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Psalm 119

The Glories of God’s Law

Happy are those whose way is blameless,
    who walk in the law of the Lord.(A)
Happy are those who keep his decrees,
    who seek him with their whole heart,
who also do no wrong
    but walk in his ways.(B)
You have commanded your precepts
    to be kept diligently.
O that my ways may be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.(C)
I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn your righteous ordinances.(D)
I will observe your statutes;
    do not utterly forsake me.

How can young people keep their way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.(E)
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
    do not let me stray from your commandments.(F)
11 I treasure your word in my heart,
    so that I may not sin against you.(G)
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
    teach me your statutes.(H)
13 With my lips I declare
    all the ordinances of your mouth.(I)
14 I delight in the way of your decrees
    as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ways.(J)
16 I will delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.(K)

17 Deal bountifully with your servant,
    so that I may live and observe your word.(L)
18 Open my eyes, so that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
19 I live as an alien in the land;
    do not hide your commandments from me.(M)
20 My soul is consumed with longing
    for your ordinances at all times.(N)
21 You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
    who wander from your commandments;(O)
22 take away from me their scorn and contempt,
    for I have kept your decrees.(P)
23 Even though princes sit plotting against me,
    your servant will meditate on your statutes.(Q)
24 Your decrees are my delight;
    they are my counselors.(R)

25 My soul clings to the dust;
    revive me according to your word.(S)
26 When I told of my ways, you answered me;
    teach me your statutes.(T)
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will meditate on your wondrous works.(U)
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word.(V)
29 Put false ways far from me,
    and graciously teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I set your ordinances before me.
31 I cling to your decrees, O Lord;
    let me not be put to shame.(W)
32 I run the way of your commandments,
    for you enlarge my understanding.(X)

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
    and I will observe it to the end.(Y)
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.(Z)
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
36 Turn my heart to your decrees
    and not to selfish gain.(AA)
37 Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
    be gracious to me[a] according to your word.(AB)
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
    which is for those who fear you.(AC)
39 Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
    for your ordinances are good.
40 See, I have longed for your precepts;
    in your righteousness be gracious to me.[b](AD)

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

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Footnotes

  1. 119.37 Q ms: MT give me life
  2. 119.40 Q ms: MT give me life

Psalm 119[a]

א Aleph

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,(A)
    who walk(B) according to the law of the Lord.(C)
Blessed(D) are those who keep his statutes(E)
    and seek him(F) with all their heart—(G)
they do no wrong(H)
    but follow his ways.(I)
You have laid down precepts(J)
    that are to be fully obeyed.(K)
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!(L)
Then I would not be put to shame(M)
    when I consider all your commands.(N)
I will praise you with an upright heart
    as I learn your righteous laws.(O)
I will obey your decrees;
    do not utterly forsake me.(P)

ב Beth

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?(Q)
    By living according to your word.(R)
10 I seek you with all my heart;(S)
    do not let me stray from your commands.(T)
11 I have hidden your word in my heart(U)
    that I might not sin(V) against you.
12 Praise be(W) to you, Lord;
    teach me(X) your decrees.(Y)
13 With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.(Z)
14 I rejoice in following your statutes(AA)
    as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts(AB)
    and consider your ways.
16 I delight(AC) in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

ג Gimel

17 Be good to your servant(AD) while I live,
    that I may obey your word.(AE)
18 Open my eyes that I may see
    wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;(AF)
    do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed(AG) with longing
    for your laws(AH) at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant,(AI) who are accursed,(AJ)
    those who stray(AK) from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn(AL) and contempt,
    for I keep your statutes.(AM)
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me,
    your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

ד Daleth

25 I am laid low in the dust;(AN)
    preserve my life(AO) according to your word.(AP)
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
    teach me your decrees.(AQ)
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.(AR)
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;(AS)
    strengthen me(AT) according to your word.(AU)
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;(AV)
    be gracious to me(AW) and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen(AX) the way of faithfulness;(AY)
    I have set my heart(AZ) on your laws.
31 I hold fast(BA) to your statutes, Lord;
    do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands,
    for you have broadened my understanding.

ה He

33 Teach me,(BB) Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.[b]
34 Give me understanding,(BC) so that I may keep your law(BD)
    and obey it with all my heart.(BE)
35 Direct me(BF) in the path of your commands,(BG)
    for there I find delight.(BH)
36 Turn my heart(BI) toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.(BJ)
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life(BK) according to your word.[c](BL)
38 Fulfill your promise(BM) to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace(BN) I dread,
    for your laws are good.
40 How I long(BO) for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.(BP)

ו Waw

41 May your unfailing love(BQ) come to me, Lord,
    your salvation, according to your promise;(BR)
42 then I can answer(BS) anyone who taunts me,(BT)
    for I trust in your word.
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth,(BU)
    for I have put my hope(BV) in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,(BW)
    for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.(BX)
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings(BY)
    and will not be put to shame,(BZ)
47 for I delight(CA) in your commands
    because I love them.(CB)
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love,
    that I may meditate(CC) on your decrees.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet; moreover, the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
  2. Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
  3. Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way