Psalms 119
1 Aleph Happy are those who do what is right, who follow what the Lord says.
ALEPH Happy are they who are without sin in their ways, walking in the law of the Lord.
2 Happy are those who keep his commandments, who sincerely want to follow him.
Happy are they who keep his unchanging word, searching after him with all their heart.
3 They don't do what's wrong; they walk in his ways.
They do no evil; they go in his ways.
4 You have ordered us to follow your instructions carefully.
You have put your orders into our hearts, so that we might keep them with care.
5 May I be reliable in the way I keep your rules!
If only my ways were ordered so that I might keep your rules!
6 Then I won't be ashamed when I compare what I do to what you have said.
Then I would not be put to shame, as long as I have respect for all your teaching.
7 I will praise you sincerely as I learn from you the right way to live.
I will give you praise with an upright heart in learning your right decisions.
8 I will observe your laws. Please never give up on me! Beth
I will keep your rules: O give me not up completely.
9 How does a young person remain pure? By following what you say.
BETH How may a young man make his way clean? by guiding it after your word.
10 I worship you sincerely; please don't let me stray from your commands.
I have made search for you with all my heart: O let me not go wandering far from your teaching.
11 I keep what you say in mind so I won't sin against you.
I have kept your sayings secretly in my heart, so that I might do no sin against you.
12 Thank you Lord! Teach me what to do!
Praise be to you, O Lord: give me knowledge of your rules.
13 I repeat out loud your instructions.
With my lips have I made clear all the decisions of your mouth.
14 I enjoy your laws more than having plenty of money.
I have taken as much delight in the way of your unchanging word, as in all wealth.
15 I will think deeply about your teachings, and reflect on your ways.
I will give thought to your orders, and have respect for your ways.
16 I will take pleasure in following your directions; I won't forget what you say. Gimel
I will have delight in your rules; I will not let your word go out of my mind.
17 Be kind to your servant so I can live and follow what you teach.
GIMEL Give me, your servant, the reward of life, so that I may keep your word;
18 Open my eyes so I may discover wonderful things in your law.
Let my eyes be open to see the wonders of your law.
19 I'm only here for a short time—don't let me miss what you have to say.
I am living in a strange land: do not let your teachings be kept secret from me.
20 I'm always so keen to know your instructions.
My soul is broken with desire for your decisions at all times.
21 You reprimand those who are arrogant; those who don't follow your commandments are cursed.
Your hand has been against the men of pride, a curse is on those who go wandering out of your way.
22 Don't let me be scorned and insulted, for I have kept your laws.
Take away from me shame and bitter words; for I have kept your unchanging word in my heart.
23 Even leaders sit down together and slander me, but I, your servant, will think seriously about your instructions.
Rulers make evil designs against me; but your servant gives thought to your rules.
24 Your laws make me happy—they are my wise advisors.
Your unchanging word is my delight, and the guide of my footsteps.
25 I'm dying here, lying in the dust. Keep me alive as you promised.
DALETH My soul is joined to the dust: O give me life, in keeping with your word.
26 I explained my situation to you, and you answered me. Teach me to follow your directions.
I put the record of my ways before you, and you gave me an answer: O give me knowledge of your rules.
27 Help me understand what your laws mean, and I will meditate on the wonderful things you do.
Make the way of your orders clear to me; then my thoughts will be ever on your wonders.
28 I'm weeping because I'm so sad; please encourage me as you promised.
My soul is wasted with sorrow; give me strength again in keeping with your word
29 Stop me fooling myself; kindly teach me your law.
Take from me every false way; and in mercy give me your law.
30 I have chosen to trust in you. I always pay attention to what you say.
I have taken the way of faith: I have kept your decisions before me.
31 I hold on to your teachings, Lord. Don't let me be ridiculed.
I have been true to your unchanging word; O Lord, do not put me to shame.
32 I run to follow your commands, for you have expanded my mind! He
I will go quickly in the way of your teaching, because you have given me a free heart.
33 Teach me the meaning of your laws, and I will always keep them.
HE O Lord, let me see the way of your rules, and I will keep it to the end.
34 Help me to understand so I can be totally committed to doing what you want.
Give me wisdom, so that I may keep your law; going after it with all my heart.
35 Lead me to follow your commands, for this is what I love to do
Make me go in the way of your teachings; for they are my delight.
36 Help me to concentrate on what you say rather than on making a profit.
Let my heart be turned to your unchanging word, and not to evil desire.
37 Don't let me focus on things that are worthless. Help me live in your ways.
Let my eyes be turned away from what is false; give me life in your ways.
