Psalm 119

New King James Version

Meditations on the Excellencies of the Word of God

א ALEPH

119 Blessed are the ^[a]undefiled in the way,
^(A)Who walk in the law of the Lord!
²Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the ^(B)whole heart!
³^(C)They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.
⁴You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
⁵Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
⁶^(D)Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments.
⁷I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
⁸I will keep Your statutes;
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

ב BETH

⁹How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
¹⁰With my whole heart I have ^(E)sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
¹¹^(F)Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
¹²Blessed are You, O Lord!
Teach me Your statutes.
¹³With my lips I have ^(G)declared
All the judgments of Your mouth.
¹⁴I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
¹⁵I will meditate on Your precepts,
And ^[b]contemplate Your ways.
¹⁶I will ^(H)delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.

ג GIMEL

¹⁷^(I)Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.
¹⁸Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.
¹⁹^(J)I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
²⁰^(K)My soul ^[c]breaks with longing
For Your judgments at all times.
²¹You rebuke the proud—the cursed,
Who stray from Your commandments.
²²^(L)Remove from me reproach and contempt,
For I have kept Your testimonies.
²³Princes also sit and speak against me,
But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
²⁴Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.

ד DALETH

²⁵^(M)My soul clings to the dust;
^(N)Revive me according to Your word.
²⁶I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
^(O)Teach me Your statutes.
²⁷Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So ^(P)shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
²⁸^(Q)My soul ^[d]melts from ^[e]heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
²⁹Remove from me the way of lying,
And grant me Your law graciously.
³⁰I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgments I have laid before me.
³¹I cling to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!
³²I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall ^(R)enlarge my heart.

ה HE

³³^(S)Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
³⁴^(T)Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
³⁵Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
³⁶^[f]Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to ^(U)covetousness.
³⁷^(V)Turn^[g] away my eyes from ^(W)looking at worthless things,
And revive me in ^[h]Your way.
³⁸^(X)Establish Your word to Your servant,
Who is devoted to fearing You.
³⁹Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.
⁴⁰Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness.

ו WAW

⁴¹Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord—
Your salvation according to Your word.
⁴²So shall I have an answer for him who ^[i]reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.
⁴³And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
⁴⁴So shall I keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.
⁴⁵And I will walk ^[j]at ^(Y)liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
⁴⁶^(Z)I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
⁴⁷And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.
⁴⁸My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love,
And I will meditate on Your statutes.

ז ZAYIN

⁴⁹Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
⁵⁰This is my ^(AA)comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.
⁵¹The proud have me in great derision,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
⁵²I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord,
And have comforted myself.
⁵³^(AB)Indignation has taken hold of me
Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
⁵⁴Your statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
⁵⁵^(AC)I remember Your name in the night, O Lord,
And I keep Your law.
⁵⁶This has become mine,
Because I kept Your precepts.

ח HETH

⁵⁷^(AD)You are my portion, O Lord;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
⁵⁸I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
⁵⁹I ^(AE)thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
⁶⁰I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
⁶¹The cords of the wicked have bound me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
⁶²^(AF)At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
⁶³I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
⁶⁴^(AG)The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;
Teach me Your statutes.

ט TETH

⁶⁵You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.
⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and ^(AH)knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.
⁶⁷Before I was ^(AI)afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
⁶⁸You are ^(AJ)good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.
⁶⁹The proud have ^(AK)forged^[k] a lie against me,
But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
⁷⁰^(AL)Their heart is ^[l]as fat as grease,
But I delight in Your law.
⁷¹It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
⁷²^(AM)The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

י YOD

⁷³^(AN)Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
⁷⁴^(AO)Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,
Because I have hoped in Your word.
⁷⁵I know, O Lord, ^(AP)that Your judgments are ^[m]right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
⁷⁶Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant.
⁷⁷Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;
For Your law is my delight.
⁷⁸Let the proud ^(AQ)be ashamed,
For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
⁷⁹Let those who fear You turn to me,
Those who know Your testimonies.
⁸⁰Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes,
That I may not be ashamed.

