Psalms 119
1 Aleph Happy are those who do what is right, who follow what the Lord says.
[ALEPH] O the blessedness of those perfect in the way, They are walking in the Law of YHWH,
2 Happy are those who keep his commandments, who sincerely want to follow him.
O the blessedness of those keeping His testimonies, They seek Him with the whole heart.
3 They don't do what's wrong; they walk in his ways.
Indeed, they have not done iniquity, They have walked in His ways.
4 You have ordered us to follow your instructions carefully.
You have commanded us to diligently keep Your precepts,
5 May I be reliable in the way I keep your rules!
O that my ways were prepared to keep Your statutes,
6 Then I won't be ashamed when I compare what I do to what you have said.
Then I am not ashamed In my looking to all Your commands.
7 I will praise you sincerely as I learn from you the right way to live.
I confess You with uprightness of heart, In my learning the judgments of Your righteousness.
8 I will observe your laws. Please never give up on me! Beth
I keep Your statutes, do not utterly leave me!
9 How does a young person remain pure? By following what you say.
[BETH] With what does a young man purify his path? To observe—according to Your word.
10 I worship you sincerely; please don't let me stray from your commands.
I have sought You with all my heart, Do not let me err from Your commands.
11 I keep what you say in mind so I won't sin against you.
I have hid Your saying in my heart, That I do not sin before You.
12 Thank you Lord! Teach me what to do!
Blessed [are] You, O YHWH, teach me Your statutes.
13 I repeat out loud your instructions.
With my lips I have recounted All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I enjoy your laws more than having plenty of money.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As over all wealth.
15 I will think deeply about your teachings, and reflect on your ways.
I meditate on Your precepts, And I attentively behold Your paths.
16 I will take pleasure in following your directions; I won't forget what you say. Gimel
I delight myself in Your statutes, I do not forget Your word.
17 Be kind to your servant so I can live and follow what you teach.
[GIMEL] Confer benefits on Your servant, I live, and I keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes so I may discover wonderful things in your law.
Uncover my eyes, and I behold wonders out of Your law.
19 I'm only here for a short time—don't let me miss what you have to say.
I [am] a sojourner on earth, Do not hide Your commands from me.
20 I'm always so keen to know your instructions.
My soul has broken for desire To Your judgments at all times.
21 You reprimand those who are arrogant; those who don't follow your commandments are cursed.
You have rebuked the cursed proud, Who are erring from Your commands.
22 Don't let me be scorned and insulted, for I have kept your laws.
Remove reproach and contempt from me, For I have kept Your testimonies.
23 Even leaders sit down together and slander me, but I, your servant, will think seriously about your instructions.
Princes also sat—they spoke against me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes,
24 Your laws make me happy—they are my wise advisors.
Your testimonies [are] also my delight, The men of my counsel!
25 I'm dying here, lying in the dust. Keep me alive as you promised.
[DALETH] My soul has cleaved to the dust, Quicken me according to Your word.
26 I explained my situation to you, and you answered me. Teach me to follow your directions.
I have recounted my ways, And You answer me, teach me Your statutes,
27 Help me understand what your laws mean, and I will meditate on the wonderful things you do.
Cause me to understand the way of Your precepts, And I meditate on Your wonders.
28 I'm weeping because I'm so sad; please encourage me as you promised.
My soul has dropped from affliction, Establish me according to Your word.
29 Stop me fooling myself; kindly teach me your law.
Turn aside the way of falsehood from me And favor me with Your law.
30 I have chosen to trust in you. I always pay attention to what you say.
I have chosen the way of faithfulness, I have compared Your judgments,
31 I hold on to your teachings, Lord. Don't let me be ridiculed.
I have adhered to Your testimonies, O YHWH, do not put me to shame.
32 I run to follow your commands, for you have expanded my mind! He
I run the way of Your commands, For You enlarge my heart!
33 Teach me the meaning of your laws, and I will always keep them.
[HE] Show me, O YHWH, the way of Your statutes, And I keep it—[to] the end.
34 Help me to understand so I can be totally committed to doing what you want.
Cause me to understand, and I keep Your law, And observe it with the whole heart.
35 Lead me to follow your commands, for this is what I love to do
Cause me to tread in the path of Your commands, For I have delighted in it.
36 Help me to concentrate on what you say rather than on making a profit.
Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to dishonest gain.
