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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.
How blessed are those who (C)observe His testimonies,
They (D)seek Him (E)with all their heart.
They also do not (F)work unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
You have (G)commanded us,
To keep Your precepts [b]diligently.
Oh may my (H)ways be established
To (I)keep Your statutes!
Then I (J)shall not be ashamed
When I look [c]upon all Your commandments.
I shall (K)give thanks to You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not (L)forsake me utterly!

Beth

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

  1. Psalm 119:1 Or having integrity; lit complete
  2. Psalm 119:4 Or carefully, cf. Deut 4:9, 15
  3. Psalm 119:6 Lit to
  4. Psalm 119:14 Lit As over all
  5. Psalm 119:16 Lit delight myself
  6. Psalm 119:20 Lit for
  7. Psalm 119:21 Or Cursed are those who wander...
  8. Psalm 119:24 Lit the men of my counsel
  9. Psalm 119:28 Lit drops
  10. Psalm 119:30 Or accounted Your ordinances worthy
  11. Psalm 119:38 Or promise
  12. Psalm 119:38 Lit Which is for the fear of You
  13. Psalm 119:41 Or promise
  14. Psalm 119:43 Or hope in
  15. Psalm 119:47 Lit delight myself
  16. Psalm 119:49 Lit On
  17. Psalm 119:50 Or preserved me alive
  18. Psalm 119:52 Or everlasting
  19. Psalm 119:56 Or Because
  20. Psalm 119:57 Lit said that I would keep
  21. Psalm 119:58 Or promise
  22. Psalm 119:63 Or reverence
  23. Psalm 119:66 Or judgment
  24. Psalm 119:70 Lit gross like fat
  25. Psalm 119:74 Or reverence
  26. Psalm 119:74 Or hope in
  27. Psalm 119:76 Lit be for my comfort
  28. Psalm 119:76 Or promise
  29. Psalm 119:79 Or reverence
  30. Psalm 119:80 Or having integrity; lit complete
  31. Psalm 119:81 Or hope in
  32. Psalm 119:82 Or promise
  33. Psalm 119:85 Lit according to Your law
  34. Psalm 119:90 Lit to
  35. Psalm 119:93 Or kept me alive
  36. Psalm 119:96 Lit an end of
  37. Psalm 119:98 Or with me
  38. Psalm 119:103 Or promise
  39. Psalm 119:103 Lit palate
  40. Psalm 119:107 Or keep me alive
  41. Psalm 119:109 In danger
  42. Psalm 119:114 Or hope in
  43. Psalm 119:116 Or promise
  44. Psalm 119:118 Lit made light of
  45. Psalm 119:119 Lit caused to cease
  46. Psalm 119:120 Lit bristles up from
  47. Psalm 119:123 Or promise
  48. Psalm 119:132 Lit to
  49. Psalm 119:133 Or promise
  50. Psalm 119:136 Lit run down
  51. Psalm 119:139 Lit destroyed
  52. Psalm 119:140 Or promise
  53. Psalm 119:147 Lit approach the dawn
  54. Psalm 119:147 Or hope in
  55. Psalm 119:148 Lit approach the night watches
  56. Psalm 119:148 Or promise
  57. Psalm 119:150 Lit They draw near
  58. Psalm 119:154 Or promise
  59. Psalm 119:156 Or mercies
  60. Psalm 119:158 Or promise
  61. Psalm 119:162 Or promise
  62. Psalm 119:165 Lit they have no stumbling block
  63. Psalm 119:170 Or promise
  64. Psalm 119:172 Or promise
  65. Psalm 119:173 Lit to help me

The Glories of God’s Law

119 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
    who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways!
Thou hast commanded thy precepts
    to be kept diligently.
O that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping thy statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all thy commandments.
I will praise thee with an upright heart,
    when I learn thy righteous ordinances.
I will observe thy statutes;
    O forsake me not utterly!

How can a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart I seek thee;
    let me not wander from thy commandments!
11 I have laid up thy word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed be thou, O Lord;
    teach me thy statutes!
13 With my lips I declare
    all the ordinances of thy mouth.
14 In the way of thy testimonies I delight
    as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on thy precepts,
    and fix my eyes on thy ways.
16 I will delight in thy statutes;
    I will not forget thy word.

