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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Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant(A) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud(B) and that they all passed through the sea.(C) They were all baptized into(D) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food(E) and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock(F) that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.(G)

Now these things occurred as examples(H) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters,(I) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[a](J) We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.(K) We should not test Christ,[b](L) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.(M) 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did(N)—and were killed(O) by the destroying angel.(P)

11 These things happened to them as examples(Q) and were written down as warnings for us,(R) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.(S) 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,(T) be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;(U) he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear.(V) But when you are tempted,[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

14 Therefore, my dear friends,(W) flee from idolatry.(X) 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break(Y) a participation in the body of Christ?(Z) 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,(AA) for we all share the one loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices(AB) participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(AC) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(AD) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.(AE) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(AF) Are we stronger than he?(AG)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(AH) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(AI)

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(AJ) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[f](AK)

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(AL) without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.(AM) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(AN) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(AO)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(AP) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(AQ) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(AR) 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(AS) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(AT) so that they may be saved.(AU)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1

10 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.