诗篇 119
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)
上帝的律法
119 行为正直、遵行耶和华律法的人有福了！
2 遵守祂的法度、全心寻求祂的人有福了！
3 他们不做不义的事，
只照祂的旨意而行。
4 耶和华啊，你已经赐下法则，
叫我们竭力遵行。
5 我渴望坚定地遵从你的律例。
6 我重视你的一切命令，
便不致羞愧。
7 我学习你公义的法令时，
要存着正直的心来称谢你。
8 我要遵守你的律例，
求你不要弃绝我。
9 青年如何保持纯洁呢？
就是要遵守你的话。
10 我全心全意地寻求你，
求你不要让我偏离你的命令。
11 我把你的话珍藏在心中，
免得我得罪你。
12 耶和华啊，你当受称颂！
求你将你的律例教导我。
13 我宣扬你口中所出的一切法令。
14 我喜爱你的法度如同人们喜爱财富。
15 我要默想你的法则，
思想你的旨意。
16 我以遵行你的律例为乐，
我不忘记你的话语。
17 求你以厚恩待我，
使我能活着，并遵守你的话语。
18 求你开我的眼睛，
使我能明白你律法中的奥妙。
19 我在世上是过客，
求你不要向我隐藏你的命令。
20 我的心时刻切慕你的法令。
21 你斥责受咒诅、不听从你命令的狂傲人。
22 求你除去我所受的羞辱和藐视，
因为我遵从你的法度。
23 虽然权贵们坐着毁谤我，
仆人仍要默想你的律例。
24 你的法度是我的喜乐，
是我的谋士。
25 我几乎性命不保，
求你照你的应许救我的性命。
26 我陈明自己的行为，
你就回应了我；
求你将你的律例教导我。
27 求你使我明白你的法则，
我要思想你的奇妙作为。
28 我伤心欲绝，
求你照你的应许使我坚强起来。
29 求你使我远离恶道，
开恩将你的律法教导我。
30 我已经选择了真理之路，
决心遵行你的法令。
31 我持守你的法度，耶和华啊，
求你不要使我蒙羞。
32 我竭力遵守你的命令，
因为你使我更有悟性。
33 耶和华啊，
求你将你的律例教导我，
我必遵守到底。
34 求你叫我明白你的律法，
使我可以全心遵守。
35 求你引导我遵行你的命令，
因为这是我喜爱的。
36 求你使我的心爱慕你的法度而非不义之财。
37 求你使我的眼目远离虚空之事，
按你的旨意更新我的生命。
38 求你实现你给仆人的应许，
就是你给敬畏你之人的应许。
39 求你除去我所害怕的羞辱，
因为你的法令是美善的。
40 我渴望遵行你的法则，
求你按你的公义更新我的生命。
41 耶和华啊！
愿你的慈爱临到我，
愿你的拯救临到我，
正如你的应许，
42 好叫我能面对嘲笑我的人，
因为我信靠你的话。
43 求你使真理不离我的口，
因为你的法令是我的盼望。
44 我要持守你的律法，
直到永永远远。
45 我要自由地生活，
因为我寻求你的法则。
46 我要在君王面前讲论你的法度，
我不以此为耻。
47 我以遵行你的命令为乐，
我喜爱你的命令。
48 我尊崇你的命令，
我喜爱你的命令，
我要默想你的律例。
49 求你顾念你对仆人的应许，
你的话带给我盼望。
50 你的应许是我生命的支柱，
是我患难中的安慰。
51 狂傲人肆意嘲讽我，
但我仍然没有偏离你的律法。
52 耶和华啊，
我牢记你古时赐下的法令，
你的法令是我的安慰。
53 我见恶人丢弃你的律法，
就怒火中烧。
54 我在世寄居的日子，
你的律例就是我的诗歌。
55 耶和华啊，我在夜间思想你，
我要遵守你的律法。
56 我向来乐于遵行你的法则。
57 耶和华啊，你是我的福分！
我决心遵行你的话语。
58 我一心求你施恩，
求你照着你的应许恩待我。
59 我思想自己走过的路，
就决定归向你的法度。
60 我毫不迟疑地遵守你的命令。
61 虽然恶人用绳索捆绑我，
我仍不忘记你的律法。
62 我半夜起来称谢你公义的法令。
63 我与所有敬畏你、遵守你法则的人为友。
64 耶和华啊，
你的慈爱遍及天下，
求你将你的律例教导我。
65 耶和华啊，
你信守诺言，善待了仆人。
66 求你赐我知识，教我判别是非，
因为我信靠你的命令。
67 从前我没有受苦的时候走迷了路，
现在我要遵行你的话。
68 你是美善的，
你所行的都是美善的，
求你将你的律例教导我。
69 傲慢人毁谤我，
但我一心遵守你的法则。
70 他们执迷不悟，
但我喜爱你的律法。
71 我受苦对我有益，
使我可以学习你的律例。
72 你赐的律法对我而言比千万金银更宝贵。
73 你亲手造我、塑我，
求你赐我悟性好明白你的命令。
74 敬畏你的人见我就欢喜，
因为我信靠你的话。
75 耶和华啊，
我知道你的法令公义，
你是凭信实管教我。
76 求你照着你给仆人的应许，
用慈爱来安慰我。
77 求你怜悯我，使我可以存活，
因为你的律法是我的喜乐。
78 愿狂傲人受辱，
因他们诋毁我；
但我要思想你的法则。
79 愿敬畏你的人到我这里来，
好明白你的法度。
80 愿我能全心遵守你的律例，
使我不致羞愧。
81 我的心迫切渴慕你的拯救，
你的话语是我的盼望。
82 我期盼你的应许实现，
望眼欲穿。
我说：“你何时才安慰我？”
83 我形容枯槁，好像烟熏的皮袋，
但我仍然没有忘记你的律例。
84 你仆人还要等多久呢？
你何时才会惩罚那些迫害我的人呢？
85 违背你律法的狂傲人挖陷阱害我。
86 你的一切命令都可靠，
他们无故地迫害我，
求你帮助我。
87 他们几乎置我于死地，
但我仍然没有背弃你的法则。
88 求你施慈爱保护我的性命，
我好遵守你赐下的法度。
89 耶和华啊，
你的话与天同存，亘古不变。
90 你的信实万代长存；
你创造了大地，使它恒久不变。
91 天地照你的法令一直存到今日，
因为万物都是你的仆役。
92 如果没有你的律法给我带来喜乐，
我早已死在苦难中了。
93 我永不忘记你的法则，
因你借着法则救了我的生命。
94 我属于你，求你拯救我，
因为我努力遵守你的法则。
95 恶人伺机害我，
但我仍然思想你的法度。
96 我看到万事都有尽头，
唯有你的命令无边无界。
97 我多么爱慕你的律法，
终日思想。
98 我持守你的命令，
你的命令使我比仇敌有智慧。
99 我比我的老师更有洞见，
因为我思想你的法度。
100 我比长者更明智，
因为我遵守你的法则。
101 我听从你的话，
拒绝走恶道。
102 我从未偏离你的法令，
因为你教导过我。
103 你的话语品尝起来何等甘甜，
在我口中胜过蜂蜜。
104 我从你的法则中得到智慧，
我厌恶一切诡诈之道。
105 你的话是我脚前的灯，
是我路上的光。
106 我曾经起誓，我必信守诺言：
我要遵行你公义的法令。
107 我饱受痛苦，耶和华啊，
求你照你的话保护我的性命。
108 耶和华啊，
求你悦纳我由衷的赞美，
将你的法令教导我。
109 我的生命时刻面临危险，
但我不会忘记你的律法。
110 恶人为我设下网罗，
但我没有偏离你的法则。
111 你的法度永远是我的宝贵产业，
是我喜乐的泉源。
112 我决心遵行你的律例，
一直到底。
113 我厌恶心怀二意的人，
我爱慕你的律法。
114 你是我的藏身之所，
是我的盾牌，
你的话语是我的盼望。
115 你们这些恶人离开我吧，
我要顺从上帝的命令。
116 耶和华啊，
求你按你的应许扶持我，
使我存活，
不要使我的盼望落空。
117 求你扶持我，使我得救，
我要时刻默想你的律例。
118 你弃绝一切偏离你律例的人，
他们的诡计无法得逞。
119 你铲除世上的恶人，
如同除掉渣滓，
因此我喜爱你的法度。
120 我因敬畏你而战抖，
我惧怕你的法令。
