Psalms 119
1 Blessed are those who are perfect in the way, who walk in the law of Jehovah.
Aleph Happy are those who do what is right, who follow what the Lord says.
2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, that seek him with the whole heart.
Happy are those who keep his commandments, who sincerely want to follow him.
3 Yea, they do no unrighteousness. They walk in his ways.
They don't do what's wrong; they walk in his ways.
4 Thou have commanded thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.
You have ordered us to follow your instructions carefully.
5 O that my ways were established to observe thy statutes!
May I be reliable in the way I keep your rules!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame when I have respect for all thy commandments.
Then I won't be ashamed when I compare what I do to what you have said.
7 I will give thanks to thee with uprightness of heart when I learn thy righteous judgments.
I will praise you sincerely as I learn from you the right way to live.
8 I will observe thy statutes. O forsake me not utterly.
I will observe your laws. Please never give up on me! Beth
9 With what shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to thy word.
How does a young person remain pure? By following what you say.
10 With my whole heart I have sought thee. O let me not wander from thy commandments.
I worship you sincerely; please don't let me stray from your commands.
11 I have laid thy word up in my heart that I might not sin against thee.
I keep what you say in mind so I won't sin against you.
12 Blessed are thou, O Jehovah. Teach me thy statutes.
Thank you Lord! Teach me what to do!
13 With my lips I have declared all the ordinances of thy mouth.
I repeat out loud your instructions.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies as much as in all riches.
I enjoy your laws more than having plenty of money.
15 I will meditate on thy precepts, and have respect for thy ways.
I will think deeply about your teachings, and reflect on your ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes. I will not forget thy word.
I will take pleasure in following your directions; I won't forget what you say. Gimel
17 Deal bountifully with thy servant that I may live, so I will observe thy word.
Be kind to your servant so I can live and follow what you teach.
18 Open thou my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Open my eyes so I may discover wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a sojourner in the earth. Hide not thy commandments from me.
I'm only here for a short time—don't let me miss what you have to say.
20 My soul breaks for the longing that it has to thine ordinances at all times.
I'm always so keen to know your instructions.
21 Thou have rebuked the proud, who are cursed, who wander from thy commandments.
You reprimand those who are arrogant; those who don't follow your commandments are cursed.
22 Take away from me reproach and contempt, for I have kept thy testimonies.
Don't let me be scorned and insulted, for I have kept your laws.
23 Rulers also sat and talked against me, but thy servant meditated on thy statutes.
Even leaders sit down together and slander me, but I, your servant, will think seriously about your instructions.
24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.
Your laws make me happy—they are my wise advisors.
25 My soul clings to the dust. Enliven thou me according to thy word.
I'm dying here, lying in the dust. Keep me alive as you promised.
26 I declared my ways, and thou answered me. Teach me thy statutes.
I explained my situation to you, and you answered me. Teach me to follow your directions.
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts, so I shall meditate on thy wondrous works.
Help me understand what your laws mean, and I will meditate on the wonderful things you do.
28 My soul melts for heaviness. Strengthen thou me according to thy word.
I'm weeping because I'm so sad; please encourage me as you promised.
29 Remove from me the way of falsehood, and grant me thy law graciously.
Stop me fooling myself; kindly teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness. I have set thine ordinances.
I have chosen to trust in you. I always pay attention to what you say.
31 I cling to thy testimonies. O Jehovah, put me not to shame.
I hold on to your teachings, Lord. Don't let me be ridiculed.
32 I will run the way of thy commandments when thou shall enlarge my heart.
I run to follow your commands, for you have expanded my mind! He
33 Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.
Teach me the meaning of your laws, and I will always keep them.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law, yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Help me to understand so I can be totally committed to doing what you want.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments, for therein do I delight.
Lead me to follow your commands, for this is what I love to do
36 Incline my heart to thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Help me to concentrate on what you say rather than on making a profit.
37 Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity, and enliven me in thy ways.
