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