Psalm 19
King James Version
A psalm of David on creation's witness to God and the perfection of His law.
Download the handwriting worksheet (PDF)Printable, ruled for handwriting: copy it by hand, then type it here.
About this text
Psalm 19 is attributed to David and is often discussed as a psalm in two distinct halves: the first (verses 1-6, included here) describes what creation itself communicates about God without words, and the second half, not included in this excerpt, turns to God's written law. C. S. Lewis once called it the greatest poem in the Psalter, largely for how it handles that turn.
The opening verses build a striking claim — that the heavens "speak" without literal speech — through a chain of near-contradictions: "no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." Copying that paradox slowly, rather than reading past it quickly, is a good way to notice how the psalm is making an argument, not just describing a pretty sky.
What to watch for
- 2 semicolons: a semicolon joins two complete thoughts that belong together, a pause longer than a comma but shorter than a period.
- 7 colons: a colon points ahead to what explains or completes the first half of the sentence.
- 1 exclamation or question mark: ask the child how the sentence should sound when read aloud, and why the writer chose that mark.
- Capital letters in the middle of a sentence: God, LORD. Ask why each one is capitalized before typing it.
- Old-fashioned words: sheweth, unto, uttereth, hath, rejoiceth, yea, thy, thou. These are easy to "correct" by accident into modern spelling, so copy them exactly as written.
- Longest word: "transgression" (13 letters). Try spelling it aloud once before reaching it.
- 14 lines averaging about 19 words each. Long lines: a younger child may do half the text per sitting.
Full text (reference)
1The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
2Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
3There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
4Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
7The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
11Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
12Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.