37 Don't let me focus on things that are worthless. Help me live in your ways.
Remove my eyes from seeing vanity, Quicken me in Your way.
38 Please keep your promise to me, your servant, that you made to those who worship you.
Establish Your saying to Your servant, That [is] concerning Your fear.
39 Take away the shame I dread, for your law is good.
Remove my reproach that I have feared, For Your judgments [are] good.
40 I always want to do what you say. Please let me live, for you do what is right. Waw
Behold, I have longed for Your precepts, Quicken me in Your righteousness,
41 Lord, please love me with your trustworthy love; please give me the salvation you promised.
[WAW] And Your kindness meets me, O YHWH, Your salvation according to Your saying.
42 Then I can reply to those who mock me, for I trust what you say.
And I answer him who is reproaching me a word, For I have trusted 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.
And You do not utterly take away The word of truth from my mouth, Because I have hoped for Your judgment.
44 I will continue to follow your teachings, forever and ever.
And I keep Your law continually, For all time and forever.
45 I shall live in freedom, for I have committed myself to obeying you.
And I habitually walk in a broad place, For I have sought Your precepts.
46 I will instruct kings about your laws—I won't be embarrassed.
And I speak of Your testimonies before kings, And I am not ashamed.
47 I'm so happy for your instructions. I love them!
And I delight myself in Your commands, That I have loved,
48 I lift up my hands in prayer, honoring your commandments. I will think deeply about all you say. Zayin
And I lift up my hands to Your commands, That I have loved, And I meditate on Your statutes!
49 Remember your promise to me, your servant. It's my only hope.
[ZAYIN] Remember the word to Your servant, On which You have caused me to hope.
50 This is what brings me encouragement in my misery—your promise keeps me going!
This [is] my comfort in my affliction, That Your saying has quickened me.
51 Arrogant people mock me terribly, but I don't give up on your teachings.
The proud have utterly scorned me, I have not turned aside from Your law.
52 I think about the instructions you gave long ago, Lord, and they reassure me.
I remembered Your judgments of old, O YHWH, And I comfort myself.
53 I am angry with the wicked because they have rejected your law.
Horror has seized me, Because of the wicked forsaking Your law.
54 Your instructions have been music to my ears wherever I have lived.
Your statutes have been songs to me, In the house of my sojournings.
55 At night I think about the kind of person you are, Lord, and do what you say.
I have remembered Your Name in the night, O YHWH, And I keep Your law.
56 For this is how I live my life—by following your principles. Heth
This has been to me, That I have kept Your precepts!
57 Lord, you are mine! I have promised to do as you say.
[HETH] YHWH [is] my portion; I have said I would keep Your words,
58 My whole being wants your blessing—please be kind to me, as you have promised!
I appeased Your face with the whole heart, Favor me according to Your saying.
59 As I think about my life, I turn to follow what you have said.
I have reckoned my ways, And turn back my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I hurry to keep your commandments without delay
I have made haste, And did not delay, to keep Your commands.
61 Even though wicked people try to tie me up, I won't forget your instructions.
Cords of the wicked have surrounded me, I have not forgotten Your law.
62 I get up in the middle of the night to thank you for your good laws.
At midnight I rise to give thanks to You, For the judgments of Your righteousness.
63 I identify with all those who follow you, those who do what you tell them.
I [am] a companion to all who fear You, And to those keeping Your precepts.
64 Lord, you love everyone on earth; please teach me what to do. Teth
Of Your kindness, O YHWH, the earth is full, Teach me Your statutes!
65 Lord, you have been so good to me, your servant, as you have promised.
[TETH] You did good with Your servant, O YHWH, According to Your word.
66 Now teach me wise judgment and discernment because I believe in your instructions.
Teach me the goodness of reason and knowledge, For I have believed in Your commands.
67 Previously I was suffering, wandering away from you, but now I do what you say.
Before I am afflicted, I am erring, And now I have kept Your saying.
68 Since you are good, everything you do is good. Teach me your ways.
You [are] good, and doing good, Teach me Your statutes.
69 Arrogant people smear my reputation with lies; but I whole-heartedly follow your commands.
The proud have forged falsehood against me, I keep Your precepts with the whole heart.
70 They are cold and unfeeling, but I love your law.
Their heart has been thick as fat, I have delighted 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 that I have been afflicted, That I might learn Your statutes.
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.
[YOD] Your hands made me and establish me, Cause me to understand, and I learn Your commands.