כ KAPH

⁸¹^(AR)My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.
⁸²My eyes fail from searching Your word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
⁸³For ^(AS)I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
⁸⁴^(AT)How many are the days of Your servant?
^(AU)When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
⁸⁵^(AV)The proud have dug pits for me,
Which is not according to Your law.
⁸⁶All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me ^(AW)wrongfully;
Help me!
⁸⁷They almost made an end of me on earth,
But I did not forsake Your precepts.
⁸⁸Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

ל LAMED

⁸⁹^(AX)Forever, O Lord,
Your word ^[n]is settled in heaven.
⁹⁰Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You established the earth, and it ^[o]abides.
⁹¹They continue this day according to ^(AY)Your ordinances,
For all are Your servants.
⁹²Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
⁹³I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life.
⁹⁴I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.
⁹⁵The wicked wait for me to destroy me,
But I will ^[p]consider Your testimonies.
⁹⁶^(AZ)I have seen the consummation of all perfection,
But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

מ MEM

⁹⁷Oh, how I love Your law!
^(BA)It is my meditation all the day.
⁹⁸You, through Your commandments, make me ^(BB)wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers,
^(BC)For Your testimonies are my meditation.
¹⁰⁰^(BD)I understand more than the ^[q]ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.
¹⁰¹I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
¹⁰²I have not departed from Your judgments,
For You Yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³^(BE)How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

נ NUN

¹⁰⁵^(BF)Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
¹⁰⁶^(BG)I have sworn and confirmed
That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
¹⁰⁷I am afflicted very much;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
¹⁰⁸Accept, I pray, ^(BH)the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your judgments.
¹⁰⁹^(BI)My life is continually ^[r]in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.
¹¹⁰^(BJ)The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
¹¹¹^(BK)Your testimonies I have taken as a ^[s]heritage forever,
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
¹¹²I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, to the very end.

ס SAMEK

¹¹³I hate the ^[t]double-minded,
But I love Your law.
¹¹⁴^(BL)You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
¹¹⁵^(BM)Depart from me, you evildoers,
For I will keep the commandments of my God!
¹¹⁶Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live;
And do not let me ^(BN)be ashamed of my hope.
¹¹⁷^[u]Hold me up, and I shall be safe,
And I shall observe Your statutes continually.
¹¹⁸You reject all those who stray from Your statutes,
For their deceit is falsehood.
¹¹⁹You ^[v]put away all the wicked of the earth ^(BO)like ^[w]dross;
Therefore I love Your testimonies.
¹²⁰^(BP)My flesh trembles for fear of You,
And I am afraid of Your judgments.

ע AYIN

¹²¹I have done justice and righteousness;
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
¹²²Be ^(BQ)surety^[x] for Your servant for good;
Do not let the proud oppress me.
¹²³My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation
And Your righteous word.
¹²⁴Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy,
And teach me Your statutes.
¹²⁵^(BR)I am Your servant;
Give me understanding,
That I may know Your testimonies.
¹²⁶It is time for You to act, O Lord,
For they have ^[y]regarded Your law as void.
¹²⁷^(BS)Therefore I love Your commandments
More than gold, yes, than fine gold!
¹²⁸Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things
I consider to be right;
I hate every false way.

פ PE

¹²⁹Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.
¹³⁰The entrance of Your words gives light;
^(BT)It gives understanding to the ^(BU)simple.
¹³¹I opened my mouth and ^(BV)panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.
¹³²^(BW)Look upon me and be merciful to me,
^(BX)As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
¹³³^(BY)Direct my steps by Your word,
And ^(BZ)let no iniquity have dominion over me.
¹³⁴^(CA)Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts.
¹³⁵^(CB)Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.
¹³⁶^(CC)Rivers of water run down from my eyes,
Because men do not keep Your law.

צ TSADDE

¹³⁷^(CD)Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.
¹³⁸^(CE)Your testimonies, which You have commanded,
Are righteous and very faithful.
¹³⁹^(CF)My zeal has ^[z]consumed me,
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
¹⁴⁰^(CG)Your word is very ^[aa]pure;
Therefore Your servant loves it.
¹⁴¹I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
¹⁴²Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is ^(CH)truth.
¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have ^[ab]overtaken me,
Yet Your commandments are my delights.
¹⁴⁴The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;
Give me understanding, and I shall live.

ק QOPH

¹⁴⁵I cry out with my whole heart;
Hear me, O Lord!
I will keep Your statutes.
¹⁴⁶I cry out to You;
Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
¹⁴⁷^(CI)I rise before the dawning of the morning,
And cry for help;
I hope in Your word.
¹⁴⁸^(CJ)My eyes are awake through the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.
¹⁴⁹Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.
¹⁵⁰They draw near who follow after wickedness;
They are far from Your law.
¹⁵¹You are ^(CK)near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.
¹⁵²Concerning Your testimonies,
I have known of old that You have founded them ^(CL)forever.

