Lamedh

89 Forever, O Lord, your (A)word
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your (B)faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have (C)established the earth, and it (D)stands fast.
91 By your (E)appointment they stand this day,
    for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my (F)delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have (G)given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
    (H)for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
    but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
    but your commandment is exceedingly (I)broad.

Mem

97 Oh how (J)I love your law!
    It is my (K)meditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me (L)wiser than my enemies,
    for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for (M)your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than (N)the aged,[a]
    for I (O)keep your precepts.
101 I (P)hold back my feet from every evil way,
    in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules,
    for you have taught me.
103 How (Q)sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding;
    therefore (R)I hate every false way.

Nun

105 (S)Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.
106 I have (T)sworn an oath and confirmed it,
    to keep your (U)righteous rules.
107 I am severely (V)afflicted;
    (W)give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept (X)my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
    and (Y)teach me your rules.
109 I hold my life (Z)in my hand continually,
    but I do not (AA)forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid (AB)a snare for me,
    but (AC)I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are (AD)my heritage forever,
    for they are (AE)the joy of my heart.
112 I (AF)incline my heart to perform your statutes
    forever, (AG)to the end.[b]

Samekh

113 I hate (AH)the double-minded,
    but I love (AI)your law.
114 You are my (AJ)hiding place and my (AK)shield;
    I (AL)hope in your word.
115 (AM)Depart from me, you evildoers,
    that I may (AN)keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me (AO)according to your promise, that I may live,
    and let me not be (AP)put to shame in my (AQ)hope!
117 (AR)Hold me up, that I may be safe
    and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You (AS)spurn all who (AT)go astray from your statutes,
    for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like (AU)dross,
    therefore (AV)I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh (AW)trembles for fear of you,
    and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin

121 I have done what is just and right;
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant (AX)a pledge of good;
    let not (AY)the insolent oppress me.
123 My (AZ)eyes long for your salvation
    and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
    and (BA)teach me your statutes.
125 I am your (BB)servant; (BC)give me understanding,
    that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the Lord to act,
    for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I (BD)love your commandments
    above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
    I hate every (BE)false way.

Pe

129 Your testimonies are (BF)wonderful;
    therefore my soul (BG)keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts (BH)understanding to the simple.
131 I (BI)open my mouth and (BJ)pant,
    because I (BK)long for your commandments.
132 (BL)Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is your way with those who love your name.
133 (BM)Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
    and let no iniquity (BN)get dominion over me.
134 (BO)Redeem me from man's oppression,
    that I may keep your precepts.
135 (BP)Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and (BQ)teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes (BR)shed streams of tears,
    because people (BS)do not keep your law.

Tsadhe

137 (BT)Righteous are you, O Lord,
    and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies in (BU)righteousness
    and in all (BV)faithfulness.
139 My (BW)zeal consumes me,
    because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well (BX)tried,
    and your servant (BY)loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
    yet I do not (BZ)forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
    and your law is (CA)true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
    but your commandments are my (CB)delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
    (CC)give me understanding that I may (CD)live.

Qoph

145 With my (CE)whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
    I will (CF)keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
    that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before (CG)dawn and cry for help;
    I (CH)hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before (CI)the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
    O Lord, (CJ)according to your justice (CK)give me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
    they are far from your law.
151 But (CL)you are near, O Lord,
    and all your commandments are (CM)true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
    that you have (CN)founded them forever.

Resh

153 Look on my (CO)affliction and deliver me,
    for (CP)I do not forget your law.
154 (CQ)Plead my cause and redeem me;
    (CR)give me life according to your promise!
155 (CS)Salvation is far from the wicked,
    (CT)for they do not seek your statutes.
156 (CU)Great is your mercy, O Lord;
    (CV)give me life according to your rules.
157 (CW)Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
    but I do not (CX)swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at (CY)the faithless with (CZ)disgust,
    because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I (DA)love your precepts!
    (DB)Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 (DC)The sum of your word is (DD)truth,
    and every one of your (DE)righteous rules endures forever.

Sin and Shin

161 (DF)Princes persecute me (DG)without cause,
    but my heart (DH)stands in awe of your words.
162 I (DI)rejoice at your word
    like one who (DJ)finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love (DK)your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your (DL)righteous rules.
165 Great (DM)peace have those who love your law;
    (DN)nothing can make them stumble.
166 I (DO)hope for your salvation, O Lord,
    and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I (DP)love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    (DQ)for all my ways are before you.

