119 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.

Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.

13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.

25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame.

32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O Lord, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

49 Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O Lord; and have comforted myself.

53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

55 I have remembered thy name, O Lord, in the night, and have kept thy law.

56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

57 Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep thy words.

58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

65 Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O Lord, according unto thy word.

66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

75 I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

81 My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

89 For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.

90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

94 I am thine, save me: for I have sought thy precepts.

95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O Lord, according unto thy word.

108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me thy judgments.

109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

113 I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

121 I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

126 It is time for thee, Lord, to work: for they have made void thy law.

127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

137 Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments.

138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

140 Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes.

146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O Lord, quicken me according to thy judgment.

150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.

151 Thou art near, O Lord; and all thy commandments are truth.

152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

153 Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to thy judgments.

157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.

160 Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

166 Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Lord: give me understanding according to thy word.

170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

The Word of God

ALEPH[a]

119 God has blessed people who always do what is right.
    They obey the Lord's Law.
    They agree to live by his rules.[b]
    They love to pray to him.
God has blessed people like that.
Also, they do nothing that is wrong.
    They live in a way that please the Lord.
You, Lord, have told us to obey your teaching carefully.
I want to be able to obey your laws all the time.
When I remember all your commands,
    I will not be ashamed.
When I learn your good rules,
    I will do what is right and I will thank you.
Yes, I will obey your laws.
    Please do not turn away from me!

BETH

How can a young man live a clean life?
    He must be careful to obey your message.
10 I bring all my thoughts to you.
    Do not let me forget to obey your commands.
11 I always keep your message in my mind,
    so that I do not do anything bad against you.
12 Lord, everyone should praise you!
    Please teach me your laws.
13 You have taught us your rules.
    I want to speak them aloud for others to hear.
14 Your rules give me a happy life.
    When I obey them, it is better than being rich!
15 I want to think carefully about your teaching.
    You have shown me the best way to live.
16 Your laws make me very happy.
    I will not forget what you have taught me.

GIMEL

17 Please be kind to me, your servant.
    Then I will live and I will obey your message.
18 Open my eyes wide!
    Then I will see great things in your Law.
19 I live like a stranger here on the earth.
    Please do not hide your commands from me.
20 I really want to obey your rules all the time.
    I want that more than anything else.
21 You warn people who are proud.
If they turn away from your commands,
    you will surely punish them.
22 I obey your rules.
So do not let people insult me,
    so that I become ashamed.
23 Rulers may think of ways to hurt me.
    But I will think carefully about your rules.
24 Yes, your laws make me really happy.
    They show me the right way to live.

DALETH

25 I have fallen to the ground. I am almost dead.
    Give me life again, as you have promised to do.
26 I told you what my life is like,
    and you answered me.
Please teach me your laws.
27 Help me to understand what your teaching means.
    Then I will think carefully about the great things that you do.
28 I am so sad that I feel very weak.
    Use your word to make me strong again.
29 Stop me from living in a wrong way.
Please be kind to me,
    so that I know your Law.
30 I have chosen to live in the right way.
    I will continue to obey your rules.
31 Yes, Lord, I will always respect your teaching.
    Please do not let me become ashamed.
32 I want to obey your commands all the time.
    Help me to understand them more and more.

HE

33 Lord, help me to understand your teaching,
    then I will always obey it.
34 Explain your Law to me, then I will obey it.
    I will always love to do what it says.
35 Help me to live in a way that respects your commands.
    That is what makes me very happy.
36 Help me to love your rules.
    That is better for me than riches.
37 Turn my eyes away from useless things.
    Use your word to help me to live.
38 I am your servant.
    Please do what you have promised to do.
You have promised to bless anyone who respects you.
39 I am afraid when people insult me.
Your rules are good,
    so do not let me be ashamed.
40 I really want to obey your rules.
Because you are righteous,
    please let me continue to live.

WAW

41 Lord, I want your faithful love to be with me.
    Please keep me safe, as you have promised.
42 Then I will be able to answer the people who insult me.
I will show them that I trust in your word.
43 Do not stop me from speaking your true word!
    I know that you will do what is right.
44 I will always obey your Law,
    now and for ever.
45 I will not be in danger as I live,
    because I try to obey your teaching.
46 I will speak to kings about your rules.
    I will not be ashamed to do that.
47 I love your commands
    and they make me very happy.
48 I respect your commands,
    and I love them.
I am always thinking about your laws.

ZAYIN

49 Remember the word that you have spoken to me, your servant.
    You have made me put my hope in it.
50 When I have trouble,
    your promise gives me peace in my mind.
It makes my life strong again.
51 Proud people laugh at me all the time.
    But I do not turn away from your Law.
52 Lord, I remember the rules that you made long ago.
    When I do that, I feel happy.
53 When wicked people turn against your Law,
    I become very angry.
54 Wherever I live, I sing songs about your rules.
55 In the night, Lord, I think about who you are.
    I will continue to obey your Law.
56 This is what I do every day:
    I obey your teaching.

