morning marches out like a bride walks down the aisle in white and smiling,
to meet her bridegroom;
and, like a long-distance runner, the Sun runs the sky route shining with glee.
6The Sun starts the run at one end of the Sky,
paces itself to the far end of the sky,
and, along the way, shares a warm Smile with
every living creature.
7The Divine Teachings, too, are without flaw;
they bring renewed strength and encouragement to all who read, study, and, then, meditate on them.
We can depend on what the Beloved One says is true,
and such Wisdom will help dissolve our ignorance--and we all have plenty of that--about spiritual matters;
8The Instruction of the Beloved is always right:
I get so excited just reading it!
What the Beloved says is right to do is
free of prejudice
and makes it easier for me to see how to think and act.
9The Word of the Beloved is clear like pure crystal:
As true today as yesterday!
As true tomorrow as today!
The Does and Don'ts of the Beloved are sensible
and do not mislead anyone in anyway.
10I would rather carry memorized Scripture, pondering it in my heart daily and nightly, to nurture my relationship with my Beloved, than to wear a gold ring shining on my finger to impress others.
The Voice of my Beloved is a delicious dessert!
The most sumptuous Sweetness of all sweet things:
And it is Free!
11By listening in Silence to the Spirit, I know how to avoid wrecking my life along the way.
I enjoy so many blessings! But, guess what? The best are the blessings money can't buy!
12But, never so blind am I as when blind to my own subtle stains.
So, give me a thorough but gentle scrubbing,
my Beautiful Beloved!
13Plant a hedge about me, so I will not become prideful and go out and get in trouble, like I can get away with it.
You know that kind of trek is downhill all the way.
Then, I can live free of guilt feelings and know that you and I have a wonderful relationship.
No one will be able to point a finger of accusation at me, saying, "That is one big hypocrite!"
14So, my Beloved, may everything I say and everything I think make you happy.
For You are my True Blue Beloved and the One enabling me to enjoy life with such confidence and spontaneity.
For information about OneLife Ministries or to schedule spiritual formation training retreats or workshops, write Brian at brian7777@earthlink.net .
|
