Psalm 116

I love the Lord,(A) for he heard my voice;
    he heard my cry(B) for mercy.(C)
Because he turned his ear(D) to me,
    I will call on him as long as I live.

The cords of death(E) entangled me,
    the anguish of the grave came over me;
    I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name(F) of the Lord:
    Lord, save me!(G)

The Lord is gracious and righteous;(H)
    our God is full of compassion.(I)
The Lord protects the unwary;
    when I was brought low,(J) he saved me.(K)

Return to your rest,(L) my soul,
    for the Lord has been good(M) to you.

For you, Lord, have delivered me(N) from death,
    my eyes from tears,
    my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the Lord(O)
    in the land of the living.(P)

10 I trusted(Q) in the Lord when I said,
    “I am greatly afflicted”;(R)
11 in my alarm I said,
    “Everyone is a liar.”(S)

12 What shall I return to the Lord
    for all his goodness(T) to me?

13 I will lift up the cup of salvation
    and call on the name(U) of the Lord.
14 I will fulfill my vows(V) to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight(W) of the Lord
    is the death of his faithful servants.(X)
16 Truly I am your servant, Lord;(Y)
    I serve you just as my mother did;(Z)
    you have freed me from my chains.(AA)

17 I will sacrifice a thank offering(AB) to you
    and call on the name of the Lord.
18 I will fulfill my vows(AC) to the Lord
    in the presence of all his people,
19 in the courts(AD) of the house of the Lord
    in your midst, Jerusalem.(AE)

Praise the Lord.[a]

Psalm 117

Praise the Lord,(AF) all you nations;(AG)
    extol him, all you peoples.
For great is his love(AH) toward us,
    and the faithfulness of the Lord(AI) endures forever.

Praise the Lord.[b]

Psalm 118

Give thanks to the Lord,(AJ) for he is good;(AK)
    his love endures forever.(AL)

Let Israel say:(AM)
    “His love endures forever.”(AN)
Let the house of Aaron say:(AO)
    “His love endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord(AP) say:
    “His love endures forever.”

When hard pressed,(AQ) I cried to the Lord;
    he brought me into a spacious place.(AR)
The Lord is with me;(AS) I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?(AT)
The Lord is with me; he is my helper.(AU)
    I look in triumph on my enemies.(AV)

It is better to take refuge in the Lord(AW)
    than to trust in humans.(AX)
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in princes.(AY)
10 All the nations surrounded me,
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.(AZ)
11 They surrounded me(BA) on every side,(BB)
    but in the name of the Lord I cut them down.
12 They swarmed around me like bees,(BC)
    but they were consumed as quickly as burning thorns;(BD)
    in the name of the Lord I cut them down.(BE)
13 I was pushed back and about to fall,
    but the Lord helped me.(BF)
14 The Lord is my strength(BG) and my defense[c];
    he has become my salvation.(BH)

15 Shouts of joy(BI) and victory
    resound in the tents of the righteous:
“The Lord’s right hand(BJ) has done mighty things!(BK)
16     The Lord’s right hand is lifted high;
    the Lord’s right hand has done mighty things!”
17 I will not die(BL) but live,
    and will proclaim(BM) what the Lord has done.
18 The Lord has chastened(BN) me severely,
    but he has not given me over to death.(BO)
19 Open for me the gates(BP) of the righteous;
    I will enter(BQ) and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the gate of the Lord(BR)
    through which the righteous may enter.(BS)
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me;(BT)
    you have become my salvation.(BU)

22 The stone(BV) the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;(BW)
23 the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous(BX) in our eyes.
24 The Lord has done it this very day;
    let us rejoice today and be glad.(BY)

25 Lord, save us!(BZ)
    Lord, grant us success!

26 Blessed is he who comes(CA) in the name of the Lord.
    From the house of the Lord we bless you.[d](CB)
27 The Lord is God,(CC)
    and he has made his light shine(CD) on us.
With boughs in hand,(CE) join in the festal procession
    up[e] to the horns of the altar.(CF)

28 You are my God, and I will praise you;
    you are my God,(CG) and I will exalt(CH) you.

29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    his love endures forever.

