Bible / Psalms
Psalm 19 [Douay 18]
World English Bible, Catholic edition, in plain modern English. About the translations
Douay-Rheims Bible, Challoner revision, the traditional Catholic English Bible. About the translations
Psalm 19 in modern numbering
1 The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.
2 Day after day they pour out speech, and night after night they display knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.
4 Their 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,
5 which is as a bridegroom coming out of his room, like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.
6 His going out is from the end of the heavens, his circuit to its ends. There is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The LORD’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. The LORD’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The LORD’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. The LORD’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever. The LORD’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.
10 They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold, sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover your servant is warned by them. In keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive me from hidden errors.
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.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, LORD, my rock, and my redeemer.
1 Unto the end. A Psalm for David.
2 The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.
3 Day to day uttereth speech, and night to night sheweth knowledge.
4 There are no speeches nor languages, where their voices are not heard.
5 Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: and their words unto the ends of the world.
6 He hath set his tabernacle in the sun: and he as a bridegroom coming out of his bridechamber, Hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way:
7 His going out is from the end of heaven, And his circuit even to the end thereof: and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.
8 The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.
9 The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.
10 The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.
11 More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.
12 For thy servant keepeth them, and in keeping them there is a great reward.
13 Who can understand sins? from my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord:
14 And from those of others spare thy servant. If they shall have no dominion over me, then shall I be without spot: and I shall be cleansed from the greatest sin.
15 And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please: and the meditation of my heart always in thy sight. O Lord, my helper and my Redeemer.
This chapter in the Catechism and the early Church
Where the Catechism of the Catholic Church cites these verses (from its footnotes on vatican.va), and where the earliest Church Fathers quote them (Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, public domain). Short quotes only; follow the links for the full text. The Catechism uses modern verse numbers and psalm numbers (one higher than Douay-Rheims for most psalms), so these are listed by chapter.
- Psalm 19:1 in modern Bibles
Read the Fathers
“And there are no words or speeches of which the voices are not heard.”
Quoted in First Letter to the Corinthians, St. Clement of Rome (c. AD 96), Chapter XXVII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“… like a bridegroom going forth from his chamber, will rejoice as a giant to run his race: from the highest heaven is his going forth, and he returns to the highest heaven, and there is not one who shall be hidden from his heat.' ”
Quoted in Dialogue with Trypho, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 160), Chapter LXIV. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 299 “Because God creates through wisdom, his creation is ordered: "You have arranged all things by measure and number and weight." The universe,…”
- CCC 326 “The Scriptural expression "heaven and earth" means all that exists, creation in its entirety. It also indicates the bond, deep within creation,…”
“And there are no words or speeches of which the voices are not heard.”
Quoted in First Letter to the Corinthians, St. Clement of Rome (c. AD 96), Chapter XXVII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“In the sun hath He set His tabernacle, and he as a bridegroom going out of his chamber shall rejoice as a giant to run his course.”
Quoted in First Apology, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 155), Chapter XL. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
- Psalm 19:3 in modern BiblesCCC 299
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 299 “Because God creates through wisdom, his creation is ordered: "You have arranged all things by measure and number and weight." The universe,…”
“And there are no words or speeches of which the voices are not heard.”
Quoted in First Letter to the Corinthians, St. Clement of Rome (c. AD 96), Chapter XXVII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
- Psalm 19:4 in modern BiblesCCC 299
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 299 “Because God creates through wisdom, his creation is ordered: "You have arranged all things by measure and number and weight." The universe,…”
“Wherefore David also says: Their sound has gone forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”
Quoted in Dialogue with Trypho, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 160), Chapter XLII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
- Psalm 19:5 in modern BiblesCCC 299
Read the Catechism and Fathers
- CCC 299 “Because God creates through wisdom, his creation is ordered: "You have arranged all things by measure and number and weight." The universe,…”
“And when they knew what was said, as has been cited above, in the prophecies written aforetime, "Strong as a giant to run his course,”
Quoted in First Apology, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 155), Chapter LIV. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
“… they tell that Hercules was strong, and travelled over all the world, and was begotten by Jove of Alcmene, and ascended to heaven when he died, do I not perceive that the Scripture which speaks of Christ, strong as a giant to run his race,”
Quoted in Dialogue with Trypho, St. Justin Martyr (c. AD 160), Chapter LXIX. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1
- Psalm 19:6 in modern Bibles
Read the Fathers
“And when they expressed themselves thus, "His going forth is from the height of heaven, and His returning even to the highest heaven; and there is no one who can hide himself from His heat,”
Quoted in Against Heresies, Book IV, St. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. AD 180), Chapter XXXIII. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1