< Psalms 119 >
1 ALEPH. Happy are they whose way is perfect, who walk in the law of the Lord.
Alleluia. Blessed are the blameless in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord.
2 Happy are they who keep his testimonies, that seek him with all their heart.
Blessed are they that search out his testimonies: they will diligently seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also commit no injustice; in his ways do they walk.
For they that work iniquity have not walked in his ways.
4 Thou thyself hast commanded us thy precepts, that we might keep [them] diligently.
You have commanded [us] diligently to keep your precepts.
5 Oh that my ways were firmly directed to observe thy statutes!
O that my ways were directed to keep your ordinances.
6 Then would I not be made ashamed, while I look at all thy commandments.
Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect to all your commandments.
7 I will thank thee with uprightness of heart, when I learn thy righteous ordinances.
I will give you thanks with uprightness of heart, when I have learnt the judgements of your righteousness.
8 Thy statutes will I observe: oh forsake me not too greatly.
I will keep your ordinances: O forsake me not greatly.
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a youth keep his way pure? by guarding it according to thy word.
Wherewith shall a young man direct his way? by keeping your words.
10 With all my heart have I sought thee: oh let me not wander astray from thy commandments.
With my whole heart have I diligently sought you: cast me not away from your commandments.
11 In my heart have I treasured up thy saying, in order that I may not sin against thee.
I have hidden your oracles in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
Blessed are you, O Lord: teach me your ordinances.
13 With my lips have I related all the ordinances of thy mouth.
With my lips have I declared all the judgements of your mouth.
14 On the way of thy testimonies have I been glad, as over all wealth.
I have delighted in the way of your testimonies, [as much] as in all riches.
15 On thy precepts will I meditate, and direct my look unto thy paths.
I will meditate on your commandments, and consider your ways.
16 In thy statutes will I seek my delight: I will not forget thy word.
I will meditate on your ordinances: I will not forget your words.
17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant: let me live, that I may observe thy word.
Render a recompense to your servant: [so] shall I live, and keep your words.
18 Open thou my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
Unveil you mine eyes, and I shall perceive wondrous things of your law.
19 A stranger am I on the earth: hide not from me thy commandments.
I am a stranger in the earth: hide not your commandments from me.
20 My soul is broken from longing for thy ordinances at all times.
My soul has longed exceedingly for your judgements at all times.
21 Thou hast rebuked the accursed proud, who go erringly astray from thy commandments.
You have rebuked the proud: cursed are they that turn aside from your commandments.
22 Roll away from me reproach and contempt; for thy testimonies have I kept.
Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have sought out your testimonies.
23 Although even princes should sit and speak against me, thy servant would still meditate on thy statutes.
For princes sat and spoke against me: but your servant was meditating on your ordinances.
24 Also thy testimonies are my delight, my counsellors.
For your testimonies are my (meditation) and your ordinances are my counsellors.
25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: revive thou me according to thy word.
My soul has cleaved to the ground; quicken you me according to your word.
26 My ways do I relate [to thee], and thou answerest me: teach me thy statutes.
I declared my ways, and you did hear me: teach me your ordinances.
27 Cause me to understand the way of thy precepts, that I may meditate on thy wonders.
Instruct me in the way of your ordinances; and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul droppeth away from grief: sustain me according to thy word.
My soul has slumbered for sorrow; strengthen you me with your words.
29 The way of falsehood do thou remove from me, and grant me graciously thy law.
Remove from me the way of iniquity; and be merciful to me by your law.
30 The way of truth have I chosen: thy ordinances have I set [before me].
I have chosen the way of truth; and have not forgotten your judgements.
31 I have adhered unto thy testimonies: O Lord, put me not to shame.
I have cleaved to your testimonies, O Lord; put me not to shame.
32 The way of thy commandments will I run; for thou wilt enlarge my heart.
I ran the way of your commandments, when you did enlarge my heart.
33 HE. Teach me, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I shall keep it in all its windings.
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your ordinances, and I will seek it out continually.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep thy law, and I will observe it with all [my] heart.
Instruct me, and I will search out your law, and will keep it with my whole heart.
35 Guide me on the path of thy commandments; for therein do I find my delight.
Guide me in the path of your commandments; for I have delighted in it.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to desire for gain.
Incline mine heart to your testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity: on thy way do thou give me life.
Turn away mine eyes that I may not behold vanity: quicken you me in your way.
38 Fulfill unto thy servant thy promise for those who are devoted to thy fear.
Confirm your oracle to your servant, that he may fear you.
