118 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

² Blessed are they who search his testimonies: that seek him with their whole heart.

³ For they that work iniquity, have not walked in his ways.

⁴ Thou hast commanded thy commandments to be kept most diligently.

⁵ O! that my ways may be directed to keep thy justifications.

⁶ Then shall I not be confounded, when I shall look into all thy commandments.

⁷ I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned the judgments of thy justice.

⁸ I will keep thy justifications: O! do not thou utterly forsake me.

⁹ BETH. By what doth a young man correct his way? by observing thy words.

¹⁰ With my whole heart have I sought after thee: let me not stray from thy commandments.

¹¹ Thy words have I hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against thee.

¹² Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy justifications.

¹³ With my lips I have pronounced all the judgments of thy mouth.

¹⁴ I have been delighted in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches.

¹⁵ I will meditate on thy commandments: and I will consider thy ways.

¹⁶ I will think of thy justifications: I will not forget thy words.

¹⁷ GIMEL. Give bountifully to thy servant, enliven me: and I shall keep thy words.

¹⁸ Open thou my eyes: and I will consider the wondrous things of thy law.

¹⁹ I am a sojourner on the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

²⁰ My soul hath coveted to long for thy justifications, at all times.

²¹ Thou hast rebuked the proud: they are cursed who decline from thy commandments.

²² Remove from reproach and contempt: because I have sought after thy testimonies.

²³ For princes sat, and spoke against me: but thy servant was employed in thy justifications.

²⁴ For thy testimonies are my meditation: and thy justifications my counsel.

²⁵ DALETH. My soul hath cleaved to the pavement: quicken thou me according to thy word.

²⁶ I have declared my ways, and thou hast heard me: teach me thy justifications.

²⁷ Make me to understand the way of thy justifications: and I shall be exercised in thy wondrous works.

²⁸ My soul hath slumbered through heaviness: strengthen thou me in thy words.

²⁹ Remove from me the way of iniquity: and out of thy law have mercy on me.

³⁰ I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments I have not forgotten.

³¹ I have stuck to thy testimonies, O Lord: put me not to shame.

³² I have run the way of thy commandments, when thou didst enlarge my heart.

³³ HE. Set before me for a law the way of thy justifications, O Lord: and I will always seek after it.

³⁴ Give me understanding, and I will search thy law; and I will keep it with my whole heart.

³⁵ Lead me into the path of thy commandments; for this same I have desired.

³⁶ Incline my heart into thy testimonies and not to covetousness.

³⁷ Turn away my eyes that they may not behold vanity: quicken me in thy way.

³⁸ Establish thy word to thy servant, in thy fear.

³⁹ Turn away my reproach, which I have apprehended: for thy judgments are delightful.

⁴⁰ Behold I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy justice.

⁴¹ VAU. Let thy mercy also come upon me, O Lord: thy salvation according to thy word.

⁴² So shall I answer them that reproach me in any thing; that I have trusted in thy words.

⁴³ And take not thou the word of truth utterly out of my mouth: for in thy words have I hoped exceedingly.

⁴⁴ So shall I always keep thy law, for ever and ever.

⁴⁵ And I walked at large: because I have sought after thy commandments.

⁴⁶ And I spoke of thy testimonies before kings: and I was not ashamed.

⁴⁷ I meditated also on thy commandments, which I loved.

⁴⁸ And I lifted up my hands to thy commandments, which I loved: and I was exercised in thy justifications.

⁴⁹ ZAIN. Be thou mindful of thy word to thy servant, in which thou hast given me hope.

⁵⁰ This hath comforted me in my humiliation: because thy word hath enlivened me.

⁵¹ The proud did iniquitously altogether: but I declined not from thy law.

⁵² I remembered, O Lord, thy judgments of old: and I was comforted.

⁵³ A fainting hath taken hold of me, because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

⁵⁴ Thy justifications were the subject of my song, in the place of my pilgrimage.

⁵⁵ In the night I have remembered thy name, O Lord: and have kept thy law.

⁵⁶ This happened to me: because I sought after thy justifications.

⁵⁷ HETH. O Lord, my portion, I have said, I would keep the law.

⁵⁸ I entreated thy face with all my heart: have mercy on me according to thy word.

⁵⁹ I have thought on my ways: and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

⁶⁰ I am ready, and am not troubled: that I may keep thy commandments.

⁶¹ The cords of the wicked have encompassed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

⁶² I rose at midnight to give praise to thee; for the judgments of thy justification.

⁶³ I am a partaker with all them that fear thee, and that keep thy commandments.