HETH

57 Lord, you are everything that I need.
    I promise to obey your rules.
58 I ask you, ‘Please, please take care of me.
Be kind and forgive me,
    as you have promised to do.’
59 I have thought about the way that I live.
I have decided to return to your teaching.
60 I will be quick to obey your commands.
    I will not be slow to do that.
61 Wicked people try to catch me in their traps,
    but I will not forget your Law.
62 I get up in the middle of the night to praise you.
    I thank you for your fair rules.
63 I am a friend of everyone who respects you,
    and who obeys your teaching.
64 Lord, your faithful love is everywhere!
    Please teach me your commands.

TETH

65 Lord, you have blessed me, your servant,
    as you have promised to do.
66 Teach me to understand what is right,
    because I trust your commands.
67 Before you showed me what was right, I made mistakes,
    but now I obey your teaching.
68 You are good and you do good things.
    So please teach me your laws.
69 Proud people have told many lies against me,
    but I love to obey your rules.
70 Those people do not understand anything,
    but your Law makes me very happy.
71 When I suffered, it was good for me.
    It helped me to learn your commands.
72 The rules that you have taught me are very valuable.
They are more valuable to me
    than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

YOD

73 You made me with your hands. You made me what I am.
Help me to understand things well,
    so that I learn your commands.
74 People who respect you will be happy when they see me.
    That is because I trust your word.
75 Lord, I know that your rules are good and fair.
When you sent trouble to me,
    it was because you truly loved me.
76 Now, please use your faithful love
    to comfort me.
That is what you promised to do for me, your servant.
77 Be kind to me so that I will live!
    Your Law makes me really happy.
78 Proud men should be ashamed!
    They have spoken lies against me.
79 Let the people who respect you come back to me.
    Then they will learn to obey your rules.
80 Let me obey your commands completely.
    Then I will not be ashamed.

KAPH

81 As I wait for you to save me,
    I feel tired and weak.
I trust in your word.
82 As I wait for you to do what you have promised,
    my eyes are too tired to stay open.
I ask, ‘When will you come to help me?’
83 I am like an old wineskin that has become useless.
But I have not forgotten your rules.
84 As your servant, help me to be patient.
Please punish the people who want to hurt me.
    Please do it soon.
85 Proud people want to catch me in their traps.
    That is against your Law!
86 I know that I can trust all your commands,
    but people still give me trouble with their lies.
    Quickly, help me!
87 People here on earth have almost destroyed me,
    but I continue to obey your teaching.
88 Please use your faithful love to keep me alive.
Then I can continue to obey the rules that you have taught me.

LAMED

89 Lord, your teaching will always be there.
    You keep it safe in heaven.
90 You continue to show that people can trust you,
    from one century to the next.
You have fixed the earth in its place,
    and it will remain.
91 It is by your command that all things continue.
    You have put them there to serve you.
92 If your Law had not made me happy,
    I would have been sad until I died.
93 I will never forget your rules,
    because you have used them to give me life.
94 I belong to you. Please save me!
    I have respected your rules.
95 Wicked people are ready to kill me,
    but I think carefully about your teaching.
96 I have learned that all things will come to an end,
    but your commands have no end.

MEM

97 I love your Law very much.
    I think about it all the time.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies.
    They are always in my thoughts.
99 I understand more than all my teachers,
    because I think about your rules.
100 I understand more than people who are old,
    because I respect your teaching.
101 I do not follow evil ways,
    so that I can obey your word.
102 I do not turn away from your rules,
    because you are my teacher.
103 Your words are very good.
    They taste sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 Your teaching helps me to understand things,
    so I hate anything that is false.

NUN

105 Your word is like a lamp that shines as my guide.
    It shows me the right way to live.
106 I have made a strong promise
    that I will always obey your righteous rules.
107 I have a lot of trouble and pain.
Lord, please keep me safe,
    as you have promised to do.
108 Lord, please accept the praise
    that I choose to offer to you.
Teach me your rules.
109 My life is always in danger,
    but I never forget your Law.
110 Wicked people try to catch me in a trap,
    but I do not turn away from your teaching.
111 Your laws will always be with me.
    They make me happy deep inside.
112 I have decided to obey your commands always,
    until the end of my life.

SAMEKH

113 I hate hypocrites,
    but I love your Law.
114 You are the safe place where I can hide.
You keep me safe like a soldier's shield.
    I know that I can trust your word.
115 Go away from me, you evil people!
    I will obey my God's commands.
116 Help me to be strong, Lord,
    as your word promises.
Do not let me be ashamed because of my hope.
117 Please help me so that I will be safe.
    Then I will always obey your commands.
118 You refuse people who turn away from your laws.
You do not accept them,
    because they speak lies to deceive people.
119 The wicked people in the world are like rubbish to you.
    So I choose to obey your rules.
120 I respect your great strength,
    so that my body shakes with fear.
I am afraid of the laws by which you judge people.