39 Cause to pass away my disgrace of which I have dread; for thy ordinances are good.
Take away my reproach which I have feared: for your judgements are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: through thy righteousness do thou give my life.
Behold, I have desired your commandments: quicken me in your righteousness.
41 VAV. And let thy kindness come unto me, O Lord, thy salvation, according to thy promise.
And let your mercy come upon me, O Lord; [even] your salvation, according to your word.
42 Then shall I have a word to answer the one that reproacheth me; for I trust in thy word.
And [so] I shall render an answer to them that reproach me: for I have trusted in your words.
43 And snatch not the word of truth out of my mouth too greatly; for I wait for thy ordinances.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in your judgements. So shall I keep your law continually, for ever and ever.
44 So shall I observe thy law continually for ever and ever.
45 And I will walk in an open space; for thy precepts have I sought.
I walked also at large: for I sought out your commandments.
46 And I will speak of thy testimonies before kings, and will not be ashamed.
And I spoke of your testimonies before kings, and was not ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I love.
And I meditated on your commandments, which I loved exceedingly.
48 And so will I lift up my hands unto thy commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on thy statutes.
And I lifted up my hands to your commandments which I loved; and I meditated in your ordinances.
49 ZAYIN. Remember thy word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to wait.
Remember your words to your servant, wherein you have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that thy promise hath revived me.
This has comforted me in mine affliction: for your oracle has quickened me.
51 The presumptuous have held me too greatly in derision: yet have I not departed away from thy law.
The proud have transgressed exceedingly; but I swerved not from your law.
52 I remembered thy decrees [which were] from olden times, O Lord, and thus comforted myself.
I remembered your judgements of old, O Lord; and was comforted.
53 Horror seized on me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
Despair took hold upon me, because of the sinners who forsake your law.
54 Songs have thy statutes been unto me in the house of my pilgrimage.
Your ordinances were my songs in the place of my sojourning.
55 I remembered in the night thy name, O Lord, and observed thy law.
I remembered your name, O Lord, in the night, and kept your law.
56 This came to pass unto me, because I had kept thy precepts.
This I had, because I diligently sought your ordinances.
57 CHETH. My portion is the Lord, have I said, that I might observe thy words.
You are my portion, O Lord: I said that I would keep your law.
58 I make entreaty before thee with all my heart: be gracious unto me according to thy promise.
I implored your favour with my whole heart: have mercy upon me according to your word.
59 I have thought over my ways, and made my feet return unto thy testimonies.
I thought on your ways, and turned my feet to your testimonies.
60 I hastened, and delayed not to observe thy commandments.
I prepared myself, (and was not terrified, ) to keep your commandments.
61 Companies of wicked men have surrounded me; but I have not forgotten thy law.
The snares of sinners entangled me: but I forgot not your law.
62 At midnights do I constantly rise to give thanks unto thee, because of thy righteous decrees.
At midnight I arose, to give thanks to you for the judgements of your righteousness.
63 An associate am I unto all that fear thee, and unto those that keep thy precepts.
I am a companion of all them that fear you, and of them that keep your commandments.
64 Of thy kindness, O Lord, is the earth full: teach me thy statutes.
O Lord, the earth is full of your mercy: teach me your ordinances.
65 TETH. Thou hast shown goodness on thy servant, O Lord, according to thy word.
You have wrought kindly with your servant, o Lord, according to your word.
66 The best of discernment and knowledge do thou teach me; for in thy commandments do I believe.
Teach me kindness, and instruction, and knowledge: for I have believed your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I was in error; but now I observe thy saying.
Before I was afflicted, I transgressed; therefore have I kept your word.
68 Thou art good, and doing good: teach me thy statutes.
Good are you, O Lord; therefore in your goodness teach me your ordinances.
69 The presumptuous have invented falsehoods against me; but I will with all my heart indeed keep thy precepts.
The injustice of the proud has been multiplied against me: but I will search out your commandments with all my heart.
70 Gross as fat is their heart; but I take truly delight in thy law.
Their heart has been curdled like milk; but I have meditated on your law.
71 It is well for me that I have been afflicted, in order that I might learn thy statutes.
[It is] good for me that you have afflicted me; that I might learn your ordinances.
72 Better is unto me the law of thy mouth than thousands of gold and silver.
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.
73 YOD. Thy hands have made me and established me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
Your hands have made me, and fashioned me: instruct me, that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those that fear thee will see me and be rejoiced; because I have waited for thy word.