121 我做事公平正直，
求你不要把我交给欺压我的人。
122 求你保障仆人的福祉，
不要让傲慢的人欺压我。
123 我望眼欲穿地期盼你拯救我，
实现你公义的应许。
124 求你以慈爱待你的仆人，
将你的律例教导我。
125 我是你的仆人，
求你赐我悟性可以明白你的法度。
126 耶和华啊，人们违背你的律法，
是你惩罚他们的时候了。
127 我爱你的命令胜于爱金子，
胜于爱纯金。
128 我遵行你一切的法则，
我憎恨一切恶道。
129 你的法度奇妙，我一心遵守。
130 你的话语一解明，
就发出亮光，
使愚人得到启迪。
131 我迫切地渴慕你的命令。
132 求你眷顾我、怜悯我，
像你素来恩待那些爱你的人一样。
133 求你照你的应许引导我的脚步，
不要让罪恶辖制我。
134 求你救我脱离恶人的欺压，
好使我能顺服你的法则。
135 求你笑颜垂顾仆人，
将你的律例教导我。
136 我泪流成河，
因为人们不遵行你的律法。
137 耶和华啊，你是公义的，
你的法令是公正的。
138 你定的法度公义，完全可信。
139 我看见仇敌漠视你的话语，
就心急如焚。
140 你仆人喜爱你的应许，
因为你的应许可靠。
141 我虽然卑微、受人藐视，
但我铭记你的法则。
142 你的公义常存，
你的律法是真理。
143 我虽然遭遇困苦患难，
但你的命令是我的喜乐。
144 你的法度永远公正，
求你帮助我明白你的法度，
使我可以存活。
145 耶和华啊，我迫切向你祷告，
求你应允我，
我必遵守你的律例。
146 我向你呼求，求你救我，
我必持守你的法度。
147 天不亮，
我就起来呼求你的帮助，
你的话语是我的盼望。
148 我整夜不睡，思想你的应许。
149 耶和华啊，你充满慈爱，
求你垂听我的呼求，
照你的法令保护我的性命。
150 作恶多端的人逼近了，
他们远离你的律法。
151 但耶和华啊，你就在我身边，
你的一切命令都是真理。
152 我很早就从你的法度中知道，
你的法度永远长存。
153 求你眷顾苦难中的我，搭救我，
因为我没有忘记你的律法。
154 求你为我申冤，救赎我，
照着你的应许保护我的性命。
155 恶人不遵守你的律例，
以致得不到拯救。
156 耶和华啊，
你有无比的怜悯之心，
求你照你的法令保护我的性命。
157 迫害我的仇敌众多，
但我却没有偏离你的法度。
158 我厌恶这些背弃你的人，
因为他们不遵行你的话。
159 耶和华啊，
你知道我多么爱你的法则，
求你施慈爱保护我的生命。
160 你的话都是真理，
你一切公义的法令永不改变。
161 权贵无故迫害我，
但我的心对你的话充满敬畏。
162 我喜爱你的应许，
如获至宝。
163 我厌恶虚假，
喜爱你的律法。
164 因你公义的法令，
我要每天七次赞美你。
165 喜爱你律法的人常有平安，
什么也不能使他跌倒。
166 耶和华啊，我等候你的拯救，
我遵行你的命令。
167 我深爱你的法度，一心遵守。
168 我遵守你的法则和法度，
你知道我做的每一件事。
169 耶和华啊，求你垂听我的祷告，
照你的话赐我悟性。
170 求你垂听我的祈求，
照你的应许拯救我。
171 愿我的口涌出赞美，
因你将你的律例教导了我。
172 愿我的舌头歌颂你的应许，
因为你一切的命令尽都公义。
173 愿你的手随时帮助我，
因为我选择了你的法则。
174 耶和华啊，我盼望你的拯救，
你的律法是我的喜乐。
175 求你让我存活，我好赞美你，
愿你的法令成为我的帮助。
176 我像只迷途的羊，
求你来寻找仆人，
因为我没有忘记你的命令。
詩篇 119
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
上帝的律法
119 行為正直、遵行耶和華律法的人有福了！
2 遵守祂的法度、全心尋求祂的人有福了！
3 他們不做不義的事，
只照祂的旨意而行。
4 耶和華啊，你已經賜下法則，
叫我們竭力遵行。
5 我渴望堅定地遵從你的律例。
6 我重視你的一切命令，
便不致羞愧。
7 我學習你公義的法令時，
要存著正直的心來稱謝你。
8 我要遵守你的律例，
求你不要棄絕我。
9 青年如何保持純潔呢？
就是要遵守你的話。
10 我全心全意地尋求你，
求你不要讓我偏離你的命令。
11 我把你的話珍藏在心中，
免得我得罪你。
12 耶和華啊，你當受稱頌！
求你將你的律例教導我。
13 我宣揚你口中所出的一切法令。
14 我喜愛你的法度如同人們喜愛財富。
15 我要默想你的法則，
思想你的旨意。
16 我以遵行你的律例為樂，
我不忘記你的話語。
17 求你以厚恩待我，
使我能活著，並遵守你的話語。
18 求你開我的眼睛，
使我能明白你律法中的奧妙。
19 我在世上是過客，
求你不要向我隱藏你的命令。
20 我的心時刻切慕你的法令。
21 你斥責受咒詛、不聽從你命令的狂傲人。
22 求你除去我所受的羞辱和藐視，
因為我遵從你的法度。
23 雖然權貴們坐著譭謗我，
僕人仍要默想你的律例。
24 你的法度是我的喜樂，
是我的謀士。
25 我幾乎性命不保，
求你照你的應許救我的性命。
26 我陳明自己的行為，
你就回應了我；
求你將你的律例教導我。
27 求你使我明白你的法則，
我要思想你的奇妙作為。
28 我傷心欲絕，
求你照你的應許使我堅強起來。
29 求你使我遠離惡道，
開恩將你的律法教導我。
30 我已經選擇了真理之路，
決心遵行你的法令。
31 我持守你的法度，耶和華啊，
求你不要使我蒙羞。
32 我竭力遵守你的命令，
因為你使我更有悟性。
33 耶和華啊，
求你將你的律例教導我，
我必遵守到底。
34 求你叫我明白你的律法，
使我可以全心遵守。
35 求你引導我遵行你的命令，
因為這是我喜愛的。
36 求你使我的心愛慕你的法度而非不義之財。
37 求你使我的眼目遠離虛空之事，
按你的旨意更新我的生命。
38 求你實現你給僕人的應許，
就是你給敬畏你之人的應許。
39 求你除去我所害怕的羞辱，
因為你的法令是美善的。
40 我渴望遵行你的法則，
求你按你的公義更新我的生命。
41 耶和華啊！
願你的慈愛臨到我，
願你的拯救臨到我，
正如你的應許，
42 好叫我能面對嘲笑我的人，
因為我信靠你的話。
43 求你使真理不離我的口，
因為你的法令是我的盼望。
44 我要持守你的律法，
直到永永遠遠。
45 我要自由地生活，
因為我尋求你的法則。
46 我要在君王面前講論你的法度，
我不以此為恥。
47 我以遵行你的命令為樂，
我喜愛你的命令。
48 我尊崇你的命令，
我喜愛你的命令，
我要默想你的律例。
49 求你顧念你對僕人的應許，
你的話帶給我盼望。
50 你的應許是我生命的支柱，
是我患難中的安慰。
51 狂傲人肆意嘲諷我，
但我仍然沒有偏離你的律法。
52 耶和華啊，
我牢記你古時賜下的法令，
你的法令是我的安慰。
53 我見惡人丟棄你的律法，
就怒火中燒。
54 我在世寄居的日子，
你的律例就是我的詩歌。
55 耶和華啊，我在夜間思想你，
我要遵守你的律法。
56 我向來樂於遵行你的法則。
57 耶和華啊，你是我的福分！
我決心遵行你的話語。
58 我一心求你施恩，
求你照著你的應許恩待我。
59 我思想自己走過的路，
就決定歸向你的法度。
60 我毫不遲疑地遵守你的命令。
61 雖然惡人用繩索捆綁我，
我仍不忘記你的律法。
62 我半夜起來稱謝你公義的法令。
63 我與所有敬畏你、遵守你法則的人為友。
64 耶和華啊，
你的慈愛遍及天下，
求你將你的律例教導我。
