Psalm 119

Delight in God’s Word

א Aleph

How[a] happy are those whose way is blameless,(A)
who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!(B)
Happy are those who keep his decrees(C)
and seek him with all their heart.(D)
They do nothing wrong;(E)
they walk in his ways.
You have commanded that your precepts(F)
be diligently kept.
If only my ways were committed
to keeping your statutes!(G)
Then I would not be ashamed(H)
when I think about all your commands.
I will praise you with an upright heart(I)
when I learn your righteous judgments.
I will keep your statutes;
never abandon me.(J)

ב Beth

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping your[b] word.(K)
10 I have sought you with all my heart;(L)
don’t let me wander from your commands.(M)
11 I have treasured your word in my heart(N)
so that I may not sin against you.
12 Lord, may you be blessed;
teach me your statutes.(O)
13 With my lips I proclaim
all the judgments from your mouth.(P)
14 I rejoice in the way revealed by your decrees(Q)
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts(R)
and think about your ways.(S)
16 I will delight in your statutes;(T)
I will not forget your word.

ג Gimel

17 Deal generously with your servant(U)
so that I might live;
then I will keep your word.
18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate
wondrous things from your instruction.
19 I am a resident alien on earth;(V)
do not hide your commands from me.
20 I am continually overcome
with longing for your judgments.(W)
21 You rebuke the arrogant,
the ones under a curse,(X)
who wander from your commands.(Y)
22 Take insult and contempt away from me,(Z)
for I have kept your decrees.
23 Though princes sit together speaking against me,(AA)
your servant will think about your statutes;(AB)
24 your decrees are my delight
and my counselors.(AC)

ד Daleth

25 My life is down in the dust;(AD)
give me life(AE) through your word.
26 I told you about my life,
and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.(AF)
27 Help me understand
the meaning of your precepts
so that I can meditate on your wonders.(AG)
28 I am weary[c] from grief;
strengthen me through your word.(AH)
29 Keep me from the way of deceit
and graciously give me your instruction.
30 I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set your ordinances before me.(AI)
31 I cling to your decrees;
Lord, do not put me to shame.(AJ)
32 I pursue the way of your commands,
for you broaden my understanding.[d](AK)

ה He

33 Teach me, Lord, the meaning[e] of your statutes,
and I will always keep them.[f](AL)
34 Help me understand your instruction,(AM)
and I will obey it
and follow it with all my heart.(AN)
35 Help me stay on the path of your commands,(AO)
for I take pleasure in it.(AP)
36 Turn my heart to your decrees(AQ)
and not to dishonest profit.(AR)
37 Turn my eyes
from looking at what is worthless;(AS)
give me life in your ways.[g](AT)
38 Confirm what you said to your servant,(AU)
for it produces reverence for you.
39 Turn away the disgrace I dread;(AV)
indeed, your judgments are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!(AW)
Give me life through your righteousness.

ו Waw

41 Let your faithful love come to me, Lord,(AX)
your salvation, as you promised.(AY)
42 Then I can answer the one who taunts me,(AZ)
for I trust in your word.
43 Never take the word of truth from my mouth,
for I hope in your judgments.(BA)
44 I will always obey your instruction,
forever and ever.(BB)
45 I will walk freely in an open place(BC)
because I study your precepts.(BD)
46 I will speak of your decrees before kings
and not be ashamed.(BE)
47 I delight in your commands,
which I love.(BF)
48 I will lift up my hands(BG) to your commands,
which I love,
and will meditate on your statutes.(BH)

ז Zayin

49 Remember your word to your servant;
you have given me hope through it.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction:(BI)
Your promise has given me life.
51 The arrogant constantly ridicule me,
but I do not turn away from your instruction.(BJ)
52 Lord, I remember your judgments from long ago
and find comfort.
53 Fury seizes me(BK) because of the wicked
who reject your instruction.(BL)
54 Your statutes are the theme of my song
during my earthly life.[h]
55 Lord, I remember your name(BM) in the night,(BN)
and I obey your instruction.
56 This is my practice:
I obey your precepts.(BO)