Psalm 119[f]

א Aleph

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,(CI)
    who walk(CJ) according to the law of the Lord.(CK)
Blessed(CL) are those who keep his statutes(CM)
    and seek him(CN) with all their heart—(CO)
they do no wrong(CP)
    but follow his ways.(CQ)
You have laid down precepts(CR)
    that are to be fully obeyed.(CS)
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!(CT)
Then I would not be put to shame(CU)
    when I consider all your commands.(CV)
I will praise you with an upright heart
    as I learn your righteous laws.(CW)
I will obey your decrees;
    do not utterly forsake me.(CX)

ב Beth

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?(CY)
    By living according to your word.(CZ)
10 I seek you with all my heart;(DA)
    do not let me stray from your commands.(DB)
11 I have hidden your word in my heart(DC)
    that I might not sin(DD) against you.
12 Praise be(DE) to you, Lord;
    teach me(DF) your decrees.(DG)
13 With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.(DH)
14 I rejoice in following your statutes(DI)
    as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts(DJ)
    and consider your ways.
16 I delight(DK) in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

ג Gimel

17 Be good to your servant(DL) while I live,
    that I may obey your word.(DM)
18 Open my eyes that I may see
    wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;(DN)
    do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed(DO) with longing
    for your laws(DP) at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant,(DQ) who are accursed,(DR)
    those who stray(DS) from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn(DT) and contempt,
    for I keep your statutes.(DU)
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
    your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

ד Daleth

25 I am laid low in the dust;(DV)
    preserve my life(DW) according to your word.(DX)
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
    teach me your decrees.(DY)
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.(DZ)
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;(EA)
    strengthen me(EB) according to your word.(EC)
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;(ED)
    be gracious to me(EE) and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen(EF) the way of faithfulness;(EG)
    I have set my heart(EH) on your laws.
31 I hold fast(EI) to your statutes, Lord;
    do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
    for you have broadened my understanding.

ה He

33 Teach me,(EJ) Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.[g]
34 Give me understanding,(EK) so that I may keep your law(EL)
    and obey it with all my heart.(EM)
35 Direct me(EN) in the path of your commands,(EO)
    for there I find delight.(EP)
36 Turn my heart(EQ) toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.(ER)
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life(ES) according to your word.[h](ET)
38 Fulfill your promise(EU) to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace(EV) I dread,
    for your laws are good.
40 How I long(EW) for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.(EX)

ו Waw

41 May your unfailing love(EY) come to me, Lord,
    your salvation, according to your promise;(EZ)
42 then I can answer(FA) anyone who taunts me,(FB)
    for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,(FC)
    for I have put my hope(FD) in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,(FE)
    for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.(FF)
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings(FG)
    and will not be put to shame,(FH)
47 for I delight(FI) in your commands
    because I love them.(FJ)
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
    that I may meditate(FK) on your decrees.

ז Zayin

49 Remember your word(FL) to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.(FM)
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
    Your promise preserves my life.(FN)
51 The arrogant mock me(FO) unmercifully,
    but I do not turn(FP) from your law.
52 I remember,(FQ) Lord, your ancient laws,
    and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me(FR) because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.(FS)
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song(FT)
    wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember(FU) your name,
    that I may keep your law.(FV)
56 This has been my practice:
    I obey your precepts.(FW)

ח Heth

57 You are my portion,(FX) Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.(FY)
58 I have sought(FZ) your face with all my heart;
    be gracious to me(GA) according to your promise.(GB)
59 I have considered my ways(GC)
    and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
    to obey your commands.(GD)
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
    I will not forget(GE) your law.
62 At midnight(GF) I rise to give you thanks
    for your righteous laws.(GG)
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,(GH)
    to all who follow your precepts.(GI)
64 The earth is filled with your love,(GJ) Lord;
    teach me your decrees.(GK)

ט Teth

65 Do good(GL) to your servant
    according to your word,(GM) Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge(GN) and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted(GO) I went astray,(GP)
    but now I obey your word.(GQ)
68 You are good,(GR) and what you do is good;
    teach me your decrees.(GS)
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,(GT)
    I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous(GU) and unfeeling,
    but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted(GV)
    so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.(GW)