65 耶和華啊，
你信守諾言，善待了僕人。
66 求你賜我知識，教我判別是非，
因為我信靠你的命令。
67 從前我沒有受苦的時候走迷了路，
現在我要遵行你的話。
68 你是美善的，
你所行的都是美善的，
求你將你的律例教導我。
69 傲慢人譭謗我，
但我一心遵守你的法則。
70 他們執迷不悟，
但我喜愛你的律法。
71 我受苦對我有益，
使我可以學習你的律例。
72 你賜的律法對我而言比千萬金銀更寶貴。
73 你親手造我、塑我，
求你賜我悟性好明白你的命令。
74 敬畏你的人見我就歡喜，
因為我信靠你的話。
75 耶和華啊，
我知道你的法令公義，
你是憑信實管教我。
76 求你照著你給僕人的應許，
用慈愛來安慰我。
77 求你憐憫我，使我可以存活，
因為你的律法是我的喜樂。
78 願狂傲人受辱，
因他們詆譭我；
但我要思想你的法則。
79 願敬畏你的人到我這裡來，
好明白你的法度。
80 願我能全心遵守你的律例，
使我不致羞愧。
81 我的心迫切渴慕你的拯救，
你的話語是我的盼望。
82 我期盼你的應許實現，
望眼欲穿。
我說：「你何時才安慰我？」
83 我形容枯槁，好像煙薰的皮袋，
但我仍然沒有忘記你的律例。
84 你僕人還要等多久呢？
你何時才會懲罰那些迫害我的人呢？
85 違背你律法的狂傲人挖陷阱害我。
86 你的一切命令都可靠，
他們無故地迫害我，
求你幫助我。
87 他們幾乎置我於死地，
但我仍然沒有背棄你的法則。
88 求你施慈愛保護我的性命，
我好遵守你賜下的法度。
89 耶和華啊，
你的話與天同存，亙古不變。
90 你的信實萬代長存；
你創造了大地，使它恆久不變。
91 天地照你的法令一直存到今日，
因為萬物都是你的僕役。
92 如果沒有你的律法給我帶來喜樂，
我早已死在苦難中了。
93 我永不忘記你的法則，
因你藉著法則救了我的生命。
94 我屬於你，求你拯救我，
因為我努力遵守你的法則。
95 惡人伺機害我，
但我仍然思想你的法度。
96 我看到萬事都有盡頭，
唯有你的命令無邊無界。
97 我多麼愛慕你的律法，
終日思想。
98 我持守你的命令，
你的命令使我比仇敵有智慧。
99 我比我的老師更有洞見，
因為我思想你的法度。
100 我比長者更明智，
因為我遵守你的法則。
101 我聽從你的話，
拒絕走惡道。
102 我從未偏離你的法令，
因為你教導過我。
103 你的話語品嚐起來何等甘甜，
在我口中勝過蜂蜜。
104 我從你的法則中得到智慧，
我厭惡一切詭詐之道。
105 你的話是我腳前的燈，
是我路上的光。
106 我曾經起誓，我必信守諾言：
我要遵行你公義的法令。
107 我飽受痛苦，耶和華啊，
求你照你的話保護我的性命。
108 耶和華啊，
求你悅納我由衷的讚美，
將你的法令教導我。
109 我的生命時刻面臨危險，
但我不會忘記你的律法。
110 惡人為我設下網羅，
但我沒有偏離你的法則。
111 你的法度永遠是我的寶貴產業，
是我喜樂的泉源。
112 我決心遵行你的律例，
一直到底。
113 我厭惡心懷二意的人，
我愛慕你的律法。
114 你是我的藏身之所，
是我的盾牌，
你的話語是我的盼望。
115 你們這些惡人離開我吧，
我要順從上帝的命令。
116 耶和華啊，
求你按你的應許扶持我，
使我存活，
不要使我的盼望落空。
117 求你扶持我，使我得救，
我要時刻默想你的律例。
118 你棄絕一切偏離你律例的人，
他們的詭計無法得逞。
119 你剷除世上的惡人，
如同除掉渣滓，
因此我喜愛你的法度。
120 我因敬畏你而戰抖，
我懼怕你的法令。
121 我做事公平正直，
求你不要把我交給欺壓我的人。
122 求你保障僕人的福祉，
不要讓傲慢的人欺壓我。
123 我望眼欲穿地期盼你拯救我，
實現你公義的應許。
124 求你以慈愛待你的僕人，
將你的律例教導我。
125 我是你的僕人，
求你賜我悟性可以明白你的法度。
126 耶和華啊，人們違背你的律法，
是你懲罰他們的時候了。
127 我愛你的命令勝於愛金子，
勝於愛純金。
128 我遵行你一切的法則，
我憎恨一切惡道。
129 你的法度奇妙，我一心遵守。
130 你的話語一解明，
就發出亮光，
使愚人得到啟迪。
131 我迫切地渴慕你的命令。
132 求你眷顧我、憐憫我，
像你素來恩待那些愛你的人一樣。
133 求你照你的應許引導我的腳步，
不要讓罪惡轄制我。
134 求你救我脫離惡人的欺壓，
好使我能順服你的法則。
135 求你笑顏垂顧僕人，
將你的律例教導我。
136 我淚流成河，
因為人們不遵行你的律法。
137 耶和華啊，你是公義的，
你的法令是公正的。
138 你定的法度公義，完全可信。
139 我看見仇敵漠視你的話語，
就心急如焚。
140 你僕人喜愛你的應許，
因為你的應許可靠。
141 我雖然卑微、受人藐視，
但我銘記你的法則。
142 你的公義常存，
你的律法是真理。
143 我雖然遭遇困苦患難，
但你的命令是我的喜樂。
144 你的法度永遠公正，
求你幫助我明白你的法度，
使我可以存活。
145 耶和華啊，我迫切向你禱告，
求你應允我，
我必遵守你的律例。
146 我向你呼求，求你救我，
我必持守你的法度。
147 天不亮，
我就起來呼求你的幫助，
你的話語是我的盼望。
148 我整夜不睡，思想你的應許。
149 耶和華啊，你充滿慈愛，
求你垂聽我的呼求，
照你的法令保護我的性命。
150 作惡多端的人逼近了，
他們遠離你的律法。
151 但耶和華啊，你就在我身邊，
你的一切命令都是真理。
152 我很早就從你的法度中知道，
你的法度永遠長存。
153 求你眷顧苦難中的我，搭救我，
因為我沒有忘記你的律法。
154 求你為我伸冤，救贖我，
照著你的應許保護我的性命。
155 惡人不遵守你的律例，
以致得不到拯救。
156 耶和華啊，
你有無比的憐憫之心，
求你照你的法令保護我的性命。
157 迫害我的仇敵眾多，
但我卻沒有偏離你的法度。
158 我厭惡這些背棄你的人，
因為他們不遵行你的話。
159 耶和華啊，
你知道我多麼愛你的法則，
求你施慈愛保護我的生命。
160 你的話都是真理，
你一切公義的法令永不改變。
161 權貴無故迫害我，
但我的心對你的話充滿敬畏。
162 我喜愛你的應許，
如獲至寶。
163 我厭惡虛假，
喜愛你的律法。
164 因你公義的法令，
我要每天七次讚美你。
165 喜愛你律法的人常有平安，
什麼也不能使他跌倒。
166 耶和華啊，我等候你的拯救，
我遵行你的命令。
167 我深愛你的法度，一心遵守。
168 我遵守你的法則和法度，
你知道我做的每一件事。
169 耶和華啊，求你垂聽我的禱告，
照你的話賜我悟性。
170 求你垂聽我的祈求，
照你的應許拯救我。
171 願我的口湧出讚美，
因你將你的律例教導了我。
172 願我的舌頭歌頌你的應許，
因為你一切的命令盡都公義。
173 願你的手隨時幫助我，
因為我選擇了你的法則。
174 耶和華啊，我盼望你的拯救，
你的律法是我的喜樂。
175 求你讓我存活，我好讚美你，
願你的法令成為我的幫助。
176 我像隻迷途的羊，
求你來尋找僕人，
因為我沒有忘記你的命令。
Psalm 119
New English Translation
Psalm 119[a]
א (Alef)
119 How blessed are those whose actions are blameless,[b]
who obey[c] the law of the Lord.
