< Psalms 119 >
1 ALEPH. Happy are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
ALEPH Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the LORD’s law.
2 Happy are they that keep His testimonies, that seek Him with the whole heart.
Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.
3 Yea, they do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.
Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
4 Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.
You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
5 Oh that my ways were directed to observe Thy statutes!
Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
6 Then should I not be ashamed, when I have regard unto all Thy commandments.
Then I would not be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
7 I will give thanks unto Thee with uprightness of heart, when I learn Thy righteous ordinances.
I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.
8 I will observe Thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly.
I will observe your statutes. Do not utterly forsake me. BETH
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not err from Thy commandments.
With my whole heart I have sought you. Do not let me wander from your commandments.
11 Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed art Thou, O LORD; teach me Thy statutes.
Blessed are you, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips have I told all the ordinances of Thy mouth.
With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.
I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word.
I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. GIMEL
17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with Thy servant that I may live, and I will observe Thy word.
Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.
18 Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am a sojourner in the earth; hide not Thy commandments from me.
I am a stranger on the earth. Do not hide your commandments from me.
20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thine ordinances at all times.
My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, that do err from Thy commandments.
You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies.
Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
23 Even though princes sit and talk against me, thy servant doth meditate in Thy statutes.
Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Yea, Thy testimonies are my delight, they are my counsellors.
Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. DALETH
25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust; quicken Thou me according to Thy word.
My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
26 I told of my ways, and Thou didst answer me; teach me Thy statutes.
I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts, that I may talk of Thy wondrous works.
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melteth away for heaviness; sustain me according unto Thy word.
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29 Remove from me the way of falsehood; and grant me Thy law graciously.
Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; Thine ordinances have I set before me.
I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
31 I cleave unto Thy testimonies; O LORD, put me not to shame.
I cling to your statutes, LORD. Do not let me be disappointed.
32 I will run the way of Thy commandments, for Thou dost enlarge my heart.
I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free. HE
33 HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy statutes; and I will keep it at every step.
Teach me, LORD, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I keep Thy law and observe it with my whole heart.
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to tread in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
36 Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken me in Thy ways.
Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
38 Confirm Thy word unto Thy servant, which pertaineth unto the fear of Thee.
Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
39 Turn away my reproach which I dread; for Thine ordinances are good.
Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after Thy precepts; quicken me in Thy righteousness.
Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness. VAV
41 VAV. Let Thy mercies also come unto me, O LORD, even Thy salvation, according to Thy word;
Let your loving kindness also come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your word.
42 That I may have an answer for him that taunteth me; for I trust in Thy word.
So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I hope in Thine ordinances;
Do not snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
44 So shall I observe Thy law continually for ever and ever;
So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.
45 And I will walk at ease, for I have sought Thy precepts;
I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of Thy testimonies before kings, and will not be ashamed.
I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
47 And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved.
I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
48 I will lift up my hands also unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes.
I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes. ZAYIN
49 ZAIN. Remember the word unto Thy servant, because Thou hast made me to hope.
Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that Thy word hath quickened me.
This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not turned aside from Thy law.
The arrogant mock me excessively, but I do not swerve from your law.
52 I have remembered Thine ordinances which are of old, O LORD, and have comforted myself.
I remember your ordinances of old, LORD, and have comforted myself.
53 Burning indignation hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake Thy law.
Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
Your statutes have been my songs in the house where I live.
55 I have remembered Thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have observed Thy law.
I have remembered your name, LORD, in the night, and I obey your law.
56 This I have had, that I have kept Thy precepts.
This is my way, that I keep your precepts. HETH
57 HETH. My portion is the LORD, I have said that I would observe Thy words.
The LORD is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
58 I have entreated Thy favour with my whole heart; be gracious unto me according to Thy word.
I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
59 I considered my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.
I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I made haste, and delayed not, to observe Thy commandments.
I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
61 The bands of the wicked have enclosed me; but I have not forgotten Thy law.
The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy righteous ordinances.