They that fear you will see me and rejoice: for I have hoped in your words.
75 I know, O Lord, that thy decrees are righteous, and that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
I know, O Lord, that your judgements are righteousness, and [that] you in truthfulness have afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy kindness come to comfort me, according to thy promise unto thy servant.
Let, I pray you, your mercy be to comfort me, according to your word to your servant.
77 Let thy mercies come unto me, that I may live; for thy law is my delight.
Let your compassions come to me, that I may live: for your law is my (meditation)
78 Let the presumptuous be made ashamed; because they have without a cause dealt perversely with me; but I will indeed meditate on thy precepts.
Let the proud be ashamed; for they transgressed against me unjustly: but I will meditate in your commandments.
79 Let those that fear thee return unto me, and those that know thy testimonies.
Let those that fear you, and those that know your testimonies, turn to me.
80 Let my heart be entire in thy statutes, in order that I may not be put to shame.
Let mine heart be blameless in your ordinances, that I may not be ashamed.
81 CAPH. My soul ardently desireth for thy salvation: for thy word do I wait.
My soul faints for your salvation: I have hoped in your words.
82 My eyes look eagerly for thy promise, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
Mine eyes failed [in waiting] for your word, saying, When will you comfort me?
83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke: [yet] do I not forget thy statutes.
For I am become as a bottle in the frost: [yet] I have not forgotten your ordinances.
84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute justice on my persecutors?
How many are the days of your servant? when will you execute judgement for me on them that persecute me?
85 The presumptuous have dug pits for me, which is not in accordance with thy law.
Transgressors told me [idle tales]; but not according to your law, O Lord.
86 All thy commandments are founded on truth: without cause they persecute me; help thou me.
All your commandments are truth; they persecuted me unjustly; help you me.
87 But little was wanting that they had consumed me upon earth; but I have truly not forsaken thy precepts.
They nearly made an end of me in the earth; but I forsook not your commandments.
88 According to thy kindness give me life, that I may observe the testimony of thy mouth.
Quicken me according to your mercy; so shall I keep the testimonies of your mouth.
89 LAMED. To eternity, O Lord, standeth firm thy word with the heavens.
Your word, O Lord, abides in heaven for ever.
90 Unto all generations endureth thy faithfulness: thou hast established the earth, and she standeth.
Your truth [endures] to all generations; you have founded the earth, and it abides.
91 According to thy ordinances they exist this day: for all are thy servants.
The day continues by your arrangement; for all things are your servants.
92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should long since have been lost in my affliction.
Were it not that your law is my (meditation) then I should have perished in mine affliction.
93 Never will I forget thy precepts; for with them thou hast kept me alive.
I will never forget your ordinances; for with them you have quickened me.
94 Thine am I, save me; for thy precepts have I sought.
I am your, save me; for I have sought out your ordinances.
95 Wicked men have waited for me to destroy me; [but] I will reflect on thy testimonies.
Sinners laid wait for me to destroy me; [but] I understood your testimonies.
96 Of all perfection have I seen the end; [but] thy commandment is exceedingly extended.
have seen an end of all perfection; [but] your commandment is very broad.
97 MEM. Oh how do I love thy law! all the day is it my (meditation)
How I have loved your law, O Lord! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Wiser than my enemy doth thy commandment make me; for it is perpetually with me.
You have made me wiser than mine enemies [in] your commandment; for it is mine for ever.
99 Above all my teachers have I obtained intelligence; for thy testimonies are my (meditation)
I have more understanding than all my teachers; for your testimonies are my medication.
100 More than the elders do I possess understanding; because thy precepts do I keep.
I understand more that the aged; because I have sought out your commandments.
101 From every evil path have I withholden my feet, in order that I might observe thy word.
I have kept back my feet from every evil way, that I might keep your words.
102 From thy ordinances have I not departed; for thou hast instructed me.
I have not declined from your judgements; for you have instructed me.
103 How much sweeter are to my palate thy sayings than honey to my mouth!
How sweet are your oracles to my throat! more so than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts shall I obtain understanding: therefore do I hate every path of falsehood.
I gain understanding by your commandments: therefore I have hated every way of unrighteousness.
105 NUN. A lamp unto my feet is thy word, and a light unto my path.
Your law is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, to observe thy righteous ordinances.
I have sworn and determined to keep the judgements of your righteousness.
107 I am afflicted exceedingly much: O Lord, revive me, according to thy word.
I have been very greatly afflicted, O Lord: quicken me, according to your word.
