Psalm 119
Legacy Standard Bible
I Love Your Law, O Yahweh
Aleph
119 How blessed are those whose way is [a](A)blameless,
Who (B)walk in the law of Yahweh.
2 How blessed are those who (C)observe His testimonies,
They (D)seek Him (E)with all their heart.
3 They also do not (F)work unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
4 You have (G)commanded us,
To keep Your precepts [b]diligently.
5 Oh may my (H)ways be established
To (I)keep Your statutes!
6 Then I (J)shall not be ashamed
When I look [c]upon all Your commandments.
7 I shall (K)give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not (L)forsake me utterly!
Beth
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By (M)keeping it according to Your word.
10 With (N)all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me (O)stray from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have (P)treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Yahweh;
(Q)Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have (R)recounted
All the (S)judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have (T)rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
[d]As much as in all riches.
15 I will (U)muse upon Your precepts
And look upon (V)Your ways.
16 I shall [e](W)delight in Your statutes;
I shall (X)not forget Your word.
Gimel
17 (Y)Deal bountifully with Your slave,
That I may live and keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law.
19 I am a (Z)sojourner in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 My soul is crushed [f](AA)with longing
For Your judgments at all times.
21 You (AB)rebuke the arrogant, [g]the (AC)cursed,
Who (AD)stray from Your commandments.
22 (AE)Take away reproach and contempt from me,
For I (AF)observe Your testimonies.
23 Even though (AG)princes sit and talk against me,
Your slave (AH)muses on Your statutes.
24 Your testimonies also are my (AI)delight;
They are [h]my counselors.
Daleth
25 My (AJ)soul clings to the dust;
(AK)Revive me (AL)according to Your word.
26 I have recounted my ways, and You have answered me;
(AM)Teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
So I will (AN)muse on Your wondrous deeds.
28 My (AO)soul [i]weeps because of grief;
(AP)Raise me up according to Your word.
29 Remove the false way from me,
And graciously grant me Your law.
30 I have chosen the faithful way;
I have [j]placed Your judgments before me.
31 I (AQ)cling to Your testimonies;
O Yahweh, do not put me to shame!
32 I shall run the way of Your commandments,
For You will (AR)enlarge my heart.
He
33 (AS)Instruct me, O Yahweh, in the way of Your statutes,
That I may observe it to the end.
34 (AT)Cause me to understand, that I may (AU)observe Your law
And keep it (AV)with all my heart.
35 Cause me to walk in the (AW)path of Your commandments,
For I (AX)delight in it.
36 (AY)Cause my heart to incline to Your testimonies
And not to (AZ)dishonest gain.
37 Cause my (BA)eyes to turn away from looking at worthlessness,
And (BB)revive me in Your ways.
38 (BC)Cause Your [k]word to be established for Your slave,
[l]As that which produces fear for You.
39 (BD)Cause my reproach which I dread to pass away,
For Your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I (BE)long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness.
Vav
41 May Your (BF)lovingkindnesses also come to me, O Yahweh,
Your salvation (BG)according to Your [m]word;
42 So I will have an (BH)answer for him who (BI)reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.
43 And do not take away the word of truth utterly from my mouth,
For I [n](BJ)wait for Your judgments.
44 So I will (BK)keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.
45 And I will (BL)walk in a wide place,
For I (BM)seek Your precepts.
46 I will also speak of Your testimonies (BN)before kings
And I shall not be ashamed.
47 I shall [o](BO)delight in Your commandments,
Which I (BP)love.
48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
Which I (BQ)love;
And I will (BR)muse on Your statutes.
Zayin
49 Remember the word to Your slave,
[p]In which You have made me wait.
50 This is my (BS)comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has [q]revived me.
51 The arrogant (BT)utterly scoff at me,
Yet I do not (BU)turn aside from Your law.
52 I have (BV)remembered Your judgments from [r]of old, O Yahweh,
And comfort myself.
53 Burning (BW)indignation has seized me because of the wicked,
Who (BX)forsake Your law.
54 Your statutes have become my songs
In the house of my (BY)sojourning.
55 I (BZ)remember (CA)in the night Your name, O Yahweh,
So I keep Your law.
56 This has become mine,
[s]That I (CB)observe Your precepts.