38 Please keep your promise to me, your servant, that you made to those who worship you.
Give effect to your word to your servant, in whose heart is the fear of you.
39 Take away the shame I dread, for your law is good.
Take away the shame which is my fear; for your decisions are good.
40 I always want to do what you say. Please let me live, for you do what is right. Waw
See how great is my desire for your orders: give me life in your righteousness.
41 Lord, please love me with your trustworthy love; please give me the salvation you promised.
VAU Let your mercies come to me, O Lord, even your salvation, as you have said.
42 Then I can reply to those who mock me, for I trust what you say.
So that I may have an answer for the man who would put me to shame; for I have faith in your word.
43 Don't ever prevent me from being able to speak your words of truth, for I place my complete confidence in your just judgments.
Take not your true word quite out of my mouth; for I have put my hope in your decisions.
44 I will continue to follow your teachings, forever and ever.
So that I may keep your law for ever and ever;
45 I shall live in freedom, for I have committed myself to obeying you.
So that my way may be in a wide place: because my search has been for your orders.
46 I will instruct kings about your laws—I won't be embarrassed.
So that I may give knowledge of your unchanging word before kings, and not be put to shame.
47 I'm so happy for your instructions. I love them!
And so that I may take delight in your teachings, to which I have given my love.
48 I lift up my hands in prayer, honoring your commandments. I will think deeply about all you say. Zayin
And so that my hands may be stretched out to you; and I will give thought to your rules.
49 Remember your promise to me, your servant. It's my only hope.
ZAIN Keep in mind your word to your servant, for on it has my hope been fixed.
50 This is what brings me encouragement in my misery—your promise keeps me going!
This is my comfort in my trouble; that your sayings have given me life.
51 Arrogant people mock me terribly, but I don't give up on your teachings.
The men of pride have made great sport of me; but I have not been turned from your law.
52 I think about the instructions you gave long ago, Lord, and they reassure me.
I have kept the memory of your decisions from times past, O Lord; and they have been my comfort.
53 I am angry with the wicked because they have rejected your law.
I am burning with wrath, because of the sinners who have given up your law.
54 Your instructions have been music to my ears wherever I have lived.
Your rules have been melodies to me, while I have been living in strange lands.
55 At night I think about the kind of person you are, Lord, and do what you say.
I have given thought to your name in the night, O Lord, and have kept your law.
56 For this is how I live my life—by following your principles. Heth
This has been true of me, that I have kept your orders in my heart.
57 Lord, you are mine! I have promised to do as you say.
CHETH The Lord is my heritage: I have said that I would be ruled by your words.
58 My whole being wants your blessing—please be kind to me, as you have promised!
I have given my mind to do your pleasure with all my heart; have mercy on me, as you have said.
59 As I think about my life, I turn to follow what you have said.
I gave thought to my steps, and my feet were turned into the way of your unchanging word.
60 I hurry to keep your commandments without delay
I was quick to do your orders, and let no time be wasted.
61 Even though wicked people try to tie me up, I won't forget your instructions.
The cords of evil-doers are round me; but I have kept in mind your law.
62 I get up in the middle of the night to thank you for your good laws.
In the middle of the night I will get up to give you praise, because of all your right decisions.
63 I identify with all those who follow you, those who do what you tell them.
I keep company with all your worshippers, and those who have your orders in their memory.
64 Lord, you love everyone on earth; please teach me what to do. Teth
The earth, O Lord, is full of your mercy: give me knowledge of your rules.
65 Lord, you have been so good to me, your servant, as you have promised.
TETH You have done good to your servant, O Lord, in keeping with your word.
66 Now teach me wise judgment and discernment because I believe in your instructions.
Give me knowledge and good sense; for I have put my faith in your teachings.
67 Previously I was suffering, wandering away from you, but now I do what you say.
Before I was in trouble I went out of the way; but now I keep your word.
68 Since you are good, everything you do is good. Teach me your ways.
You are good, and your works are good; give me knowledge of your rules.
69 Arrogant people smear my reputation with lies; but I whole-heartedly follow your commands.
The men of pride have said false things about me; but I will keep your orders in my heart.
70 They are cold and unfeeling, but I love your law.
Their hearts are shut up with fat; but my delight is in your law.
71 The suffering I went through was good for me, so I could think about what you have stipulated.
It is good for me to have been through trouble; so that I might come to the knowledge of your rules.
72 What you tell me to do is worth more to me than much gold and silver. Yodh
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.
73 You created me and made me what I am; help me to learn and better understand your commandments.
JOD Your hands have made me, and given me form: give me wisdom, so that I may have knowledge of your teaching.