108 Receive in favor the freewill-offerings of my mouth, I beseech thee, O Lord, and teach me thy ordinances.
Accept, I pray you, O Lord, the free will offerings of my mouth, and teach me your judgements.
109 My life is in my hand continually: yet thy law do I not forget.
My soul is continually in your hands; and I have not forgotten your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet have I not erred from thy precepts.
Sinners spread a snare for me; but I erred not from your commandments.
111 I have taken thy testimonies as a heritage to eternity; for they are the joy of my heart.
I have inherited your testimonies for ever; for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes always, in all their ways.
I have inclined my heart to perform your ordinances for ever, in return [for your mercies].
113 SAMECH. Those of divided thoughts I hate; but thy law do I love.
I have hated transgressors; but I have loved your law.
114 My shelter and my shield art thou: for thy word do I wait.
You are my helper and my supporter; I have hoped in your words.
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of God.
Depart from me, you evil-doers; for I will search out the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to thy promise, that I may live, and let me not be made ashamed of my hope.
Uphold me according to your word, and quicken me; and make me not ashamed of my expectation.
117 Support me that I may be placed in safety, and I will direct my regard unto thy statutes continually.
Help me, and I shall be saved; and I will meditate in your ordinances continually.
118 Thou hast trodden down all that erringly stray from thy statutes; for falsehood is their deceit.
You have brought to nothing all that depart from your ordinances; for their inward thought is unrighteous.
119 Like dross dost thou put away all the wicked of the earth: therefore do I love thy testimonies.
I have reckoned all the sinners of the earth as transgressors; therefore have I loved your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembleth shudderingly from dread of thee, and of thy decrees am I afraid.
Penetrate my flesh with your fear; for I am afraid of your judgements.
121 'AYIN. I have executed justice and righteousness: leave me not to those who oppress me.
I have done judgement and justice; deliver me not up to them that injure me.
122 Protect thy servant for good: let not the presumptuous oppress me.
Receive your servant for good: let not the proud accuse me falsely.
123 My eyes look eagerly for thy salvation, and for thy righteous promise.
Mine eyes have failed for your salvation, and for the word of your righteousness.
124 Deal with thy servant according to thy kindness, and thy statutes do thou teach me.
Deal with your servant according to your mercy, and teach me your ordinances.
125 I am thy servant: give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
I am your servant; instruct me, and I shall know your testimonies.
126 It is time to act for the Lord: they have broken thy law.
[It is] time for the Lord to work: they have utterly broken your law.
127 Therefore do I love thy commandments more than gold, and more than fine gold.
Therefore have I loved your commandments more than gold, or the topaz.
128 Therefore do I esteem all thy precepts in all things as right: every path of falsehood do I hate.
Therefore I directed myself [according] to all your commandments: I have hated every unjust way.
129 PE. Wonderful are thy testimonies: therefore doth my soul keep them.
Your testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul has sought them out.
130 The opening of thy words giveth light, it giveth understanding unto the simple.
The manifestation of your words will enlighten, and instruct the simple.
131 I opened my mouth, and panted for breath; because for thy commandments did I long.
I opened my mouth, and drew breath: for I earnestly longed after your commandments.
132 Turn thou unto me, and be gracious unto me, as is thy wont unto those that love thy name.
Look upon me and have mercy upon me, after the manner of them that love your name.
133 My steps establish thou through thy promise, and suffer not any wrong to have dominion over me.
Order my steps according to your word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man, and I will observe thy precepts.
Deliver me from the false accusation of men: so will I keep your commandments.
135 Let thy face shine upon thy servant, and teach me thy statutes.
Cause your face to shine upon your servant: and teach me your ordinances.
136 Streams of water have run down my eyes; because they had not observed thy law.
Mine eyes have been bathed in streams of water, because I kept not your law.
137 TZADDE. Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy decrees.
Righteous are you, O Lord, and upright are your judgements.
138 Thou hast commanded thy testimonies, as righteous and faithful exceedingly.
You has commanded righteousness and perfect truth, [as] your testimonies.
139 My zeal destroyeth me; because my assailants have forgotten thy words.
Your zeal has quite wasted me: because mine enemies have forgotten your words.
140 Thy promise is greatly refined, and thy servant loveth it.
Your word [has been] very fully tried; and your servant loves it.
141 I am little and despised: yet thy precepts have I not forgotten.
I am young and despised: [yet] I have not forgotten your ordinances.
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is truth.
