2 I cieli immensi narrano del grande
Iddio la gloria, e'l firmamento lucido a
l'universo annunzia quanto sieno
mirabili de la sua destra l'opere.
3 Al di che nasce di lui ragiona il di
che more; ed una notte racconta
a l'altra la spienza del loro Autore.
4 on avvi popolo ctanto barbaro
da cui non odasi tal favellar.
5 Lor suono spandesi sino negli ultimi
remoti termini, che bagna il mar.
Per magnifica tenda l'Altissimo diede
al sol questi cieli, e per talamo,
6 donde a guisa di sposo levandosi
qual fastoso campion robustissimo,
7 la carriera esultando incomincia, da
oriete veloce movendosi, e del cielo
poggiando su'l vertice
segue il corso leggiero, instancabile
sin che arrivi a posarsi a l'occaso:
non v'e mare, non terra, non popolo.
non v'e pianta, non fera, non arbore
cui non giunga il calor suo benefico.
8 O immacolata e pura, santa, ivina
legge ch'ogn'anima rivolge all'alto suo
Fattor, ch'e testimon fedele del suo
voler sovrano e sapienza infonde
de'semplici nel cor.
9 O giusta legge e retta che di gioja
riempie l'alme, che in osservarla
pongono il lor piacer; ripieni i suoi
precetti son di divino lume, che co'so
rai la mente illumina e'l pensier.
10 Di Dio'l timor ch'e santo perche
d'amore e figlio nel cor suo regno
fonda, e fin giammai non ha; gli eterni
alti decreti di lui che'l mondo regge
in se medesmi sono giustizia e verita.
11 O quanto piu dell'oro, quanto piu
delle gemme son presiozie, e quanto
piu dennosi bramar ! O quanto son piu
dolci del mele e piu soavi che l'ape
industriosa da'fior sappia formar.
12 Percio 'l tuo servo umile, Signor,
gelosamente li guarda, e guarderalli
ogn'or quan' ei potra; che nel guar-
darli ei trova un;ampia ricompensa
ch'e tutto il suo piacer, la sua felicita.
13 Me lasso, e chi fia mai, che giunger possa tutte a conoscer chiaro le colpe ond' ei t'offende?
Deh, mio Signor, da quelle, che in me nascose son, mondo mi rendi; e dagli altrui delitti onde il tuo servo esser può fatto reo, tu lo difendi;
14 Se dall'impero lor libero, e sciolto fia tua mercè, ch'io resti; allora il mio cor sarà senza macchia a te dinante;
e dalla sempre ardita superbia
baldanzosa d'ogni colpa più rea prima fonte e cagione io sarò mondo.
15 Allor tu gradirai, Signor, le preci
e i voti che umil ti porgerò,
e del core i segreti pensieri,
ch'io per sempre a te rivolgerò.
Nell' alta tua, Signor, pietà infinita,
sta la salvezza mia, sta la mia vita.
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2 The boundless heavens tell the glory
of the great God, and the bright firma-
ment declares to the universe how mar-
vellous are the works of his right hand.
3 The day that dies talks of him to the
day that is born; and one night recounts
to the next its knowledge of their Au-
thor. 4 There is no people no matter
how barbarous from whom such speech
is not heard. 5 Their sound extends to
the remotest places bathed by the sea.
As a grand canopy the Almighty gave
these heavens to the sun, and as a nup-
tial bed, whence, 6 rising like a bride-
groom, like a magnificent champion
supremely strong, 7 joyfully he begins
his circuit, moving swiftly from the
East, and, passing lightly over the top
of the heavens, he follows his course,
untiring 'til he reaches his post in the
West: and there is no sea or people or
plant or beast or tree that is not touched
by his beneficent warmth.
8 O sacred divine law, perfect & pure,
that turns each spirit toward its maker
on high, faithful testimony of his sov-
ereign will, that infuses the heart of the
simple with wisdom.
9 O just and upright law that fills with
joy those souls that put their pleasure in
observing it; its precepts are full of a di-
vine light that enlightens mind and
thoughts with its radiance.
10 The fear of God, sacred because it is
the child oflove, founds its kingdom in
the heart, and has no end; eternal high
decrees of him who rules the world are
in themselves justice and truth.
11 O how much more precious than
gold and gems, and how much more to
be desired! O how much sweeter are
they even than the honey that the hard-
working bee knows how to make from
a flower! 12 So your servant, Lord,
jealously guards them, and will guard
them every hour that he can; for in
guarding them he finds an ample re-
ward: all his pleasure, his happiness.
13 Alas, who can ever gain clear knowledge of the faults by which he offends you? Please cleanse me, Lord, of those which are hidden in me; and defend your servant from the sins of others, by which he could be made guilty.
14 If I may stay free of their domination and, thanks to you, unbound; then my heart shall be without blemish before you; and from ever-bold overweening arrogance, whatever its guilty source or cause, I shall be cleansed.
15 Then, Lord, you will enjoy the prayers that I will humbly offer to you, and the secret thoughts of my heart that I shall ever reveal to you.
In your infinite mercy, Lord on high,
is my salvation and my life.
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2 The heavens declare the glory of
God; and the firmament sheweth his
handywork.
3 Day unto day uttereth speech,
and night unto night sheweth
knowledge.
4 There is no speech nor language,
where their voice is not heard.
5 Their line is gone out through all the
earth, and their words to the end of the world.
In them he set a tabernacle for the sun.
6 Which is as a bridegroom coming out
of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a
strong man to run a race. 7 His 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.
8 The law of the Lord is perfect,
converting the soul:
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple.
9 The statutes of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes.
10 The fear of the LORD is clean,
enduring for ever:
the judgments of the LORD are true
and righteous altogether.
11 More to be desired are they than
gold, yea, than much fine gold:
sweeter also than honey and the
honeycomb.
12 Moreover by them is thy servant
warned:
and in keeping of them
there is great reward.
13 Who can understand his errors?
cleanse thou me from secret faults.
14 Keep 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.
15 Let the words of my mouth,
and the meditation of my heart,
be acceptable in thy sight,
O LORD, my strength,
and my redeemer.
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