Taw

169 Let my (DR)cry come before you, O Lord;
    (DS)give me understanding (DT)according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
    (DU)deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will (DV)pour forth praise,
    for you (DW)teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
    for (DX)all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have (DY)chosen your precepts.
174 I (DZ)long for your salvation, O Lord,
    and your law is my (EA)delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
176 I have (EB)gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not (EC)forget your commandments.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:100 Or the elders
  2. Psalm 119:112 Or statutes; the reward is eternal

ל Lamedh

89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;(A)
    it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness(B) continues through all generations;(C)
    you established the earth, and it endures.(D)
91 Your laws endure(E) to this day,
    for all things serve you.(F)
92 If your law had not been my delight,(G)
    I would have perished in my affliction.(H)
93 I will never forget(I) your precepts,
    for by them you have preserved my life.(J)
94 Save me,(K) for I am yours;
    I have sought out your precepts.(L)
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,(M)
    but I will ponder your statutes.(N)
96 To all perfection I see a limit,
    but your commands are boundless.(O)

מ Mem

97 Oh, how I love your law!(P)
    I meditate(Q) on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
    and make me wiser(R) than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
    for I meditate on your statutes.(S)
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
    for I obey your precepts.(T)
101 I have kept my feet(U) from every evil path
    so that I might obey your word.(V)
102 I have not departed from your laws,(W)
    for you yourself have taught(X) me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey(Y) to my mouth!(Z)
104 I gain understanding(AA) from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every wrong path.(AB)

נ Nun

105 Your word is a lamp(AC) for my feet,
    a light(AD) on my path.
106 I have taken an oath(AE) and confirmed it,
    that I will follow your righteous laws.(AF)
107 I have suffered much;
    preserve my life,(AG) Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,(AH)
    and teach me your laws.(AI)
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,(AJ)
    I will not forget(AK) your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare(AL) for me,
    but I have not strayed(AM) from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
    they are the joy of my heart.(AN)
112 My heart is set(AO) on keeping your decrees
    to the very end.[a](AP)

ס Samekh

113 I hate double-minded people,(AQ)
    but I love your law.(AR)
114 You are my refuge and my shield;(AS)
    I have put my hope(AT) in your word.
115 Away from me,(AU) you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me,(AV) my God, according to your promise,(AW) and I will live;
    do not let my hopes be dashed.(AX)
117 Uphold me,(AY) and I will be delivered;(AZ)
    I will always have regard for your decrees.(BA)
118 You reject all who stray(BB) from your decrees,
    for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;(BC)
    therefore I love your statutes.(BD)
120 My flesh trembles(BE) in fear of you;(BF)
    I stand in awe(BG) of your laws.

ע Ayin

121 I have done what is righteous and just;(BH)
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;(BI)
    do not let the arrogant oppress me.(BJ)
123 My eyes fail,(BK) looking for your salvation,(BL)
    looking for your righteous promise.(BM)
124 Deal with your servant according to your love(BN)
    and teach me your decrees.(BO)
125 I am your servant;(BP) give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.(BQ)
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
    your law is being broken.(BR)
127 Because I love your commands(BS)
    more than gold,(BT) more than pure gold,(BU)
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,(BV)
    I hate every wrong path.(BW)

פ Pe

129 Your statutes are wonderful;(BX)
    therefore I obey them.(BY)
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;(BZ)
    it gives understanding to the simple.(CA)
131 I open my mouth and pant,(CB)
    longing for your commands.(CC)
132 Turn to me(CD) and have mercy(CE) on me,
    as you always do to those who love your name.(CF)
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;(CG)
    let no sin rule(CH) over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,(CI)
    that I may obey your precepts.(CJ)
135 Make your face shine(CK) on your servant
    and teach me your decrees.(CL)
136 Streams of tears(CM) flow from my eyes,
    for your law is not obeyed.(CN)

צ Tsadhe

137 You are righteous,(CO) Lord,
    and your laws are right.(CP)
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;(CQ)
    they are fully trustworthy.(CR)
139 My zeal wears me out,(CS)
    for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises(CT) have been thoroughly tested,(CU)
    and your servant loves them.(CV)
141 Though I am lowly and despised,(CW)
    I do not forget your precepts.(CX)
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
    and your law is true.(CY)
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands give me delight.(CZ)
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
    give me understanding(DA) that I may live.