Heth
57 Yahweh is my (CC)portion;
I have [t]promised to (CD)keep Your words.
58 I have (CE)sought to please Your face (CF)with all my heart;
(CG)Be gracious to me (CH)according to Your [u]word.
59 I (CI)thought upon my ways
And I turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I hastened and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61 The (CJ)cords of the wicked have encircled me,
But I have (CK)not forgotten Your law.
62 At (CL)midnight I shall rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your (CM)righteous judgments.
63 I am a (CN)companion of all those who [v]fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 (CO)The earth, O Yahweh, is full of Your lovingkindness;
(CP)Teach me Your statutes.
Teth
65 You have dealt well with Your slave,
O Yahweh, according to Your word.
66 Teach me good [w](CQ)discernment and knowledge,
For I believe in Your commandments.
67 (CR)Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
68 You are (CS)good and (CT)do good;
(CU)Teach me Your statutes.
69 The arrogant have (CV)smeared me with lying;
With all my heart I will (CW)observe Your precepts.
70 Their heart is [x](CX)covered with fat,
But I (CY)delight in Your law.
71 It is (CZ)good for me that I was afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
72 The (DA)law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Yodh
73 (DB)Your hands made me and established me;
(DC)Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 May those who [y]fear You (DD)see me and be glad,
Because I [z](DE)wait for Your word.
75 I know, O Yahweh, that Your judgments are (DF)righteous,
And that (DG)in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 Oh may Your lovingkindness [aa]comfort me,
According to Your [ab]word to Your slave.
77 May (DH)Your compassion come to me that I may live,
For Your law is my (DI)delight.
78 May (DJ)the arrogant be ashamed, for they wrong me (DK)with lying;
But I shall (DL)muse on Your precepts.
79 May those who [ac]fear You turn to me,
And those who know Your testimonies.
80 May my heart be [ad](DM)blameless in Your statutes,
So that I will not (DN)be ashamed.
Kaph
81 My (DO)soul fails with longing for Your salvation;
I [ae](DP)wait for Your word.
82 My (DQ)eyes fail with longing for Your [af]word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
83 For I (DR)am like a wineskin in the smoke,
But I do (DS)not forget Your statutes.
84 How many are the (DT)days of Your slave?
When will You (DU)execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The arrogant have (DV)dug pits for me,
Men who are not [ag]in accord with Your law.
86 All Your commandments are (DW)faithful;
They have (DX)persecuted me with lying; (DY)help me!
87 They almost made an end of me on the earth,
But as for me, I (DZ)did not forsake Your precepts.
88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.
Lamedh
89 (EA)Forever, O Yahweh,
Your word stands firm in heaven.
90 Your (EB)faithfulness endures [ah]from generation to generation;
You (EC)established the earth, and it (ED)stands.
91 They stand this day according to Your (EE)judgments,
For (EF)all things are Your slaves.
92 If Your law had not been my (EG)delight,
Then I would have perished (EH)in my affliction.
93 I will (EI)never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have [ai](EJ)revived me.
94 I am Yours, (EK)save me;
For I have (EL)sought Your precepts.
95 The wicked (EM)hope for me—to destroy me;
I shall perceive Your testimonies.
96 I have seen [aj]a limit to all perfection;
Your commandment is exceedingly broad.
Mem
97 Oh how I (EN)love Your law!
It is my (EO)meditation all the day.
98 Your (EP)commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For they are [ak]mine forever.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my (EQ)meditation.
100 I perceive (ER)more than the aged,
Because I have (ES)observed Your precepts.
101 I have (ET)restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
102 I have not (EU)turned aside from Your judgments,
For You Yourself have taught me.
103 How (EV)sweet is Your [al]word to my [am]taste!
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 From Your precepts I (EW)get perception;
Therefore I (EX)hate every false way.
Nun
105 Your word is a (EY)lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
106 I have (EZ)sworn and I have confirmed,
To keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am exceedingly (FA)afflicted;
O Yahweh, [an](FB)revive me according to Your word.
108 Oh be pleased with the (FC)freewill offerings of my mouth, O Yahweh,
And (FD)teach me Your judgments.
109 My (FE)soul is continually [ao]in my hand,
Yet I do not (FF)forget Your law.
110 The wicked have (FG)laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not (FH)wandered from Your precepts.
111 I have (FI)inherited Your testimonies forever,
For they are the (FJ)joy of my heart.
