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Psalm 111
New English Translation

Psalm 111[a]

111 Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
in the assembly of the godly and the congregation.
2 The Lord’s deeds are great,
eagerly awaited[b] by all who desire them.
3 His work is majestic and glorious,[c]
and his faithfulness endures[d] forever.
4 He does[e] amazing things that will be remembered;[f]
the Lord is merciful and compassionate.
5 He gives[g] food to his faithful followers;[h]
he always remembers his covenant.[i]
6 He announced that he would do mighty deeds for his people,
giving them a land that belonged to other nations.[j]
7 His acts are characterized by[k] faithfulness and justice;
all his precepts are reliable.[l]
8 They are forever firm,
and should be faithfully and properly carried out.[m]
9 He delivered his people;[n]
he ordained that his covenant be observed forever.[o]
His name is holy and awesome.
10 To obey the Lord is the fundamental principle for wise living;[p]
all who carry out his precepts acquire good moral insight.[q]
He will receive praise forever.[r]

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 111:1 sn Psalm 111. The psalmist praises God for his marvelous deeds, especially the way in which he provides for and delivers his people. The psalm is an acrostic. After the introductory call to praise, every poetic line (twenty-two in all) begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
  2. Psalm 111:2 tn Heb “sought out.”
  3. Psalm 111:3 tn For other uses of the Hebrew phrase וְהָדָרהוֹד (hod vehadar, “majesty and splendor”) see 1 Chr 16:27; Job 40:10; Pss 21:5; 96:6; 104:1.
  4. Psalm 111:3 tn Or “stands.”
  5. Psalm 111:4 tn Or “did,” if this refers primarily to the events of the exodus and conquest period (see vv. 6, 9).
  6. Psalm 111:4 tn Heb “a memorial he had made for his amazing deeds.”
  7. Psalm 111:5 tn Or “gave,” if the events of the exodus and conquest period (see v. 6, 9) are primarily in view.
  8. Psalm 111:5 tn Heb “those who fear him.”
  9. Psalm 111:5 tn Or “he remembers his covenant forever” (see Ps 105:8).
  10. Psalm 111:6 tn Heb “the strength of his deeds he proclaimed to his people, to give to them an inheritance of nations.”
  11. Psalm 111:7 tn Heb “the deeds of his hands [are].”
  12. Psalm 111:7 tn That is, fair and for man’s good.
  13. Psalm 111:8 tn Heb “done in faithfulness and uprightness.” The passive participle probably has the force of a gerund. See L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 89.
  14. Psalm 111:9 tn Heb “redemption he sent for his people.”
  15. Psalm 111:9 tn Heb “he commanded forever his covenant.”
  16. Psalm 111:10 tn Heb “the beginning of wisdom [is] the fear of the Lord.”
  17. Psalm 111:10 tn Heb “good sense [is] to all who do them.” The third masculine plural pronominal suffix must refer back to the “precepts” mentioned in v. 7. In the translation the referent has been specified for clarity. The phrase שֵׂכֶל טוֹב (sekhel tov) also occurs in Prov 3:4; 13:15 and 2 Chr 30:22.
  18. Psalm 111:10 tn Heb “his praise stands forever.”
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Psalm 110
Psalm 112
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Psalm 112
New English Translation

Psalm 112[a]

112 Praise the Lord!
How blessed is the one[b] who obeys[c] the Lord,
who takes great delight in keeping his commands.[d]
2 His descendants[e] will be powerful on the earth;
the godly[f] will be blessed.
3 His house contains wealth and riches;
his integrity endures.[g]
4 In the darkness a light[h] shines for the godly,
for each one who is merciful, compassionate, and just.[i]
5 It goes well for the one[j] who generously lends money,
and conducts his business honestly.[k]
6 For he will never be shaken;
others will always remember one who is just.[l]
7 He does not fear bad news.
He[m] is confident; he trusts in the Lord.
8 His resolve[n] is firm; he will not succumb to fear
before he looks in triumph on his enemies.
9 He generously gives[o] to the needy;
his integrity endures.[p]
He will be vindicated and honored.[q]
10 When the wicked[r] see this, they will worry;
they will grind their teeth in frustration[s] and melt away.
The desire of the wicked will perish.[t]

