Psalm 19:1
New International Version
For the director of music. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

New Living Translation
The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.

English Standard Version
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Berean Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

King James Bible
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

New King James Version
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.

New American Standard Bible
For the music director. A Psalm of David. The heavens tell of the glory of God; And their expanse declares the work of His hands.

NASB 1995
For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

NASB 1977
The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Legacy Standard Bible
For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Amplified Bible
To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.

Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director. A Davidic psalm. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims the work of His hands.

American Standard Version
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament showeth his handiwork.

Contemporary English Version
The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done.

English Revised Version
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[For the choir director; a psalm by David.] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky displays what his hands have made.

Good News Translation
How clearly the sky reveals God's glory! How plainly it shows what he has done!

International Standard Version
The heavens are declaring the glory of God, and their expanse shows the work of his hands.

Majority Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

NET Bible
For the music director; a psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork.

New Heart English Bible
[For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David.] The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.

Webster's Bible Translation
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth the work of his hands.

World English Bible
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The heavens declare the glory of God. The expanse shows his handiwork.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
TO THE OVERSEER. A PSALM OF DAVID. The heavens [are] recounting the glory of God, "" And the expanse [is] declaring the work of His hands.

Young's Literal Translation
To the Overseer. -- A Psalm of David. The heavens are recounting the honour of God, And the work of His hands The expanse is declaring.

Smith's Literal Translation
To the overseer; chanting of David. The heavens recounting the glory of God, and the firmament announcing the work of his hands.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end. A psalm for David. The heavens shew forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unto the end. A Psalm of David. The heavens describe the glory of God, and the firmament announces the work of his hands.

New American Bible
For the leader. A psalm of David. [2] The heavens declare the glory of God; the firmament proclaims the works of his hands.

New Revised Standard Version
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
THE heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Heaven makes heard the glory of God and the firmament shows the work of his hands.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Leader. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God, And the firmament showeth His handiwork;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the end, a Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
1For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. 2Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.…

Cross References
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Job 38:4-7
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. / Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? / On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone, ...

Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Colossians 1:16
For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him.

Hebrews 11:3
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Nehemiah 9:6
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.

Revelation 4:11
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”

Acts 14:17
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”

Jeremiah 10:12
The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding.

John 1:3
Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.

Isaiah 45:12
It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I ordained all their host.

Job 9:8-9
He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. / He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, of the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.

Psalm 8:3
When I behold Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place—

Proverbs 3:19-20
The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. / By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.


Treasury of Scripture

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork.

(Title.

The heavens

Psalm 8:3
When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

Psalm 33:6
By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Psalm 115:16
The heaven, even the heavens, are the LORD'S: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.

the firmament.

Psalm 150:1,2
Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power…

Genesis 1:6-8,14,15
And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters…

Daniel 12:3
And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

Jump to Previous
Arch Chief Choirmaster David Declare Declaring Director Expanse Firmament Glory Handiwork Hands Heavens Honour Leader Makes Music Musician Proclaim Proclaims Psalm Recounting Sheweth Showeth Shows Skies Sky Sounding Telling Work
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Arch Chief Choirmaster David Declare Declaring Director Expanse Firmament Glory Handiwork Hands Heavens Honour Leader Makes Music Musician Proclaim Proclaims Psalm Recounting Sheweth Showeth Shows Skies Sky Sounding Telling Work
Psalm 19
1. The creatures show God's glory
7. The excellence of the divine law
12. David prays for grace














The heavens
The phrase "The heavens" in Psalm 19:1 refers to the vast expanse of the sky and outer space, which in the Hebrew context is "שָׁמַיִם" (shamayim). This term encompasses everything above the earth, including the atmosphere, the celestial bodies, and the universe itself. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heavens were often seen as the realm of the divine, a place where God's presence and glory were manifest. The heavens are a testament to God's creative power and majesty, serving as a canvas that displays His handiwork. The vastness and beauty of the heavens inspire awe and reverence, reminding us of the infinite nature of God.

declare
The word "declare" is translated from the Hebrew word "סָפַר" (saphar), which means to recount, relate, or proclaim. This verb suggests an active, ongoing communication. The heavens are not silent; they are actively proclaiming the glory of God. This declaration is continuous and unending, a perpetual testimony to God's greatness. The use of "declare" implies that the message of God's glory is clear and accessible to all who observe the heavens, leaving humanity without excuse for recognizing the Creator.

