97-104 Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed;
    I reverently ponder it all the day long.
Your commands give me an edge on my enemies;
    they never become obsolete.
I’ve even become smarter than my teachers
    since I’ve pondered and absorbed your counsel.
I’ve become wiser than the wise old sages
    simply by doing what you tell me.
I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil
    so I can spend all my time keeping your Word.
I never make detours from the route you laid out;
    you gave me such good directions.
Your words are so choice, so tasty;
    I prefer them to the best home cooking.
With your instruction, I understand life;
    that’s why I hate false propaganda.

* * *

105-112 By your words I can see where I’m going;
    they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back
    from living by your righteous order.
Everything’s falling apart on me, God;
    put me together again with your Word.
Adorn me with your finest sayings, God;
    teach me your holy rules.
My life is as close as my own hands,
    but I don’t forget what you have revealed.
The wicked do their best to throw me off track,
    but I don’t swerve an inch from your course.
I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever—
    what a gift! And how happy it makes me!
I concentrate on doing exactly what you say—
    I always have and always will.

* * *

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104 I’m studying your precepts—
    that’s why I hate every false path.

נ nun

105 Your word is a lamp before my feet
    and a light for my journey.
106 I have sworn, and I fully mean it:
    I will keep your righteous rules.
107 I have been suffering so much—
    Lord, make me live again according to your promise.
108 Please, Lord, accept my spontaneous gifts of praise.
    Teach me your rules!
109 Though my life is constantly in danger,
    I won’t forget your Instruction.
110 Though the wicked have set a trap for me,
    I won’t stray from your precepts.
111 Your laws are my possession forever
    because they are my heart’s joy.
112 I have decided to keep your statutes forever, every last one.

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104 Your commandments give me understanding;
    no wonder I hate every false way of life.

Nun

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path.
106 I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again:
    I will obey your righteous regulations.
107 I have suffered much, O Lord;
    restore my life again as you promised.
108 Lord, accept my offering of praise,
    and teach me your regulations.
109 My life constantly hangs in the balance,
    but I will not stop obeying your instructions.
110 The wicked have set their traps for me,
    but I will not turn from your commandments.
111 Your laws are my treasure;
    they are my heart’s delight.
112 I am determined to keep your decrees
    to the very end.

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104 
From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

Nun.

105 
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.(A)
106 
I have sworn [an oath] and have confirmed it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.(B)
107 
I am greatly afflicted;
Renew and revive me [giving me life], O Lord, according to Your word.
108 
Accept and take pleasure in the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your ordinances.(C)
109 
My life is continually [a]in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.
110 
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I do not wander from Your precepts.
111 
I have taken Your testimonies as a heritage forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.(D)
112 
I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:109 I.e. in danger.