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 112:1 sn Psalm 112. This wisdom psalm lists some of the benefits of living a godly life. The psalm is an acrostic. After the introductory call to praise, every poetic line (twenty-two in all) begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
  2. Psalm 112:1 tn Heb “[Oh] the happiness [of] the man.” Hebrew wisdom literature often assumes and reflects the male-oriented perspective of ancient Israelite society. The individual is representative of a larger group, called the “godly” in vv. 3-4. The principle of the psalm is certainly applicable to all people, regardless of their gender. To facilitate modern application, we translate the gender specific “man” with the more neutral “one.” The generic masculine pronoun is used in the following verses.
  3. Psalm 112:1 tn Heb “fears.”
  4. Psalm 112:1 tn Heb “in his commands he delights very much.” The words “in keeping” are supplied in the translation for clarification. Taking delight in the law is metonymic here for obeying God’s moral will. See Ps 1:2.
  5. Psalm 112:2 tn Or “offspring”; Heb “seed.”
  6. Psalm 112:2 tn Heb “His seed will be mighty on the earth, the generation of the godly.” The Hebrew term דוֹר (dor, “generation”) could be taken as parallel to “offspring” and translated “posterity,” but the singular more likely refers to the godly as a class. See BDB 189-90 s.v. for other examples where “generation” refers to a class of people.
  7. Psalm 112:3 tn Heb “stands forever.”
  8. Psalm 112:4 tn In this context “light” symbolizes divine blessing in its various forms (see v. 2), including material prosperity and stability.
  9. Psalm 112:4 tn Heb “merciful and compassionate and just.” The Hebrew text has three singular adjectives, which are probably substantival and in apposition to the “godly” (which is plural, however). By switching to the singular, the psalmist focuses on each individual member of the group known as the “godly.” Note how vv. 5-9, like vv. 1-2a, use the singular to describe the representative godly individual who typifies the whole group.
  10. Psalm 112:5 tn Heb “man.”
  11. Psalm 112:5 tn Heb “he sustains his matters with justice.”
  12. Psalm 112:6 tn Heb “for an eternal memorial a just [one] will be.”
  13. Psalm 112:7 tn Heb “his heart,” viewed here as the seat of the volition and emotions (see Ps 108:1).
  14. Psalm 112:8 tn Heb “his heart,” viewed here as the seat of the volition.
  15. Psalm 112:9 tn Heb “he scatters, he gives.”
  16. Psalm 112:9 tn Heb “stands forever.”
  17. Psalm 112:9 tn Heb “his horn will be lifted up in honor.” The horn of an ox underlies the metaphor (see Deut 33:17; 1 Kgs 22:11; Ps 92:10). The horn of the wild ox is frequently a metaphor for military strength; the idiom “exalt/lift up the horn” signifies military victory (see 1 Sam 2:10; Pss 89:17, 24; 92:10; Lam 2:17).
  18. Psalm 112:10 tn The Hebrew text uses the singular; the representative wicked individual is in view as typifying the group (note the use of the plural form in v. 10).
  19. Psalm 112:10 tn Heb “his teeth he will gnash.” In Pss 35:16 and 37:12 this action is associated with a vicious attack.
  20. Psalm 112:10 tn This could mean that the desires of the wicked will go unfulfilled. Another possibility is that “desire” refers by metonymy to the object desired and acquired. In this case the point is that the wicked will lose what they desired so badly and acquired by evil means (see Ps 10:3).
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Psalm 111
Psalm 113
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Psalm 117
New English Translation

Psalm 117[a]

117 Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Applaud him, all you foreigners.[b]
2 For his loyal love towers[c] over us,
and the Lord’s faithfulness endures.
Praise the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 117:1 sn Psalm 117. The psalmist tells the nations to praise the Lord for his loyal love and faithfulness.
  2. Psalm 117:1 tn Or “peoples” (see Ps 108:3).
  3. Psalm 117:2 tn For this sense of the Hebrew verb גָּבַר (gavar), see Ps 103:11 and L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 17, 19.
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Psalm 116
Psalm 118
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Psalm 119:1-72
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]