AYIN

121 I have done what is fair and right.
Do not leave me alone
    so that my cruel enemies can hurt me.
122 Promise to take care of me, your servant.
Do not let proud people hurt me.
123 I have been waiting a long time for you to save me.
    My eyes have become tired.
I am waiting for you to save me,
    as your true promise has said.
124 Please be kind to me, your servant,
    so that I see your faithful love.
Continue to teach me your laws.
125 I am your servant. Help me to be wise,
    so that I can understand your rules.
126 It is time for you to do something, Lord,
    because people have turned against your Law.
127 That is why I love your commands.
    They are more valuable to me than very pure gold.
128 So I carefully obey your teaching.
    I hate everything that is false.

PE

129 Your laws are wonderful, Lord!
    So I obey them.
130 Your message brings light to people,
    when they understand it.
It helps ordinary people to become wise.
131 I want very much to know your commands,
    like a thirsty dog needs water to drink.
132 Turn towards me and be kind to me,
    as you always do for those who serve you.
133 Use your word to lead me along the right way.
    Do not let sin rule over me.
134 Keep me safe from cruel people,
    so that I can obey your teaching.
135 Show a kind face to me, your servant.
    Teach me your laws.
136 I weep with streams of tears,
    because people do not obey your Law.

TSADHE

137 Lord, you are righteous
    and your laws are completely fair.
138 The rules that you have given to us are good and right.
    We can trust them completely.
139 I am so upset that it almost kills me,
    because my enemies do not accept your message.
140 I know that your promises are completely true.
    I love them more than anything.
141 I am not important enough for people to respect me,
    but I do not forget your teaching.
142 You will always do what is right
    and your law is completely true.
143 I have much trouble and it makes me afraid,
    but your commands make me happy.
144 Your rules are always fair.
Help me to understand them,
    so that I may find true life.

QOPH

145 With my whole being, I call to you,
    ‘Answer me, Lord!
    I will obey your commands.’
146 I say to you, ‘Save me,
    so that I can obey your rules.’
147 I wake up before dawn
    and I cry to you for help.
I trust your promises to be true.
148 I am awake during each night,
    and I think carefully about your message.
149 You love me with a faithful love,
    so please listen to me!
Lord, do what is right,
    and keep my life safe.
150 People who love to do evil things
    are ready to attack me.
They have no interest in your Law.
151 Lord, you are near to me,
    and I can trust all your commands.
152 I have studied your teaching since long ago.
    I know that you have made it to remain for ever.

RESH

153 Look at my pain and trouble!
Please save me,
    because I do not forget your Law.
154 Stand with me and make me free.
Keep me safe,
    as you have promised to do.
155 Wicked people do not obey your rules,
    so their lives will never be safe.
156 Lord, you are very kind.
Please do what is right,
    and keep my life safe!
157 I have many enemies
    who are ready to hurt me.
But I do not turn away from your teaching.
158 When I see people who have turned against you,
    they make me very upset.
They do not obey your commands.
159 See how I love your teaching, Lord!
Please keep my life safe,
    because of your faithful love for your people.
160 I can trust that your message is true.
All your righteous rules will continue for ever.

SHIN

161 Rulers want to hurt me for no good reason.
But it is your message that I respect with fear.
162 Your teaching makes me very happy.
I am like someone who has found great riches.
163 I hate all kinds of lies,
    but I love your Law.
164 I praise you seven times each day,
    because of your righteous rules.
165 People who love your Law have peace in their minds.
    Nothing will cause them to fall down.
166 Lord, I trust you to save me,
    as I obey your commands.
167 I will continue to obey your rules,
    because I love them so much.
168 I obey your commands and your teaching,
    because you know everything that I do.

TAW

169 Listen to me, Lord,
    as I call to you for help!
Help me to understand your word.
170 I ask you to be kind to me,
    so please listen!
Keep me safe,
    as you have promised to do.
171 I will always speak aloud to praise you,
    because you teach me your rules.
172 I will sing about your message,
    because all your commands are righteous.
173 Please be ready to help me,
    because I choose to obey your teaching.
174 Lord, I am waiting for you to save me.
    Please do it soon!
Your Law makes me very happy.
175 Keep my life safe,
    so that I can praise you.
Use your laws to give me help.
176 I have left the right way.
Come to make me safe again,
    like a shepherd looks for his lost sheep.
Help me, your servant,
    because I have not forgotten your commands.

Footnotes

  1. 119:1 Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm. There are 22 parts. Each part has 8 verses. Every line of each part starts with one letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The first letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Aleph. Each line of the first part begins with Aleph. Each line of the second part begins with Beth, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It probably made it easier for people to remember the Psalm. We have not made it an alphabet poem in English.
  2. 119:2 This Psalm uses many different words to talk about God's message to us. We do not have the same words in English as the Psalm has in the Hebrew language. But the different English words help us to see that the Bible, God's word, teaches us in many different ways. The Psalm talks about God's Law, his rules, his commands, his message, his teaching, his word and his promises. Every part of the Psalm uses many of these different words. The different words tell us about the many ways that God has spoken to us. He has shown us the right way to live and how to please him.