Psalm 119
English Standard Version
Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
Aleph
119 [a] Blessed are those whose (A)way is blameless,
who (B)walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who (C)keep his (D)testimonies,
who (E)seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also (F)do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your (G)precepts
to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may (H)be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 (I)Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn (J)your righteous rules.[b]
8 I will keep your statutes;
(K)do not utterly forsake me!
Beth
9 How can (L)a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 (M)With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not (N)wander from your commandments!
11 I have (O)stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
(P)teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I (Q)declare
all the rules[c] of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I (R)delight
as much as in all (S)riches.
15 I will (T)meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your (U)ways.
16 I will (V)delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Gimel
17 (W)Deal bountifully with your servant,
(X)that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am (Y)a sojourner on the earth;
(Z)hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with (AA)longing
for your rules[d] at all times.
21 You rebuke (AB)the insolent, (AC)accursed ones,
who (AD)wander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me (AE)scorn and contempt,
(AF)for I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though (AG)princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will (AH)meditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my (AI)delight;
they are my (AJ)counselors.
Daleth
25 (AK)My soul clings to the dust;
(AL)give me life (AM)according to your word!
26 When (AN)I told of my ways, you answered me;
(AO)teach me your statutes!
27 (AP)Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will (AQ)meditate on your wondrous works.
28 (AR)My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
and graciously (AS)teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I (AT)set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
(AU)let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
when you (AV)enlarge my heart![e]
He
33 (AW)Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it (AX)to the end.[f]
34 (AY)Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 (AZ)Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I (BA)delight in it.
36 (BB)Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to (BC)selfish gain!
37 (BD)Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and (BE)give me life in your ways.
38 (BF)Confirm to your servant your promise,
(BG)that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the (BH)reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I (BI)long for your precepts;
(BJ)in your righteousness give me life!
Waw
41 Let your (BK)steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation (BL)according to your promise;
42 then (BM)shall I have an answer for him (BN)who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my (BO)hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk (BP)in a wide place,
for I have (BQ)sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies (BR)before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I (BS)find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
48 I will (BT)lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will (BU)meditate on your statutes.
Zayin
49 Remember (BV)your word to your servant,
in which you have made me (BW)hope.
50 This is (BX)my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise (BY)gives me life.
51 (BZ)The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not (CA)turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
53 (CB)Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my (CC)sojourning.
55 I (CD)remember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
that (CE)I have kept your precepts.
Heth
57 (CF)The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58 I (CG)entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me (CH)according to your promise.
59 When I (CI)think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61 Though (CJ)the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not (CK)forget your law.
62 At (CL)midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your (CM)righteous rules.
63 (CN)I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 (CO)The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
(CP)teach me your statutes!
Teth
65 You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, (CQ)according to your word.
66 Teach me (CR)good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 (CS)Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 (CT)You are good and do good;
(CU)teach me your statutes.
69 (CV)The insolent (CW)smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I (CX)keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling (CY)like fat,
but I (CZ)delight in your law.
71 It is (DA)good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 (DB)The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Yodh
73 (DC)Your hands have made and fashioned me;
(DD)give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and (DE)rejoice,
because I have (DF)hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are (DG)righteous,
and that in (DH)faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your (DI)mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my (DJ)delight.
78 Let (DK)the insolent be put to (DL)shame,
because they have (DM)wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will (DN)meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you (DO)turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be (DP)blameless in your statutes,
(DQ)that I may not be put to shame!
Kaph
81 My soul (DR)longs for your salvation;
I (DS)hope in your word.
82 My (DT)eyes long for your promise;
I ask, (DU)“When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have (DV)become like a (DW)wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 (DX)How long must your servant endure?[g]
(DY)When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 (DZ)The insolent have (EA)dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are (EB)sure;
they persecute me (EC)with falsehood; (ED)help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love (EE)give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
Lamedh
89 Forever, O Lord, your (EF)word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your (EG)faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have (EH)established the earth, and it (EI)stands fast.
91 By your (EJ)appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my (EK)delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have (EL)given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
(EM)for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly (EN)broad.
Mem
97 Oh how (EO)I love your law!
It is my (EP)meditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me (EQ)wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for (ER)your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than (ES)the aged,[h]
for I (ET)keep your precepts.
101 I (EU)hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
103 How (EV)sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore (EW)I hate every false way.
Nun
105 (EX)Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106 I have (EY)sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your (EZ)righteous rules.
107 I am severely (FA)afflicted;
(FB)give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept (FC)my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
and (FD)teach me your rules.
