Beginning

⁸⁹ Lord, your word lasts forever.
    It stands firm in the heavens.
⁹⁰ You will be faithful for all time to come.
    You made the earth, and it continues to exist.
⁹¹ Your laws continue to this very day,
    because all things serve you.
⁹² If I had not taken delight in your law,
    I would have died because of my suffering.
⁹³ I will never forget your rules.
    You have kept me alive, because I obey them.
⁹⁴ Save me, because I belong to you.
    I’ve tried to obey your rules.
⁹⁵ Sinful people are waiting to destroy me.
    But I will spend time thinking about your covenant laws.
⁹⁶ I’ve learned that everything has its limits.
    But your commands are perfect. They are always there when I need them.

⁹⁷ Lord, I really love your law!
    All day long I spend time thinking about it.
⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
    because your commands are always in my heart.
⁹⁹ I know more than all my teachers do,
    because I spend time thinking about your covenant laws.
¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the elders do,
    because I obey your rules.
¹⁰¹ I’ve kept my feet from every path that sinners take
    so that I might obey your word.
¹⁰² I haven’t turned away from your laws,
    because you yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³ Your words are very sweet to my taste!
    They are sweeter than honey to me.
¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from your rules.
    So I hate every path that sinners take.

¹⁰⁵ Your word is like a lamp that shows me the way.
    It is like a light that guides me.
¹⁰⁶ I have made a promise
    to follow your laws, because they are right.
¹⁰⁷ I have suffered very much.
    Lord, keep me alive as you have promised.
¹⁰⁸ Lord, accept the praise I freely give you.
    Teach me your laws.
¹⁰⁹ I keep putting my life in danger.
    But I won’t forget to obey your law.
¹¹⁰ Evil people have set a trap for me.
    But I haven’t wandered away from your rules.
¹¹¹ Your covenant laws are your gift to me forever.
    They fill my heart with joy.
¹¹² I have decided to obey your orders
    to the very end.

¹¹³ I hate people who can’t make up their minds.
    But I love your law.
¹¹⁴ You are my place of safety.
    You are like a shield that keeps me safe.
    I have put my hope in your word.
¹¹⁵ Get away from me, you who do evil!
    Then I can do what my God commands me to do.
¹¹⁶ My God, keep me going as you have promised. Then I will live.
    Don’t let me lose all hope.
¹¹⁷ Take good care of me, and I will be saved.
    I will always honor your orders.
¹¹⁸ You turn your back on all those who wander away from your orders.
    Their wrong thoughts will be proved to be wrong.
¹¹⁹ You throw away all the sinners on earth as if they were trash.
    So I love your covenant laws.
¹²⁰ My body trembles because I have respect for you.
    I have great respect for your laws.

¹²¹ I have done what is right and fair.
    So don’t leave me to those who treat me badly.
¹²² Make sure that everything goes well with me.
    Don’t let proud people treat me badly.
¹²³ My eyes grow tired as I look to you to save me.
    Please save me as you have promised.
¹²⁴ Be good to me, because you love me.
    Teach me your orders.
¹²⁵ I serve you, so help me to understand what is right.
    Then I will understand your covenant laws.
¹²⁶ Lord, it’s time for you to act.
    People are breaking your law.
¹²⁷ I love your commands more than gold.
    I love them more than pure gold.
¹²⁸ I consider all your rules to be right.
    So I hate every path that sinners take.

¹²⁹ Your covenant laws are wonderful.
    So I obey them.
¹³⁰ When your words are made clear, they bring light.
    They bring understanding to childish people.
¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant like a dog,
    because I long to know your commands.
¹³² Turn to me and have mercy on me.
    That’s what you’ve always done for those who love you.
¹³³ Teach me how to live as you have promised.
    Don’t let any sin be my master.
¹³⁴ Set me free from people who treat me badly.
    Then I will obey your rules.
¹³⁵ Have mercy on me.
    Teach me your orders.
¹³⁶ Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
    because people don’t obey your law.

¹³⁷ Lord, you do what is fair.
    And your laws are right.
¹³⁸ The laws you have made are fair.
    They can be completely trusted.
¹³⁹ My anger is wearing me out,
    because my enemies don’t pay any attention to your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your promises have proved to be true.
    I love them.
¹⁴¹ I’m not important. People look down on me.
    But I don’t forget to obey your rules.
¹⁴² You always do what is right.
    And your law is true.
¹⁴³ I’ve had my share of trouble and suffering.
    But your commands give me delight.
¹⁴⁴ Your covenant laws are always right.
    Help me to understand them. Then I will live.

¹⁴⁵ Lord, I call out to you with all my heart.
    Answer me, and I will obey your orders.
¹⁴⁶ I call out to you.
    Save me, and I will keep your covenant laws.
¹⁴⁷ I get up before the sun rises. I cry out for help.
    I’ve put my hope in your word.
¹⁴⁸ My eyes stay open all night long.
    I spend my time thinking about your promises.
¹⁴⁹ Listen to me, because you love me.
    Lord, keep me alive as you have promised.
¹⁵⁰ Those who think up evil plans are near.
    They have wandered far away from your law.
¹⁵¹ But Lord, you are near.
    All your commands are true.
¹⁵² Long ago I learned from your covenant laws
    that you made them to last forever.

¹⁵³ Look at how I’m suffering!
    Save me, because I haven’t forgotten to obey your law.
¹⁵⁴ Stand up for me and set me free.
    Keep me alive as you have promised.
¹⁵⁵ Those who are evil are far from being saved.
    They don’t want to obey your orders.
¹⁵⁶ Lord, you have deep concern for me.
    Keep me alive as you have promised.
¹⁵⁷ Many enemies attack me.
    But I haven’t turned away from your covenant laws.
¹⁵⁸ I get very angry when I see people who aren’t faithful to you.
    They don’t obey your word.
¹⁵⁹ See how I love your rules!
    Lord, keep me alive, because you love me.
¹⁶⁰ All your words are true.
    All your laws are right. They last forever.

¹⁶¹ Rulers attack me for no reason.
    But I tremble because of your word.
¹⁶² I’m filled with joy because of your promise.
    It’s like finding a great fortune.
¹⁶³ I hate lies with a deep hatred.
    But I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
    for your laws, because they are right.
¹⁶⁵ Those who love your law enjoy great peace.
    Nothing can make them trip and fall.
¹⁶⁶ Lord, I wait for you to save me.
    I follow your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I obey your covenant laws,
    because I love them greatly.
¹⁶⁸ I obey your rules and your covenant laws,
    because you know all about how I live.

¹⁶⁹ Lord, may you hear my cry.
    Give me understanding, just as you said you would.
¹⁷⁰ May you hear my prayer.
    Save me, just as you promised.
¹⁷¹ May my lips pour out praise to you,
    because you teach me your orders.
¹⁷² May my tongue sing about your word,
    because all your commands are right.
¹⁷³ May your hand be ready to help me,
    because I have chosen to obey your rules.
¹⁷⁴ Lord, I long for you to save me.
    Your law gives me delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live so that I can praise you.
    May your laws keep me going.
¹⁷⁶ Like a lost sheep, I’ve gone down the wrong path.
    Come and look for me,
    because I haven’t forgotten to obey your commands.