Don't let me focus on things that are worthless. Help me live in your ways.
38 Confirm to thy servant thy word, which is for the fear of thee.
Please keep your promise to me, your servant, that you made to those who worship you.
39 Turn away my reproach of which I am afraid, for thine ordinances are good.
Take away the shame I dread, for your law is good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts. Enliven me in thy righteousness.
I always want to do what you say. Please let me live, for you do what is right. Waw
41 Let thy loving kindnesses also come to me, O Jehovah, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
Lord, please love me with your trustworthy love; please give me the salvation you promised.
42 So I shall have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in thy word.
Then I can reply to those who mock me, for I trust what you say.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I have hoped in thine ordinances.
Don't ever prevent me from being able to speak your words of truth, for I place my complete confidence in your just judgments.
44 So shall I observe thy law continually forever and ever.
I will continue to follow your teachings, forever and ever.
45 And I shall walk at liberty, for I have sought thy precepts.
I shall live in freedom, for I have committed myself to obeying you.
46 I also will speak of thy testimonies before kings, and shall not be put to shame.
I will instruct kings about your laws—I won't be embarrassed.
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
I'm so happy for your instructions. I love them!
48 I will also lift up my hands to thy commandments, which I have loved, and I will meditate on thy statutes.
I lift up my hands in prayer, honoring your commandments. I will think deeply about all you say. Zayin
49 Remember the word to thy servant, because thou have made me to hope.
Remember your promise to me, your servant. It's my only hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for thy word has revived me.
This is what brings me encouragement in my misery—your promise keeps me going!
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision, yet I have not swerved from thy law.
Arrogant people mock me terribly, but I don't give up on your teachings.
52 I have remembered thine ordinances of old, O Jehovah, and have comforted myself.
I think about the instructions you gave long ago, Lord, and they reassure me.
53 Hot indignation has taken hold upon me because of the wicked who forsake thy law.
I am angry with the wicked because they have rejected your law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
Your instructions have been music to my ears wherever I have lived.
55 I have remembered thy name, O Jehovah, in the night, and have observed thy law.
At night I think about the kind of person you are, Lord, and do what you say.
56 This I have had because I have kept thy precepts.
For this is how I live my life—by following your principles. Heth
57 Jehovah is my portion; I have said that I would observe thy words.
Lord, you are mine! I have promised to do as you say.
58 I entreated thy favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to thy word.
My whole being wants your blessing—please be kind to me, as you have promised!
59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet to thy testimonies.
As I think about my life, I turn to follow what you have said.
60 I made haste, and delayed not, to observe thy commandments.
I hurry to keep your commandments without delay
61 The cords of the wicked have wrapped me around, but I have not forgotten thy law.
Even though wicked people try to tie me up, I won't forget your instructions.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to thee because of thy righteous ordinances.
I get up in the middle of the night to thank you for your good laws.
63 I am a companion of all those who fear thee, and of those who observe thy precepts.
I identify with all those who follow you, those who do what you tell them.
64 The earth, O Jehovah, is full of thy loving kindness. Teach me thy statutes.
Lord, you love everyone on earth; please teach me what to do. Teth
65 Thou have dealt well with thy servant, O Jehovah, according to thy word.
Lord, you have been so good to me, your servant, as you have promised.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I have believed in thy commandments.
Now teach me wise judgment and discernment because I believe in your instructions.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I observe thy word.
Previously I was suffering, wandering away from you, but now I do what you say.
68 Thou are good, and do good. Teach me thy statutes.
Since you are good, everything you do is good. Teach me your ways.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me. With my whole heart I will keep thy precepts.
Arrogant people smear my reputation with lies; but I whole-heartedly follow your commands.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease, but I delight in thy law.
They are cold and unfeeling, but I love your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn thy statutes.
The suffering I went through was good for me, so I could think about what you have stipulated.