74 May those who worship you be happy when they see me, for I place my confidence in your word.
Your worshippers will see me and be glad; because my hope has been in your word.
75 Lord, I know that what you decide is right; you brought me down in order to help me because you are trustworthy.
I have seen, O Lord, that your decisions are right, and that in unchanging faith you have sent trouble on me.
76 May your trustworthy love comfort me as your promised me, your servant.
Let your mercy now be my comfort, as you have said to your servant.
77 Be compassionate to me so I may live, for I love your teachings.
Let your gentle mercies come to me, so that I may have life; for your law is my delight.
78 Bring down those proud people who wronged me with their lies. I will spend time thinking about your instructions.
Let the men of pride be shamed; because they have falsely given decision against me; but I will give thought to your orders.
79 Let those who follow you turn to me, those who understand your laws.
Let your worshippers be turned to me, and those who have knowledge of your words.
80 May I be innocent in the way I keep your rules so that I won't be ashamed. Kaph
Let all my heart be given to your orders, so that I may not be put to shame.
81 I'm exhausted waiting for you to save me, but my hope is in your word.
CAPH My soul is wasted with desire for your salvation: but I have hope in your word.
82 I strain my eyes looking for you to keep your promises, asking “When will you comfort me?”
My eyes are full of weariness with searching for your word, saying, When will you give me comfort?
83 I've become like a wineskin that's been shriveled up by smoke, but I have not forgotten to do as you say.
For I have become like a wine-skin black with smoke; but I still keep the memory of your rules.
84 How long do I have to wait before you punish my persecutors?
How short is the life of your servant! when will you give your decision against those who are attacking me?
85 These arrogant people have dug pits to trap me, these people who don't care anything about your law.
The men of pride, who are turned away from your law, have put nets for me.
86 All your commands are trustworthy. Help me against these people who persecute me with their lies!
All your teachings are certain; they go after me with evil design; give me your help.
87 They have almost killed me, but I have not given up on what you say.
They had almost put an end to me on earth; but I did not give up your orders.
88 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
Give me life in your mercy; so that I may be ruled by the unchanging word of your mouth.
89 Your word, Lord, lasts forever. It stands firm in the heavens.
LAMED For ever, O Lord, your word is fixed in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness lasts for all generations, as permanent as the earth you created.
Your faith is unchanging from generation to generation: you have put the earth in its place, and it is not moved.
91 Your judgments stand—they are as true today as ever—for everything serves your will.
They are ruled this day by your decisions; for all things are your servants.
92 If I didn't love your teachings, my suffering would have killed me.
If your law had not been my delight, my troubles would have put an end to me.
93 I will never forget your instructions, for through them you give me life.
I will ever keep your orders in mind; for in them I have life.
94 I belong to you, so please save me! I am committed to following your rules.
I am yours, O be my saviour; for my desire has been for your rules.
95 Even though wicked people are waiting to ambush and kill me, I will focus my mind on what you say.
The sinners have been waiting for me to give me up to destruction; but I will give all my mind to your unchanging ward.
96 I recognize that human perfection has its limits, but your law is limitless. Mem
I have seen that nothing on earth is complete; but your teaching is very wide.
97 I really love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
MEM O what love I have for your law! I give thought to it all the day.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for I'm always thinking about your instructions.
Your teaching has made me wiser than my haters: for it is mine for ever.
99 In fact I have a better insight than all of my teachers because I spend time concentrating on what you say.
I have more knowledge than all my teachers, because I give thought to your unchanging word.
100 I even understand more than the elders because I follow your directions.
I have more wisdom than the old, because I have kept your orders.
101 I avoid any course of action that leads to evil, because I want to remain faithful to your word.
I have kept back my feet from all evil ways, so that I might be true to your word.
102 I have not disregarded your instructions because you yourself taught me what to do.
My heart has not been turned away from your decisions; for you have been my teacher.
103 Your words taste so sweet to me! They are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
How sweet are your sayings to my taste! truly, they are sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from what you say, so I hate any way of life that's just a lie. Nun
Through your orders I get wisdom; for this reason I am a hater of every false way.
105 Your word is a lamp that shows me where to walk, it's a light for my path.
NUN Your word is a light for my feet, ever shining on my way.
106 I've made a promise, and I will keep it: I will keep your rules that are always right!
I have made an oath and kept it, to be guided by your upright decisions.
107 Lord, I'm really suffering! Please let me live, as you have promised.
I am greatly troubled, O Lord, give me life in keeping with your word.