ח Cheth

57 The Lord is my portion;[i](BP)
I have promised to keep your words.
58 I have sought your favor(BQ) with all my heart;
be gracious to me(BR) according to your promise.
59 I thought about my ways(BS)
and turned my steps back to your decrees.
60 I hurried, not hesitating
to keep your commands.
61 Though the ropes of the wicked(BT)
were wrapped around me,
I did not forget your instruction.(BU)
62 I rise at midnight to thank you(BV)
for your righteous judgments.(BW)
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,(BX)
to those who keep your precepts.
64 Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love;(BY)
teach me your statutes.(BZ)

ט Teth

65 Lord, you have treated your servant well,
just as you promised.
66 Teach me good judgment and discernment,(CA)
for I rely on your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,(CB)
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good,(CC) and you do what is good;(CD)
teach me your statutes.
69 The arrogant have smeared me with lies,(CE)
but I obey your precepts with all my heart.(CF)
70 Their hearts are hard and insensitive,(CG)
but I delight in your instruction.(CH)
71 It was good for me to be afflicted(CI)
so that I could learn your statutes.
72 Instruction from your lips(CJ) is better for me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

י Yod

73 Your hands made me and formed me;(CK)
give me understanding
so that I can learn your commands.(CL)
74 Those who fear you will see me and rejoice,(CM)
for I put my hope in your word.(CN)
75 I know, Lord, that your judgments are just
and that you have afflicted me fairly.(CO)
76 May your faithful love comfort me
as you promised your servant.
77 May your compassion come to me(CP)
so that I may live,
for your instruction is my delight.(CQ)
78 Let the arrogant be put to shame(CR)
for slandering me with lies;
I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you,
those who know your decrees, turn to me.
80 May my heart be blameless regarding your statutes(CS)
so that I will not be put to shame.

כ Kaph

81 I long for your salvation;(CT)
I put my hope in your word.(CU)
82 My eyes grow weary
looking for what you have promised;(CV)
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke,
I do not forget your statutes.
84 How many days must your servant wait?
When will you execute judgment on my persecutors?(CW)
85 The arrogant have dug pits for me;(CX)
they violate your instruction.
86 All your commands are true;
people persecute me with lies—help me!(CY)
87 They almost ended my life on earth,
but I did not abandon your precepts.
88 Give me life in accordance with your faithful love,
and I will obey the decree you have spoken.

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Footnotes

  1. 119:1 The stanzas of this poem form an acrostic.
  2. 119:9 Or keeping it according to your
  3. 119:28 Or I weep
  4. 119:32 Lit you enlarge my heart
  5. 119:33 Lit way
  6. 119:33 Or will keep it as my reward
  7. 119:37 Some Hb mss, Tg read word
  8. 119:54 Lit song in the house of my sojourning
  9. 119:57 Lit You are my portion, Lord

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.

ז Zayin

49 Remember your word(CD) to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.(CE)
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
    Your promise preserves my life.(CF)
51 The arrogant mock me(CG) unmercifully,
    but I do not turn(CH) from your law.
52 I remember,(CI) Lord, your ancient laws,
    and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me(CJ) because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.(CK)
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song(CL)
    wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember(CM) your name,
    that I may keep your law.(CN)
56 This has been my practice:
    I obey your precepts.(CO)

ח Heth

57 You are my portion,(CP) Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.(CQ)
58 I have sought(CR) your face with all my heart;
    be gracious to me(CS) according to your promise.(CT)
59 I have considered my ways(CU)
    and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
    to obey your commands.(CV)
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
    I will not forget(CW) your law.
62 At midnight(CX) I rise to give you thanks
    for your righteous laws.(CY)
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,(CZ)
    to all who follow your precepts.(DA)
64 The earth is filled with your love,(DB) Lord;
    teach me your decrees.(DC)

ט Teth

65 Do good(DD) to your servant
    according to your word,(DE) Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge(DF) and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted(DG) I went astray,(DH)
    but now I obey your word.(DI)
68 You are good,(DJ) and what you do is good;
    teach me your decrees.(DK)
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,(DL)
    I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous(DM) and unfeeling,
    but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted(DN)
    so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.(DO)