2 How blessed are those who observe his rules,
and seek him with all their heart,
3 who, moreover, do no wrong,
but follow in his footsteps.[d]
4 You demand that your precepts
be carefully kept.[e]
5 If only I were predisposed[f]
to keep your statutes.
6 Then I would not be ashamed,
if[g] I were focused on[h] all your commands.
7 I will give you sincere thanks,[i]
when I learn your just regulations.
8 I will keep your statutes.
Do not completely abandon me.[j]
ב (Bet)
9 How can a young person[k] maintain a pure life?[l]
By guarding it according to your instructions.[m]
10 With all my heart I seek you.
Do not allow me to stray from your commands.
11 In my heart I store up[n] your words,[o]
so I might not sin against you.
12 You deserve praise,[p] O Lord.
Teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I proclaim
all the regulations you have revealed.[q]
14 I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules[r]
as if[s] they were riches of all kinds.[t]
15 I will meditate on[u] your precepts
and focus on[v] your behavior.[w]
16 I find delight[x] in your statutes;
I do not forget your instructions.[y]
ג (Gimel)
17 Be kind to your servant.
Then I will live[z] and keep[aa] your instructions.[ab]
18 Open[ac] my eyes so I can truly see[ad]
the marvelous things in your law.
19 I am a resident foreigner in this land.[ae]
Do not hide your commands from me.
20 I desperately long to know[af]
your regulations at all times.
21 You reprimand arrogant people.
Those who stray from your commands are doomed.[ag]
22 Spare me[ah] shame and humiliation,
for I observe your rules.
23 Though rulers plot and slander me,[ai]
your servant meditates on your statutes.
24 Yes, I find delight in your rules;
they give me guidance.[aj]
ד (Dalet)
25 I collapse in the dirt.[ak]
Revive me with your word.[al]
26 I told you about my ways[am] and you answered me.
Teach me your statutes.
27 Help me to understand what your precepts mean.[an]
Then I can meditate[ao] on your marvelous teachings.[ap]
28 I collapse[aq] from grief.
Sustain me by your word.[ar]
29 Remove me from the path of deceit.[as]
Graciously give me[at] your law.
30 I choose the path of faithfulness;
I am committed to[au] your regulations.
31 I hold fast[av] to your rules.
O Lord, do not let me be ashamed.
32 I run along the path of your commands,
for you enable me to do so.[aw]
ה (He)
33 Teach me, O Lord, the lifestyle prescribed by your statutes,[ax]
so that I might observe it continually.[ay]
34 Give me understanding so that I might observe your law,
and keep it with all my heart.[az]
35 Guide me[ba] in the path of your commands,
for I delight to walk in it.[bb]
36 Give me a desire for your rules,[bc]
rather than for wealth gained unjustly.[bd]
37 Turn my eyes away from what is worthless.[be]
Revive me with your word.[bf]
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,[bg]
which you made to the one who honors you.[bh]
39 Take away the insults that I dread.[bi]
Indeed,[bj] your regulations are good.
40 Look, I long for your precepts.
Revive me with your deliverance.[bk]
ו (Vav)
41 May I experience your loyal love,[bl] O Lord,
and your deliverance,[bm] as you promised.[bn]
42 Then I will have a reply for the one who insults me,[bo]
for I trust in your word.
43 Do not completely deprive me of a truthful testimony,[bp]
for I await your justice.
44 Then I will keep[bq] your law continually
now and for all time.[br]
45 I will be secure,[bs]
for I seek your precepts.
46 I will speak[bt] about your regulations before kings
and not be ashamed.
47 I will find delight in your commands,
which I love.
48 I will lift my hands to[bu] your commands,
which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
ז (Zayin)
49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 This[bv] is what comforts me in my trouble,
for your promise revives me.[bw]
51 Arrogant people do nothing but scoff at me.[bx]
Yet I do not turn aside from your law.
52 I remember your ancient regulations,[by]
O Lord, and console myself.[bz]
53 Rage takes hold of me because of the wicked,
those who reject your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs[ca]
in the house where I live.[cb]
55 I remember your name during the night, O Lord,
and I will keep[cc] your law.
56 This[cd] has been my practice,
for I observe your precepts.
ח (Khet)
57 The Lord is my source of security.[ce]
I have determined[cf] to follow your instructions.[cg]
58 I seek your favor[ch] with all my heart.
Have mercy on me as you promised.[ci]
59 I consider my actions[cj]
and follow[ck] your rules.
60 I keep your commands eagerly
and without delay.[cl]
61 The ropes of the wicked tighten around[cm] me,
but I do not forget your law.
62 In the middle of the night I arise[cn] to thank you
for your just regulations.
63 I am a friend to all your loyal followers,[co]
and to those who keep your precepts.
64 O Lord, your loyal love fills the earth.
Teach me your statutes!
ט (Tet)
65 You are good[cp] to your servant,
O Lord, just as you promised.[cq]
66 Teach me proper discernment[cr] and understanding.
For I consider your commands to be reliable.[cs]
67 Before I was afflicted I used to stray off,[ct]
but now I keep your instructions.[cu]
68 You are good and you do good.
Teach me your statutes.
69 Arrogant people smear my reputation with lies,[cv]
but I observe your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are calloused,[cw]
but I find delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to suffer,
so that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law you have revealed is more important to me
than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.[cx]
י (Yod)
73 Your hands made me and formed me.[cy]
Give me understanding so that I might learn[cz] your commands.
74 Your loyal followers will be glad when they see me,[da]
for I find hope in your word.
75 I know, Lord, that your regulations[db] are just.
You disciplined me because of your faithful devotion to me.[dc]
76 May your loyal love console me,
as you promised your servant.[dd]
77 May I experience your compassion,[de] so I might live.
For I find delight in your law.
78 May the arrogant be humiliated, for they have slandered me.[df]
But I meditate on your precepts.
79 May your loyal followers[dg] turn to me,
those who know your rules.
80 May I be fully committed to your statutes,[dh]
so that I might not be ashamed.
כ (Kaf)
81 I desperately long for[di] your deliverance.
I find hope in your word.
82 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your promise to be fulfilled.[dj]
I say,[dk] “When will you comfort me?”
83 For[dl] I am like a wineskin[dm] dried up in smoke.[dn]
I do not forget your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure this?[do]
When will you judge those who pursue me?
85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me,[dp]
which violates your law.[dq]
86 All your commands are reliable.
I am pursued without reason.[dr] Help me!
87 They have almost destroyed me here on the earth,
but I do not reject your precepts.
88 Revive me with[ds] your loyal love,
that I might keep[dt] the rules you have revealed.[du]
ל (Lamed)
89 O Lord, your instructions endure;
they stand secure in heaven.[dv]
90 You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations.[dw]
You established the earth and it stood firm.
91 Today they stand firm by your decrees,
for all things are your servants.