109 I hold my life (FE)in my hand continually,
but I do not (FF)forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid (FG)a snare for me,
but (FH)I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are (FI)my heritage forever,
for they are (FJ)the joy of my heart.
112 I (FK)incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, (FL)to the end.[i]
Samekh
113 I hate (FM)the double-minded,
but I love (FN)your law.
114 You are my (FO)hiding place and my (FP)shield;
I (FQ)hope in your word.
115 (FR)Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may (FS)keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me (FT)according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be (FU)put to shame in my (FV)hope!
117 (FW)Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You (FX)spurn all who (FY)go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like (FZ)dross,
therefore (GA)I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh (GB)trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.
Ayin
121 I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant (GC)a pledge of good;
let not (GD)the insolent oppress me.
123 My (GE)eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and (GF)teach me your statutes.
125 I am your (GG)servant; (GH)give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the Lord to act,
for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I (GI)love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every (GJ)false way.
Pe
129 Your testimonies are (GK)wonderful;
therefore my soul (GL)keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts (GM)understanding to the simple.
131 I (GN)open my mouth and (GO)pant,
because I (GP)long for your commandments.
132 (GQ)Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 (GR)Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity (GS)get dominion over me.
134 (GT)Redeem me from man's oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 (GU)Make your face shine upon your servant,
and (GV)teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes (GW)shed streams of tears,
because people (GX)do not keep your law.
Tsadhe
137 (GY)Righteous are you, O Lord,
and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies in (GZ)righteousness
and in all (HA)faithfulness.
139 My (HB)zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well (HC)tried,
and your servant (HD)loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
yet I do not (HE)forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is (HF)true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my (HG)delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
(HH)give me understanding that I may (HI)live.
Qoph
145 With my (HJ)whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
I will (HK)keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before (HL)dawn and cry for help;
I (HM)hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before (HN)the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O Lord, (HO)according to your justice (HP)give me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
151 But (HQ)you are near, O Lord,
and all your commandments are (HR)true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have (HS)founded them forever.
Resh
153 Look on my (HT)affliction and deliver me,
for (HU)I do not forget your law.
154 (HV)Plead my cause and redeem me;
(HW)give me life according to your promise!
155 (HX)Salvation is far from the wicked,
(HY)for they do not seek your statutes.
156 (HZ)Great is your mercy, O Lord;
(IA)give me life according to your rules.
157 (IB)Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not (IC)swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at (ID)the faithless with (IE)disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I (IF)love your precepts!
(IG)Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 (IH)The sum of your word is (II)truth,
and every one of your (IJ)righteous rules endures forever.
Sin and Shin
161 (IK)Princes persecute me (IL)without cause,
but my heart (IM)stands in awe of your words.
162 I (IN)rejoice at your word
like one who (IO)finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love (IP)your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your (IQ)righteous rules.
165 Great (IR)peace have those who love your law;
(IS)nothing can make them stumble.
166 I (IT)hope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
I (IU)love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
(IV)for all my ways are before you.
Taw
169 Let my (IW)cry come before you, O Lord;
(IX)give me understanding (IY)according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
(IZ)deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will (JA)pour forth praise,
for you (JB)teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
for (JC)all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have (JD)chosen your precepts.
174 I (JE)long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my (JF)delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
176 I have (JG)gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not (JH)forget your commandments.
Footnotes
- Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter
- Psalm 119:7 Or your just and righteous decrees; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164
- Psalm 119:13 Or all the just decrees
- Psalm 119:20 Or your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175
- Psalm 119:32 Or for you set my heart free
- Psalm 119:33 Or keep it as my reward
- Psalm 119:84 Hebrew How many are the days of your servant?
- Psalm 119:100 Or the elders
- Psalm 119:112 Or statutes; the reward is eternal
Psalm 119
The Voice
Psalm 119[a]
Psalm 119 is the longest psalm in the collection. It is a hymn in praise of and appreciation for God’s instructions to His people. You see, God not only called Israel to be His people and gave them a wonderful land, but He gave them a blueprint for living. The Hebrew word for that is torah, sometimes translated “law” or “teachings.” In torah God tells them how to structure their lives and communities so that they will live long, prosperous lives in the land He has given them. As you read through the psalm, you will notice words like law, teachings, precepts, word, decrees, and commands. Each of these words is a synonym highlighting some attribute of God’s instructions to His people.