ר RESH

¹⁵³^(CM)Consider my affliction and deliver me,
For I do not forget Your law.
¹⁵⁴^(CN)Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.
¹⁵⁶^[ac]Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord;
Revive me according to Your judgments.
¹⁵⁷Many are my persecutors and my enemies,
Yet I do not ^(CO)turn from Your testimonies.
¹⁵⁸I see the treacherous, and ^(CP)am disgusted,
Because they do not keep Your word.
¹⁵⁹Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
¹⁶⁰The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

ש SHIN

¹⁶¹^(CQ)Princes persecute me without a cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your word.
¹⁶²I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
¹⁶³I hate and abhor lying,
But I love Your law.
¹⁶⁴Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
¹⁶⁵^(CR)Great peace have those who love Your law,
And ^[ad]nothing causes them to stumble.
¹⁶⁶^(CS)Lord, I hope for Your salvation,
And I do Your commandments.
¹⁶⁷My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.
¹⁶⁸I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
^(CT)For all my ways are before You.

ת TAU

¹⁶⁹Let my cry come before You, O Lord;
^(CU)Give me understanding according to Your word.
¹⁷⁰Let my ^[ae]supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.
¹⁷¹^(CV)My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.
¹⁷²My tongue shall speak of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.
¹⁷³Let Your hand become my help,
For ^(CW)I have chosen Your precepts.
¹⁷⁴^(CX)I long for Your salvation, O Lord,
And ^(CY)Your law is my delight.
¹⁷⁵Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;
And let Your judgments help me.
¹⁷⁶^(CZ)I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.

Footnotes

Psalm 119:1 blameless
Psalm 119:15 look into
Psalm 119:20 is crushed
Psalm 119:28 Lit. drops
Psalm 119:28 grief
Psalm 119:36 Cause me to long for
Psalm 119:37 Lit. Cause my eyes to pass away from
Psalm 119:37 So with MT, LXX, Vg.; Tg. Your words
Psalm 119:42 taunts
Psalm 119:45 Lit. in a wide place
Psalm 119:69 Lit. smeared me with a lie
Psalm 119:70 Insensible
Psalm 119:75 Lit. righteous
Psalm 119:89 Lit. stands firm
Psalm 119:90 Lit. stands
Psalm 119:95 give attention to
Psalm 119:100 aged
Psalm 119:109 In danger
Psalm 119:111 inheritance
Psalm 119:113 Lit. divided in heart or mind
Psalm 119:117 Uphold me
Psalm 119:119 destroy, lit. cause to cease
Psalm 119:119 slag or refuse
Psalm 119:122 guaranty
Psalm 119:126 broken Your law
Psalm 119:139 put an end to
Psalm 119:140 Lit. refined or tried
Psalm 119:143 Lit. found
Psalm 119:156 Or Many
Psalm 119:165 Lit. they have no stumbling block
Psalm 119:170 Prayer of supplication

Psalm 119

New International Reader's Version

א Aleph

119 Blessed are those who live without blame.
    They live in keeping with the law of the Lord.
²Blessed are those who obey his covenant laws.
    They trust in him with all their hearts.
³They don’t do anything wrong.
    They live as he wants them to live.
⁴You have given me rules
    that I must obey completely.
⁵I hope I will always stand firm
    in following your orders.
⁶Then I won’t be put to shame
    when I think about all your commands.
⁷I will praise you with an honest heart
    as I learn about how fair your decisions are.
⁸I will obey your orders.
    Please don’t leave me all alone.

ב Beth

⁹How can a young person keep their life pure?
    By living according to your word.
¹⁰I trust in you with all my heart.
    Don’t let me wander away from your commands.
¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart
    so that I won’t sin against you.
¹²Lord, I give praise to you.
    Teach me your orders.
¹³With my lips I talk about
    all the decisions you have made.
¹⁴Following your covenant laws gives me joy
    just as great riches give joy to others.
¹⁵I spend time thinking about your rules.
    I consider how you want me to live.
¹⁶I take delight in your orders.
    I won’t fail to obey your word.