92 If I had not found encouragement in your law,[dx]
I would have died in my sorrow.[dy]
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have revived me.
94 I belong to you. Deliver me!
For I seek your precepts.
95 The wicked prepare to kill me,[dz]
yet I concentrate on your rules.
96 I realize that everything has its limits,
but your commands are beyond full comprehension.[ea]
מ (Mem)
97 O how I love your law!
All day long I meditate on it.
98 Your commandments[eb] make me wiser than my enemies,
for I am always aware of them.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your rules.
100 I am more discerning than those older than I,
for I observe your precepts.
101 I stay away[ec] from every evil path,
so that I might keep your instructions.[ed]
102 I do not turn aside from your regulations,
for you teach me.
103 Your words are sweeter
in my mouth than honey![ee]
104 Your precepts give me discernment.
Therefore I hate all deceitful actions.[ef]
נ (Nun)
105 Your word[eg] is a lamp to walk by,
and a light to illumine my path.[eh]
106 I have vowed and solemnly sworn
to keep your just regulations.
107 I am suffering terribly.
O Lord, revive me with your word.[ei]
108 O Lord, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise.[ej]
Teach me your regulations.
109 My life is in continual danger,[ek]
but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked lay a trap for me,
but I do not wander from your precepts.
111 I claim your rules as my permanent possession,
for they give me joy.[el]
112 I am determined to obey[em] your statutes
at all times, to the very end.
ס (Samek)
113 I hate people with divided loyalties,[en]
but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield.
I find hope in your word.
115 Turn away from me, you evil men,
so that I can observe[eo] the commands of my God.[ep]
116 Sustain me as you promised,[eq] so that I will live.[er]
Do not disappoint me.[es]
117 Support me, so that I will be delivered.
Then I will focus[et] on your statutes continually.
118 You despise[eu] all who stray from your statutes,
for such people are deceptive and unreliable.[ev]
119 You remove all the wicked of the earth like slag.[ew]
Therefore I love your rules.[ex]
120 My body[ey] trembles[ez] because I fear you;[fa]
I am afraid of your judgments.
ע (Ayin)
121 I do what is fair and right.[fb]
Do not abandon me to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee the welfare of your servant.[fc]
Do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your deliverance,[fd]
for your reliable promise to be fulfilled.[fe]
124 Show your servant your loyal love.[ff]
Teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant. Give me insight,
so that I can understand[fg] your rules.
126 It is time for the Lord to act—
they break your law.
127 For this reason[fh] I love your commands
more than gold, even purest gold.
128 For this reason I carefully follow all your precepts.[fi]
I hate all deceitful actions.[fj]
פ (Pe)
129 Your rules are marvelous.
Therefore I observe them.
130 Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines.[fk]
They give[fl] insight to the untrained.[fm]
131 I open my mouth and pant,
because I long[fn] for your commands.
132 Turn toward me and extend mercy to me,
as you typically do to your loyal followers.[fo]
133 Direct my steps by your word.[fp]
Do not let any sin dominate me.
134 Deliver me[fq] from oppressive men,
so that I can keep[fr] your precepts.
135 Smile[fs] on your servant.
Teach me your statutes!
136 Tears stream down from my eyes,[ft]
because people[fu] do not keep your law.
צ (Tsade)
137 You are just, O Lord,
and your judgments are fair.
138 The rules you impose are just,[fv]
and absolutely reliable.
139 My zeal[fw] consumes[fx] me,
for my enemies forget your instructions.[fy]
140 Your word is absolutely pure,
and your servant loves it.
141 I am insignificant and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your justice endures,[fz]
and your law is reliable.[ga]
143 Distress and hardship confront[gb] me,
yet I find delight in your commands.
144 Your rules remain just.[gc]
Give me insight so that I can live.[gd]
ק (Qof)
145 I cried out with all my heart, “Answer me, O Lord!
I will observe your statutes.”
146 I cried out to you, “Deliver me,
so that I can keep[ge] your rules.”
147 I am up before dawn crying for help.
I find hope in your word.
148 My eyes anticipate the nighttime hours,
so that I can meditate on your word.
149 Listen to me[gf] because of[gg] your loyal love.
O Lord, revive me, as you typically do.[gh]
150 Those who are eager to do[gi] wrong draw near;
they are far from your law.
151 You are near, O Lord,
and all your commands are reliable.[gj]
152 I learned long ago that
you ordained your rules to last.[gk]
ר (Resh)
153 See my pain and rescue me.
For I do not forget your law.
154 Fight for me[gl] and defend me.[gm]
Revive me with your word.
155 The wicked have no chance for deliverance,[gn]
for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Your compassion is great, O Lord.
Revive me, as you typically do.[go]
157 The enemies who chase me are numerous.[gp]
Yet I do not turn aside from your rules.
158 I take note of the treacherous and despise them,
because they do not keep your instructions.[gq]
159 See how I love your precepts.
O Lord, revive me with your loyal love.
160 Your instructions are totally reliable;
all your just regulations endure.[gr]
שׂ/שׁ (Sin/Shin)
161 Rulers pursue me for no reason,
yet I am more afraid of disobeying your instructions.[gs]
162 I rejoice in your instructions,
like one who finds much plunder.[gt]
163 I hate and despise deceit;
I love your law.
164 Seven times[gu] a day I praise you
because of your just regulations.
165 Those who love your law are completely secure;[gv]
nothing causes them to stumble.[gw]
166 I hope for your deliverance, O Lord,
and I obey[gx] your commands.
167 I keep your rules;
I love them greatly.
168 I keep your precepts and rules,
for you are aware of everything I do.[gy]
ת (Tav)
169 Listen to my cry for help,[gz] O Lord.
Give me insight by your word.
170 Listen to my appeal for mercy.[ha]
Deliver me, as you promised.[hb]
171 May praise flow freely from my lips,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 May my tongue sing about your instructions,[hc]
for all your commands are just.
173 May your hand help me,
for I choose to obey[hd] your precepts.
174 I long for your deliverance, O Lord;
I find delight in your law.
175 May I[he] live and praise you.
May your regulations help me.[hf]
176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep.[hg]
Come looking for your servant,
for I do not forget your commands.
Footnotes
- Psalm 119:1 tn The psalmist celebrates God’s law and the guidance it provides his people. He expresses his desire to know God’s law thoroughly so that he might experience the blessings that come to those who obey it. This lengthy psalm exhibits an elaborate acrostic pattern. The psalm is divided into twenty-two sections (corresponding to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet), each of which is comprised of eight verses. Each of the verses in the first section (vv. 1-8) begins with the letter alef (א), the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This pattern continues throughout the psalm as each new section highlights a successive letter of the alphabet. Each verse in section two (vv. 9-16) begins with the second letter of the alphabet, each verse in section three (vv. 17-24) with the third letter, etc. This rigid pattern creates a sense of order and completeness and may have facilitated memorization.
- Psalm 119:1 tn Heb “[Oh] the happiness of those who are blameless of way.”
- Psalm 119:1 tn Heb “walk in.”
- Psalm 119:3 tn Heb “walk in his ways.”
- Psalm 119:4 tn Heb “you, you commanded your precepts, to keep, very much.”
- Psalm 119:5 tn Heb “if only my ways were established.”
- Psalm 119:6 tn Or “when.”
- Psalm 119:6 tn Heb “I gaze at.”
- Psalm 119:7 tn Heb “I will give you thanks with an upright heart.”
- Psalm 119:8 tn Heb “do not abandon me to excess.” For other uses of the phrase עַד מְאֹד (ʿad meʾod, “to excess”), see Ps 38:6, 8.
- Psalm 119:9 tn Heb “young man.” Hebrew wisdom literature often assumes and reflects the male-oriented perspective of ancient Israelite society. The principle of the psalm is certainly applicable to all people, regardless of their gender or age. To facilitate modern application, the gender specific “young man” has been translated with the more neutral “young person.”
- Psalm 119:9 tn Heb “purify his path.”