Another memorable feature of this psalm is its form. The psalmist constructs this hymn as an elaborate acrostic poem that moves artfully through each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Essentially, all the elements of this psalm combine to emphasize the importance of God’s Word to His people, to the praise and glory of the one True God.
Aleph
1 Happy are the people who walk with integrity,
who live according to the teachings of the Eternal.
2 Happy are the people who keep His decrees,
who pursue Him wholeheartedly.
3 These are people who do nothing wrong;
they do what it takes to follow His ways.
4 You have given us Your precepts
so we would be careful about keeping them.
5 Oh, that every part of my life would remain in line
with what You require!
6 Then I would feel no shame
when I fix my eyes upon Your commands.
7 With a pure heart, I will give thanks to You
when I hear about Your just and fair rulings.
8 I will live within Your limits;
do not abandon me completely!
Beth
9 How can a young person remain pure?
Only by living according to Your word.
10 I have pursued You with my whole heart;
do not let me stray from Your commands.
11 Deep within me I have hidden Your word
so that I will never sin against You.
12 You are blessed, O Eternal One;
instruct me in what You require.
13 My lips have told how
You have delivered all Your wise rulings.
14 I have celebrated Your testimonies
as though rejoicing over an immeasurable fortune.
15 I will fix my mind on Your instructions
and my eyes on Your path.
16 I will find joy in Your ordinances;
I will remember Your word forever.
Gimel
17 Treat Your servant well, Lord,
so that I may live and remain faithful to Your word.
18 Let me see clearly so that I may take in
the amazing things coming from Your law.
19 I am a sojourner in the world;
do not keep Your commands hidden from me.
20 My soul aches from craving
Your wise rulings day and night.
21 You rebuke those who are proud,
and those who stray from Your commands are cursed.
22 Free me from the contempt and disdain of others
because I keep Your decrees.
23 Even though powerful princes conspire against me,
I fix my mind on what You require.
24 Yes, Your testimonies are my joy;
they are like the friends I seek for counsel.
Daleth
25 My very being clings to the dust;
preserve my life, in keeping with Your word.
26 I have admitted my ways are wrong, and You responded;
now help me learn what You require.
27 Compel me to grasp the way of Your statutes
so I will fix my mind on Your wonderful works.
28 My soul weeps, and trouble weighs me down;
give me strength so I can stand according to Your word.
29 Eliminate faithlessness You find in my step,
be gracious, and give me Your guidance.
30 I have decided to take the path of faith;
I have focused my eyes on Your regulations.
31 I cling to Your decrees; O Eternal One,
do not let me face disgrace!
32 I will chase after Your commandments
because You will expand my understanding.
He
33 O Eternal One, show me how to live according to Your statutes,
and I will keep them always.
34 Grant me understanding so that I can keep Your law
and keep it wholeheartedly.
35 Guide me to walk in the way You commanded
because I take joy in it.
36 Turn my head and my heart to Your decrees
and not to sinful gain.
37 Keep my eyes from gazing upon worthless things,
and give me true life according to Your plans.
38 Verify Your word to Your servant,
which will lead me to worship You.
39 Take away the scorn that I dread
because Your actions are just and good.
40 Look and see—I long for Your guidance;
restore me in Your righteousness.
Vav
41 May Your unfailing love find me, O Eternal One.
Keep Your promise, and save me;
42 When that happens, I will have a good response for anyone who taunts me
because I have faith in Your word.
43 Do not take Your message of truth from my mouth
because I wait and rely on Your just decisions.
44 Therefore I will follow Your teachings,
forever and ever.
45 And I will live a life of freedom
because I pursue Your precepts.
46 I will even testify of Your decrees before royalty
and will not be humiliated.
47 I will find my joy in Your commands,
which I love,
48 And I will raise my hands to Your commands, which I love,
and I will fix my mind on what You require.
Zayin
49 Do not forget Your promise to Your servant;
through it You have given me hope.
50 This brings me solace in the midst of my troubles:
that Your word has revived me.
51 Those who are proud cruelly ridicule me,
but I keep to the steady path of Your teachings.
52 I have considered Your ancient rulings, O Eternal One,
and their memory brings me comfort.
53 Burning anger rises in me, has me in its grip
because the unrighteous abandon Your teachings.
54 As I journey through this life,
Your statutes are my song.
55 O Eternal One, through the night, I stop to recall Your name.
That’s how I live according to Your teachings.
56 This has become my practice:
to keep Your ordinances.
Heth
57 The Eternal One is mine. He’s all I need.
I have promised to keep Your words.
58 I sought Your blessing wholeheartedly.
Show grace to me as You promised.
