Psalm 19/Translation/PTS/1
From Psalms: Layer by Layer
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Read the Close-but-ClearThe Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is designed to be "close" to the Hebrew, while still being "clear." Specifically, the CBC encapsulates and reflects the following layers of analysis: grammar, lexical semantics, phrase-level semantics, and verbal semantics. It does not reflect our analysis of the discourse or of poetics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources. translation for the group to listen. Or, alternatively, use one of the audio recordings provided below. Have others listen with closed books. Consider how to listen (e.g., postured, with responses, in silence?).
| Simple Reading (Hebrew) |
Simple Reading (English) |
| Dramatic Reading (Hebrew) |
Dramatic Reading (English) |
| Text (Hebrew) | Verse | Text (CBC) The Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is designed to be "close" to the Hebrew, while still being "clear." Specifically, the CBC encapsulates and reflects the following layers of analysis: grammar, lexical semantics, phrase-level semantics, and verbal semantics. It does not reflect our analysis of the discourse or of poetics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources. | Emotions (Positive) | Emotions (Negative) |
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| לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד | 1 | For the director. A psalm. By David. | ||
| הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם מְֽסַפְּרִ֥ים כְּבֽוֹד־אֵ֑ל | 2a | The sky is declaring God’s honor, | Awe | |
| וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יָ֝דָ֗יו מַגִּ֥יד הָרָקִֽיעַ׃ | 2b | and the firmament is telling about the workmanship of his hands. | ||
| י֣וֹם לְ֭יוֹם יַבִּ֣יעַֽ אֹ֑מֶר | 3a | Day after day pours out speech, | ||
| וְלַ֥יְלָה לְּ֝לַ֗יְלָה יְחַוֶּה־דָּֽעַת׃ | 3b | and night after night imparts knowledge. | ||
| אֵֽין־אֹ֭מֶר וְאֵ֣ין דְּבָרִ֑ים | 4a | There is no speech, and there are no words | ||
| בְּ֝לִ֗י נִשְׁמָ֥ע קוֹלָֽם׃ | 4b | whose sound is not being heard. | ||
| בְּכָל־הָאָ֨רֶץ ׀ יָ֘צָ֤א קַוָּ֗ם | 5a | Its verse line has gone forth throughout the whole earth, | ||
| וּבִקְצֵ֣ה תֵ֭בֵל מִלֵּיהֶ֑ם | 5b | and its words [have gone forth] throughout the edge of the world. | ||
| לַ֝שֶּׁ֗מֶשׁ שָֽׂם־אֹ֥הֶל בָּהֶֽם׃ | 5c | He has set up in it a home for the sun, | Awe | Vulnerable |
| וְה֗וּא כְּ֭חָתָן יֹצֵ֣א מֵחֻפָּת֑וֹ | 6a | and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his tent. | ||
| יָשִׂ֥ישׂ כְּ֝גִבּ֗וֹר לָר֥וּץ אֹֽרַח׃ | 6b | He is glad, like a warrior, to run his course. | ||
| מִקְצֵ֤ה הַשָּׁמַ֨יִם ׀ מֽוֹצָא֗וֹ | 7a | His starting point is from the edge of the sky, | ||
| וּתְקוּפָת֥וֹ עַל־קְצוֹתָ֑ם | 7b | and his turning point is at its edges, | ||
| וְאֵ֥ין נִ֝סְתָּ֗ר מֵֽחַמָּתוֹ׃ | 7c | and nothing is hidden from his heat. | ||
| תּ֘וֹרַ֤ת יְהוָ֣ה תְּ֭מִימָה מְשִׁ֣יבַת נָ֑פֶשׁ | 8a | YHWH’s instruction is perfect, restoring life. | Joy Desire |
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| עֵד֥וּת יְהוָ֥ה נֶ֝אֱמָנָ֗ה מַחְכִּ֥ימַת פֶּֽתִי׃ | 8b | YHWH’s testimony is reliable, making simpletons wise. | ||
| פִּקּ֘וּדֵ֤י יְהוָ֣ה יְ֭שָׁרִים מְשַׂמְּחֵי־לֵ֑ב | 9a | YHWH’s commandments are just, causing the heart to rejoice. | ||
| מִצְוַ֥ת יְהוָ֥ה בָּ֝רָ֗ה מְאִירַ֥ת עֵינָֽיִם׃ | 9b | YHWH’s command is flawless, giving light to the eyes. | ||
| יִרְאַ֤ת יְהוָ֨ה ׀ טְהוֹרָה֮ עוֹמֶ֪דֶת לָ֫עַ֥ד | 10a | Fearing YHWH is pure, enduring forever. | ||
| מִֽשְׁפְּטֵי־יְהוָ֥ה אֱמֶ֑ת צָֽדְק֥וּ יַחְדָּֽו׃ | 10b | YHWH’s rules are true; they are altogether right; | ||
| הַֽנֶּחֱמָדִ֗ים מִ֭זָּהָב וּמִפַּ֣ז רָ֑ב | 11a | those which are more desirable than gold, even much pure gold, | ||
| וּמְתוּקִ֥ים מִ֝דְּבַ֗שׁ וְנֹ֣פֶת צוּפִֽים׃ | 11b | and sweeter than honey, even virgin honey from the honeycomb. | ||
| גַּֽם־עַ֭בְדְּךָ נִזְהָ֣ר בָּהֶ֑ם | 12a | Furthermore, your servant is warned by them. | Deferential Hopeful |
Fearful Hopeless
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| בְּ֝שָׁמְרָ֗ם עֵ֣קֶב רָֽב׃ | 12b | There is great reward in keeping them. | ||
| שְׁגִיא֥וֹת מִֽי־יָבִ֑ין | 13a | Who can discern mistakes? | ||
| מִֽנִּסְתָּר֥וֹת נַקֵּֽנִי׃ | 13b | Clear me from the guilt of hidden sins! | ||
| גַּ֤ם מִזֵּדִ֨ים ׀ חֲשֹׂ֬ךְ עַבְדֶּ֗ךָ | 14a | Also, prevent your servant from committing presumptuous sins! | ||
| אַֽל־יִמְשְׁלוּ־בִ֣י | 14b | Do not let them rule over me! | ||
| אָ֣ז אֵיתָ֑ם | Then I will be blameless | |||
| וְ֝נִקֵּ֗יתִי מִפֶּ֥שַֽׁע רָֽב׃ | 14c | and innocent of great crime. | ||
| יִֽהְי֥וּ לְרָצ֨וֹן ׀ אִמְרֵי־פִ֡י | 15a | Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart | ||
| וְהֶגְי֣וֹן לִבִּ֣י לְפָנֶ֑יךָ | 15b | be acceptable before you, | ||
| יְ֝הוָ֗ה צוּרִ֥י וְגֹאֲלִֽי׃ | 15c | YHWH, my rock and my redeemer! |