- Psalm 119:9 tn Heb “by keeping according to your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss as well as the LXX read the plural, “your words.”
- Psalm 119:11 tn Or “hide.”
- Psalm 119:11 tn Heb “your word.” Some medieval Hebrew mss as well as the LXX read the plural, “your words.”
- Psalm 119:12 tn Heb “[are] blessed.”
- Psalm 119:13 tn Heb “of your mouth.”
- Psalm 119:14 tn Heb “in the way of your rules.”
- Psalm 119:14 tn Heb “as upon,” meaning “as if” (see 2 Chr 32:19).
- Psalm 119:14 tn Heb “all wealth.” The phrase refers to all kinds of wealth and riches. See Prov 1:13; 6:31; 24:4; Ezek 27:12, 18.
- Psalm 119:15 tn The cohortative verbal forms in this verse express the psalmist’s resolve.
- Psalm 119:15 tn Heb “gaze [at].”
- Psalm 119:15 tn Heb “ways” (referring figuratively to God’s behavior here).
- Psalm 119:16 tn The imperfects in this verse emphasize the attitude the psalmist maintains toward God’s law. Another option is to translate with the future tense, “I will find delight…I will not forget.”
- Psalm 119:16 tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss as well as the LXX read the plural here.
- Psalm 119:17 tn The prefixed verbal form is probably a cohortative indicating purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
- Psalm 119:17 tn The cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the imperative that begins the verse.
- Psalm 119:17 tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss as well as several ancient versions read the plural here.
- Psalm 119:18 tn Heb “uncover.” The verb form גַּל (gal) is an apocopated Piel imperative from גָּלָה (galah, see GKC 214 §75.cc).
- Psalm 119:18 tn The cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
- Psalm 119:19 sn Heb This metaphor probably derives from Lev 25:23, which uses the terms גֵּר (ger, “resident foreigner”) and תּוֹשָׁב; (toshav, “resident/temporary settler”). Lev 25:23 emphasizes that Israel would be a guest on God’s land. They were attached to the Lord’s household; they did not own the land. Cf. also Ps 39:12 and Gen 23:4.
- Psalm 119:20 tn Heb “my soul languishes for longing for.”
- Psalm 119:21 tn Heb “accursed.” The traditional punctuation of the Hebrew text takes “accursed” with the previous line (“arrogant, accursed ones”), but it is preferable to take it with the second line as the predicate of the statement.
- Psalm 119:22 tn Heb “roll away from upon me.” Some derive the imperatival form גַּל (gal) from גָּלָה (galah, “uncover,” as in v. 18), but here the form is from גָּלַל (galal, “roll”; see Josh 5:9, where חֶרְפָּה [kherpah, “shame; reproach”] also appears as object of the verb). Some, following the lead of a Dead Sea scroll (11QPsa), emend the form to גֹּל (gol).
- Psalm 119:23 tn Heb “though rulers sit, about me they talk together.” (For another example of the Niphal of דָּבַר (davar) used with a suffixed form of the preposition ב (bet), see Ezek 33:30.)
- Psalm 119:24 tn Heb “men of my counsel.” That is, God’s rules are like advisers to the psalmist, for they teach him how to live in a godly manner that refutes the accusations of his enemies.
- Psalm 119:25 tn Heb “my soul clings to the dirt.” The Hebrew term נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh, “being; soul”) with a pronominal suffix is often equivalent to a pronoun, especially in poetry (see BDB 660 s.v. נֶפֶשׁ 4.a).
- Psalm 119:25 tn Heb “according to your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural “your words.”
- Psalm 119:26 tn Heb “my ways I proclaimed.”
- Psalm 119:27 tn Heb “the way of your precepts make me understand.”
- Psalm 119:27 tn The cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
- Psalm 119:27 tn Heb “your amazing things,” which refers here to the teachings of the law (see v. 18).
- Psalm 119:28 tn Some translate “my soul weeps,” taking the verb דָלַף (dalaf) from a root meaning “to drip; to drop” (BDB 196 s.v. דֶּלַף). On the basis of cognate evidence from Arabic and Akkadian, HALOT 223 s.v. II דלף proposes a homonymic root here, meaning “be sleepless.” Following L. C. Allen (Psalms 101-150 [WBC], 127, 135) the translation assumes that the verb is cognate with Ugaritic dlp, “to collapse; to crumple” in CTA 2 iv. 17, 26. See G. R. Driver, Canaanite Myths and Legends, 44, 144.
- Psalm 119:28 tn Heb “according to your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural “your words.”
- Psalm 119:29 tn The “path of deceit” refers to a lifestyle characterized by deceit and disloyalty to God. It stands in contrast to the “way of faithfulness” in v. 30.
- Psalm 119:29 tn Heb “be gracious to me.” The verb is used metonymically here for “graciously giving” the law. (See Gen 33:5, where Jacob uses this verb in describing how God had graciously given him children.)
- Psalm 119:30 tn BDB 1000-1001 s.v. I שָׁוָה derives the verb from the first homonym listed, meaning “to agree with; to be like; to resemble.” It here means (in the Piel stem) “to be accounted suitable,” which in turn would mean by metonymy “to accept; to be committed to.” Some prefer to derive the verb from a homonym meaning “to place; to set,” but in this case an elliptical prepositional phrase must be understood, “I place your regulations [before me]” (see Ps 16:8).
- Psalm 119:31 tn Or “cling to.”
- Psalm 119:32 tn Heb “for you make wide my heart.” The “heart” is viewed here as the seat of the psalmist’s volition and understanding. The Lord gives the psalmist the desire and moral understanding that are foundational to the willing obedience depicted metaphorically in the preceding line. In Isa 60:5 the expression “your heart will be wide” means “your heart will swell with pride,” but here the nuance appears to be different.
- Psalm 119:33 tn Heb “the way of your statutes.”
- Psalm 119:33 tn Heb “and I will keep it to the end.” The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative. The Hebrew term עֵקֶב (ʿeqev) is understood to mean “end” here. Another option is to take עֵקֶב as meaning “reward” here (see Ps 19:11) and to translate, “so that I might observe it and be rewarded.”
- Psalm 119:34 tn The two prefixed verbal forms with vav (ו) conjunctive indicate purpose/result after the introductory imperative.
- Psalm 119:35 tn Or “make me walk.”
- Psalm 119:35 tn Heb “for in it I delight.”
- Psalm 119:36 tn Heb “turn my heart to your rules.”
- Psalm 119:36 tn Heb “and not unjust gain.”
- Psalm 119:37 tn Heb “Make my eyes pass by from looking at what is worthless.”
- Psalm 119:37 tn Heb “by your word.”
- Psalm 119:38 tn Heb “word.”
- Psalm 119:38 tn Heb “which [is] for your fear,” that is, the promise made to those who exhibit fear of God.
- Psalm 119:39 tn Heb “my reproach that I fear.”
- Psalm 119:39 tn Or “for.”
- Psalm 119:40 tn Or “righteousness.”
- Psalm 119:41 tn Heb “and may your loyal love come to me.”
- Psalm 119:41 tn Or “salvation” (so many English versions).
- Psalm 119:41 tn Heb “according to your word.”
- Psalm 119:42 tn Heb “and I will answer [the] one who insults me a word.” The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the jussive (see v. 41).
- Psalm 119:43 tn Heb “do not snatch from my mouth a word of truth to excess.” The psalmist wants to be able to give a reliable testimony about the Lord’s loyal love (vv. 41-42), but if God does not intervene, the psalmist will be deprived of doing so, for the evidence of such love (i.e., deliverance) will be lacking.
- Psalm 119:44 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the negated jussive (see v. 43).
- Psalm 119:44 tn Or “forever and ever.”
- Psalm 119:45 tn Heb “and I will walk about in a wide place.” The cohortative with prefixed vav (ו) conjunctive gives a further consequence of the anticipated positive divine response (see vv. 43-44). Another option is to take the cohortative as expressing the psalmist’s request. In this case one could translate, “and please give me security.”