17 Deal bountifully with thy servant,
    that I may live and observe thy word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
    wondrous things out of thy law.
19 I am a sojourner on earth;
    hide not thy commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing
    for thy ordinances at all times.
21 Thou dost rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
    who wander from thy commandments;
22 take away from me their scorn and contempt,
    for I have kept thy testimonies.
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
    thy servant will meditate on thy statutes.
24 Thy testimonies are my delight,
    they are my counselors.

25 My soul cleaves to the dust;
    revive me according to thy word!
26 When I told of my ways, thou didst answer me;
    teach me thy statutes!
27 Make me understand the way of thy precepts,
    and I will meditate on thy wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to thy word!
29 Put false ways far from me;
    and graciously teach me thy law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness,
    I set thy ordinances before me.
31 I cleave to thy testimonies, O Lord;
    let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of thy commandments
    when thou enlargest my understanding!

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep thy law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of thy commandments,
    for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to thy testimonies,
    and not to gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
    and give me life in thy ways.
38 Confirm to thy servant thy promise,
    which is for those who fear thee.
39 Turn away the reproach which I dread;
    for thy ordinances are good.
40 Behold, I long for thy precepts;
    in thy righteousness give me life!

41 Let thy steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    thy salvation according to thy promise;
42 then shall I have an answer for those who taunt me,
    for I trust in thy word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my hope is in thy ordinances.
44 I will keep thy law continually,
    for ever and ever;
45 and I shall walk at liberty,
    for I have sought thy precepts.
46 I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings,
    and shall not be put to shame;
47 for I find my delight in thy commandments,
    which I love.
48 I revere thy commandments, which I love,
    and I will meditate on thy statutes.

49 Remember thy word to thy servant,
    in which thou hast made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction
    that thy promise gives me life.
51 Godless men utterly deride me,
    but I do not turn away from thy law.
52 When I think of thy ordinances from of old,
    I take comfort, O Lord.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
    who forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs
    in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I remember thy name in the night, O Lord,
    and keep thy law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
    that I have kept thy precepts.

57 The Lord is my portion;
    I promise to keep thy words.
58 I entreat thy favor with all my heart;
    be gracious to me according to thy promise.
59 When I think of thy ways,
    I turn my feet to thy testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
    to keep thy commandments.
61 Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
    I do not forget thy law.
62 At midnight I rise to praise thee,
    because of thy righteous ordinances.
63 I am a companion of all who fear thee,
    of those who keep thy precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy steadfast love;
    teach me thy statutes!

65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,
    O Lord, according to thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in thy commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray;
    but now I keep thy word.
68 Thou art good and doest good;
    teach me thy statutes.
69 The godless besmear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I keep thy precepts;
70 their heart is gross like fat,
    but I delight in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn thy statutes.
72 The law of thy mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

73 Thy hands have made and fashioned me;
    give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments.
74 Those who fear thee shall see me and rejoice,
    because I have hoped in thy word.
75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right,
    and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
76 Let thy steadfast love be ready to comfort me
    according to thy promise to thy servant.
77 Let thy mercy come to me, that I may live;
    for thy law is my delight.
78 Let the godless be put to shame,
    because they have subverted me with guile;
    as for me, I will meditate on thy precepts.
79 Let those who fear thee turn to me,
    that they may know thy testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in thy statutes,
    that I may not be put to shame!

81 My soul languishes for thy salvation;
    I hope in thy word.
82 My eyes fail with watching for thy promise;
    I ask, “When wilt thou comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
    yet I have not forgotten thy statutes.
84 How long must thy servant endure?
    When wilt thou judge those who persecute me?
85 Godless men have dug pitfalls for me,
    men who do not conform to thy law.
86 All thy commandments are sure;
    they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth;
    but I have not forsaken thy precepts.
88 In thy steadfast love spare my life,
    that I may keep the testimonies of thy mouth.

89 For ever, O Lord, thy word
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Thy faithfulness endures to all generations;
    thou hast established the earth, and it stands fast.
91 By thy appointment they stand this day;
    for all things are thy servants.
92 If thy law had not been my delight,
    I should have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget thy precepts;
    for by them thou hast given me life.
94 I am thine, save me;
    for I have sought thy precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me;
    but I consider thy testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
    but thy commandment is exceedingly broad.