112 I have (FK)inclined my heart to do Your statutes
Forever, (FL)to the end.
Samekh
113 I hate those who are (FM)double-minded,
But I love Your (FN)law.
114 You are my (FO)hiding place and my (FP)shield;
I [ap](FQ)wait for Your word.
115 (FR)Depart from me, evildoers,
That I may (FS)observe the commandments of my God.
116 (FT)Sustain me according to Your [aq]word, that I may live;
And (FU)do not put me to shame because of my hope.
117 Uphold me that I may be (FV)saved,
That I may (FW)have regard for Your statutes continually.
118 You have [ar]rejected all those (FX)who stray from Your statutes,
For their deceitfulness is a lie.
119 You [as]remove all the wicked of the earth like (FY)dross;
Therefore I (FZ)love Your testimonies.
120 My flesh [at](GA)quakes for dread of You,
And I am (GB)afraid of Your judgments.
Ayin
121 I have (GC)done justice and righteousness;
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Be for Your slave a (GD)guarantee for good;
Do not let the arrogant (GE)oppress me.
123 My (GF)eyes fail with longing for Your salvation
And for Your righteous [au]word.
124 Deal with Your slave (GG)according to Your lovingkindness
And (GH)teach me Your statutes.
125 (GI)I am Your slave; (GJ)give me understanding,
That I may know Your testimonies.
126 It is time for Yahweh to (GK)act,
For they have broken Your law.
127 Therefore I (GL)love Your commandments
Above gold, even above fine gold.
128 Therefore I deem all Your (GM)precepts concerning everything to be right,
I (GN)hate every false way.
Pe
129 Your testimonies are (GO)wonderful;
Therefore my soul (GP)observes them.
130 The (GQ)unfolding of Your words gives light;
It gives (GR)understanding to the simple.
131 I (GS)opened my mouth wide and (GT)panted,
For I (GU)longed for Your commandments.
132 (GV)Turn to me and be gracious to me,
According to Your judgment [av]for those who love Your name.
133 Establish my (GW)steps in Your [aw]word,
And do not let any wickedness (GX)overpower me.
134 (GY)Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts.
135 (GZ)Make Your face shine upon Your slave,
And (HA)teach me Your statutes.
136 My eyes [ax]shed (HB)streams of water,
Because they (HC)do not keep Your law.
Tsadhe
137 (HD)Righteous are You, O Yahweh,
And upright are Your judgments.
138 In (HE)righteousness, You have commanded Your testimonies
And in exceeding (HF)faithfulness.
139 My (HG)zeal has [ay]consumed me,
Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.
140 Your [az](HH)word is exceedingly refined,
Therefore Your slave (HI)loves it.
141 I am small and (HJ)despised,
Yet I do not (HK)forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And (HL)Your law is truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me,
Yet Your commandments are my (HM)delight.
144 Righteous are Your (HN)testimonies forever;
(HO)Give me understanding that I may live.
Qoph
145 I called (HP)with all my heart; answer me, O Yahweh!
I will (HQ)observe Your statutes.
146 I called to You; (HR)save me
And I shall keep Your testimonies.
147 I [ba](HS)eagerly greet the dawn and cry for help;
I [bb]wait for Your words.
148 My eyes [bc]eagerly greet the (HT)night watches,
That I may (HU)muse on Your [bd]word.
149 Hear my voice (HV)according to Your lovingkindness;
(HW)O Yahweh, revive me, according to Your judgments.
150 [be]Near are those who pursue wickedness;
They are far from Your law.
151 (HX)Near are You, O Yahweh,
And all Your commandments are (HY)truth.
152 Of old I have (HZ)known from Your testimonies
That You have founded them (IA)forever.
Resh
153 (IB)See my (IC)affliction and rescue me,
For I do not (ID)forget Your law.
154 (IE)Plead my cause and (IF)redeem me;
Revive me according to Your [bf]word.
155 Salvation is (IG)far from the wicked,
For they (IH)do not seek Your statutes.
156 (II)Many are Your [bg]compassions, O Yahweh;
Revive me according to Your judgments.
157 Many are my (IJ)persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not (IK)turn aside from Your testimonies.
158 I see the (IL)treacherous and (IM)loathe them,
Those who do not keep Your [bh]word.