59 I carefully charted out my paths
to align my steps with Your decrees.
60 I did not procrastinate and hurried
to follow Your commands.
61 The wicked have entangled me in their nets,
but I have not forgotten Your teaching.
62 In the middle of the night, I wake to thank You
because Your rulings are just and right.
63 I am a friend of anyone who fears You
and of those who follow Your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with Your unfailing love, O Eternal One;
teach me to observe what You require.
Teth
65 You have handled Your servant well,
O Eternal One, as You promised.
66 Help me to learn good judgment and knowledge
because I believe Your commandments.
67 Before I had trouble, I strayed from the true path, the path of righteousness,
but now I live according to Your word.
68 You are truly good, and Your acts are too;
teach me what You require.
69 The proud smear me with their lies;
I will keep Your instructions wholeheartedly.
70 Their hearts are dull and callous;
I am delighted to study Your teaching.
71 It is a good thing that I was humbled
because it helped me learn Your limits.
72 Your teachings are more valuable to me
than a fortune in gold and silver.
Yodh
73 Your strong hands formed me and established me;
give me understanding so I can learn Your commands.
74 Let those who fear You see me and rejoice
because I hope in Your word.
75 I know, O Eternal One, Your rulings are right,
and when You humbled me, You did so out of faithfulness.
76 Now let Your unfailing love be my comfort,
in keeping with Your promise to Your servant.
77 Shower me with Your compassion so that I may live
because I find great joy in Your law.
78 Let the proud be humiliated,
for they sabotage me with a lie;
still I will fix my mind on Your directives.
79 Let those who fear You and know Your testimonies
come back and find me.
80 Let my heart be whole, my record according to what You require
so that I will not be humiliated.
Kaph
81 My soul is exhausted awaiting Your rescue
yet I keep hoping in Your word.
82 My eyes are strained as I look for what You promised,
saying, “When will You come to comfort me?”
83 Even though I have shriveled up like a wineskin left in the smoke,
I still remember what You require.
84 How long must Your servant wait?
When will You carry out justice and punish those who persecute me?
85 Those proud souls do not live according to Your commands,
and they have dug pits to entrap me.
86 Indeed, all Your commands are trustworthy,
but my enemies have harassed me with their lies; help me!
87 They have nearly ended my life on earth,
but as for me, I never abandoned Your statutes.
88 According to Your unfailing love, spare my life
so that I can live according to the decrees of Your mouth.
Lamedh
89 Forever, O Eternal One,
Your word stands in heaven, firm and resolute.
90 Your faithfulness endures to every generation;
You founded the earth, and it remains.
91 Everything remains today in keeping with Your laws,
for all things exist to serve You.
92 If I had not found joy in Your guidance,
then I would have died from my misery.
93 I will never forget Your precepts,
for through them You have given me life.
94 I belong to You, Lord; save me
because I have taken care to live by Your principles.
95 The wicked lie in wait, anxious to kill me;
I will set my mind on Your statutes.
96 I have seen the limit of all perfection,
but Your commands are all-encompassing.
Mem
97 Oh, how I love Your law!
I fix my mind on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies
because they are always with me.
99 I have more discernment than all my teachers
because I study and meditate on Your testimonies.
100 I comprehend more than those who are my elders
because I have kept Your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from walking the paths of evil
so that I may live according to Your word.
102 I have not neglected Your lessons,
for You, God, have been my teacher.
103 Your words are sweet to my taste!
Yes, they are sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from Your instructions;
that’s why I hate every deceitful path.
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp for my steps;
it lights the path before me.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it:
I pledge to do what You say is right and just.
107 I have suffered terribly, O Eternal One;
give me the life You promised.
108 Please accept the words I offer willingly, O Eternal One,
and instruct me in the ways of Your justice.
109 My soul is continually in danger,
but I do not forget Your teachings.
110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
but I have not drifted away from Your instructions.
111 Your decrees are forever mine,
for they bring joy to my life.
112 I have committed myself to do what You require
forever and ever, to the very end.
Samekh
113 I despise those who waver back and forth,
but I love Your teachings.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield of protection;
I hope in Your word.
115 Away from me, reprobates!
I am committed to observing the commands of my God.
116 Support me in keeping with Your promise, O God, so that I may live;
do not let my hope turn into shame.
117 Help me so that I will be safe,
and I will respect Your laws continually.
118 You have rejected all those who stray from Your commands
because their fraudulent lifestyles are cunning and empty.
119 You have discarded all the wicked from the land, skimmed them off like dross;
that’s why I love Your testimonies.