⁶⁴ The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy justifications.

⁶⁵ TETH. Thou hast done well with thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word.

⁶⁶ Teach me goodness and discipline and knowledge; for I have believed thy commandments.

⁶⁷ Before I was humbled I offended; therefore have I kept thy word.

⁶⁸ Thou art good; and in thy goodness teach me thy justifications.

⁶⁹ The iniquity of the proud hath been multiplied over me: but I will seek thy commandments with my whole heart.

⁷⁰ Their heart is curdled like milk: but I have meditated on thy law.

⁷¹ It is good for me that thou hast humbled me, that I may learn thy justifications.

⁷² The law of thy mouth is good to me, above thousands of gold and silver.

⁷³ JOD. Thy hands have made me and formed me: give me understanding, and I will learn thy commandments.

⁷⁴ They that fear thee shall see me, and shall be glad: because I have greatly hoped in thy words.

⁷⁵ I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are equity: and in thy truth thou hast humbled me.

⁷⁶ O! let thy mercy be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

⁷⁷ Let thy tender mercies come unto me, and I shall live: for thy law is my meditation.

⁷⁸ Let the proud be ashamed, because they have done unjustly towards me: but I will be employed in thy commandments.

⁷⁹ Let them that fear thee turn to me and they that know thy testimonies.

⁸⁰ Let my heart be undefiled in thy justifications, that I may not be confounded.

⁸¹ CAPH. My soul hath fainted after thy salvation: and in thy word I have very much hoped.

⁸² My eyes have failed for thy word, saying: When wilt thou comfort me?

⁸³ For I am become like a bottle in the frost: I have not forgotten thy justifications.

⁸⁴ How many are the days of thy servant: when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

⁸⁵ The wicked have told me fables: but not as thy law.

⁸⁶ All thy statutes are truth: they have persecuted me unjustly, do thou help me.

⁸⁷ They had almost made an end of me upon earth: but I have not forsaken thy commandments.

⁸⁸ Quicken thou me according to thy mercy: and I shall keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

⁸⁹ LAMED. For ever, O Lord, thy word standeth firm in heaven.

⁹⁰ Thy truth unto all generations: thou hast founded the earth, and it continueth.

⁹¹ By thy ordinance the day goeth on: for all things serve thee.

⁹² Unless thy law had been my meditation, I had then perhaps perished in my abjection.

⁹³ Thy justifications I will never forget: for by them thou hast given me life.

⁹⁴ I am thine, save thou me: for I have sought thy justifications.

⁹⁵ The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I have understood thy testimonies.

⁹⁶ I have seen an end to all persecution: thy commandment is exceeding broad.

⁹⁷ MEM. O how have I loved thy law, O Lord! it is my meditation all the day.

⁹⁸ Through thy commandment, thou hast made me wiser than my enemies: for it is ever with me.

⁹⁹ I have understood more than all my teachers: because thy testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰ I have had understanding above ancients: because I have sought thy commandments.

¹⁰¹ I have restrained my feet from every evil way: that I may keep thy words.

¹⁰² I have not declined from thy judgments, because thou hast set me a law.

¹⁰³ How sweet are thy words to my palate! more than honey to my mouth.

¹⁰⁴ By thy commandments I have had understanding: therefore have I hated every way of iniquity.

¹⁰⁵ NUN. Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.

¹⁰⁶ I have sworn and am determined to keep the judgments of thy justice.

¹⁰⁷ I have been humbled, O Lord, exceedingly: quicken thou me according to thy word.

¹⁰⁸ The free offerings of my mouth make acceptable, O Lord: and teach me thy judgments.

¹⁰⁹ My soul is continually in my hands: and I have not forgotten thy law.

¹¹⁰ Sinners have laid a snare for me: but I have not erred from thy precepts.

¹¹¹ I have purchased thy testimonies for an inheritance for ever: because they are a joy to my heart.

¹¹² I have inclined my heart to do thy justifications for ever, for the reward.

¹¹³ SAMECH. I have hated the unjust: and have loved thy law.

¹¹⁴ Thou art my helper and my protector: and in thy word I have greatly hoped.

¹¹⁵ Depart from me, ye malignant: and I will search the commandments of my God.

¹¹⁶ Uphold me according to thy word, and I shall live: and let me not be confounded in my expectation.

¹¹⁷ Help me, and I shall be saved: and I will meditate always on thy justifications.

¹¹⁸ Thou hast despised all them that fall off from thy judgments; for their thought is unjust.

¹¹⁹ I have accounted all the sinners of the earth prevaricators: therefore have I loved thy testimonies.