159 See how I (IN)love Your precepts;
(IO)O Yahweh, revive me according to Your lovingkindness.
160 The (IP)sum of Your word is (IQ)truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments (IR)is everlasting.
Sin/Shin
161 (IS)Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart (IT)is in dread of Your words.
162 I (IU)rejoice at Your [bi]word,
As one who (IV)finds much spoil.
163 I (IW)hate and abhor lying,
But I (IX)love Your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your (IY)righteous judgments.
165 Those who love Your law have (IZ)much peace,
And [bj](JA)nothing causes them to stumble.
166 I (JB)hope for Your salvation, O Yahweh,
And I do Your commandments.
167 My (JC)soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I (JD)love them exceedingly.
168 I (JE)keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my (JF)ways are before You.
Tav
169 Let my (JG)cry of lamentation come near before You, O Yahweh;
(JH)Give me understanding (JI)according to Your word.
170 Let my (JJ)supplication come before You;
(JK)Deliver me according to Your [bk]word.
171 Let my (JL)lips pour forth praise,
For You (JM)teach me Your statutes.
172 Let my (JN)tongue answer with Your [bl]word,
For all Your (JO)commandments are righteous.
173 Let Your (JP)hand be [bm]ready to help me,
For I have (JQ)chosen Your precepts.
174 I (JR)long for Your salvation, O Yahweh,
And Your law is my (JS)delight.
175 Let my (JT)soul live that it may praise You,
And let Your judgments help me.
176 I have (JU)wandered off like a lost sheep; search for Your slave,
For I have (JV)not forgotten Your commandments.
Footnotes
- Psalm 119:1 Or having integrity; lit complete
- Psalm 119:4 Or carefully, cf. Deut 4:9, 15
- Psalm 119:6 Lit to
- Psalm 119:14 Lit As over all
- Psalm 119:16 Lit delight myself
- Psalm 119:20 Lit for
- Psalm 119:21 Or Cursed are those who wander...
- Psalm 119:24 Lit the men of my counsel
- Psalm 119:28 Lit drops
- Psalm 119:30 Or accounted Your ordinances worthy
- Psalm 119:38 Or promise
- Psalm 119:38 Lit Which is for the fear of You
- Psalm 119:41 Or promise
- Psalm 119:43 Or hope in
- Psalm 119:47 Lit delight myself
- Psalm 119:49 Lit On
- Psalm 119:50 Or preserved me alive
- Psalm 119:52 Or everlasting
- Psalm 119:56 Or Because
- Psalm 119:57 Lit said that I would keep
- Psalm 119:58 Or promise
- Psalm 119:63 Or reverence
- Psalm 119:66 Or judgment
- Psalm 119:70 Lit gross like fat
- Psalm 119:74 Or reverence
- Psalm 119:74 Or hope in
- Psalm 119:76 Lit be for my comfort
- Psalm 119:76 Or promise
- Psalm 119:79 Or reverence
- Psalm 119:80 Or having integrity; lit complete
- Psalm 119:81 Or hope in
- Psalm 119:82 Or promise
- Psalm 119:85 Lit according to Your law
- Psalm 119:90 Lit to
- Psalm 119:93 Or kept me alive
- Psalm 119:96 Lit an end of
- Psalm 119:98 Or with me
- Psalm 119:103 Or promise
- Psalm 119:103 Lit palate
- Psalm 119:107 Or keep me alive
- Psalm 119:109 In danger
- Psalm 119:114 Or hope in
- Psalm 119:116 Or promise
- Psalm 119:118 Lit made light of
- Psalm 119:119 Lit caused to cease
- Psalm 119:120 Lit bristles up from
- Psalm 119:123 Or promise
- Psalm 119:132 Lit to
- Psalm 119:133 Or promise
- Psalm 119:136 Lit run down
- Psalm 119:139 Lit destroyed
- Psalm 119:140 Or promise
- Psalm 119:147 Lit approach the dawn
- Psalm 119:147 Or hope in
- Psalm 119:148 Lit approach the night watches
- Psalm 119:148 Or promise
- Psalm 119:150 Lit They draw near
- Psalm 119:154 Or promise
- Psalm 119:156 Or mercies
- Psalm 119:158 Or promise
- Psalm 119:162 Or promise
- Psalm 119:165 Lit they have no stumbling block
- Psalm 119:170 Or promise
- Psalm 119:172 Or promise
- Psalm 119:173 Lit to help me
Psalm 119
Evangelical Heritage Version
Psalm 119
The Great Psalm on the Law of the Lord[a]
Aleph: Blessed Are the Blameless
1 How blessed are those who are blameless in their way,
who walk in the law[b] of the Lord.
