TORAH
FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES
NEVI'IM
PROPHETS
KETUVIM
WRITINGS

Chapter 19

Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:

1For the leader. A psalm of David.

אלַמְנַצֵּחַ מִזְמוֹר לְדָוִד׃

2The heavens declare the glory of Hashem, the sky proclaims His handiwork.

בהַשָּׁמַיִם מְסַפְּרִים כְּבוֹד־אֵל וּמַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו מַגִּיד הָרָקִיעַ׃

3Day to day makes utterance, night to night speaks out.

גיוֹם לְיוֹם יַבִּיעַ אֹמֶר וְלַיְלָה לְּלַיְלָה יְחַוֶּה־דָּעַת׃

4There is no utterance, there are no words, whose sound goes unheard.

דאֵין־אֹמֶר וְאֵין דְּבָרִים בְּלִי נִשְׁמָע קוֹלָם׃

5Their voice carries throughout the earth, their words to the end of the world. He placed in them a tent for the sun,

הבְּכָל־הָאָרֶץ יָצָא קַוָּם וּבִקְצֵה תֵבֵל מִלֵּיהֶם לַשֶּׁמֶשׁ שָׂם־אֹהֶל בָּהֶם׃

6who is like a groom coming forth from the chamber, like a hero, eager to run his course.

v'-HU k'-kha-TAN yo-TZAY may-khu-pa-TO ya-SEES k'-gi-BOR la-RUTZ O-rakh

ווְהוּא כְּחָתָן יֹצֵא מֵחֻפָּתוֹ יָשִׂישׂ כְּגִבּוֹר לָרוּץ אֹרַח׃

 19:6   Who is like a groom coming forth from the chamber

Arbel Valley

The psalm begins with a description of nature praising Hashem. The king of nature, the sun, is portrayed as a glorious symbol of God’s magnificence on this earth, described as “a groom coming forth from the chamber.” The rising of the sun is also seen as a metaphor for the redemption of the Jewish people. The Jerusalem Talmud (Berachot 1:1) relates a story of two righteous rabbinic scholars, Rabbi Hiyya and Rabbi Shimon, walking in the Arbel Valley in the Lower Galilee, in the early hours of the morning. As the first rays of dawn appeared, Rabbi Hiyya remarked to Rabbi Shimon that this is how the redemption of Israel will take place. At first it comes very slowly, but as it progresses, its light increases. This lesson is important to keep in mind when we look critically at current events or the imperfect political reality confronting Israel, both domestically and internationally. The redemption of Israel is coming. It develops slowly, but surely.

7His rising-place is at one end of heaven, and his circuit reaches the other; nothing escapes his heat.

זמִקְצֵה הַשָּׁמַיִם מוֹצָאוֹ וּתְקוּפָתוֹ עַל־קְצוֹתָם וְאֵין נִסְתָּר מֵחַמָּתוֹ׃

8The teaching of Hashem is perfect, renewing life; the decrees of Hashem are enduring, making the simple wise;

חתּוֹרַת יְהֹוָה תְּמִימָה מְשִׁיבַת נָפֶשׁ עֵדוּת יְהֹוָה נֶאֱמָנָה מַחְכִּימַת פֶּתִי׃

9The precepts of Hashem are just, rejoicing the heart; the instruction of Hashem is lucid, making the eyes light up.

טפִּקּוּדֵי יְהֹוָה יְשָׁרִים מְשַׂמְּחֵי־לֵב מִצְוַת יְהֹוָה בָּרָה מְאִירַת עֵינָיִם׃

10The fear of Hashem is pure, abiding forever; the judgments of Hashem are true, righteous altogether,

ייִרְאַת יְהֹוָה טְהוֹרָה עוֹמֶדֶת לָעַד מִשְׁפְּטֵי־יְהֹוָה אֱמֶת צָדְקוּ יַחְדָּו׃

11more desirable than gold, than much fine gold; sweeter than honey, than drippings of the comb.

יאהַנֶּחֱמָדִים מִזָּהָב וּמִפַּז רָב וּמְתוּקִים מִדְּבַשׁ וְנֹפֶת צוּפִים׃

12Your servant pays them heed; in obeying them there is much reward.

יבגַּם־עַבְדְּךָ נִזְהָר בָּהֶם בְּשָׁמְרָם עֵקֶב רָב׃

13Who can be aware of errors? Clear me of unperceived guilt,

יגשְׁגִיאוֹת מִי־יָבִין מִנִּסְתָּרוֹת נַקֵּנִי׃

14and from willful sins keep Your servant; let them not dominate me; then shall I be blameless and clear of grave offense.

ידגַּם מִזֵּדִים חֲשֹׂךְ עַבְדֶּךָ אַל־יִמְשְׁלוּ־בִי אָז אֵיתָם וְנִקֵּיתִי מִפֶּשַׁע רָב׃

15May the words of my mouth and the prayer of my heart be acceptable to You, Hashem, my rock and my redeemer.

טויִהְיוּ לְרָצוֹן אִמְרֵי־פִי וְהֶגְיוֹן לִבִּי לְפָנֶיךָ יְהֹוָה צוּרִי וְגֹאֲלִי׃