At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
63 I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that observe Thy precepts.
I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
64 The earth, O LORD, is full of Thy mercy; teach me Thy statutes.
The earth is full of your loving kindness, LORD. Teach me your statutes. TETH
65 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O LORD, according unto Thy word.
You have treated your servant well, according to your word, LORD.
66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge; for I have believed Thy commandments.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted, I did err; but now I observe Thy word.
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy statutes.
You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me; but I with my whole heart will keep Thy precepts.
The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
70 Their heart is gross like fat; but I delight in Thy law.
Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, in order that I might learn Thy statutes.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
72 The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YODH
73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.
Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.
74 They that fear Thee shall see me and be glad, because I have hope in Thy word.
Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, O LORD, that Thy judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me.
LORD, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray Thee, Thy lovingkindness be ready to comfort me, according to Thy promise unto Thy servant.
Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.
77 Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; for Thy law is my delight.
Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be put to shame, for they have distorted my cause with falsehood; but I will meditate in Thy precepts.
Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those that fear Thee return unto me, and they that know Thy testimonies.
Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
80 Let my heart be undivided in Thy statutes, in order that I may not be put to shame.
Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed. KAPF
81 CAPH. My soul pineth for Thy salvation; in Thy word do I hope.
My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
82 Mine eyes fail for Thy word, saying: 'When wilt Thou comfort me?'
My eyes fail for your word. I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke; yet do I not forget Thy statutes.
For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I do not forget your statutes.
84 How many are the days of Thy servant? When wilt Thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The proud have digged pits for me, which is not according to Thy law.
The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.
86 All Thy commandments are faithful; they persecute me for nought; help Thou me.
All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but as for me, I forsook not Thy precepts.
They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I did not forsake your precepts.
88 Quicken me after Thy lovingkindness, and I will observe the testimony of Thy mouth.
Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth. LAMEDH
89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, Thy word standeth fast in heaven.
LORD, your word is settled in heaven forever.
90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations; Thou hast established the earth, and it standeth.
Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
91 They stand this day according to Thine ordinances; for all things are Thy servants.
Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.
92 Unless Thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget Thy precepts; for with them Thou hast quickened me.
I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
94 I am Thine, save me; for I have sought Thy precepts.
I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me; but I will consider Thy testimonies.
The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
96 I have seen an end to every purpose; but Thy commandment is exceeding broad.
I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless. MEM
97 MEM. O how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.
98 Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers; for Thy testimonies are my (meditation)
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my (meditation)
100 I understand more than mine elders, because I have keep Thy precepts.
I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, in order that I might observe Thy word.
I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
102 I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances; for Thou hast instructed me.
I have not turned away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are Thy words unto my palate! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!
104 From Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. NUN
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, to observe Thy righteous ordinances.
I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.
107 I am afflicted very much; quicken me, O LORD, according unto Thy word.
I am afflicted very much. Revive me, LORD, according to your word.
108 Accept, I beseech Thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me Thine ordinances.
Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. LORD, teach me your ordinances.
109 My soul is continually in my hand; yet have I not forgotten Thy law.
My soul is continually in my hand, yet I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me; yet went I not astray from Thy precepts.
The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not gone astray from your precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes, for ever, at every step.
I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end. SAMEKH
113 SAMECH. I hate them that are of a double mind; but Thy law do I love.
I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.
114 Thou art my covert and my shield; in Thy word do I hope.
You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers; that I may keep the commandments of my God.
Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto Thy word, that I may live; and put me not to shame in my hope.
Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Support Thou me, and I shall be saved; and I will occupy myself with Thy statutes continually.
Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
118 Thou hast made light of all them that err from Thy statutes; for their deceit is vain.
You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love Thy testimonies.
You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh shuddereth for fear of Thee; and I am afraid of Thy judgments.
My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. AYIN
121 AIN. I have done justice and righteousness; leave me not to mine oppressors.
I have done what is just and righteous. Do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Be surety for Thy servant for good; let not the proud oppress me.
Ensure your servant’s well-being. Do not let the proud oppress me.
123 Mine eyes fail for Thy salvation, and for Thy righteous word.
My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
124 Deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes.
Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.