2 How blessed are those who keep[c] his testimonies.
With all their heart they seek him.
3 Indeed, they do no wrong.
They walk in his ways.
4 You have commanded that your precepts[d] be kept completely.
5 If only my ways were unwavering in keeping your statutes![e]
6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
7 I will thank you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous judgments.[f]
8 I will keep your statutes.
Do not abandon me completely.
Bet: Hidden in My Heart
9 How can a young man keep his path pure?
By guarding it with your words.[g]
10 With all my heart I seek you.
Do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your sayings[h] in my heart,
so that I may not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord!
Teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I tell about all the judgments
that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in the way that is taught by your testimonies
as much as I delight in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts,
and I will consider your paths.
16 In your statutes I delight.
I will not forget your words.
Gimel: Open My Eyes
17 Reward your servant.
Then I will live, and I will keep your words.
18 Uncover my eyes, and I will behold wonders from your law.
19 I am an alien on earth.
Do not hide your commandments from me.
20 My soul is overwhelmed by desire for your judgments at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed,
those who stray from your commandments.
22 Remove scorn and contempt from me,
for I guard your testimonies.
23 Though officials sit together and speak against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Yes, your testimonies are my delights.
They are my advisors.
Dalet: A Changed Heart
25 My soul[i] is stuck in the dust.
Revive my life according to your words.
26 I told you about my ways and you answered me.
Teach me your statutes.
27 Make me understand the meaning of your precepts.
Then I will meditate on your wonders.
28 My soul melts with sorrow.
By your words make me stand firm.
29 Turn me away from false ways,
and be gracious to me through your law.
30 I have chosen the way of truth.
I accept[j] your judgments.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord.
Do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run the way of your commandments,
for you have strengthened my heart.[k]
He: That You May Be Feared
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.
Then I will guard it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I will guard your law.
I will keep it with all my heart.
35 Make me walk on the path of your commandments,
for I take pleasure in it.
36 Direct my heart toward your testimonies
and not toward material gain.
37 Keep my eyes from looking at worthless things.
Give me life according to your ways.[l]
38 Confirm your sayings to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
39 Take away my disgrace which I dread,
for your judgments are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
Give me life in your righteousness.
Vav: Speak Before Kings
41 So let your mercies come to me, O Lord,
and let your salvation come according to your sayings.
42 Then I will give an answer to those who insult me,
because I trust in your words.
43 But do not tear away the word of truth from my mouth,
because I wait confidently for your judgments.
44 Then I will continually keep your law forever and ever.
45 Then I will walk around freely,
because I have sought your precepts.
46 Then I will speak of your testimonies before kings,
and I will not be put to shame.
47 For I delight in your commandments, which I love.
48 I lift up my hands to your commandments, which I love,
and I meditate on your statutes.
Zayin: Comfort in Suffering
49 Remember your word to your servant,
because you have given me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my suffering:
that your saying gives me life.
51 The arrogant mock me constantly,
but I do not fall away from your law.
52 I remember your judgments from of old, Lord,
and I comfort myself with them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who forsake your laws.
54 Your statutes are songs for me in the house where I am staying.
55 I remember your name during the night, O Lord,
and I will keep your laws.
56 This I have done: I guard your precepts.
Ḥet: I Will Not Forget
57 You are my portion, O Lord.
I said I would keep your words.
58 I have sought your favor with all my heart.
Be gracious to me according to your sayings.
59 I have considered my ways,[m]
and I have turned my feet to your testimonies.
60 I will hurry. I will not delay.
I will keep your commandments.
61 The ropes of the wicked bind me,
but I do not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion to all who fear you,
that is, to all who keep your precepts.
64 Your mercy, Lord, fills the earth.
Teach me your statutes.
Tet: It Is Good to Be Afflicted
65 You have done good for your servant, O Lord,
according to your words.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I strayed,
but now I keep your saying.