74 May those who worship you be happy when they see me, for I place my confidence in your word.
Those fearing You see me and rejoice, Because I have hoped for 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 known, O YHWH, That Your judgments [are] righteous, And [in] faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 May your trustworthy love comfort me as your promised me, your servant.
Please let Your kindness be to comfort me, According to Your saying to Your servant.
77 Be compassionate to me so I may live, for I love your teachings.
Your mercies meet me, and I live, 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.
The proud are ashamed, For [with] falsehood they dealt perversely with me. I meditate on Your precepts.
79 Let those who follow you turn to me, those who understand your laws.
Those fearing You turn back to me, And those knowing Your testimonies.
80 May I be innocent in the way I keep your rules so that I won't be ashamed. Kaph
My heart is perfect in Your statutes, So that I am not ashamed.
81 I'm exhausted waiting for you to save me, but my hope is in your word.
[KAPH] My soul has been consumed for Your salvation, I have hoped for Your word.
82 I strain my eyes looking for you to keep your promises, asking “When will you comfort me?”
My eyes have been consumed for Your word, Saying, “When does it comfort me?”
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 been as a bottle in smoke, I have not forgotten Your statutes.
84 How long do I have to wait before you punish my persecutors?
How many [are] the days of Your servant? When do You execute judgment Against my pursuers?
85 These arrogant people have dug pits to trap me, these people who don't care anything about your law.
The proud have dug pits for me, That [are] not according to Your law.
86 All your commands are trustworthy. Help me against these people who persecute me with their lies!
All Your commands [are] faithfulness, They have pursued me [with] falsehood, Help me.
87 They have almost killed me, but I have not given up on what you say.
They have almost consumed me on earth, And I have not forsaken Your precepts.
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
Quicken me according to Your kindness, And I keep the Testimony of Your mouth!
89 Your word, Lord, lasts forever. It stands firm in the heavens.
[LAMED] For all time, O YHWH, Your word is set up in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness lasts for all generations, as permanent as the earth you created.
Your faithfulness from generation to generation, You established earth, and it stands.
91 Your judgments stand—they are as true today as ever—for everything serves your will.
According to Your ordinances They have stood this day, for the whole—Your servants.
92 If I didn't love your teachings, my suffering would have killed me.
Unless Your law [were] my delights, Then had I perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your instructions, for through them you give me life.
I do not forget Your precepts for all time, For You have quickened me by them.
94 I belong to you, so please save me! I am committed to following your rules.
I [am] Yours, save me, for I have sought Your precepts.
95 Even though wicked people are waiting to ambush and kill me, I will focus my mind on what you say.
Your wicked waited for me to destroy me, I understand Your testimonies.
96 I recognize that human perfection has its limits, but your law is limitless. Mem
I have seen an end of all perfection, Your command [is] exceedingly broad!
97 I really love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
[MEM] O how I have loved Your law! It [is] my meditation all the day.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for I'm always thinking about your instructions.
Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, For it [is] before me for all time.
99 In fact I have a better insight than all of my teachers because I spend time concentrating on what you say.
I have acted wisely above all my teachers. For Your testimonies [are] my (meditation)
100 I even understand more than the elders because I follow your directions.
Above elderly—I understand more, For I have kept Your precepts.
101 I avoid any course of action that leads to evil, because I want to remain faithful to your word.
I restrained my feet from every evil path, So that I keep Your word.
102 I have not disregarded your instructions because you yourself taught me what to do.
I did not turn aside from Your judgments, For You have directed me.
103 Your words taste so sweet to me! They are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
How sweet Your saying has been to my palate, Above honey to my mouth.
104 I gain understanding from what you say, so I hate any way of life that's just a lie. Nun
I have understanding from Your precepts, Therefore I have hated every false path!
105 Your word is a lamp that shows me where to walk, it's a light for my path.
[NUN] Your word [is] a lamp to my foot, And a light to my path.
106 I've made a promise, and I will keep it: I will keep your rules that are always right!
I have sworn, and I confirm, To keep the judgments of Your righteousness.
107 Lord, I'm really suffering! Please let me live, as you have promised.
I have been afflicted very much, O YHWH, quicken me, according to Your word.
108 Lord, please accept my offerings of praise that I freely give you. Teach me your rules.
Please accept [the] free-will offerings of my mouth, O YHWH, And teach me Your judgments.