ג Gimel

¹⁷Be good to me while I am alive.
    Do this so that I may obey your word.
¹⁸Open my eyes so that I can see
    the wonderful truths in your law.
¹⁹I’m a stranger on earth.
    Don’t hide your commands from me.
²⁰My heart is filled with longing
    for your laws at all times.
²¹You correct proud people. They are under your curse.
    They wander away from your commands.
²²I obey your covenant laws.
    So don’t let evil people laugh at me or hate me.
²³Even if rulers sit together and tell lies about me,
    I will spend time thinking about your orders.
²⁴Your covenant laws are my delight.
    They give me wise advice.

ד Daleth

²⁵I lie in the dust. I’m about to die.
    Keep me alive as you have promised.
²⁶I told you how I’ve lived, and you gave me your answer.
    Teach me your orders.
²⁷Help me understand how your rules direct me to live.
    Then I may think deeply about the wonderful things you have done.
²⁸My sadness has worn me out.
    Give me strength as you have promised.
²⁹Keep me from cheating and telling lies.
    Be kind to me and teach me your law.
³⁰I have chosen to be faithful to you.
    I put my trust in your laws.
³¹Lord, I’m careful to obey your covenant laws.
    Don’t let me be put to shame.
³²I am quick to follow your commands,
    because you have added to my understanding.

ה He

³³Lord, teach me how your orders direct me to live.
    Then I will live that way to the very end.
³⁴Help me understand your law so that I may follow it.
    I will obey it with all my heart.
³⁵Teach me to live as you command,
    because that makes me very happy.
³⁶Make me want to follow your covenant laws
    instead of wanting to gain things only for myself.
³⁷Turn my eyes away from things that are worthless.
    Keep me alive as you have promised.
³⁸Keep your promise to me.
    Then other people will have respect for you.
³⁹Please don’t let me be put to shame.
    Your laws are good.
⁴⁰I really want to follow your rules.
    Keep me alive, because you do what is right.

ו Waw

⁴¹Lord, show me your faithful love.
    Save me as you have promised.
⁴²Then I can answer anyone who makes fun of me,
    because I trust in your word.
⁴³Help me always to tell the truth about how faithful you are.
    I have put my hope in your laws.
⁴⁴I will always obey your law,
    for ever and ever.
⁴⁵I will lead a full and happy life,
    because I’ve tried to obey your rules.
⁴⁶I will talk about your covenant laws to kings.
    I will not be put to shame.
⁴⁷I take delight in obeying your commands
    because I love them.
⁴⁸I reach out for your commands that I love.
    I do this so that I may think deeply about your orders.

ז Zayin

⁴⁹Remember what you have said to me.
    You have given me hope.
⁵⁰Even when I suffer, I am comforted
    because you promised to keep me alive.
⁵¹Proud people make fun of me without mercy.
    But I don’t turn away from your law.
⁵²Lord, I remember the laws you gave long ago.
    I find comfort in them.
⁵³I am very angry
    because evil people have turned away from your law.
⁵⁴No matter where I live,
    I sing about your orders.
⁵⁵Lord, during the night I remember who you are.
    That’s why I keep your law.
⁵⁶I have really done my best
    to obey your rules.

ח Heth

⁵⁷Lord, you are everything I need.
    I have promised to obey your words.
⁵⁸I have looked to you with all my heart.
    Be kind to me as you have promised.
⁵⁹I have thought about the way I live.
    And I have decided to follow your covenant laws.
⁶⁰I won’t waste any time.
    I will be quick to obey your commands.
⁶¹Evil people may tie me up with ropes.
    But I won’t forget to obey your law.
⁶²At midnight I get up to give you thanks
    because your decisions are very fair.
⁶³I’m a friend to everyone who has respect for you.
    I’m a friend to everyone who follows your rules.
⁶⁴Lord, the earth is filled with your love.
    Teach me your orders.

ט Teth

⁶⁵Lord, be good to me
    as you have promised.
⁶⁶Increase my knowledge and give me good sense,
    because I trust your commands.
⁶⁷Before I went through suffering, I went down the wrong path.
    But now I obey your word.
⁶⁸You are good, and what you do is good.
    Teach me your orders.
⁶⁹The lies of proud people have taken away my good name.
    But I follow your rules with all my heart.
⁷⁰Their unfeeling hearts are hard and stubborn.
    But I take delight in your law.
⁷¹It was good for me to suffer.
    That’s what helped me to understand your orders.
⁷²The law you gave is worth more to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

י Yodh

⁷³You made me and formed me with your own hands.
    Give me understanding so that I can learn your commands.
⁷⁴May those who have respect for you be filled with joy when they see me.
    I have put my hope in your word.
⁷⁵Lord, I know that your laws are right.
    You were faithful to your promise when you made me suffer.
⁷⁶May your faithful love comfort me
    as you have promised me.
⁷⁷Show me your tender love so that I can live.
    I take delight in your law.
⁷⁸May proud people be put to shame for treating me badly for no reason.
    I will think deeply about your rules.
⁷⁹May those who have respect for you come to me.
    Then I can teach them your covenant laws.
⁸⁰May I follow your orders with all my heart.
    Then I won’t be put to shame.

