Psalm 119:81-128

New Living Translation

⁸¹ I am worn out waiting for your rescue,
    but I have put my hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.
    When will you comfort me?
⁸³ I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,
    but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
⁸⁴ How long must I wait?
    When will you punish those who persecute me?
⁸⁵ These arrogant people who hate your instructions
    have dug deep pits to trap me.
⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy.
    Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
⁸⁷ They almost finished me off,
    but I refused to abandon your commandments.
⁸⁸ In your unfailing love, spare my life;
    then I can continue to obey your laws.

⁸⁹ Your eternal word, O Lord,
    stands firm in heaven.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
    as enduring as the earth you created.
⁹¹ Your regulations remain true to this day,
    for everything serves your plans.
⁹² If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy,
    I would have died in my misery.
⁹³ I will never forget your commandments,
    for by them you give me life.
⁹⁴ I am yours; rescue me!
    For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.
⁹⁵ Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me,
    I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.
⁹⁶ Even perfection has its limits,
    but your commands have no limit.

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your instructions!
    I think about them all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
    for they are my constant guide.
⁹⁹ Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,
    for I am always thinking of your laws.
¹⁰⁰ I am even wiser than my elders,
    for I have kept your commandments.
¹⁰¹ I have refused to walk on any evil path,
    so that I may remain obedient to your word.
¹⁰² I haven’t turned away from your regulations,
    for you have taught me well.
¹⁰³ How sweet your words taste to me;
    they are sweeter than honey.
¹⁰⁴ Your commandments give me understanding;
    no wonder I hate every false way of life.

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.

¹¹³ I hate those with divided loyalties,
    but I love your instructions.
¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield;
    your word is my source of hope.
¹¹⁵ Get out of my life, you evil-minded people,
    for I intend to obey the commands of my God.
¹¹⁶ Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live!
    Do not let my hope be crushed.
¹¹⁷ Sustain me, and I will be rescued;
    then I will meditate continually on your decrees.
¹¹⁸ But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees.
    They are only fooling themselves.
¹¹⁹ You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum;
    no wonder I love to obey your laws!
¹²⁰ I tremble in fear of you;
    I stand in awe of your regulations.

¹²¹ Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies,
    for I have done what is just and right.
¹²² Please guarantee a blessing for me.
    Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!
¹²³ My eyes strain to see your rescue,
    to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
¹²⁴ I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love,
    and teach me your decrees.
¹²⁵ Give discernment to me, your servant;
    then I will understand your laws.
¹²⁶ Lord, it is time for you to act,
    for these evil people have violated your instructions.
¹²⁷ Truly, I love your commands
    more than gold, even the finest gold.
¹²⁸ Each of your commandments is right.
    That is why I hate every false way.