108 Lord, please accept my offerings of praise that I freely give you. Teach me your rules.
Take, O Lord, the free offerings of my mouth, and give me knowledge of your decisions.
109 My life is always at risk, but I will not forget your law.
My soul is ever in danger; but I still keep the memory of your law.
110 Wicked people have set a trap for me, but I will not stray from your commandments.
Sinners have put a net to take me; but I was true to your orders.
111 I will always hold on to what you say for your words make me really happy,
I have taken your unchanging word as an eternal heritage; for it is the joy of my heart.
112 I have made up my mind to follow your instructions to the very end. Samekh
My heart is ever ready to keep your rules, even to the end.
113 I hate people who are two-faced, but I love your law.
SAMECH I am a hater of men of doubting mind; but I am a lover of your law.
114 You keep me safe and you defend me, your word gives me reason to hope.
You are my secret place and my breastplate against danger; my hope is in your word.
115 Leave me alone, you evil people, and let me keep the commandments of my God.
Go far from me, you evil-doers; so that I may keep the teachings of my God.
116 Support me, Lord, as you promised, so I can live. Don't let my hope turn into discouragement.
Be my support as you have said, and give me life; let not my hope be turned to shame.
117 Support me, so I can be saved and always pay attention to your instructions.
Let me not be moved, and I will be safe, and ever take delight in your rules.
118 You reject all those who don't follow your instructions—they're fooling themselves by living a lie.
You have overcome all those who are wandering from your rules; for all their thoughts are false.
119 You treat the wicked people on earth as something worthless to be discarded; therefore I love your laws.
All the sinners of the earth are like waste metal in your eyes; and for this cause I give my love to your unchanging word.
120 I have goose bumps thinking of you—I'm in awe! I'm scared of your judgments! Ayin
My flesh is moved for fear of you; I give honour to your decisions.
121 I have done what's fair and right, so please don't abandon me to my enemies.
AIN I have done what is good and right: you will not give me into the hands of those who are working against me.
122 Please promise you'll take care of me, your servant. Don't let these arrogant people mistreat me.
Take your servant's interests into your keeping; let me not be crushed by the men of pride.
123 I strain my eyes looking for your salvation, watching for you to fulfill your promise to make everything good.
My eyes are wasted with desire for your salvation, and for the word of your righteousness.
124 Please treat me, your servant, according to your trustworthy love. Teach me what you want me to do.
Be good to your servant in your mercy, and give me teaching in your rules.
125 I am your servant. Please give me discernment so I can understand your instructions.
I am your servant; give me wisdom, so that I may have knowledge of your unchanging word.
126 Lord, it's time for you to act, for these people have broken your laws.
It is time, O Lord, for you to let your work be seen; for they have made your law without effect.
127 This is why I love your commandments more than gold, more than the finest gold.
For this reason I have greater love far your teachings than for gold, even for shining gold.
128 All of your rules are right in every way, and so I hate any way of life that's just a lie. Pe
Because of it I keep straight in all things by your orders; and I am a hater of every false way.
129 Your laws are truly wonderful—that's why I keep them!
PE Your unchanging word is full of wonder; for this reason my soul keeps it.
130 Studying your words brings light so that even the uneducated can understand.
The opening of your words gives light; it gives good sense to the simple.
131 With keen desire I long for what you have to say.
My mouth was open wide, waiting with great desire for your teachings.
132 Please pay attention to me and be kind to me, as you are with those who love you.
Let your eyes be turned to me, and have mercy on me, as it is right for you to do to those who are lovers of your name.
133 Tell me by your word the way I should go, and don't let any kind of evil control me.
Let my steps be guided by your word; and let not sin have control over me.
134 Save me from cruel people so I can follow your instructions.
Make me free from the cruel rule of man; then I will keep your orders.
135 Please look favorably on me, your servant, teach me what I should do.
Let your servant see the shining of your face; give me knowledge of your rules.
136 My tears stream down as I weep for those who don't keep your law. Tsadhe
Rivers of water are flowing from my eyes, because men do not keep your law.
137 Lord, you are right, and what you decide is just!
TZADE O Lord, great is your righteousness, and upright are your decisions.
138 You have given your instructions which are fair and totally trustworthy.
You have given your unchanging word in righteousness, and it is for ever.
139 My devotion is burning me up inside because my enemies ignore your words.
My passion has overcome me; because my haters are turned away from your words.
140 Your promises have been proved true, and that's why I, your servant, love them.
Your word is of tested value; and it is dear to your servant.
141 I may be unimportant and looked down on, but I don't forget your commandments.
I am small and of no account; but I keep your orders in mind.