- Psalm 119:46 tn The series of four cohortatives with prefixed vav (ו) conjunctive in vv. 46-48 list further consequences of the anticipated positive divine response to the request made in v. 43.
- Psalm 119:48 tn Lifting the hands is often associated with prayer (Pss 28:2; 63:4; Lam 2:19). (1) Because praying to God’s law borders on the extreme, some prefer to emend the text to “I lift up my hands to you,” eliminating “your commands, which I love” as dittographic. In this view these words were accidentally repeated from the previous verse. (2) However, it is possible that the psalmist closely associates the law with God himself because he views the law as the expression of the divine will. (3) Another option is that “lifting the hands” does not refer to prayer here, but to the psalmist’s desire to receive and appropriate the law. (4) Still others understand this to be an action praising God’s commands (so NCV; cf. TEV, CEV, NLT).
- Psalm 119:50 tn The demonstrative “this” refers back to the hope just mentioned or forward to the statement in the second line concerning the promise’s power to revive. See the note on the word “me” at the end of the verse for further discussion.
- Psalm 119:50 tn The hope generated by the promise (see v. 49b) brings comfort because (note “for” at the beginning of the line) the promise revives the psalmist’s spirits. Another option is to take כִּי (ki) at the beginning of the second line in the sense of “that,” in which case “this” refers to the promise’s power to revive.
- Psalm 119:51 tn Heb “scoff at me to excess.”
- Psalm 119:52 tn Heb “I remember your regulations from of old.” The prepositional phrase “from of old” apparently modifies “your regulations,” alluding to the fact that God revealed them to Israel in the distant past. Another option is to understand the prepositional phrase as modifying the verb, in which case one might translate, “I have long remembered your regulations.”
- Psalm 119:52 tn Or “find comfort.”
- Psalm 119:54 tn Heb “songs were your statutes to me.”
- Psalm 119:54 tn Heb “in the house of my dwelling place.” Some take the Hebrew noun מָגוֹר (magor) in the sense of “temporary abode,” and see this as a reference to the psalmist’s status as a resident foreigner (see v. 19). But the noun can refer to a dwelling place in general (see Ps 55:15).
- Psalm 119:55 tn The cohortative verbal form expresses the psalmist’s resolve to obey the law.
- Psalm 119:56 tn Heb “this has been to me.” The demonstrative “this” (1) refers back to the practices mentioned in vv. 54-55, or (2) looks forward to the statement in the second line, in which case the כִּי (ki) at the beginning of the second line should be translated “that.”
- Psalm 119:57 tn Heb “my portion [is] the Lord.” The psalmist compares the Lord to landed property, which was foundational to economic stability in ancient Israel (see Ps 16:5).
- Psalm 119:57 tn Heb “I said.”
- Psalm 119:57 tn Heb “to keep your words” (see v. 9).
- Psalm 119:58 tn Heb “I appease your face.”
- Psalm 119:58 tn Heb “according to your word.”
- Psalm 119:59 tn Heb “my ways.”
- Psalm 119:59 tn Heb “and I turn my feet toward.”
- Psalm 119:60 tn Heb “I hurry and I do not delay to keep your commands.”
- Psalm 119:61 tn Heb “surround.”
- Psalm 119:62 tn The psalmist uses an imperfect verbal form to emphasize that this is his continuing practice.
- Psalm 119:63 tn Heb “to all who fear you.”
- Psalm 119:65 tn Heb “do good.”
- Psalm 119:65 tn Heb “according to your word.”
- Psalm 119:66 tn Heb “goodness of taste.” Here “taste” refers to moral and ethical discernment.
- Psalm 119:66 tn Heb “for I believe in your commands.”
- Psalm 119:67 tn Heb “before I suffered, I was straying off.”
- Psalm 119:67 tn Heb “your word.”
- Psalm 119:69 tn Heb “smear over me a lie.”
- Psalm 119:70 tn Heb “their heart is insensitive like fat.”
- Psalm 119:72 tn Heb “better to me [is] the law of your mouth than thousands of gold and silver.”
- Psalm 119:73 tn Heb “made me and established me.” The two verbs also appear together in Deut 32:6, where God, compared to a father, is said to have “made and established” Israel.
- Psalm 119:73 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
- Psalm 119:74 tn Heb “those who fear you will see me and rejoice.”
- Psalm 119:75 tn In this context (note the second line) the Hebrew term מִשְׁפָּטִים (mishpatim), which so often refers to the regulations of God’s law elsewhere in this psalm, may refer instead to his decisions or disciplinary judgment.
- Psalm 119:75 tn Heb “and [in] faithfulness you afflicted me.”
- Psalm 119:76 tn Heb “according to your word to your servant.”
- Psalm 119:77 tn Heb “and may your compassion come to me.”
- Psalm 119:78 tn Heb “for [with] falsehood they have denied me justice.”
- Psalm 119:79 tn Heb “those who fear you.”
- Psalm 119:80 tn Heb “may my heart be complete in your statutes.”
- Psalm 119:81 tn Heb “my soul pines for.” See Ps 84:2.
- Psalm 119:82 tn Heb “my eyes fail for your word.” The psalmist has intently kept his eyes open, looking for God to intervene, but now his eyes are watery and bloodshot, impairing his vision. See Ps 69:3.
- Psalm 119:82 tn Heb “saying.”
- Psalm 119:83 tn Or “even though.”
- Psalm 119:83 tn The Hebrew word נֹאד (noʾd, “leather container”) refers to a container made from animal skin which is used to hold wine or milk (see Josh 9:4, 13; Judg 4:19; 1 Sam 16:20).
- Psalm 119:83 tn Heb “in the smoke.”
- Psalm 119:84 tn Heb “How long are the days of your servant?”
- Psalm 119:85 tn Heb “for me.”
- Psalm 119:85 tn Heb “which [is] not according to your law.”
- Psalm 119:86 sn God’s commands are a reliable guide to right and wrong. By keeping them the psalmist is doing what is right, yet he is still persecuted.
- Psalm 119:88 tn Heb “according to.”
- Psalm 119:88 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
- Psalm 119:88 tn Heb “of your mouth.”
- Psalm 119:89 tn Heb “Forever, O Lord, your word stands firm in heaven,” or “Forever, O Lord, [is] your word; it stands firm in heaven.” The translation assumes that “your word” refers here to the body of divine instructions contained in the law (note the frequent references to the law in vv. 92-96). See vv. 9, 16-17, 57, 101, 105, 130, 139 and 160-61. The reference in v. 86 to God’s law being faithful favors this interpretation. Another option is that “your word” refers to God’s assuring word of promise, mentioned in vv. 25, 28, 42, 65, 74, 81, 107, 114, 147 and 169. In this case one might translate, “O Lord, your promise is reliable, it stands firm in heaven.”
- Psalm 119:90 tn Heb “to a generation and a generation [is] your faithfulness.”
- Psalm 119:92 tn Heb “if your law had not been my delight.”
- Psalm 119:92 tn Or “my suffering.”
- Psalm 119:95 tn Heb “the wicked wait for me to kill me.”
- Psalm 119:96 tn Heb “to every perfection I have seen an end, your command is very wide.” God’s law is beyond full comprehension, which is why the psalmist continually studies it (vv. 95, 97).
- Psalm 119:98 tn The plural form needs to be revocalized as a singular in order to agree with the preceding singular verb and the singular pronoun in the next line. The Lord’s “command” refers here to the law (see Ps 19:8).
- Psalm 119:101 tn Heb “I hold back my feet.”
- Psalm 119:101 tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural.
- Psalm 119:103 tn Heb “How smooth they are to my palate, your word, more than honey to my mouth.” A few medieval Hebrew mss, as well as several other ancient witnesses, read the plural “your words,” which can then be understood as the subject of the plural verb “they are smooth.”
- Psalm 119:104 tn Heb “every false path.”
- Psalm 119:105 tn Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural (“words”).
