Psalms 19; Psalms 20

1 God's glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.

2 Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening.

3 Their words aren't heard, their voices aren't recorded,

4 But their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. God makes a huge dome for the sun - a superdome!

5 The morning sun's a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, The daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape.

6 That's how God's Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.

7 The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road.

8 The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes.

9 God's reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree.

10 God's Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You'll like it better than strawberries in spring, better than red, ripe strawberries.

11 There's more: God's Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure.

12 Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool?

13 Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin.

14 These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.

1 God answer you on the day you crash, The name God-of-Jacob put you out of harm's reach,

2 Send reinforcements from Holy Hill, Dispatch from Zion fresh supplies,

3 Exclaim over your offerings, Celebrate your sacrifices,

4 Give you what your heart desires, Accomplish your plans.

5 When you win, we plan to raise the roof and lead the parade with our banners. May all your wishes come true!

6 That clinches it - help's coming, an answer's on the way, everything's going to work out.

7 See those people polishing their chariots, and those others grooming their horses? But we're making garlands for God our God.

8 The chariots will rust, those horses pull up lame - and we'll be on our feet, standing tall.

9 Make the king a winner, God; the day we call, give us your answer.