י Yodh

73 Your hands made me(GX) and formed me;
    give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice(GY) when they see me,
    for I have put my hope in your word.(GZ)
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,(HA)
    and that in faithfulness(HB) you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love(HC) be my comfort,
    according to your promise(HD) to your servant.
77 Let your compassion(HE) come to me that I may live,
    for your law is my delight.(HF)
78 May the arrogant(HG) be put to shame for wronging me without cause;(HH)
    but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to me,
    those who understand your statutes.(HI)
80 May I wholeheartedly follow(HJ) your decrees,(HK)
    that I may not be put to shame.(HL)

כ Kaph

81 My soul faints(HM) with longing for your salvation,(HN)
    but I have put my hope(HO) in your word.
82 My eyes fail,(HP) looking for your promise;(HQ)
    I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
    I do not forget(HR) your decrees.
84 How long(HS) must your servant wait?
    When will you punish my persecutors?(HT)
85 The arrogant(HU) dig pits(HV) to trap me,
    contrary to your law.
86 All your commands are trustworthy;(HW)
    help me,(HX) for I am being persecuted(HY) without cause.(HZ)
87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
    but I have not forsaken(IA) your precepts.
88 In your unfailing love(IB) preserve my life,(IC)
    that I may obey the statutes(ID) of your mouth.

ל Lamedh

89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;(IE)
    it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness(IF) continues through all generations;(IG)
    you established the earth, and it endures.(IH)
91 Your laws endure(II) to this day,
    for all things serve you.(IJ)
92 If your law had not been my delight,(IK)
    I would have perished in my affliction.(IL)
93 I will never forget(IM) your precepts,
    for by them you have preserved my life.(IN)
94 Save me,(IO) for I am yours;
    I have sought out your precepts.(IP)
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,(IQ)
    but I will ponder your statutes.(IR)
96 To all perfection I see a limit,
    but your commands are boundless.(IS)

מ Mem

97 Oh, how I love your law!(IT)
    I meditate(IU) on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
    and make me wiser(IV) than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
    for I meditate on your statutes.(IW)
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
    for I obey your precepts.(IX)
101 I have kept my feet(IY) from every evil path
    so that I might obey your word.(IZ)
102 I have not departed from your laws,(JA)
    for you yourself have taught(JB) me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey(JC) to my mouth!(JD)
104 I gain understanding(JE) from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every wrong path.(JF)

נ Nun

105 Your word is a lamp(JG) for my feet,
    a light(JH) on my path.
106 I have taken an oath(JI) and confirmed it,
    that I will follow your righteous laws.(JJ)
107 I have suffered much;
    preserve my life,(JK) Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,(JL)
    and teach me your laws.(JM)
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,(JN)
    I will not forget(JO) your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare(JP) for me,
    but I have not strayed(JQ) from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
    they are the joy of my heart.(JR)
112 My heart is set(JS) on keeping your decrees
    to the very end.[i](JT)

ס Samekh

113 I hate double-minded people,(JU)
    but I love your law.(JV)
114 You are my refuge and my shield;(JW)
    I have put my hope(JX) in your word.
115 Away from me,(JY) you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me,(JZ) my God, according to your promise,(KA) and I will live;
    do not let my hopes be dashed.(KB)
117 Uphold me,(KC) and I will be delivered;(KD)
    I will always have regard for your decrees.(KE)
118 You reject all who stray(KF) from your decrees,
    for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;(KG)
    therefore I love your statutes.(KH)
120 My flesh trembles(KI) in fear of you;(KJ)
    I stand in awe(KK) of your laws.

