Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 <<For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.>> The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.
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God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech, And night after night they display knowledge.
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Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.
3 There is no speech nor language, Where their voice is not heard.
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Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded,
4 Their voice has gone out through all the eretz, Their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,
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But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. God makes a huge dome for the sun - a superdome!
5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, Like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.
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The morning sun's a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.
6 His going forth is from the end of the heavens, His circuit to the ends of it; There is nothing hid from the heat of it.
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That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
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The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart. The mitzvah of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
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The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.
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God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree.
10 More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.
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God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned. In keeping them there is great reward.
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There's more: God's Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure.
12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.
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Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool?
13 Keep 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.
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Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my rock, and my redeemer.
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These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.