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Footnotes

  1. 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.
  2. Psalm 119:1 tn Heb “[Oh] the happiness of those who are blameless of way.”
  3. Psalm 119:1 tn Heb “walk in.”
  4. Psalm 119:3 tn Heb “walk in his ways.”
  5. Psalm 119:4 tn Heb “you, you commanded your precepts, to keep, very much.”
  6. Psalm 119:5 tn Heb “if only my ways were established.”
  7. Psalm 119:6 tn Or “when.”
  8. Psalm 119:6 tn Heb “I gaze at.”
  9. Psalm 119:7 tn Heb “I will give you thanks with an upright heart.”
  10. 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.
  11. 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.”
  12. Psalm 119:9 tn Heb “purify his path.”
  13. 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.”
  14. Psalm 119:11 tn Or “hide.”
  15. Psalm 119:11 tn Heb “your word.” Some medieval Hebrew mss as well as the LXX read the plural, “your words.”
  16. Psalm 119:12 tn Heb “[are] blessed.”
  17. Psalm 119:13 tn Heb “of your mouth.”
  18. Psalm 119:14 tn Heb “in the way of your rules.”
  19. Psalm 119:14 tn Heb “as upon,” meaning “as if” (see 2 Chr 32:19).
  20. 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.
  21. Psalm 119:15 tn The cohortative verbal forms in this verse express the psalmist’s resolve.
  22. Psalm 119:15 tn Heb “gaze [at].”
  23. Psalm 119:15 tn Heb “ways” (referring figuratively to God’s behavior here).
  24. 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.”
  25. Psalm 119:16 tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss as well as the LXX read the plural here.
  26. Psalm 119:17 tn The prefixed verbal form is probably a cohortative indicating purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
  27. Psalm 119:17 tn The cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the imperative that begins the verse.
  28. Psalm 119:17 tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss as well as several ancient versions read the plural here.
  29. Psalm 119:18 tn Heb “uncover.” The verb form גַּל (gal) is an apocopated Piel imperative from גָּלָה (galah, see GKC 214 §75.cc).
  30. Psalm 119:18 tn The cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
  31. 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.
  32. Psalm 119:20 tn Heb “my soul languishes for longing for.”
  33. 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.
  34. 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).
  35. 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.)
  36. 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.
  37. 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).
  38. Psalm 119:25 tn Heb “according to your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural “your words.”
  39. Psalm 119:26 tn Heb “my ways I proclaimed.”
  40. Psalm 119:27 tn Heb “the way of your precepts make me understand.”
  41. Psalm 119:27 tn The cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
  42. Psalm 119:27 tn Heb “your amazing things,” which refers here to the teachings of the law (see v. 18).
  43. 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.
  44. Psalm 119:28 tn Heb “according to your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural “your words.”
  45. 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.
  46. 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.)
  47. 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).
  48. Psalm 119:31 tn Or “cling to.”
  49. 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.
  50. Psalm 119:33 tn Heb “the way of your statutes.”
  51. 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.”
  52. Psalm 119:34 tn The two prefixed verbal forms with vav (ו) conjunctive indicate purpose/result after the introductory imperative.
  53. Psalm 119:35 tn Or “make me walk.”
  54. Psalm 119:35 tn Heb “for in it I delight.”
  55. Psalm 119:36 tn Heb “turn my heart to your rules.”
  56. Psalm 119:36 tn Heb “and not unjust gain.”
  57. Psalm 119:37 tn Heb “Make my eyes pass by from looking at what is worthless.”
  58. Psalm 119:37 tn Heb “by your word.”
  59. Psalm 119:38 tn Heb “word.”
  60. Psalm 119:38 tn Heb “which [is] for your fear,” that is, the promise made to those who exhibit fear of God.
  61. Psalm 119:39 tn Heb “my reproach that I fear.”
  62. Psalm 119:39 tn Or “for.”
  63. Psalm 119:40 tn Or “righteousness.”
  64. Psalm 119:41 tn Heb “and may your loyal love come to me.”
  65. Psalm 119:41 tn Or “salvation” (so many English versions).
  66. Psalm 119:41 tn Heb “according to your word.”
  67. 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).
  68. 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.
  69. Psalm 119:44 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the negated jussive (see v. 43).
  70. Psalm 119:44 tn Or “forever and ever.”
  71. 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.”
  72. 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.
  73. 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).
  74. 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.
  75. 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.
  76. Psalm 119:51 tn Heb “scoff at me to excess.”
  77. 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.”
  78. Psalm 119:52 tn Or “find comfort.”
  79. Psalm 119:54 tn Heb “songs were your statutes to me.”
  80. 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).
  81. Psalm 119:55 tn The cohortative verbal form expresses the psalmist’s resolve to obey the law.
  82. 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.”
  83. 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).
  84. Psalm 119:57 tn Heb “I said.”
  85. Psalm 119:57 tn Heb “to keep your words” (see v. 9).
  86. Psalm 119:58 tn Heb “I appease your face.”
  87. Psalm 119:58 tn Heb “according to your word.”
  88. Psalm 119:59 tn Heb “my ways.”
  89. Psalm 119:59 tn Heb “and I turn my feet toward.”
  90. Psalm 119:60 tn Heb “I hurry and I do not delay to keep your commands.”
  91. Psalm 119:61 tn Heb “surround.”
  92. Psalm 119:62 tn The psalmist uses an imperfect verbal form to emphasize that this is his continuing practice.
  93. Psalm 119:63 tn Heb “to all who fear you.”
  94. Psalm 119:65 tn Heb “do good.”
  95. Psalm 119:65 tn Heb “according to your word.”
  96. Psalm 119:66 tn Heb “goodness of taste.” Here “taste” refers to moral and ethical discernment.
  97. Psalm 119:66 tn Heb “for I believe in your commands.”
  98. Psalm 119:67 tn Heb “before I suffered, I was straying off.”
  99. Psalm 119:67 tn Heb “your word.”
  100. Psalm 119:69 tn Heb “smear over me a lie.”
  101. Psalm 119:70 tn Heb “their heart is insensitive like fat.”
  102. Psalm 119:72 tn Heb “better to me [is] the law of your mouth than thousands of gold and silver.”
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