72 The law of thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.
What you tell me to do is worth more to me than much gold and silver. Yodh
73 Thy hands have made me and fashioned me. Give me understanding that I may learn thy commandments.
You created me and made me what I am; help me to learn and better understand your commandments.
74 Those who fear thee shall see me and be glad, because I have hoped in thy word.
May those who worship you be happy when they see me, for I place my confidence in your word.
75 I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness thou have afflicted me.
Lord, I know that what you decide is right; you brought me down in order to help me because you are trustworthy.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy loving kindness be for my comfort according to thy word to thy servant.
May your trustworthy love comfort me as your promised me, your servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come to me that I may live, for thy law is my delight.
Be compassionate to me so I may live, for I love your teachings.
78 Let the proud be put to shame, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on thy precepts.
Bring down those proud people who wronged me with their lies. I will spend time thinking about your instructions.
79 Let those who fear thee turn to me, and they shall know thy testimonies.
Let those who follow you turn to me, those who understand your laws.
80 Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes that I be not put to shame.
May I be innocent in the way I keep your rules so that I won't be ashamed. Kaph
81 My soul faints for thy salvation. I hope in thy word.
I'm exhausted waiting for you to save me, but my hope is in your word.
82 My eyes fail for thy word, while I say, When will thou comfort me?
I strain my eyes looking for you to keep your promises, asking “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wine-skin in the smoke. Yet I do not forget thy statutes.
I've become like a wineskin that's been shriveled up by smoke, but I have not forgotten to do as you say.
84 How many are the days of thy servant? When will thou execute judgment on those who persecute me?
How long do I have to wait before you punish my persecutors?
85 The proud have dug pits for me, who are not according to thy law.
These arrogant people have dug pits to trap me, these people who don't care anything about your law.
86 All thy commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help thou me.
All your commands are trustworthy. Help me against these people who persecute me with their lies!
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth, but I did not forsake thy precepts.
They have almost killed me, but I have not given up on what you say.
88 Revive me according to thy loving kindness, so I shall observe the testimony of thy mouth.
Since you love me with your trustworthy love, don't let me die, so I can go on following the instructions you have given. Lamedh
89 Forever, O Jehovah, thy word is settled in heaven.
Your word, Lord, lasts forever. It stands firm in the heavens.
90 Thy faithfulness is to all generations. Thou have established the earth, and it abides.
Your faithfulness lasts for all generations, as permanent as the earth you created.
91 They abide this day according to thine ordinances, for all things are thy servants.
Your judgments stand—they are as true today as ever—for everything serves your will.
92 Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in my affliction.
If I didn't love your teachings, my suffering would have killed me.
93 I will never forget thy precepts, for with them thou have enlivened me.
I will never forget your instructions, for through them you give me life.
94 I am thine. Save me, for I have sought thy precepts.
I belong to you, so please save me! I am committed to following your rules.
95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider thy testimonies.
Even though wicked people are waiting to ambush and kill me, I will focus my mind on what you say.
96 I have seen an end of all perfection. Thy commandment is exceedingly broad.
I recognize that human perfection has its limits, but your law is limitless. Mem
97 O how I love thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
I really love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
98 Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for I'm always thinking about your instructions.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for thy testimonies are my (meditation)
In fact I have a better insight than all of my teachers because I spend time concentrating on what you say.
100 I understand more than the aged because I have kept thy precepts.
I even understand more than the elders because I follow your directions.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might observe thy word.
I avoid any course of action that leads to evil, because I want to remain faithful to your word.
102 I have not turned aside from thine ordinances, for thou have taught me.
I have not disregarded your instructions because you yourself taught me what to do.
103 How sweet are thy words to my taste, than honey to my mouth!
Your words taste so sweet to me! They are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding. Therefore I hate every false way.
I gain understanding from what you say, so I hate any way of life that's just a lie. Nun
105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and light to my path.
Your word is a lamp that shows me where to walk, it's a light for my path.
106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will observe thy righteous ordinances.