125 I am Thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies.
I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
126 It is time for the LORD to work; they have made void Thy law.
It is time to act, LORD, for they break your law.
127 Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.
Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
128 Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right; every false way I hate.
Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way. PE
129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them.
Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The opening of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
131 I opened wide my mouth, and panted; for I longed for Thy commandments.
I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
132 Turn Thee towards me, and be gracious unto me, as is Thy wont to do unto those that love Thy name.
Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Order my footsteps by Thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Establish my footsteps in your word. Do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, and I will observe Thy precepts.
Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
135 Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; and teach me Thy statutes.
Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
136 Mine eyes run down with rivers of water, because they observe not Thy law.
Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they do not observe your law. TZADHE
137 TZADE. Righteous art Thou, O LORD, and upright are Thy judgments.
You are righteous, LORD. Your judgments are upright.
138 Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness.
You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal hath undone me, because mine adversaries have forgotten Thy words.
My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
140 Thy word is tried to the uttermost, and Thy servant loveth it.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
141 I am small and despised; yet have I not forgotten Thy precepts.
I am small and despised. I do not forget your precepts.
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is the truth.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have overtaken me; yet Thy commandments are my delight.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
144 Thy testimonies are righteous for ever; give me understanding, and I shall live.
Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. QOPH
145 KOPH. I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O LORD; I will keep Thy statutes.
I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, LORD! I will keep your statutes.
146 I have called Thee, save me, and I will observe Thy testimonies.
I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.
147 I rose early at dawn, and cried; I hoped in Thy word.
I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
148 Mine eyes forestalled the night-watches, that I might meditate in Thy word.
My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
149 Hear my voice according unto Thy lovingkindness; quicken me, O LORD, as Thou art wont.
Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, LORD, according to your ordinances.
150 They draw nigh that follow after wickedness; they are far from Thy law.
They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.
151 Thou art nigh, O LORD; and all Thy commandments are truth.
You are near, LORD. All your commandments are truth.
152 Of old have I known from Thy testimonies that Thou hast founded them for ever.
Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever. RESH
153 RESH. O see mine affliction, and rescue me; for I do not forget Thy law.
Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead Thou my cause, and redeem me; quicken me according to Thy word.
Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked; for they seek not Thy statutes.
Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Great are Thy compassions, O LORD; quicken me as Thou art wont.
Great are your tender mercies, LORD. Revive me according to your ordinances.
157 Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries; yet have I not turned aside from Thy testimonies.
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I have not swerved from your testimonies.
158 I beheld them that were faithless, and strove with them; because they observed not Thy word.
I look at the faithless with loathing, because they do not observe your word.
159 O see how I love Thy precepts; quicken me, O LORD, according to Thy lovingkindness.
Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, LORD, according to your loving kindness.
160 The beginning of Thy word is truth; and all Thy righteous ordinance endureth for ever.
All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. SIN AND SHIN
161 SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but my heart standeth in awe of Thy words.
Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at Thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood; Thy law do I love.
I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.
164 Seven times a day do I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous ordinances.
Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
165 Great peace have they that love Thy law; and there is no stumbling for them.
Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
166 I have hoped for Thy salvation, O LORD, and have done Thy commandments.
I have hoped for your salvation, LORD. I have done your commandments.
167 My soul hath observed Thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
168 I have observed Thy precepts and Thy testimonies; for all my ways are before Thee.
I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you. TAV
169 TAV. Let my cry come near before Thee, O LORD; give me understanding according to Thy word.
Let my cry come before you, LORD. Give me understanding according to your word.
170 Let my supplication come before Thee; deliver me according to Thy word.
Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
171 Let my lips utter praise: because Thou teachest me Thy statutes.
Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing of Thy word; for all Thy commandments are righteousness.
Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
173 Let Thy hand be ready to help me; for I have chosen Thy precepts.
Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I have longed for Thy salvation, O LORD; and Thy law is my delight.
I have longed for your salvation, LORD. Your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee; and let Thine ordinances help me.
Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant; for I have not forgotten Thy commandments.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.