142 Your goodness and justice last forever; and your law is the truth.
Your righteousness is an unchanging righteousness, and your law is certain.
143 When I have problems and sadness, your commands make me happy.
Pain and trouble have overcome me: but your teachings are my delight.
144 Your laws are always right; help me to understand what they mean so I can live. Qoph
The righteousness of your unchanging word is eternal; give me wisdom so that I may have life.
145 My whole being is crying out! Lord, please answer me! I will follow your instructions.
KOPH I have made my prayer with all my heart; give answer to me, O Lord: I will keep your rules.
146 I pray to you, asking, “Please save me!” so I can do what you say.
My cry has gone up to you; take me out of trouble, and I will be guided by your unchanging word.
147 I get up before dawn, and call out to you for help and put my hope in your word.
Before the sun is up, my cry for help comes to your ear; my hope is in your words.
148 During the night I stay awake, meditating on your word.
In the night watches I am awake, so that I may give thought to your saying.
149 Listen to what I have to say, Lord, because of your trustworthy love. Keep me alive, Lord, because you always do what's right.
Let my voice come to you, in your mercy; O Lord, by your decisions give me life.
150 Evil people come running to attack me—they totally disregard your law.
Those who have evil designs against me come near; they are far from your law.
151 But you, Lord, are close beside me; all your commandments are true.
You are near, O Lord; and all your teachings are true.
152 Long ago I realized that your laws will last forever. Resh
I have long had knowledge that your unchanging word is for ever.
153 Please look at my suffering and save me! I have not forgotten your teachings.
RESH O see my trouble, and be my saviour; for I keep your law in my mind,
154 Plead my case, and save me as you promised! Let me live!
Undertake my cause, and come to my help, give me life, as you have said.
155 Wicked people can't be saved, because they don't care about what you say.
Salvation is far from evil-doers; for they have made no search for your rules.
156 Lord, your mercy is so great! Because you are always fair, please let me live!
Great is the number of your mercies, O Lord; give me life in keeping with your decisions.
157 Despite the many people who persecute and mistreat me, I have not strayed from your laws.
Great is the number of those who are against me; but I have not been turned away from your unchanging word.
158 Watching these unfaithful people disgusts me because they take no notice of your word.
I saw with hate those who were untrue to you; for they did not keep your saying.
159 See how much I love your commandments, Lord. Please let me live because of your trustworthy love.
See how great is my love for your orders: give me life, O Lord, in keeping with your mercy.
160 Your word can be summed up in one word: truth! All of your just laws will last forever. Shin
Your word is true from the first; and your upright decision is unchanging for ever.
161 Leaders persecute me for no reason, but I am in awe only of your word.
SHIN Rulers have been cruel to me without cause; but I have the fear of your word in my heart.
162 Your word makes me so happy—I'm like someone who discovers immense treasure.
I am delighted by your saying, like a man who makes discovery of great wealth.
163 I hate and detest lies, but I love your teachings.
I am full of hate and disgust for false words; but I am a lover of your law.
164 I praise you seven times a day because your laws are good.
Seven times a day do I give you praise, because of your upright decisions.
165 Those who love your teachings have wonderful peace and nothing trips them up.
Great peace have lovers of your law; they have no cause for falling.
166 Lord, I look forward to your salvation. I keep your commandments.
Lord, my hope has been in your salvation; and I have kept your teachings.
167 I obey your laws and love them very much.
My soul has kept your unchanging word; great is my love for it.
168 I keep your commandments and laws because you see everything I do. Taw
I have been ruled by your orders; for all my ways are before you.
169 Lord, please listen to my sad cry; help me to understand, as you promised.
TAU Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me wisdom in keeping with your word.
170 Please hear what I have to say to you, and save me, as you promised.
Let my prayer come before you; take me out of trouble, as you have said.
171 Let me pour out my words of praise, for you teach me what to do.
Let my lips be flowing with praise, because you have given me knowledge of your rules.
172 I will sing about your word, for all your commandments are right.
Let my tongue make songs in praise of your word; for all your teachings are righteousness.
173 Please be ready to help me, for I have chosen to follow your instructions.
Let your hand be near for my help; for I have given my heart to your orders.
174 I long for your salvation, Lord; your teachings make me happy.
All my desire has been for your salvation, O Lord; and your law is my delight.
175 May I live my life in praise to you, and may your instructions help me.
Give life to my soul so that it may give you praise; and let your decisions be my support.
176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep, so please come looking for me, for I have not forgotten your commandments.
I have gone out of the way like a wandering sheep; make search for your servant; for I keep your teachings ever in mind.