ק Qoph

145 I call with all my heart;(DB) answer me, Lord,
    and I will obey your decrees.(DC)
146 I call out to you; save me(DD)
    and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn(DE) and cry for help;
    I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,(DF)
    that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice(DG) in accordance with your love;(DH)
    preserve my life,(DI) Lord, according to your laws.
150 Those who devise wicked schemes(DJ) are near,
    but they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near,(DK) Lord,
    and all your commands are true.(DL)
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes(DM)
    that you established them to last forever.(DN)

ר Resh

153 Look on my suffering(DO) and deliver me,(DP)
    for I have not forgotten(DQ) your law.
154 Defend my cause(DR) and redeem me;(DS)
    preserve my life(DT) according to your promise.(DU)
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek out(DV) your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;(DW)
    preserve my life(DX) according to your laws.(DY)
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,(DZ)
    but I have not turned(EA) from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,(EB)
    for they do not obey your word.(EC)
159 See how I love your precepts;
    preserve my life,(ED) Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.(EE)

ש Sin and Shin

161 Rulers persecute me(EF) without cause,
    but my heart trembles(EG) at your word.
162 I rejoice(EH) in your promise
    like one who finds great spoil.(EI)
163 I hate and detest(EJ) falsehood
    but I love your law.(EK)
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous laws.(EL)
165 Great peace(EM) have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.(EN)
166 I wait for your salvation,(EO) Lord,
    and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
    for I love them(EP) greatly.
168 I obey your precepts(EQ) and your statutes,(ER)
    for all my ways are known(ES) to you.

ת Taw

169 May my cry come(ET) before you, Lord;
    give me understanding(EU) according to your word.(EV)
170 May my supplication come(EW) before you;
    deliver me(EX) according to your promise.(EY)
171 May my lips overflow with praise,(EZ)
    for you teach me(FA) your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing(FB) of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.(FC)
173 May your hand be ready to help(FD) me,
    for I have chosen(FE) your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation,(FF) Lord,
    and your law gives me delight.(FG)
175 Let me live(FH) that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.(FI)
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten(FJ) your commands.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:112 Or decrees / for their enduring reward

Paul's Visions and His Thorn

12 I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and (A)revelations of the Lord. I know a man (B)in Christ who fourteen years ago was (C)caught up to (D)the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, (E)God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into (F)paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, (G)God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, (H)except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, (I)I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So (J)to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] (K)a thorn was given me in the flesh, (L)a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. (M)Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, (N)“My grace is sufficient for you, for (O)my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that (P)the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 (Q)For the sake of Christ, then, (R)I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For (S)when I am weak, then I am strong.

Concern for the Corinthian Church

11 (T)I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was (U)not at all inferior to these super-apostles, (V)even though I am nothing. 12 (W)The signs of a true apostle were performed among you (X)with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 13 For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that (Y)I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

14 Here (Z)for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for (AA)I seek not what is yours but you. For (AB)children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but (AC)parents for their children. 15 (AD)I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If (AE)I love you more, am I to be loved less? 16 But granting that (AF)I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. 17 Did I take advantage of you (AG)through any of those whom I sent to you? 18 (AH)I urged Titus to go, and sent (AI)the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is (AJ)in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and (AK)all for your upbuilding, beloved. 20 For I fear that perhaps (AL)when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 21 I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those (AM)who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, (AN)sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:7 Or hears from me, even because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited

Paul’s Vision and His Thorn

12 I must go on boasting.(A) Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations(B) from the Lord. I know a man in Christ(C) who fourteen years ago was caught up(D) to the third heaven.(E) Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.(F) And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up(G) to paradise(H) and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses.(I) Even if I should choose to boast,(J) I would not be a fool,(K) because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, or because of these surpassingly great revelations.(L) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh,(M) a messenger of Satan,(N) to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.(O) But he said to me, “My grace(P) is sufficient for you, for my power(Q) is made perfect in weakness.(R)(S) Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight(T) in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships,(U) in persecutions,(V) in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.(W)

Paul’s Concern for the Corinthians

11 I have made a fool of myself,(X) but you drove me to it. I ought to have been commended by you, for I am not in the least inferior to the “super-apostles,”[a](Y) even though I am nothing.(Z) 12 I persevered in demonstrating among you the marks of a true apostle, including signs, wonders and miracles.(AA) 13 How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you?(AB) Forgive me this wrong!(AC)

14 Now I am ready to visit you for the third time,(AD) and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents,(AE) but parents for their children.(AF) 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well.(AG) If I love you more,(AH) will you love me less? 16 Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you.(AI) Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! 17 Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? 18 I urged(AJ) Titus(AK) to go to you and I sent our brother(AL) with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?

19 Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God(AM) as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends,(AN) is for your strengthening.(AO) 20 For I am afraid that when I come(AP) I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be.(AQ) I fear that there may be discord,(AR) jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,(AS) slander,(AT) gossip,(AU) arrogance(AV) and disorder.(AW) 21 I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved(AX) over many who have sinned earlier(AY) and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery(AZ) in which they have indulged.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 12:11 Or the most eminent apostles