Beginning

⁸⁹ Lord, your word continues forever in heaven.
⁹⁰ You are loyal forever and ever.
    You made the earth, and it still stands.
⁹¹ All things continue today because of your laws.
    Like slaves, they all obey you.
⁹² If I had not found joy in your teachings,
    my suffering would have destroyed me.
⁹³ I will never forget your commands,
    because through them you gave me new life.
⁹⁴ I am yours, so save me!
    I have done my best to know your instructions.
⁹⁵ The wicked tried to destroy me,
    but your rules made me wise.
⁹⁶ Everything has its limits,
    except your commands.

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your teachings!
    I talk about them all the time.
⁹⁸ Your commands are always with me,
    and they make me wiser than my enemies.
⁹⁹ I am wiser than all my teachers,
    because I study your rules.
¹⁰⁰ I understand more than those who are older,
    because I obey your instructions.
¹⁰¹ I have avoided every path that leads to evil
    so that I could obey your word.
¹⁰² You are my teacher,
    so I will always do whatever you decide.
¹⁰³ Your words are so sweet to me,
    like the taste of honey!
¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from your instructions,
    so I hate anything that leads people the wrong way.

¹⁰⁵ Your word is like a lamp that guides my steps,
    a light that shows the path I should take.
¹⁰⁶ Your laws are good and fair.
    I have promised to obey them, and I will keep my promise.
¹⁰⁷ Lord, I have suffered for a long time.
    Say the word, and I will live again!^[a]
108 Lord, accept the praise I want to give you,
    and teach me your laws.
¹⁰⁹ My life is always in danger,
    but I have not forgotten your teachings.
¹¹⁰ The wicked try to trap me,
    but I have not disobeyed your instructions.
¹¹¹ The rules you have given me to follow will be mine forever.
    They give me great joy.
¹¹² More than anything I want to obey your laws always,
    until the end of my life.

¹¹³ Lord, I hate those who are not completely loyal to you,
    but I love your teachings.
¹¹⁴ Hide me and protect me.
    I trust what you say.
¹¹⁵ Don’t come near me, you who are evil,
    so that I can obey my God’s commands.
¹¹⁶ Support me, Lord, as you promised, and I will live.
    I trust in you, so don’t disappoint me.
¹¹⁷ Help me and I will be saved.
    And I will always give attention to your laws.
¹¹⁸ You reject all who don’t obey your laws,
    because they are liars and did not do what they said.
¹¹⁹ You throw away the wicked of this world like trash.
    So I love your rules.
¹²⁰ I am shaking with fear before you.
    I fear and respect your judgments.

¹²¹ I have done what is right and good.
    Don’t let me fall into the hands of those who want to hurt me.
¹²² Promise to be good to me, your servant.
    Don’t let those proud people do harm to me.
¹²³ I have worn out my eyes looking for your help,
    waiting for you to save me, as you promised.
¹²⁴ Show your faithful love to me, your servant.
    Teach me your laws.
¹²⁵ I am your servant.
    Give me wisdom to understand your rules.
¹²⁶ Lord, it is time for you to do something.
    The people do what is against your teachings.
¹²⁷ I love your commands more than gold,
    more than the purest gold.
¹²⁸ I carefully obey all your commands.
    So I hate anything that leads people the wrong way.

¹²⁹ Lord, your rules are wonderful.
    That is why I follow them.
¹³⁰ As people understand your word, it brings light to their lives.
    Your word makes even simple people wise.
¹³¹ My desire to hear your commands is so strong
    that I wait with open mouth, gasping for breath.
¹³² Look at me, and be kind to me,
    just as you always are to those who love your name.
¹³³ Guide me, as you promised.
    Don’t let evil rule over me.
¹³⁴ Save me from those who want to hurt me,
    and I will obey your instructions.
¹³⁵ Accept your servant,
    and teach me your laws.
¹³⁶ I have cried a river of tears
    because people don’t obey your teachings.

¹³⁷ Lord, you do what is right,
    and your decisions are fair.
¹³⁸ The rules you have given us are right.
    We can trust them completely.
¹³⁹ Something that really upsets me is the thought
    that my enemies ignore your commands.
¹⁴⁰ I love your word.
    Time and again it has been proven true.
¹⁴¹ I am young, and people don’t respect me.
    But I have not forgotten your instructions.
¹⁴² Your goodness is forever,
    and your teachings can be trusted.
¹⁴³ Even though I have troubles and hard times,
    your commands give me joy.
¹⁴⁴ Your rules are always right.
    Help me understand them so that I can live.

¹⁴⁵ Lord, I call to you with all my heart.
    Answer me, and I will obey your laws.
¹⁴⁶ I call to you.
    Save me, and I will obey your rules.
¹⁴⁷ I get up early in the morning to pray to you.
    I trust what you say.
¹⁴⁸ Late into the night I stay awake
    to think about your word.
¹⁴⁹ I know your love is true, so listen to me.
    Lord, you always do what is right, so let me live.
¹⁵⁰ Here come those who have evil plans to hurt me.
    They live far away from your teachings.
¹⁵¹ But you are near me, Lord,
    and all your commands can be trusted.
¹⁵² Long ago, I learned from your rules
    that you made them to last forever.

¹⁵³ Look at my suffering and rescue me.
    I have not forgotten your teachings.
¹⁵⁴ Argue my case, and set me free.
    Let me live, as you promised.
¹⁵⁵ The wicked have no hope of being saved,
    because they don’t follow your laws.
¹⁵⁶ Lord, you are very kind.
    You always do what is right, so let me live.
¹⁵⁷ I have many enemies trying to hurt me,
    but I have not stopped following your rules.
¹⁵⁸ I look at those traitors and hate what I see,
    because they refuse to do what you say.
¹⁵⁹ See how much I love your instructions!
    Lord, I know your love is true, so let me live.
¹⁶⁰ Every word you say can be trusted.
    Your laws are fair and will last forever.

¹⁶¹ Powerful leaders attack me for no reason,
    but the only thing I fear is your command.
¹⁶² Your word makes me happy,
    like someone who has found a great treasure.
¹⁶³ I hate lies; they make me sick!
    But I love your teachings.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
    because your laws are fair.
¹⁶⁵ Those who love your teachings will find true peace.
    Nothing can make them fall.
¹⁶⁶ Lord, I am waiting for you to save me.
    I obey your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I follow your rules.
    I love them very much.
¹⁶⁸ I obey all your instructions and rules,
    because you know everything I do.

¹⁶⁹ Lord, listen to my cry for help.
    Make me wise, as you promised.
¹⁷⁰ Listen to my prayer.
    Save me, as you promised.
¹⁷¹ I will burst into songs of praise,
    because you have taught me your laws.
¹⁷² Let my voice sing about your word,
    because all your commands are good.
¹⁷³ I have chosen to follow your instructions,
    so reach out and help me!
¹⁷⁴ Lord, I want you to save me.
    Your teachings make me happy.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live to praise you.
    Let me find the help I need in your laws.
¹⁷⁶ I have wandered away like a lost sheep.
    Come and find me.
I am your servant,
    and I have not forgotten your commands.