97 Oh, how I love thy law!
    It is my meditation all the day.
98 Thy commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
    for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged,
    for I keep thy precepts.
101 I hold back my feet from every evil way,
    in order to keep thy word.
102 I do not turn aside from thy ordinances,
    for thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are thy words to my taste,
    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 to my feet
    and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
    to observe thy righteous ordinances.
107 I am sorely afflicted;
    give me life, O Lord, according to thy word!
108 Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord,
    and teach me thy ordinances.
109 I hold my life in my hand continually,
    but I do not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
    but I do not stray from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies are my heritage for ever;
    yea, they are the joy of my heart.
112 I incline my heart to perform thy statutes
    for ever, to the end.

113 I hate double-minded men,
    but I love thy law.
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield;
    I hope in thy word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to thy promise, that I may live,
    and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe
    and have regard for thy statutes continually!
118 Thou dost spurn all who go astray from thy statutes;
    yea, their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth thou dost count as dross;
    therefore I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of thee,
    and I am afraid of thy judgments.

121 I have done what is just and right;
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Be surety for thy servant for good;
    let not the godless oppress me.
123 My eyes fail with watching for thy salvation,
    and for the fulfilment of thy righteous promise.
124 Deal with thy servant according to thy steadfast love,
    and teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy servant; give me understanding,
    that I may know thy testimonies!
126 It is time for the Lord to act,
    for thy law has been broken.
127 Therefore I love thy commandments
    above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I direct my steps by all thy precepts;[a]
    I hate every false way.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful;
    therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The unfolding of thy words gives light;
    it imparts understanding to the simple.
131 With open mouth I pant,
    because I long for thy commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is thy wont toward those who love thy name.
133 Keep steady my steps according to thy promise,
    and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from man’s oppression,
    that I may keep thy precepts.
135 Make thy face shine upon thy servant,
    and teach me thy statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of tears,
    because men do not keep thy law.

137 Righteous art thou, O Lord,
    and right are thy judgments.
138 Thou hast appointed thy testimonies in righteousness
    and in all faithfulness.
139 My zeal consumes me,
    because my foes forget thy words.
140 Thy promise is well tried,
    and thy servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
    yet I do not forget thy precepts.
142 Thy righteousness is righteous for ever,
    and thy law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
    but thy commandments are my delight.
144 Thy testimonies are righteous for ever;
    give me understanding that I may live.

145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
    I will keep thy statutes.
146 I cry to thee; save me,
    that I may observe thy testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help;
    I hope in thy words.
148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate upon thy promise.
149 Hear my voice in thy steadfast love;
    O Lord, in thy justice preserve my life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
    they are far from thy law.
151 But thou art near, O Lord,
    and all thy commandments are true.
152 Long have I known from thy testimonies
    that thou hast founded them for ever.

153 Look on my affliction and deliver me,
    for I do not forget thy law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
    give me life according to thy promise!
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek thy statutes.
156 Great is thy mercy, O Lord;
    give me life according to thy justice.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
    but I do not swerve from thy testimonies.
158 I look at the faithless with disgust,
    because they do not keep thy commands.
159 Consider how I love thy precepts!
    Preserve my life according to thy steadfast love.
160 The sum of thy word is truth;
    and every one of thy righteous ordinances endures for ever.

161 Princes persecute me without cause,
    but my heart stands in awe of thy words.
162 I rejoice at thy word
    like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love thy law.
164 Seven times a day I praise thee
    for thy righteous ordinances.
165 Great peace have those who love thy law;
    nothing can make them stumble.
166 I hope for thy salvation, O Lord,
    and I do thy commandments.
167 My soul keeps thy testimonies;
    I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep thy precepts and testimonies,
    for all my ways are before thee.

169 Let my cry come 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 will pour forth praise
    that thou dost teach me thy statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of thy word,
    for all thy commandments are right.
173 Let thy hand be ready to help me,
    for I have chosen thy precepts.
174 I long for thy salvation, O Lord,
    and thy law is my delight.
175 Let me live, that I may praise thee,
    and let thy ordinances help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant,
    for I do not forget thy commandments.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:128 Gk Jerome: Heb uncertain