כ Kaph

⁸¹I deeply long for you to save me.
    I have put my hope in your word.
⁸²My eyes grow tired looking for what you have promised.
    I say, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³I’m as useless as a wineskin that smoke has dried up.
    But I don’t forget to follow your orders.
⁸⁴How long do I have to wait?
    When will you punish those who attack me?
⁸⁵Proud people do what is against your law.
    They dig pits for me to fall into.
⁸⁶All your commands can be trusted.
    Help me, because people attack me without any reason.
⁸⁷They almost wiped me off the face of the earth.
    But I have not turned away from your rules.
⁸⁸Keep me alive, because of your faithful love.
    Do this so that I may obey the covenant laws you have given.

ל Lamedh

⁸⁹Lord, your word lasts forever.
    It stands firm in the heavens.
⁹⁰You will be faithful for all time to come.
    You made the earth, and it continues to exist.
⁹¹Your laws continue to this very day,
    because all things serve you.
⁹²If I had not taken delight in your law,
    I would have died because of my suffering.
⁹³I will never forget your rules.
    You have kept me alive, because I obey them.
⁹⁴Save me, because I belong to you.
    I’ve tried to obey your rules.
⁹⁵Sinful people are waiting to destroy me.
    But I will spend time thinking about your covenant laws.
⁹⁶I’ve learned that everything has its limits.
    But your commands are perfect. They are always there when I need them.

מ Mem

⁹⁷Lord, I really love your law!
    All day long I spend time thinking about it.
⁹⁸Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
    because your commands are always in my heart.
⁹⁹I know more than all my teachers do,
    because I spend time thinking about your covenant laws.
¹⁰⁰I understand more than the elders do,
    because I obey your rules.
¹⁰¹I’ve kept my feet from every path that sinners take
    so that I might obey your word.
¹⁰²I haven’t turned away from your laws,
    because you yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³Your words are very sweet to my taste!
    They are sweeter than honey to me.
¹⁰⁴I gain understanding from your rules.
    So I hate every path that sinners take.

נ Nun

¹⁰⁵Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way.
    It is like a light that guides me.
¹⁰⁶I have made a promise
    to follow your laws, because they are right.
¹⁰⁷I have suffered very much.
    Lord, keep me alive as you have promised.
¹⁰⁸Lord, accept the praise I freely give you.
    Teach me your laws.
¹⁰⁹I keep putting my life in danger.
    But I won’t forget to obey your law.
¹¹⁰Evil people have set a trap for me.
    But I haven’t wandered away from your rules.
¹¹¹Your covenant laws are your gift to me forever.
    They fill my heart with joy.
¹¹²I have decided to obey your orders
    to the very end.

ס Samekh

¹¹³I hate people who can’t make up their minds.
    But I love your law.
¹¹⁴You are my place of safety.
    You are like a shield that keeps me safe.
    I have put my hope in your word.
¹¹⁵Get away from me, you who do evil!
    Then I can do what my God commands me to do.
¹¹⁶My God, keep me going as you have promised. Then I will live.
    Don’t let me lose all hope.
¹¹⁷Take good care of me, and I will be saved.
    I will always honor your orders.
¹¹⁸You turn your back on all those who wander away from your orders.
    Their wrong thoughts will be proved to be wrong.
¹¹⁹You throw away all the sinners on earth as if they were trash.
    So I love your covenant laws.
¹²⁰My body trembles because I have respect for you.
    I have great respect for your laws.

ע Ayin

¹²¹I have done what is right and fair.
    So don’t leave me to those who treat me badly.
¹²²Make sure that everything goes well with me.
    Don’t let proud people treat me badly.
¹²³My eyes grow tired as I look to you to save me.
    Please save me as you have promised.
¹²⁴Be good to me, because you love me.
    Teach me your orders.
¹²⁵I serve you, so help me to understand what is right.
    Then I will understand your covenant laws.
¹²⁶Lord, it’s time for you to act.
    People are breaking your law.
¹²⁷I love your commands more than gold.
    I love them more than pure gold.
¹²⁸I consider all your rules to be right.
    So I hate every path that sinners take.