109 My life is always at risk, but I will not forget your law.
My soul [is] in my hand continually, And I have not forgotten Your law.
110 Wicked people have set a trap for me, but I will not stray from your commandments.
The wicked have laid a snare for me, And I did not wander from your precepts.
111 I will always hold on to what you say for your words make me really happy,
I have inherited Your testimonies for all time, For they [are] the joy of my heart.
112 I have made up my mind to follow your instructions to the very end. Samekh
I have inclined my heart To do Your statutes, for all time—[to] the end!
113 I hate people who are two-faced, but I love your law.
[SAMEKH] I have hated doubting ones, And I have loved Your law.
114 You keep me safe and you defend me, your word gives me reason to hope.
You [are] my hiding place and my shield, I have hoped for Your word.
115 Leave me alone, you evil people, and let me keep the commandments of my God.
Turn aside from me, you evildoers, And I keep the commands of my God.
116 Support me, Lord, as you promised, so I can live. Don't let my hope turn into discouragement.
Sustain me according to Your saying, And I live, and You do not put me to shame because of my hope.
117 Support me, so I can be saved and always pay attention to your instructions.
Support me, and I am saved, And I look on Your statutes continually.
118 You reject all those who don't follow your instructions—they're fooling themselves by living a lie.
You have trodden down All going astray from Your statutes, For their deceit [is] falsehood.
119 You treat the wicked people on earth as something worthless to be discarded; therefore I love your laws.
Dross! You have caused to cease All the wicked of the earth; Therefore I have loved Your testimonies.
120 I have goose bumps thinking of you—I'm in awe! I'm scared of your judgments! Ayin
My flesh has trembled from Your fear, And I have been afraid from Your judgments!
121 I have done what's fair and right, so please don't abandon me to my enemies.
[AYIN] I have done judgment and righteousness, Do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Please promise you'll take care of me, your servant. Don't let these arrogant people mistreat me.
Make Your servant sure for good, Do not let the proud oppress me.
123 I strain my eyes looking for your salvation, watching for you to fulfill your promise to make everything good.
My eyes have been consumed for Your salvation. And for the saying of Your righteousness.
124 Please treat me, your servant, according to your trustworthy love. Teach me what you want me to do.
Do with Your servant according to Your kindness. And teach me Your statutes.
125 I am your servant. Please give me discernment so I can understand your instructions.
I [am] Your servant—cause me to understand, And I know Your testimonies.
126 Lord, it's time for you to act, for these people have broken your laws.
Time for YHWH to work! They have made Your law void.
127 This is why I love your commandments more than gold, more than the finest gold.
Therefore I have loved Your commands Above gold—even fine 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
Therefore all my appointments I have declared wholly right, I have hated every path of falsehood!
129 Your laws are truly wonderful—that's why I keep them!
[PE] Your testimonies [are] wonderful, Therefore my soul has kept them.
130 Studying your words brings light so that even the uneducated can understand.
The opening of Your words enlightens, Instructing the simple.
131 With keen desire I long for what you have to say.
I have opened my mouth, indeed, I pant, For I have longed for Your commands.
132 Please pay attention to me and be kind to me, as you are with those who love you.
Look to me, and favor me, As customary to those loving Your Name.
133 Tell me by your word the way I should go, and don't let any kind of evil control me.
Establish my steps by Your saying, And any iniquity does not rule over me.
134 Save me from cruel people so I can follow your instructions.
Ransom me from the oppression of man, And I observe Your precepts,
135 Please look favorably on me, your servant, teach me what I should do.
Cause Your face to shine on Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.
136 My tears stream down as I weep for those who don't keep your law. Tsadhe
Streams of waters have come down my eyes, Because they have not kept Your law!
137 Lord, you are right, and what you decide is just!
[TSADE] You [are] righteous, O YHWH, And Your judgments [are] upright.
138 You have given your instructions which are fair and totally trustworthy.
You have appointed Your testimonies, Righteous and exceedingly faithful,
139 My devotion is burning me up inside because my enemies ignore your words.
My zeal has cut me off, For my adversaries forgot Your words.
140 Your promises have been proved true, and that's why I, your servant, love them.
Your saying [is] tried exceedingly, And Your servant has loved it.
141 I may be unimportant and looked down on, but I don't forget your commandments.
I [am] small, and despised, I have not forgotten Your precepts.