ע Ayin

121 I have done what is righteous and just;(KL)
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;(KM)
    do not let the arrogant oppress me.(KN)
123 My eyes fail,(KO) looking for your salvation,(KP)
    looking for your righteous promise.(KQ)
124 Deal with your servant according to your love(KR)
    and teach me your decrees.(KS)
125 I am your servant;(KT) give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.(KU)
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
    your law is being broken.(KV)
127 Because I love your commands(KW)
    more than gold,(KX) more than pure gold,(KY)
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,(KZ)
    I hate every wrong path.(LA)

פ Pe

129 Your statutes are wonderful;(LB)
    therefore I obey them.(LC)
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;(LD)
    it gives understanding to the simple.(LE)
131 I open my mouth and pant,(LF)
    longing for your commands.(LG)
132 Turn to me(LH) and have mercy(LI) on me,
    as you always do to those who love your name.(LJ)
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;(LK)
    let no sin rule(LL) over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,(LM)
    that I may obey your precepts.(LN)
135 Make your face shine(LO) on your servant
    and teach me your decrees.(LP)
136 Streams of tears(LQ) flow from my eyes,
    for your law is not obeyed.(LR)

צ Tsadhe

137 You are righteous,(LS) Lord,
    and your laws are right.(LT)
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;(LU)
    they are fully trustworthy.(LV)
139 My zeal wears me out,(LW)
    for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises(LX) have been thoroughly tested,(LY)
    and your servant loves them.(LZ)
141 Though I am lowly and despised,(MA)
    I do not forget your precepts.(MB)
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
    and your law is true.(MC)
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands give me delight.(MD)
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
    give me understanding(ME) that I may live.

ק Qoph

145 I call with all my heart;(MF) answer me, Lord,
    and I will obey your decrees.(MG)
146 I call out to you; save me(MH)
    and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn(MI) and cry for help;
    I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,(MJ)
    that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice(MK) in accordance with your love;(ML)
    preserve my life,(MM) Lord, according to your laws.
150 Those who devise wicked schemes(MN) are near,
    but they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near,(MO) Lord,
    and all your commands are true.(MP)
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes(MQ)
    that you established them to last forever.(MR)

ר Resh

153 Look on my suffering(MS) and deliver me,(MT)
    for I have not forgotten(MU) your law.
154 Defend my cause(MV) and redeem me;(MW)
    preserve my life(MX) according to your promise.(MY)
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek out(MZ) your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;(NA)
    preserve my life(NB) according to your laws.(NC)
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,(ND)
    but I have not turned(NE) from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,(NF)
    for they do not obey your word.(NG)
159 See how I love your precepts;
    preserve my life,(NH) Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.(NI)

ש Sin and Shin

161 Rulers persecute me(NJ) without cause,
    but my heart trembles(NK) at your word.
162 I rejoice(NL) in your promise
    like one who finds great spoil.(NM)
163 I hate and detest(NN) falsehood
    but I love your law.(NO)
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous laws.(NP)
165 Great peace(NQ) have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.(NR)
166 I wait for your salvation,(NS) Lord,
    and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
    for I love them(NT) greatly.
168 I obey your precepts(NU) and your statutes,(NV)
    for all my ways are known(NW) to you.

ת Taw

169 May my cry come(NX) before you, Lord;
    give me understanding(NY) according to your word.(NZ)
170 May my supplication come(OA) before you;
    deliver me(OB) according to your promise.(OC)
171 May my lips overflow with praise,(OD)
    for you teach me(OE) your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing(OF) of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.(OG)
173 May your hand be ready to help(OH) me,
    for I have chosen(OI) your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation,(OJ) Lord,
    and your law gives me delight.(OK)
175 Let me live(OL) that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.(OM)
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten(ON) your commands.

Psalm 120

A song of ascents.

I call on the Lord(OO) in my distress,(OP)
    and he answers me.
Save me, Lord,
    from lying lips(OQ)
    and from deceitful tongues.(OR)

What will he do to you,
    and what more besides,
    you deceitful tongue?
He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows,(OS)
    with burning coals of the broom bush.

Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek,
    that I live among the tents of Kedar!(OT)
Too long have I lived
    among those who hate peace.
I am for peace;
    but when I speak, they are for war.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 116:19 Hebrew Hallelu Yah
  2. Psalm 117:2 Hebrew Hallelu Yah
  3. Psalm 118:14 Or song
  4. Psalm 118:26 The Hebrew is plural.
  5. Psalm 118:27 Or Bind the festal sacrifice with ropes / and take it
  6. Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet; moreover, the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
  7. Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
  8. Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way
  9. Psalm 119:112 Or decrees / for their enduring reward

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