¹²⁰ Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear: for I am afraid of thy judgments.

¹²¹ AIN. I have done judgment and justice: give me not up to them that slander me.

¹²² Uphold thy servant unto good: let not the proud calumniate me.

¹²³ My eyes have fainted after thy salvation: and for the word of thy justice.

¹²⁴ Deal with thy servant according to thy mercy: and teach me thy justifications.

¹²⁵ I am thy servant: give me understanding that I may know thy testimonies.

¹²⁶ It is time, O Lord, to do: they have dissipated thy law.

¹²⁷ Therefore have I loved thy commandments above gold and the topaz.

¹²⁸ Therefore was I directed to all thy commandments: I have hated all wicked ways.

¹²⁹ PHE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul hath sought them.

¹³⁰ The declaration of thy words giveth light: and giveth understanding to little ones.

¹³¹ I opened my mouth and panted: because I longed for thy commandments.

¹³² Look thou upon me, and have mercy on me, according to the judgment of them that love thy name.

¹³³ Direct my steps according to thy word: and let no iniquity have dominion over me.

¹³⁴ Redeem me from the calumnies of men: that I may keep thy commandments.

¹³⁵ Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and teach me thy justifications.

¹³⁶ My eyes have sent forth springs of water: because they have not kept thy law.

¹³⁷ SADE. Thou art just, O Lord: and thy judgment is right.

¹³⁸ Thou hast commanded justice thy testimonies: and thy truth exceedingly.

¹³⁹ My zeal hath made me pine away: because my enemies forgot thy words.

¹⁴⁰ Thy word is exceedingly refined: and thy servant hath loved it.

¹⁴¹ I am very young and despised; but I forgot not thy justifications.

¹⁴² Thy justice is justice for ever: and thy law is the truth.

¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have found me: thy commandments are my meditation.

¹⁴⁴ Thy testimonies are justice for ever: give me understanding, and I shall live.

¹⁴⁵ COPH. I cried with my whole heart, hear me, O Lord: I will seek thy justifications.

¹⁴⁶ I cried unto thee, save me: that I may keep thy commandments.

¹⁴⁷ I prevented the dawning of the day, and cried: because in thy words I very much hoped.

¹⁴⁸ My eyes to thee have prevented the morning: that I might meditate on thy words.

¹⁴⁹ Hear thou my voice, O Lord, according to thy mercy: and quicken me according to thy mercy.

¹⁵⁰ They that persecute me have drawn nigh to iniquity; but they are gone far off from the law.

¹⁵¹ Thou art near, O Lord: and all thy ways are truth.

¹⁵² I have known from the beginning concerning thy testimonies: that thou hast founded them for ever.

¹⁵³ RES. See my humiliation and deliver me: for I have not forgotten the law.

¹⁵⁴ Judge my judgment and redeem me: quicken thou me for thy word's sake.

¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from sinners; because they have not sought thy justifications.

¹⁵⁶ Many, O Lord, are thy mercies: quicken me according to thy judgment.

¹⁵⁷ Many are they that persecute me, and afflict me; but I have not declined from thy testimonies.

¹⁵⁸ I beheld the transgressors, and I pined away; because they kept not thy word.

¹⁵⁹ Behold I have loved thy commandments, O Lord; quicken me thou in thy mercy.

¹⁶⁰ The beginning of thy words is truth: all the judgments of thy justice are for ever.

¹⁶¹ SIN. Princes have persecuted me without cause: and my heart hath been in awe of thy words.

¹⁶² I will rejoice at thy words, as one that hath found great spoil.

¹⁶³ I have hated and abhorred iniquity; but I have loved thy law.

¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I have given praise to thee, for the judgments of thy justice.

¹⁶⁵ Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling block.

¹⁶⁶ I looked to thy salvation, O Lord: and I loved thy commandments.

¹⁶⁷ My soul hath kept thy testimonies: and hath loved them exceedingly.

¹⁶⁸ I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies: because all my ways are in thy sight.

¹⁶⁹ TAU. Let my supplication, O Lord, come near in thy sight: give me understanding according to thy word.

¹⁷⁰ Let my request come in before thee; deliver thou me according to thy word.

¹⁷¹ My lips shall utter a hymn, when thou shalt teach me thy justifications.

¹⁷² My tongue shall pronounce thy word: because all thy commandments are justice.

¹⁷³ Let thy hand be with me to save me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

¹⁷⁴ I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my meditation.

¹⁷⁵ My soul shall live and shall praise thee: and thy judgments shall help me.

¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost: seek thy servant, because I have not forgotten thy commandments.