I've made a promise, and I will keep it: I will keep your rules that are always right!
107 I am afflicted very much. Revive me, O Jehovah, according to thy word.
Lord, I'm really suffering! Please let me live, as you have promised.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah, and teach me thine ordinances.
Lord, please accept my offerings of praise that I freely give you. Teach me your rules.
109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget thy law.
My life is always at risk, but I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not gone astray from thy precepts.
Wicked people have set a trap for me, but I will not stray from your commandments.
111 I have taken thy testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I will always hold on to what you say for your words make me really happy,
112 I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes forever, even to the end.
I have made up my mind to follow your instructions to the very end. Samekh
113 I hate those who are of a double mind, but I love thy law.
I hate people who are two-faced, but I love your law.
114 Thou are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in thy word.
You keep me safe and you defend me, your word gives me reason to hope.
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
Leave me alone, you evil people, and let me keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to thy word, that I may live, and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Support me, Lord, as you promised, so I can live. Don't let my hope turn into discouragement.
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe, and shall have respect for thy statutes continually.
Support me, so I can be saved and always pay attention to your instructions.
118 Thou have set at nothing all those who err from thy statutes, for their deceit is falsehood.
You reject all those who don't follow your instructions—they're fooling themselves by living a lie.
119 Thou put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love thy testimonies.
You treat the wicked people on earth as something worthless to be discarded; therefore I love your laws.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of thee, and I am afraid of thy judgments.
I have goose bumps thinking of you—I'm in awe! I'm scared of your judgments! Ayin
121 I have done justice and righteousness. Leave me not to my oppressors.
I have done what's fair and right, so please don't abandon me to my enemies.
122 Be surety for thy servant for good. Let not the proud oppress me.
Please promise you'll take care of me, your servant. Don't let these arrogant people mistreat me.
123 My eyes fail for thy salvation, and for thy righteous word.
I strain my eyes looking for your salvation, watching for you to fulfill your promise to make everything good.
124 Deal with thy servant according to thy loving kindness, and teach me thy statutes.
Please treat me, your servant, according to your trustworthy love. Teach me what you want me to do.
125 I am thy servant. Give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
I am your servant. Please give me discernment so I can understand your instructions.
126 It is time for Jehovah to work. They have made void thy law.
Lord, it's time for you to act, for these people have broken your laws.
127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.
This is why I love your commandments more than gold, more than the finest gold.
128 Therefore I esteem all precepts concerning all things to be right. I hate every false way.
All of your rules are right in every way, and so I hate any way of life that's just a lie. Pe
129 Thy testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
Your laws are truly wonderful—that's why I keep them!
130 The opening of thy words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
Studying your words brings light so that even the uneducated can understand.
131 I opened wide my mouth, and panted, for I longed for thy commandments.
With keen desire I long for what you have to say.
132 Turn thee to me, and have mercy upon me, as thou used to do to those who love thy name.
Please pay attention to me and be kind to me, as you are with those who love you.
133 Establish my footsteps in thy word, and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Tell me by your word the way I should go, and don't let any kind of evil control me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe thy precepts.
Save me from cruel people so I can follow your instructions.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes.
Please look favorably on me, your servant, teach me what I should do.
136 Streams of water run down my eyes, because they do not observe thy law.
My tears stream down as I weep for those who don't keep your law. Tsadhe
137 Thou are righteous, O Jehovah, and upright are thy judgments.
Lord, you are right, and what you decide is just!
138 Thou have commanded thy testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness.
You have given your instructions which are fair and totally trustworthy.
139 My zeal has consumed me, because my adversaries have forgotten thy words.
My devotion is burning me up inside because my enemies ignore your words.
140 Thy word is very pure, therefore thy servant loves it.
Your promises have been proved true, and that's why I, your servant, love them.
141 I am small and despised. I do not forget thy precepts.
I may be unimportant and looked down on, but I don't forget your commandments.
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is truth.