פ Pe

¹²⁹Your covenant laws are wonderful.
    So I obey them.
¹³⁰When your words are made clear, they bring light.
    They bring understanding to childish people.
¹³¹I open my mouth and pant like a dog,
    because I long to know your commands.
¹³²Turn to me and have mercy on me.
    That’s what you’ve always done for those who love you.
¹³³Teach me how to live as you have promised.
    Don’t let any sin be my master.
¹³⁴Set me free from people who treat me badly.
    Then I will obey your rules.
¹³⁵Have mercy on me.
    Teach me your orders.
¹³⁶Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
    because people don’t obey your law.

צ Tsadhe

¹³⁷Lord, you do what is fair.
    And your laws are right.
¹³⁸The laws you have made are fair.
    They can be completely trusted.
¹³⁹My anger is wearing me out,
    because my enemies don’t pay any attention to your words.
¹⁴⁰Your promises have proved to be true.
    I love them.
¹⁴¹I’m not important. People look down on me.
    But I don’t forget to obey your rules.
¹⁴²You always do what is right.
    And your law is true.
¹⁴³I’ve had my share of trouble and suffering.
    But your commands give me delight.
¹⁴⁴Your covenant laws are always right.
    Help me to understand them. Then I will live.

ק Qoph

¹⁴⁵Lord, I call out to you with all my heart.
    Answer me, and I will obey your orders.
¹⁴⁶I call out to you.
    Save me, and I will keep your covenant laws.
¹⁴⁷I get up before the sun rises. I cry out for help.
    I’ve put my hope in your word.
¹⁴⁸My eyes stay open all night long.
    I spend my time thinking about your promises.
¹⁴⁹Listen to me, because you love me.
    Lord, keep me alive as you have promised.
¹⁵⁰Those who think up evil plans are near.
    They have wandered far away from your law.
¹⁵¹But Lord, you are near.
    All your commands are true.
¹⁵²Long ago I learned from your covenant laws
    that you made them to last forever.

ר Resh

¹⁵³Look at how I’m suffering!
    Save me, because I haven’t forgotten to obey your law.
¹⁵⁴Stand up for me and set me free.
    Keep me alive as you have promised.
¹⁵⁵Those who are evil are far from being saved.
    They don’t want to obey your orders.
¹⁵⁶Lord, you have deep concern for me.
    Keep me alive as you have promised.
¹⁵⁷Many enemies attack me.
    But I haven’t turned away from your covenant laws.
¹⁵⁸I get very angry when I see people who aren’t faithful to you.
    They don’t obey your word.
¹⁵⁹See how I love your rules!
    Lord, keep me alive, because you love me.
¹⁶⁰All your words are true.
    All your laws are right. They last forever.

ש Sin and Shin

¹⁶¹Rulers attack me for no reason.
    But I tremble because of your word.
¹⁶²I’m filled with joy because of your promise.
    It’s like finding a great fortune.
¹⁶³I hate lies with a deep hatred.
    But I love your law.
¹⁶⁴Seven times a day I praise you
    for your laws, because they are right.
¹⁶⁵Those who love your law enjoy great peace.
    Nothing can make them trip and fall.
¹⁶⁶Lord, I wait for you to save me.
    I follow your commands.
¹⁶⁷I obey your covenant laws,
    because I love them greatly.
¹⁶⁸I obey your rules and your covenant laws,
    because you know all about how I live.

ת Taw

¹⁶⁹Lord, may you hear my cry.
    Give me understanding, just as you said you would.
¹⁷⁰May you hear my prayer.
    Save me, just as you promised.
¹⁷¹May my lips pour out praise to you,
    because you teach me your orders.
¹⁷²May my tongue sing about your word,
    because all your commands are right.
¹⁷³May your hand be ready to help me,
    because I have chosen to obey your rules.
¹⁷⁴Lord, I long for you to save me.
    Your law gives me delight.
¹⁷⁵Let me live so that I can praise you.
    May your laws keep me going.
¹⁷⁶Like a lost sheep, I’ve gone down the wrong path.
    Come and look for me,
    because I haven’t forgotten to obey your commands.

New King James Version (NKJV)

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

Psalm 119 New King James Version