The Heavens Declare (19)
`Bless the LORD_, / O my soul.
`LORD, my God_, you are / very great.
`You are clothed with honor and_ / majesty.
`He covers himself with light as / with a garment.
He `stretches out the heavens / like a curtain.
He `lays the beams of his rooms / in the waters.
He `makes the clouds his / chariot.
`He walks on the wings_ / of the wind.
(Ref)
He `makes the winds his / messengers,
`flames of / fire his servants.
`He laid the foundations / of the earth,
that `it should not be moved for / e~ ver.
You `covered it_ with the deep as / with a cloak.
The `waters stood a / bove the mountains.
At `your re / buke they fled.
`At the voice_ of your thunder they_ hurried / a~ way.
The `mountains rose, the valleys / sank~ down,
`to the place which you_ had as / signed to them.
`You have set a bound’ry that they may not / pass~ over,
`that they do not turn again to cover / the~ earth.
(Ref)
`He sends springs into the / val~ leys.
They `run a / mong the mountains.
`They give drink to ev’ry animal_ / of the field.
The `wild_ donkeys / quench their thirst.
The `birds_ of the sky_ / nest by them.
They `sing a / mong the branches.
`He waters the mountains / from his rooms.
The `earth is filled_ with the fruit_ / of your works.
`He causes the grass to grow_ / for the livestock,
and `plants_ for mankind to / cultivate,
that `they may produce food out / of the earth:
`wine that makes their / hearts~ glad, +
`oil_ to_ make their / faces shine,
and `bread that strengthens / their~ hearts.
(Ref)
The `trees_ of the LORD are / well~ watered,
the `cedars of_ Lebanon, which / he has planted,
`where the birds_ / make their nests.
The `stork_ makes its home_ in the / cypress trees.
The `high_ mountains are_ for the / wild~ goats.
The `rocks_ are a refuge for the / rock badgers.
`He appointed the_ / moon for seasons.
The `sun knows / when to set.
`You make darkness, and_ / it is night,
`in which all the animals_ of the / forest prowl.
The `young_ lions roar af / ter their prey,
and `seek their / food from God.
(Ref)
The `sun_ rises, and they / steal away,
and `lie down / in their dens.
`People then go out_ / to their work,
`to their labor un_ / til the evening. +
`LORD, how many / are your works!
In `wisdom, you have / made them all. • • The `earth is full of / your~ riches.
`There_ is the sea_, / great and wide,
in `which are creatures / beyond number, • • `living things both / large and small.
`There the / ships~ go,
`and Leviathan_, whom you formed to / play~ there.
`These all / wait for you,
that `you may give them their food at the / proper time.
You `give to them and / they~ gather.
`You open your hand and they are satis / fied with good.
(Ref)
You `hide your face and / they are troubled.
You `take away their breath_ and they die and return / to the dust.
`You send out your Spirit and they / are created.
`You renew the face_ / of the ground.
`Let the glory of the LORD en / dure forever.
`Let the LORD rejoice_ / in his works.
`He looks at the earth_, / and it trembles.
`He touches the mountains, / and they smoke.
`I will sing_ to the LORD as long as / I~ live.
`I will sing praise to my God_ while I / have my being.
`Let my meditation be_ / sweet to him.
I `will rejoice_ / in the LORD.
(Ref)
Let `sinners be consumed out / of the earth.
`Let the wicked / be no more.
`Bless the LORD_, / O my soul
`Praise_ / the~ LORD!