- Psalm 119:105 tn Heb “[is] a lamp for my foot and a light for my path.”
- Psalm 119:107 tn Heb “according to your word.”
- Psalm 119:108 tn Heb “of my mouth.”
- Psalm 119:109 tn Heb “my life [is] in my hands continually.”
- Psalm 119:111 tn Heb “for the joy of my heart [are] they.”
- Psalm 119:112 tn Heb “I turn my heart to do.”
- Psalm 119:113 tn Heb “divided ones.” The word occurs only here; it appears to be derived from a verbal root, attested in Arabic, meaning “to split” (see HALOT 762 s.v. *סֵעֵף). Since the psalmist is emphasizing his unswerving allegiance to God and his law, the term probably refers to those who lack such loyalty. The translation is similar to that suggested by L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 131.
- Psalm 119:115 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
- Psalm 119:115 tn The psalmist has already declared that he observes God’s commands despite persecution, so here the idea must be “so that I might observe the commands of my God unhindered by threats.”
- Psalm 119:116 tn Heb “according to your word.”
- Psalm 119:116 tn The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
- Psalm 119:116 tn Heb “do not make me ashamed of my hope.” After the Hebrew verb בּוֹשׁ (bosh, “to be ashamed”) the preposition מִן (min, “from”) often introduces the reason for shame.
- Psalm 119:117 tn Or “and that I might focus.” The two cohortatives with vav (ו) conjunctive indicate purpose/result after the imperative at the beginning of the verse.
- Psalm 119:118 tn The Hebrew verb סָלָה (salah, “to disdain”) occurs only here and in Lam 1:15. Cognate usage in Aramaic and Akkadian, as well as Lam 1:15, suggest it may have a concrete nuance of “to throw away.”
- Psalm 119:118 tn Heb “for their deceit [is] falsehood.”
- Psalm 119:119 sn Traditionally “dross” (so KJV, ASV, NIV). The metaphor comes from metallurgy; “slag” is the substance left over after the metallic ore has been refined.
- Psalm 119:119 sn As he explains in the next verse, the psalmist’s fear of judgment motivates him to obey God’s rules.
- Psalm 119:120 tn Heb “my flesh.”
- Psalm 119:120 tn The Hebrew verb סָמַר (samar, “to tremble”) occurs only here and in Job 4:15.
- Psalm 119:120 tn Heb “from fear of you.” The pronominal suffix on the noun is an objective genitive.
- Psalm 119:121 tn Heb “do justice and righteousness.”
- Psalm 119:122 tn Heb “be surety for your servant for good.”
- Psalm 119:123 tn Heb “my eyes fail for your deliverance.” The psalmist has intently kept his eyes open, looking for God to intervene, but now his eyes are watery and bloodshot, impairing his vision. See the similar phrase in v. 82.
- Psalm 119:123 tn Heb “and for the word of your faithfulness.”
- Psalm 119:124 tn Heb “do with your servant according to your loyal love.”
- Psalm 119:125 tn or “know.” The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
- Psalm 119:127 tn “For this reason” connects logically with the statement made in v. 126. Because the judgment the psalmist fears (see vv. 119-120) is imminent, he remains loyal to God’s law.
- Psalm 119:128 tn Heb “for this reason all the precepts of everything I regard as right.” The phrase “precepts of everything” is odd. It is preferable to take the כ (kaf) on כֹּל (kol, “everything) with the preceding form as a pronominal suffix, “your precepts,” and the ל (lamed) with the following verb as an emphatic particle. See L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 138.
- Psalm 119:128 tn Heb “every false path.”
- Psalm 119:130 tn Heb “the doorway of your words gives light.” God’s “words” refer here to the instructions in his law (see vv. 9, 57).
- Psalm 119:130 tn Heb “it [i.e., the doorway] gives.”
- Psalm 119:130 tn Or “the [morally] naive,” that is, the one who is young and still in the process of learning right from wrong and distinguishing wisdom from folly. See Pss 19:7; 116:6.
- Psalm 119:131 tn The verb occurs only here in the OT.
- Psalm 119:132 tn Heb “according to custom toward the lovers of your name.” The “lovers of” God’s “name” are the Lord’s loyal followers. See Pss 5:11; 69:36; Isa 56:6.
- Psalm 119:133 tn God’s “word” refers here to his law (see v. 11).
- Psalm 119:134 tn Or “redeem me.”
- Psalm 119:134 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
- Psalm 119:135 tn Heb “cause your face to shine.”
- Psalm 119:136 tn Heb “[with] flowing streams my eyes go down.”
- Psalm 119:136 tn Heb “they”; even though somewhat generic, the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
- Psalm 119:138 tn Heb “you commanded [in] justice your rules.”
- Psalm 119:139 tn or “zeal.”
- Psalm 119:139 tn Heb “destroys,” in a hyperbolic sense.
- Psalm 119:139 tn Heb “your words.”
- Psalm 119:142 tn Heb “your justice [is] justice forever.”
- Psalm 119:142 tn Or “truth.”
- Psalm 119:143 tn Heb “find.”
- Psalm 119:144 tn Heb “just are your rules forever.”
- Psalm 119:144 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
- Psalm 119:146 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
- Psalm 119:149 tn Heb “my voice.”
- Psalm 119:149 tn Heb “according to.”
- Psalm 119:149 tn Heb “according to your custom.”
- Psalm 119:150 tn Heb “those who pursue.”
- Psalm 119:151 tn Or “truth.”
- Psalm 119:152 tn Heb “long ago I knew concerning your rules, that forever you established them.” See v. 89 for the same idea. The translation assumes that the preposition מִן (min) prefixed to “your rules” introduces the object of the verb יָדַע (yadaʿ), as in 1 Sam 23:23. Another option is that the preposition indicates source, in which case one might translate, “Long ago I realized from your rules that forever you established them” (cf. NIV, NRSV).
- Psalm 119:154 tn Or “argue my case.”
- Psalm 119:154 tn Heb “and redeem me.” The verb “redeem” casts the Lord in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis (see Ps 19:14).
- Psalm 119:155 tn Heb “far from the wicked [is] deliverance.”
- Psalm 119:156 tn Heb “according to your customs.”
- Psalm 119:157 tn Heb “many [are] those who chase me and my enemies.”
- Psalm 119:158 tn Heb “your word.”
- Psalm 119:160 tn Heb “the head of your word is truth, and forever [is] all your just regulation.” The term “head” is used here of the “sum total” of God’s instructions.
- Psalm 119:161 tn Heb “and because of your instructions my heart trembles.” The psalmist’s healthy “fear” of the consequences of violating God’s instructions motivates him to obey them. See v. 120.
- Psalm 119:162 tn Heb “like one who finds great plunder.” See Judg 5:30. The image is that of a victorious warrior who finds a large amount of plunder on the field of battle.
- Psalm 119:164 tn The number “seven” is use rhetorically to suggest thoroughness.
- Psalm 119:165 tn Heb “great peace [is] to the lovers of your law.”
- Psalm 119:165 tn Heb “and there is no stumbling to them.”
- Psalm 119:166 tn Heb “do.”
- Psalm 119:168 tn Heb “for all my ways [are] before you.”
- Psalm 119:169 tn Heb “may my cry approach before you.”
- Psalm 119:170 tn Heb “may my appeal for mercy come before you.”
- Psalm 119:170 tn Heb “according to your speech.”
- Psalm 119:172 tn Heb “your word.”
- Psalm 119:173 tn The words “to obey” are not in the Hebrew text, but have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarity.
- Psalm 119:175 tn Heb “my life.”
- Psalm 119:175 tn God’s regulations will “help” the psalmist by giving him moral and ethical guidance.
- Psalm 119:176 tn Heb “I stray like a lost sheep.” It is possible that the point of the metaphor is vulnerability: The psalmist, who is threatened by his enemies, feels as vulnerable as a straying, lost sheep. This would not suggest, however, that he has wandered from God’s path (see the second half of the verse, as well as v. 110).
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