To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.

For the conductor, a psalm of David.

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

The heavens declare the glory of the Almighty and the firmament speaks of His handiwork [(the stars, etc. viz. (Genesis 1:17): "And G d set them in the firmament of the heavens, etc.")]

Day to day utters speech, and night to night expresses knowledge.

[The renewal of the creation from] day to day [causes men to] utter words [of praise to the L rd], and [this renewal, from] night to night [causes them to] indite knowledge.

There is no speech nor are there words; their voice is not heard.

[In truth,] they [the heavens, etc.] have no utterance and no words; their voice is not heard —

Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,

[Still,] their line extends over all the earth, so that [even at] the end of the world their words [(the words of men, extolling the wonders they behold, are heard)]. For the sun He made a tent therein [(in the heavens)].

which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run a race.

And it [the sun] is like a groom going forth from his canopy [(to shine upon the earth)], rejoicing as a hero in running upon the path.

His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit to the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from his heat.

From the end of the heavens does it issue forth, and its circuit is upon their poles; and none are hidden from its heat.

The Tora of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

[But "the great sun,"] the Torah of the L rd is [even more] perfect; it restores the soul [(from the paths of death to those of life)]. The testimony of the L rd [(vis-à-vis its learners)] is faithful, making the simple wise.

The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The commandments of the L rd are just; they rejoice the heart. The mitzvoth of the L rd are clear; they enlighten the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and are righteous altogether.

The fear of the L rd is pure; it endures forever. The judgments of the L rd are true; they are righteous together [(a cohesive whole)].

More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.

They are more desirable than gold and than much fine gold, and sweeter than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover by them is Thy servant enlightened: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

Your servant, too, was scrupulous in observing them, because of the great [good that is stored up for those who fear You.]

Who can discern errors? cleanse Thou me from secret faults.

[But, though I took great care,] who can understand [i.e., completely guard against] unwitting [transgressions] — Cleanse me of [such] hidden things.

Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be clear of much transgression.

From willful sins, too, spare You servant, so that they not rule over me [(by their enticements)]. Then I shall be entirely pure; for I shall [(through my own resources of will)] be clean of great [(rebellious)] offense, [(so that by Your shielding me from the first two varieties of sin, I shall emerge completely sinless.)]

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock, and my redeemer.

May the utterances of my mouth conciliate You, and the musings of my heart before You, O L rd, my Rock and my Redeemer.