143 Distress and trouble have overtaken me: [yet] are thy commandments my delights.
Afflictions and distresses found me: [but] your commandments [were] my (meditation)
144 Righteous are thy testimonies for everlasting: give me understanding, that I may live.
Your testimonies [are] an everlasting righteousness: instruct me, and I shall live.
145 KOPH. I have called with all my heart: answer me, O Lord: thy statutes will I keep.
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will search out your ordinances.
146 I have called on thee, save me, and I will observe thy testimonies.
I cried to you; save me, and I will keep your testimonies.
147 I come before thee in the dawn of morning, and cry: for thy word do I wait.
I arose before the dawn, and cried: I hoped in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before the night-watches, that I may meditate in thy saying.
Mine eyes prevented the dawn, that I might meditate on your oracles.
149 Hear my voice according to thy kindness: O Lord, according to thy decree do thou grant me life.
Hear my voice, O Lord, according to your mercy; quicken me according to your judgement.
150 They that pursue mischievous devices draw nigh: from thy law are they far.
They have drawn near who persecuted me unlawfully; and they are far removed from your law.
151 Near art thou, O Lord; and all thy commandments are the truth.
You are near, O Lord; and all your ways are truth.
152 Of old already I knew of thy testimonies; because for eternity hast thou founded them.
I have known of old concerning your testimonies, that you have founded them for ever.
153 RESH. Look on my affliction, and release me; for thy law have I not forgotten.
Look upon mine affliction, and rescue me; for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: according to thy promise do thou revive me.
Plead my cause, and ransom me: quicken me because of your word.
155 Far from the wicked is salvation; because thy statutes have they not sought for.
Salvation is far from sinners: for they have not searched out your ordinances.
156 Thy mercies are abundant, O Lord; according to thy decrees do thou revive me.
Your mercies, O Lord, are many: quicken me according to your judgement.
157 Many are my persecutors and my assailants: yet from thy testimonies do I not turn away.
Many are they that persecute me and oppress me: [but] I have not declined from your testimonies.
158 I beheld the treacherous, and felt disgust; because they observed not thy saying.
I saw men acting foolishly, and I pined away; for they kept not your oracles.
159 Behold that I love thy precepts: O Lord, according to thy kindness do thou revive me.
Behold, I have loved your commandments, O Lord: quicken me in your mercy.
160 The summit of thy word is truth: and the whole of thy righteous judgment endureth for ever.
The beginning of your words is truth; and all the judgements of your righteousness [endure] for ever.
161 SHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but of thy word standeth my heart in dread.
Princes persecuted me without a cause, but my heart feared because of your words.
162 I am rejoiced over thy promise, as one that findeth great spoil.
I will exult because of your oracles, as one that finds much spoil.
163 Falsehood I hate and abhor: but thy law do I love.
I hate and abhor unrighteousness; but I love your law.
164 Seven times in the day do I praise thee because of thy righteous decrees.
Seven times in a day have I praised you because of the judgements of your righteousness.
165 Abundant peace have they who love thy law; and thee is nothing that causeth them to stumble.
Great peace have they that love your law: and there is no stumbling block to them.
166 I have hoped for thy salvation, O Lord, and thy commandments have I fulfilled.
I waited for your salvation, O Lord, and have loved your commandments.
167 My soul hath observed thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly.
My soul has kept your testimonies, and loved them exceedingly.
168 I have observed thy precepts and thy testimonies; because all my ways are before thee.
I have kept your commandments and your testimonies; for all my ways are before you, O Lord.
169 TAV. Let my entreaty come near before thee, O Lord: according to thy word grant me understanding.
Let my supplication come near before you, o Lord; instruct me according to your oracle.
170 Let my supplication come before thee: according to thy promise do thou deliver me.
Let my petition come in before you, O Lord; deliver me according to your oracle.
171 My lips shall utter praise; because thou wilt teach me thy statutes.
Let my lips utter a hymn, when you shall have taught me your ordinances.
172 My tongue shall speak loudly of thy promise; for all thy commandments are righteous.
Let my tongue utter your oracles; for all your commandments are righteous.
173 Let thy hand be [ready] to help me; for thy precepts have I chosen.
Let your hand be [prompt] to save me; for I have chosen your commandments.
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Lord; and thy law is my delights.
I have longed after your salvation, O Lord; and your law is my (meditation)
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee: and let thy decrees help me.
My soul shall live, and shall praise you; and your judgements shall help me.
176 I have gone erringly astray like a lost sheep: seek thy servant; for thy commandments have I not forgotten.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant; for I have not forgotten your commandments.