the glory of God
"The glory of God" refers to the visible manifestation of God's presence and attributes. In Hebrew, "glory" is "כָּבוֹד" (kabod), which conveys the idea of weightiness, honor, and splendor. The glory of God is His inherent majesty and divine nature, which is reflected in the beauty and order of creation. The heavens, in their vastness and complexity, reflect God's glory by showcasing His power, wisdom, and creativity. This phrase emphasizes that the natural world is a reflection of God's character and serves as a witness to His existence and sovereignty.

the skies
"The skies" is a translation of the Hebrew word "רָקִיעַ" (raqia), which refers to the firmament or the expanse above the earth. In the biblical cosmology, the skies are seen as a dome-like structure that separates the waters above from the waters below. The skies are a part of God's creation that display His craftsmanship and serve as a backdrop for the celestial bodies. They are a testament to the order and precision with which God has structured the universe, further highlighting His glory and majesty.

proclaim
The word "proclaim" comes from the Hebrew "נָגַד" (nagad), meaning to announce, declare, or make known. This verb indicates that the skies are actively communicating a message. Just as the heavens declare, the skies proclaim, suggesting a harmonious and unified testimony to God's handiwork. The proclamation is not hidden or obscure; it is evident and accessible to all who look up. This continuous proclamation serves as a reminder of God's presence and His ongoing involvement in the world.

the work of His hands
"The work of His hands" refers to the creative acts of God, emphasizing His role as the divine craftsman. In Hebrew, "work" is "מַעֲשֶׂה" (ma'aseh), which denotes an action or deed, and "hands" symbolize power and skill. This phrase highlights the intentionality and care with which God has fashioned the universe. The imagery of God's hands at work conveys a sense of intimacy and personal involvement in creation. It reminds us that the world is not a product of random chance but the deliberate and purposeful work of a loving Creator. The beauty and complexity of the natural world are a reflection of God's artistry and serve as a testament to His glory.

(1) The heavens declare.--Better, the heavens are telling. The poet is even now gazing at the sky, not philosophising on a familiar natural phenomenon, nor is he merely enjoying beauty. Not only is his aesthetic faculty satisfied, but his spirit, his religious nature is moved. He has an immediate apprehension, an intuition of God. He is looking on the freshness of the morning, and all he sees is telling of God, bringing God before him. This constitutes the essence of the greater part of Hebrew poetry. This is the inspiration of the bard of Israel--a religious inspiration. The lower, the aesthetic perception of beauty, is ready at every moment to pass into the higher, the religious emotion. All truly great poetry partakes of this elevation--Hebrew poetry in its highest degree. Some lines from Coleridge's "Hymn before Sunrise in the Yale of Chamouni not only supplies a modern example, but explains the moral, or rather spiritual process, involved--

"O dread and silent mount! I gazed upon thee

Till thou, still present to the bodily sense,

Did'st vanish from my thought; entranced in prayer,

I worshipped the Invisible alone."

(See an article on "God in Nature and in History," in The Expositor for March, 1881.)

Verse 1. - The heavens declare the glory of God; literally, the heavens are recounting the glory of God - of El, "the Mighty One" - the God of nature (see Romans 1:20). David is perhaps carrying out his declared intention (Psalm 18:49) of praising God among the heathen," and therefore takes their standpoint - the ground of nature. And the firmament showeth his handywork. (On "the firmament," see Genesis 1:6, 20.) It is the entire atmosphere enveloping the earth, in which the clouds hang and the birds move. Like the starry heavens above, this, too, "showeth," or rather, "proclaimeth," God's handiwork.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֗חַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

A Psalm
מִזְמ֥וֹר (miz·mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4210: Instrumental music, a poem set to notes

of David.
לְדָוִֽד׃ (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

The heavens
הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

declare
מְֽסַפְּרִ֥ים (mə·sap·pə·rîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

the glory
כְּבֽוֹד־ (kə·ḇō·wḏ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3519: Weight, splendor, copiousness

of God;
אֵ֑ל (’êl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 410: Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty

the skies
הָרָקִֽיעַ׃ (hā·rā·qî·a‘)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7549: An expanse, the firmament, visible arch of the sky

proclaim
מַגִּ֥יד (mag·gîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

the work
וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה (ū·ma·‘ă·śêh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4639: An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property

of His hands.
יָ֝דָ֗יו (yā·ḏāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT Poetry: Psalm 19:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 18:50
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