Your goodness and justice last forever; and your law is the truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me. Thy commandments are my delight.
When I have problems and sadness, your commands make me happy.
144 Thy testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, and I shall live.
Your laws are always right; help me to understand what they mean so I can live. Qoph
145 I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, O Jehovah. I will keep thy statutes.
My whole being is crying out! Lord, please answer me! I will follow your instructions.
146 I have called to thee. Save me, and I shall observe thy testimonies.
I pray to you, asking, “Please save me!” so I can do what you say.
147 I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and cried. I hoped in thy words.
I get up before dawn, and call out to you for help and put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes anticipated the night-watches that I might meditate on thy word.
During the night I stay awake, meditating on your word.
149 Hear my voice according to thy loving kindness. Enliven me, O Jehovah, according to thine ordinances.
Listen to what I have to say, Lord, because of your trustworthy love. Keep me alive, Lord, because you always do what's right.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from thy law.
Evil people come running to attack me—they totally disregard your law.
151 Thou are near, O Jehovah, and all thy commandments are truth.
But you, Lord, are close beside me; all your commandments are true.
152 Of old I have known from thy testimonies that thou have founded them forever.
Long ago I realized that your laws will last forever. Resh
153 Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I do not forget thy law.
Please look at my suffering and save me! I have not forgotten your teachings.
154 Plead thou my cause, and redeem me. Enliven me according to thy word.
Plead my case, and save me as you promised! Let me live!
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not thy statutes.
Wicked people can't be saved, because they don't care about what you say.
156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah. Enliven me according to thine ordinances.
Lord, your mercy is so great! Because you are always fair, please let me live!
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I have not swerved from thy testimonies.
Despite the many people who persecute and mistreat me, I have not strayed from your laws.
158 I beheld the treacherous, and was grieved because they do not observe thy word.
Watching these unfaithful people disgusts me because they take no notice of your word.
159 Consider how I love thy precepts. Enliven me, O Jehovah, according to thy loving kindness.
See how much I love your commandments, Lord. Please let me live because of your trustworthy love.
160 The sum of thy word is truth, and every one of thy righteous ordinances is forever.
Your word can be summed up in one word: truth! All of your just laws will last forever. Shin
161 Rulers have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of thy words.
Leaders persecute me for no reason, but I am in awe only of your word.
162 I rejoice at thy word, as he who finds great spoil.
Your word makes me so happy—I'm like someone who discovers immense treasure.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood. I love thy law.
I hate and detest lies, but I love your teachings.
164 Seven times a day I praise thee because of thy righteous ordinances.
I praise you seven times a day because your laws are good.
165 Great peace have those who love thy law, and they have no occasion of stumbling.
Those who love your teachings have wonderful peace and nothing trips them up.
166 I have hoped for thy salvation, O Jehovah, and have done thy commandments.
Lord, I look forward to your salvation. I keep your commandments.
167 My soul has observed thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.
I obey your laws and love them very much.
168 I have observed thy precepts and thy testimonies, for all my ways are before thee.
I keep your commandments and laws because you see everything I do. Taw
169 Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah. Give me understanding according to thy word.
Lord, please listen to my sad cry; help me to understand, as you promised.
170 Let my supplication come before thee. Deliver me according to thy word.
Please hear what I have to say to you, and save me, as you promised.
171 Let my lips utter praise, for thou teach me thy statutes.
Let me pour out my words of praise, for you teach me what to do.
172 Let my tongue sing of thy word, for all thy commandments are righteousness.
I will sing about your word, for all your commandments are right.
173 Let thy hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen thy precepts.
Please be ready to help me, for I have chosen to follow your instructions.
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah, and thy law is my delight.
I long for your salvation, Lord; your teachings make me happy.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee. And let thine ordinances help me.
May I live my life in praise to you, and may your instructions help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek thy servant, for I do not forget thy commandments.
I have wandered away like a lost sheep, so please come looking for me, for I have not forgotten your commandments.
