ל Lamedh

89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;(A)
    it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness(B) continues through all generations;(C)
    you established the earth, and it endures.(D)
91 Your laws endure(E) to this day,
    for all things serve you.(F)
92 If your law had not been my delight,(G)
    I would have perished in my affliction.(H)
93 I will never forget(I) your precepts,
    for by them you have preserved my life.(J)
94 Save me,(K) for I am yours;
    I have sought out your precepts.(L)
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,(M)
    but I will ponder your statutes.(N)
96 To all perfection I see a limit,
    but your commands are boundless.(O)

מ Mem

97 Oh, how I love your law!(P)
    I meditate(Q) on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
    and make me wiser(R) than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
    for I meditate on your statutes.(S)
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
    for I obey your precepts.(T)
101 I have kept my feet(U) from every evil path
    so that I might obey your word.(V)
102 I have not departed from your laws,(W)
    for you yourself have taught(X) me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey(Y) to my mouth!(Z)
104 I gain understanding(AA) from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every wrong path.(AB)

נ Nun

105 Your word is a lamp(AC) for my feet,
    a light(AD) on my path.
106 I have taken an oath(AE) and confirmed it,
    that I will follow your righteous laws.(AF)
107 I have suffered much;
    preserve my life,(AG) Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,(AH)
    and teach me your laws.(AI)
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,(AJ)
    I will not forget(AK) your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare(AL) for me,
    but I have not strayed(AM) from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
    they are the joy of my heart.(AN)
112 My heart is set(AO) on keeping your decrees
    to the very end.[a](AP)

ס Samekh

113 I hate double-minded people,(AQ)
    but I love your law.(AR)
114 You are my refuge and my shield;(AS)
    I have put my hope(AT) in your word.
115 Away from me,(AU) you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me,(AV) my God, according to your promise,(AW) and I will live;
    do not let my hopes be dashed.(AX)
117 Uphold me,(AY) and I will be delivered;(AZ)
    I will always have regard for your decrees.(BA)
118 You reject all who stray(BB) from your decrees,
    for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;(BC)
    therefore I love your statutes.(BD)
120 My flesh trembles(BE) in fear of you;(BF)
    I stand in awe(BG) of your laws.

ע Ayin

121 I have done what is righteous and just;(BH)
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;(BI)
    do not let the arrogant oppress me.(BJ)
123 My eyes fail,(BK) looking for your salvation,(BL)
    looking for your righteous promise.(BM)
124 Deal with your servant according to your love(BN)
    and teach me your decrees.(BO)
125 I am your servant;(BP) give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.(BQ)
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
    your law is being broken.(BR)
127 Because I love your commands(BS)
    more than gold,(BT) more than pure gold,(BU)
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,(BV)
    I hate every wrong path.(BW)

פ Pe

129 Your statutes are wonderful;(BX)
    therefore I obey them.(BY)
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;(BZ)
    it gives understanding to the simple.(CA)
131 I open my mouth and pant,(CB)
    longing for your commands.(CC)
132 Turn to me(CD) and have mercy(CE) on me,
    as you always do to those who love your name.(CF)
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;(CG)
    let no sin rule(CH) over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,(CI)
    that I may obey your precepts.(CJ)
135 Make your face shine(CK) on your servant
    and teach me your decrees.(CL)
136 Streams of tears(CM) flow from my eyes,
    for your law is not obeyed.(CN)

צ Tsadhe

137 You are righteous,(CO) Lord,
    and your laws are right.(CP)
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;(CQ)
    they are fully trustworthy.(CR)
139 My zeal wears me out,(CS)
    for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises(CT) have been thoroughly tested,(CU)
    and your servant loves them.(CV)
141 Though I am lowly and despised,(CW)
    I do not forget your precepts.(CX)
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
    and your law is true.(CY)
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands give me delight.(CZ)
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
    give me understanding(DA) that I may live.

ק Qoph

145 I call with all my heart;(DB) answer me, Lord,
    and I will obey your decrees.(DC)
146 I call out to you; save me(DD)
    and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn(DE) and cry for help;
    I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,(DF)
    that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice(DG) in accordance with your love;(DH)
    preserve my life,(DI) Lord, according to your laws.
150 Those who devise wicked schemes(DJ) are near,
    but they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near,(DK) Lord,
    and all your commands are true.(DL)
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes(DM)
    that you established them to last forever.(DN)

ר Resh

153 Look on my suffering(DO) and deliver me,(DP)
    for I have not forgotten(DQ) your law.
154 Defend my cause(DR) and redeem me;(DS)
    preserve my life(DT) according to your promise.(DU)
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek out(DV) your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;(DW)
    preserve my life(DX) according to your laws.(DY)
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,(DZ)
    but I have not turned(EA) from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,(EB)
    for they do not obey your word.(EC)
159 See how I love your precepts;
    preserve my life,(ED) Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.(EE)

ש Sin and Shin

161 Rulers persecute me(EF) without cause,
    but my heart trembles(EG) at your word.
162 I rejoice(EH) in your promise
    like one who finds great spoil.(EI)
163 I hate and detest(EJ) falsehood
    but I love your law.(EK)
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous laws.(EL)
165 Great peace(EM) have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.(EN)
166 I wait for your salvation,(EO) Lord,
    and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
    for I love them(EP) greatly.
168 I obey your precepts(EQ) and your statutes,(ER)
    for all my ways are known(ES) to you.

ת Taw

169 May my cry come(ET) before you, Lord;
    give me understanding(EU) according to your word.(EV)
170 May my supplication come(EW) before you;
    deliver me(EX) according to your promise.(EY)
171 May my lips overflow with praise,(EZ)
    for you teach me(FA) your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing(FB) of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.(FC)
173 May your hand be ready to help(FD) me,
    for I have chosen(FE) your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation,(FF) Lord,
    and your law gives me delight.(FG)
175 Let me live(FH) that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.(FI)
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten(FJ) your commands.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:112 Or decrees / for their enduring reward

89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

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

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

96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.

108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.

109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

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

126 It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.

127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

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

132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

137 Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments.

138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes.

146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment.

150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.

151 Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth.

152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to thy judgments.

157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.

160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

166 Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.

170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

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

175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

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Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

Now about food sacrificed to idols:(A) We know that “We all possess knowledge.”(B) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something(C) do not yet know as they ought to know.(D) But whoever loves God is known by God.[a](E)

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols:(F) We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world”(G) and that “There is no God but one.”(H) For even if there are so-called gods,(I) whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God,(J) the Father,(K) from whom all things came(L) and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord,(M) Jesus Christ, through whom all things came(N) and through whom we live.

But not everyone possesses this knowledge.(O) Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak,(P) it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God;(Q) we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block(R) to the weak.(S) 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?(T) 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed(U) by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them(V) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.(W) 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.(X)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 8:3 An early manuscript and another ancient witness think they have knowledge do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves truly knows.

Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.