י Yodh

73 Your hands made me(DP) and formed me;
    give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice(DQ) when they see me,
    for I have put my hope in your word.(DR)
75 I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,(DS)
    and that in faithfulness(DT) you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love(DU) be my comfort,
    according to your promise(DV) to your servant.
77 Let your compassion(DW) come to me that I may live,
    for your law is my delight.(DX)
78 May the arrogant(DY) be put to shame for wronging me without cause;(DZ)
    but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to me,
    those who understand your statutes.(EA)
80 May I wholeheartedly follow(EB) your decrees,(EC)
    that I may not be put to shame.(ED)

כ Kaph

81 My soul faints(EE) with longing for your salvation,(EF)
    but I have put my hope(EG) in your word.
82 My eyes fail,(EH) looking for your promise;(EI)
    I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
    I do not forget(EJ) your decrees.
84 How long(EK) must your servant wait?
    When will you punish my persecutors?(EL)
85 The arrogant(EM) dig pits(EN) to trap me,
    contrary to your law.
86 All your commands are trustworthy;(EO)
    help me,(EP) for I am being persecuted(EQ) without cause.(ER)
87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
    but I have not forsaken(ES) your precepts.
88 In your unfailing love(ET) preserve my life,(EU)
    that I may obey the statutes(EV) of your mouth.

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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

20 Let each of you remain in the situation[a] in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Don’t let it concern you. But if you can become free, by all means take the opportunity.[b] 22 For he who is called by the Lord as a slave(A) is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called as a free man is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought(B) at a price; do not become slaves of people. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person is to remain with God in the situation in which he was called.

About the Unmarried and Widows

25 Now about virgins:[c] I have no command from the Lord, but I do give an opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy(C) is faithful.(D) 26 Because of the present distress, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 However, if you do get married,(E) you have not sinned, and if a virgin[d] marries, she has not sinned. But such people will have trouble in this life,[e] and I am trying to spare you.

29 This is what I mean, brothers and sisters: The time is limited,(F) so from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice(G) as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they didn’t own anything, 31 and those who use the world as though they did not make full use of it. For this world in its current form is passing away.(H)

32 I want you to be without concerns. The unmarried man is concerned about the things of the Lord—how he may please(I) the Lord. 33 But the married man is concerned about the things of the world—how he may please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. The unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the things of the Lord,(J) so that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But the married woman is concerned about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but to promote what is proper and so that you may be devoted to the Lord without distraction.

36 If any man thinks he is acting improperly toward the virgin he is engaged to, if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage, and he feels he should marry—he can do what he wants. He is not sinning; they can get married. 37 But he who stands firm in his heart (who is under no compulsion, but has control over his own will(K)) and has decided in his heart to keep her as his fiancée, will do well. 38 So, then, he who marries his fiancée does well, but he who does not marry will do better.[f]

39 A wife is bound[g] as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to anyone she wants—only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, in my opinion. And I think that I also have the Spirit of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 7:20 Lit in the calling
  2. 7:21 Or But even though you can become free, make the most of your position as a slave
  3. 7:25 Or betrothed, or those not yet married
  4. 7:28 Or betrothed woman
  5. 7:28 Lit in the flesh
  6. 7:36–38 Or 36 If any man thinks he is acting improperly toward his virgin daughter, if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage, and he feels she should marry—he can do what he wants. He is not sinning; she can get married. 37 But he who stands firm in his heart (who is under no compulsion, but has control over his own will) and has decided in his heart to keep his own virgin daughter will do well. 38 So then he who gives his own virgin daughter in marriage does well, but he who does not give his own virgin daughter in marriage will do better.
  7. 7:39 Other mss add by law

20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.(A)

21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;(B) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.(C) 23 You were bought at a price;(D) do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.(E)

Concerning the Unmarried

25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord,(F) but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy(G) is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.(H) 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.(I) 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned;(J) and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short.(K) From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.(L)

32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs(M)—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.(N) But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided(O) devotion to the Lord.

36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong[a] and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning.(P) They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right,(Q) but he who does not marry her does better.[b]

39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives.(R) But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.(S) 40 In my judgment,(T) she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage
  2. 1 Corinthians 7:38 Or 36 If anyone thinks he is not treating his daughter properly, and if she is getting along in years (or if her passions are too strong), and he feels she ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. He should let her get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind to keep the virgin unmarried—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who gives his virgin in marriage does right, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.