120 My body shakes because of my fear of You,
and I am in awe of Your wise rulings.
Ayin
121 I have lived with fairness and integrity;
do not leave me at the mercy of my tormenters.
122 Provide security and protection for Your servant’s welfare;
do not let the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes are strained as I look for Your salvation
and for Your righteous promise to be fulfilled.
124 Treat Your servant in a manner that shows Your unfailing love,
and help me to learn Your decrees.
125 I am Your servant; impart to me understanding
so that I may fully grasp the depths of Your statutes.
126 It is time for the Eternal to step in and do something
because some have broken Your law.
127 Indeed, I love Your commands
more than gold, even more than the highest quality gold.
128 It’s true that I regard all Your guidance to be correct and good;
I despise every deceptive path.
Pe
129 Your decrees inspire wonder;
because of that, my soul desires to keep them.
130 When Your words are unveiled, light shines forth;
they bring understanding to the simple.
131 My desire for Your commands
left me waiting, open-mouthed and panting.
132 Acknowledge me and show me Your grace
as is Your habit toward all those who love Your name.
133 Guide my steps in the ways of Your word,
and do not let any sin control me.
134 Rescue me from the torment of my human oppressors
so that I may live according Your decrees.
135 Let Your face shine upon Your servant,
and help me to learn what You require.
136 My eyes shed rivers of tears
whenever people fail to keep Your teaching.
Tsadhe
137 You are good and just, O Eternal One,
and Your rulings are right.
138 You have set out Your decrees in justice,
and they can be trusted.
139 I am overwhelmed by my passion
because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140 Your promise is tested and true;
that’s why Your servant loves it.
141 I may be insignificant to some and hated by others,
but at least I do not forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness will last forever,
and Your law is truth.
143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me,
but Your commandments bring me great joy.
144 Your decrees are right and true forever;
grant me understanding so that I may live.
Qoph
145 I called to You wholeheartedly: “Answer me, O Eternal One!”
I will respect, I will follow Your statutes.
146 I cried out to You: “Rescue me,
and I will live according to Your decrees.”
147 I wake before the dawn and call for help;
I hope in Your words.
148 My eyes do not shut before each watch of the night
so that I can fix my mind on Your word.
149 Listen to my voice, in keeping with Your unfailing love.
Preserve my life, O Eternal One, according to Your just rulings.
150 Those who wish me harm are moving closer to me;
they are far away from Your teaching.
151 But You are near me, O Eternal One,
and all You have commanded is true.
152 I learned a long time ago
that You established Your decrees to last forever.
Resh
153 Give attention to my misery and rescue me
because I have not forgotten Your teaching.
154 Fight for me, and set me free;
give me life in keeping with Your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked
because they do not live in pursuit of Your precepts.
156 Your mercies are tender and great, O Eternal One;
grant me life in keeping with Your ordinances.
157 I have many oppressors and foes;
still I do not swerve from Your decrees.
158 I observe the faithless and detest them
because they turn away from Your word.
159 Reflect, O God, on how I love Your precepts;
give me life, O Eternal One, in keeping with Your unfailing love.
160 The entirety of Your word is truth,
and every one of Your right rulings will surely last forever.
Shin
161 Princes persecute me without reason,
but my heart remains true and is awed by Your words.
162 I celebrate because of Your promise,
like someone who discovers great treasure.
163 I despise and abhor lies,
but I love Your law.
164 Seven times every day I praise You
because of Your right rulings.
165 Those who love Your law have an abundance of peace,
and nothing along their paths can cause them to stumble.
166 I wait for Your salvation, O Eternal One,
and I live out Your commands.
167 My soul is faithful to Your decrees,
and my love for them is extraordinary.
168 I live according to Your precepts and decrees
because everything I do is right before Your eyes.
Tav
169 Let my cry come before You, O Eternal One.
Grant me understanding in keeping with Your word.
170 Let my plea come before You;
liberate me in keeping with Your word.
171 Praise will pour from my lips
because You help me learn what You require.
172 My tongue will sing of Your word
because every command of Yours is right.
173 Let Your hand be poised to help me
because I have chosen to live by Your precepts.
174 I long for Your salvation, O Eternal One.
Meanwhile, Your teaching brings me great joy.
175 Let my soul live on so that I may praise You,
and let Your precepts guide me.
176 I have wandered down the wrong path like a lost sheep; come find me, Your servant,
because I do not forget Your commands.
Footnotes
- Psalm 119 A Hebrew acrostic poem
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.