142 Your goodness and justice last forever; and your law is the truth.
Your righteousness [is] righteousness for all time, And Your law [is] truth.
143 When I have problems and sadness, your commands make me happy.
Adversity and distress have found me, Your commands [are] my delights.
144 Your laws are always right; help me to understand what they mean so I can live. Qoph
The righteousness of Your testimonies [Is] to cause me to understand, and I live!
145 My whole being is crying out! Lord, please answer me! I will follow your instructions.
[QOF] I have called with the whole heart, Answer me, O YHWH, I keep Your statutes,
146 I pray to you, asking, “Please save me!” so I can do what you say.
I have called You, save me, And I keep Your testimonies.
147 I get up before dawn, and call out to you for help and put my hope in your word.
I have gone forward in the dawn, and I cry, I have hoped for Your word.
148 During the night I stay awake, meditating on your word.
My eyes have gone before the watches, To meditate on 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.
Hear my voice, according to Your kindness, YHWH, quicken me according to Your judgment.
150 Evil people come running to attack me—they totally disregard your law.
My wicked pursuers have been near, They have been far off from Your law.
151 But you, Lord, are close beside me; all your commandments are true.
You [are] near, O YHWH, And all Your commands [are] truth.
152 Long ago I realized that your laws will last forever. Resh
I have known Your testimonies of old, That You have founded them for all time!
153 Please look at my suffering and save me! I have not forgotten your teachings.
[RESH] See my affliction, and deliver me, For I have not forgotten Your law.
154 Plead my case, and save me as you promised! Let me live!
Plead my plea, and redeem me, Quicken me according to Your saying.
155 Wicked people can't be saved, because they don't care about what you say.
Salvation [is] far from the wicked, For they have not sought Your statutes.
156 Lord, your mercy is so great! Because you are always fair, please let me live!
Your mercies [are] many, O YHWH, Quicken me according to Your judgments.
157 Despite the many people who persecute and mistreat me, I have not strayed from your laws.
My pursuers and adversaries are many, I have not turned aside from Your testimonies.
158 Watching these unfaithful people disgusts me because they take no notice of your word.
I have seen treacherous ones, And grieve myself, Because they have not kept Your saying.
159 See how much I love your commandments, Lord. Please let me live because of your trustworthy love.
See, for I have loved Your precepts, YHWH, quicken me according to Your kindness.
160 Your word can be summed up in one word: truth! All of your just laws will last forever. Shin
The sum of Your word [is] truth, And every judgment of Your righteousness [is] for all time!
161 Leaders persecute me for no reason, but I am in awe only of your word.
[SHIN] Princes have pursued me without cause, And my heart was afraid because of Your words.
162 Your word makes me so happy—I'm like someone who discovers immense treasure.
I rejoice concerning Your saying, As one finding abundant spoil.
163 I hate and detest lies, but I love your teachings.
I have hated falsehood, indeed I detest [it], I have loved Your law.
164 I praise you seven times a day because your laws are good.
Seven [times] in a day I have praised You, Because of the judgments of Your righteousness.
165 Those who love your teachings have wonderful peace and nothing trips them up.
Those loving Your law have abundant peace, And they have no stumbling-block.
166 Lord, I look forward to your salvation. I keep your commandments.
I have waited for Your salvation, O YHWH, And I have done Your commands.
167 I obey your laws and love them very much.
My soul has kept Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your commandments and laws because you see everything I do. Taw
I have kept Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You!
169 Lord, please listen to my sad cry; help me to understand, as you promised.
[TAW] My loud cry comes near before You, O YHWH; Cause me to understand according to Your word.
170 Please hear what I have to say to you, and save me, as you promised.
My supplication comes in before You, Deliver me according to Your saying.
171 Let me pour out my words of praise, for you teach me what to do.
My lips utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes.
172 I will sing about your word, for all your commandments are right.
My tongue sings of Your saying, For all Your commands [are] righteous.
173 Please be ready to help me, for I have chosen to follow your instructions.
Your hand is for a help to me, For I have chosen Your commands.
174 I long for your salvation, Lord; your teachings make me happy.
I have longed for Your salvation, O YHWH, And Your law [is] my delight.
175 May I live my life in praise to you, and may your instructions help me.
My soul lives, and it praises You, And Your judgments help me.
176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep, so please come looking for me, for I have not forgotten your commandments.
I wandered as a lost sheep, [so] seek Your servant, For I have not forgotten Your precepts!
