For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.
1The heavens declare the glory of God.
The expanse shows his handiwork.
2Day after day they pour out speech,
and night after night they display knowledge.
3There is no speech nor language
where their voice is not heard.
4Their 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,
5which is as a bridegroom coming out of his room,
like a strong man rejoicing to run his course.
6His going out is from the end of the heavens,
his circuit to its ends.
There is nothing hidden from its heat.
7Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul.
Yahweh’s covenant is sure, making wise the simple.
8Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart.
Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9The fear of Yahweh is clean, enduring forever.
Yahweh’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether.
10They are more to be desired than gold, yes, than much fine gold,
sweeter also than honey and the extract of the honeycomb.
11Moreover your servant is warned by them.
In keeping them there is great reward.
12Who can discern his errors?
Forgive me from hidden errors.
13Keep 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.
14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
Yahweh, my rock, and my redeemer.
David is a key figure in the Bible. He was the son of Jesse, the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:17, 22), and father of King Solomon. In the sovereign choice of God, David the shepherd became David the King and ancestor of the future Messiah, Jesus. He was born in Bethlehem in the land of Judah, being the son of Jesse and the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:17, 22). After the death of King Saul, this shepherd was chosen by God to be the chief shepherd of His people, Israel. He is notable for being the young man who stood up to the giant Goliath on behalf of the people of Israel. David had many flaws in his character, but was beloved by God.
In addition to David's various military and political achievements, he was also renowned as a musician and wrote several of the Psalms. Ruth 4.22; 1 Samuel 16.11-1 Kings 2.12, 32; 8.17-20; 9.4; 2 Kings 21.7; 1 Chronicles 2.15; 3.1-9; 6.31; 10.14-29.30; Psalms 3-9; 11-32; 34-41; 51-65; 68-70; 86; 89.3, 20, 35, 49; 101; 103; 108-110; 122.5; 124; 131; 132.1, 10, 11, 17; 138-145; Isaiah 29.1; Ezekiel 37.24, 25; Matthew 1.1, 6, 17; 12.3; Luke 3.31; 6.3; 20.41-44; John 71.42; Acts 2.25-31; 4.25,26; 7.45, 46; 13. 22, 23, 34, 36; Hebrews 4.7; 11.32; Revelation 3.7; 22.16.
Biographies of Bible Characters, People and Characters in the Bible