68 You are good, and you do good.
Teach me your statutes.
69 The arrogant have smeared me with lies.
I guard your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their calloused hearts[n] feel nothing,
but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me that I was afflicted,
so that I might learn your statutes.
72 Better for me is the law from your mouth
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Yod: Those Who Fear You
73 Your hands made me and established me.
Give me understanding.
Then I will learn your commandments.
74 May those who fear you see me and rejoice,
because I wait confidently for your word.
75 I know, Lord, that your judgments are righteous.
In faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Please let your mercy be my comfort,
according to your saying to your servant.
77 Let your abundant compassion come to me that I may live,
because your law is my delight.
78 Let the arrogant be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with lies.
As for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me,
and those who know your testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless regarding your statutes,
so that I may not be put to shame.
Kaph: A Wineskin in the Smoke
81 My soul is worn out, as I wait for your salvation.
I wait confidently for your word.
82 My eyes are worn out, as I look for your sayings.
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your statutes.
84 How many days does your servant have?
When will you inflict judgment on my persecutors?
85 The arrogant dig pits for me.
This is against your laws.
86 All your commandments are trustworthy.
The arrogant persecute me wrongfully. Help me.
87 They almost put an end to me here on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 Give me life according to your mercy,
and I will obey the testimony from your mouth.
Lamed: Your Commands Have No Limits
89 To eternity, O Lord, your word is fixed firmly in the heavens.
90 For generation after generation, your faithfulness remains.
You established the earth, and it stands.
91 As for your judgments, they stand to this day,
because all things are your servants.
92 Unless your law had been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 To eternity I will not forget your precepts,
because by them you have given me life.
94 I am yours. Save me,
because I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked are lying in wait for me to kill me,
but I will ponder your testimonies.
96 I see a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment has no limits.
Mem: Sweeter Than Honey
97 How I love your laws!
I meditate on them all day long.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
because it is always with me.
99 I have more wisdom than all my teachers,
because your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
because I guard your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet off every evil path
in order to keep your words.
102 I have not turned from your judgments,
because you yourself have instructed me.
103 How sweet are your sayings to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 From your precepts I gain understanding.
Therefore, I hate every false road.
Nun: A Lamp for My Feet
105 Your words are a lamp for my feet
and a light for my path.
106 I have sworn and affirmed
that I will keep your righteous judgments.
107 I have suffered much.
Lord, give me life according to your words.
108 Lord, please accept the willing praise from my mouth,
and teach me your judgments.
109 I take my life in my hands constantly,
but I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not wandered from your precepts.
111 I have inherited your testimonies forever.
Yes, they are the joy of my heart.
112 I turn my heart to do your statutes,
forever, right to the end.
Samekh: Get Away From Me, You Evildoers
113 I hate the doubleminded, but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield.
I wait confidently for your word.
115 Get away from me, you evildoers,
so that I may guard the commandments of my God!
116 Sustain me according to your sayings, and I will live.
Do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold me up, and I will be saved.
Then I will always have regard for your statutes.
118 You reject all who stray from your statutes,
because their deceitfulness is built on a lie.[o]
119 You discard all the wicked of the earth like slag.
Therefore, I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles because I am afraid of you,
because I fear your judgments.
Ayin: It Is Time to Act
121 I have carried out what is just and right.
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee good for your servant.
Do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes wear out,
as I watch for your salvation and your righteousness.
124 Deal with your servant according to your mercy,
and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant. Give me discernment,
so that I may know your testimonies.
126 Lord, it is time to do something!
They have broken your laws.
127 Because I love your commandments more than gold,
more than pure gold,
128 because I value everything in all your precepts,
I hate every wrong road.
Pe: Streams of Tears
129 Your testimonies are wonders.
That is why my soul guards them.
130 The doorway to your words lets in light.
It gives understanding to the inexperienced.
131 I open wide my mouth and I gasp,
because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and give me grace.
This is your judgment for those who love your name.[p]
133 Keep my footsteps steady by your sayings,
and do not let any evil rule over me.
134 Redeem me from oppressive people,
and I will keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136 Streams of water run down from my eyes,
because they do not keep your laws.
Tsadhe: My Zeal for the Word
137 You are righteous, O Lord,
and your judgments are right.
138 You have commanded your testimonies.
They are righteous and very trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out,
because my foes forget your words.
140 Your saying has been thoroughly refined,
and your servant loves it.
141 I am insignificant and despised,
but I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is truth.
143 Distress and anguish have found me,
but your commandments are my delights.
144 Your testimonies are right forever.
Give me understanding, and I will live.
Qoph: I Will Obey
145 I call with all my heart.
Answer me, O Lord.
I will guard your statutes.
146 I call to you. Save me,
and I will keep your testimonies.
147 I get up before dawn, and I cry for help.
I wait confidently for your word.
148 My eyes look forward to the night watches
when I can meditate on your sayings.
149 Hear my voice according to your mercy.
Lord, give me life based on your judgments.
150 Those who pursue evil plans are near,
but they are far from your law.
151 You are near, O Lord,
and all your commandments are truth.
152 Long ago I knew from your testimonies
that you established them to endure forever.
Resh: I Have Not Forgotten
153 See my affliction and deliver me,
because I have not forgotten your law.
154 Argue my case and redeem me.
Give me life according to your saying.
155 Salvation is far away from the wicked,
because they do not pursue your statutes.
156 Your compassions are many, O Lord.
Give me life according to your judgments.
157 Many are my persecutors and my foes,
but I have not turned from your testimonies.
158 I look at the hypocrites and I loathe them,
because they do not keep your saying.
159 See how I love your precepts.
Lord, according to your mercy, give me life.
160 The sum of your word is truth.
All your righteous judgment is eternal.
Sin/Shin: I Wait for Salvation
161 Officials persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice over your sayings,
like one who finds much plunder.
163 I hate and detest falsehood,
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous judgments.
165 Great peace belongs to those who love your law,
and nothing is a stumbling block for them.
166 I wait for your salvation, O Lord,
and I obey your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies.
I love them greatly.
168 I keep your precepts and your testimonies,
because all my ways are before you.
Tav: Seek Your Servant
169 May my loud cry come before you, Lord.
Give me understanding through your word.
170 May my plea for mercy come before you.
Deliver me according to your saying.
171 May my lips overflow with praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
172 May my tongue sing of your saying,
because all your commandments are righteousness.
173 May your hand be ready to help me,
because I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
and may your judgments help me.
176 I have strayed like a perishing sheep.
Seek your servant,
because I have not forgotten your commandments.
Footnotes
- Psalm 119:1 Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the Bible, is a lengthy meditation on the characteristics and blessings of God’s Word. God’s Word is praised 176 times (22 × 8). Eight different names for God’s Word appear repeatedly throughout the psalm (laws, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commands, judgments, words, sayings). Though many of these terms sound like legal terms, they are all names for God’s whole Word. Each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet is represented by an eight-line stanza. All eight lines of each stanza begin with the appropriate Hebrew letter. The letter names are listed in the stanza headings.
- Psalm 119:1 Law in the Old Testament is often used in a wide sense as a name for God’s whole Word. It may refer to teaching of various kinds.
- Psalm 119:2 Or guard
- Psalm 119:4 Or regulations or rules
- Psalm 119:5 Or instructions
- Psalm 119:7 Or rulings or ordinances
- Psalm 119:9 Or word. In this psalm there are many textual variants between singular and plural forms of word. The translation does not note them all.
- Psalm 119:11 Or message. Many translate this as promise, but it is the common Hebrew root for say. Sometimes, of course, God’s sayings are promises.
- Psalm 119:25 In the Old Testament my soul is a more emotional way of saying I or me.
- Psalm 119:30 Or I set before me
- Psalm 119:32 Or you increased my understanding or you motivated me. Literally you made my heart wide.
- Psalm 119:37 A few Hebrew manuscripts have your word. Without this alteration there is no name of the Word in this verse.
- Psalm 119:59 In these and other verses of the psalm it is sometimes uncertain whether the Hebrew verb forms refer to past actions, present attitudes, or future intentions.
- Psalm 119:70 Literally their fat hearts
- Psalm 119:118 Or is useless
- Psalm 119:132 Some translations take the Hebrew word mishpat, translated as judgment above, to mean this is your usual way to deal with those who love your name, but if this is done, there is no name for God’s Word in this verse.
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The Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version®, EHV®, © 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved.