< Psalms 119 >
1 ALEPH. Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.
Happy they whose life is blameless, who walk by the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart.
Happy they who keep his charges, and seek him with all their hearts;
3 Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
who have done no wrong, but walk in his ways.
4 You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
You yourself have appointed your precepts to be kept with diligence.
5 Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes.
O to be steadily guided in the keeping of your statutes!
6 Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
Then unashamed shall I be, when I look towards all your commandments.
7 I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.
I will thank you with heart unfeigned, when I learn your righteous judgments.
8 I will observe your statutes. Do not utterly forsake me.
I will observe your statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9 BET. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
How can a young person keep their life pure? By giving heed to your word.
10 With my whole heart, I have sought you. Do not let me wander from your commandments.
With all my heart have I sought you, let me not stray from your commandments.
11 In my heart I have hidden your word, that I might not sin against you.
In my heart have I treasured your word, to keep from sinning against you.
12 Blessed are you, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
Blessed are you, O Lord; teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
With my lips have I rehearsed all the judgments of your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
I delight in the way of your charges, more than in riches of all sorts.
15 I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
I will muse upon your precepts, and look to your paths.
16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
In your statutes I delight, I will not forget your word.
17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
Grant that your servant may live, and I will observe your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your Law.
Open my eyes, that I see wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am a stranger on the earth. Do not hide your commandments from me.
But a guest am I on the earth: hide not your commandments from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
My heart is crushed with longing for your ordinances, at all times.
21 You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
You rebuke the proud, the accursed, who wander from your commandments.
22 Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
Roll away from me scorn and contempt, for I have observed your charges.
23 Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
Though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will muse on your statutes.
24 Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.
Your charges are my delight, they are my counsellors.
25 DALET. My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word.
I lie grovelling in the dust; revive me, as you have promised.
26 I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
I told of my ways, you made answer; teach me your statutes.
27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts. Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
Grant me insight into your precepts, and I will muse on your wonders.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.
I am overcome with sorrow; raise me up, as you have promised.
29 Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your Law graciously.
Put the way of falsehood from me, and graciously grant me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
I have chosen the way of fidelity, your ordinances I long for.
31 I cling to your statutes, LORD. Do not let me be disappointed.
I hold fast to your charges: O put me not, Lord, to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.
I will run in the way of your commandments, for you give me room of heart.
33 HEY Teach me, LORD, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes, and I will keep it to the end,
34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your Law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
instruct me to keep your law, and I will observe it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
Guide me in the path of your commandments, for therein do I delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.
Incline my heart to your charges, and not to greed of gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
Turn away my eyes from vain sights, revive me by your word.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
Confirm to your servant the promise which is given to those who fear you.
39 Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
Remove the reproach which I dread, because your judgments are good.
40 Look, I long for your precepts. Revive me in your righteousness.
Behold, I long for your precepts. Quicken me in your righteousness.
41 WAW. Let your loving kindness also come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your word.
Visit me, Lord, with your love and salvation, as you have promised.
42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
So shall I answer my slanderers, for my trust is in your word.
43 Do not snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
Snatch not from my mouth the word of truth, for in your judgments I hope.
44 So I will obey your Law continually, forever and ever.
I will keep your law continually, for ever and evermore.
45 I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
So shall I walk in wide spaces, for I give my mind to your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
I will speak of your charge before kings, and will not be ashamed thereof.
47 I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
Your commandments are my delight, I love them exceedingly.
48 I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.
I will lift up my hands to your commandments, and muse upon your statutes.
49 ZAYIN. Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
Remember your word to your servant, on which you have made me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
This is my comfort in trouble, that your word gives life to me.
51 The arrogant mock me excessively, but I do not swerve from your Law.
The arrogant utterly scorn me, but I have not declined from your law.
52 I remember your ordinances of old, LORD, and have comforted myself.
When I think of your judgments of old, O Lord, I take to me comfort.
53 Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your Law.
I am seized with glowing anger at the wicked who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live.
Your statutes have been to me songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered your name, LORD, in the night, and I obey your Law.
I remember your name in the night, O Lord and observe your law.
56 This is my way, that I keep your precepts.
My lot has been this, that I have kept your precepts.
57 HET. The LORD is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
My portion are you, O Lord: I have promised to keep your words.
58 I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
I entreat you with all my heart; grant me your promised favor.
59 I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
I have thought upon my ways, and turned my feet to your charges.
60 I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
I hasted and tarried not to give heed to your commandments.
61 The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your Law.
Though the godless have wound their cords round me, I have not forgotten your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
At midnight I rise to praise you because of your righteous judgments.
63 I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
With all those who fear you I company, aid with those who observe your precepts.
64 The earth is full of your loving kindness, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
The earth, Lord, is full of your kindness; teach me your Statutes.
65 TET. Do good to your servant, according to your word, LORD.
Well have you dealt with your servant, as you have promised, O Lord.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
Teach me discretion and knowledge, for I have believed your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
Till trouble came I was a wanderer, but now I observe your word.
68 You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.
69 The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
The proud have forged lies against me, but I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your Law.
Their heart is gross like fat, but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
It was good for me to be humbled, that I should learn your statutes.
72 The Law you have spoken is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
73 YOD Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.
Your hands have made me and fashioned me; make me wise to learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
Those who fear you shall see me with joy, for in your word have I hoped.
75 LORD, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have humbled me.
I know, O Lord, that your judgments are right, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.
Let your love be a comfort to me, for so have you promised your servant.
77 Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your Law is my delight.
Visit me with your quickening pity, for your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
Put the proud to shame, who have wronged me falsely: I will muse on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
Let those turn to me who fear you, that they may learn your charges.
80 Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.
Let my heart be sound in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame.
81 KAPH. My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
My long for you to rescue me, I put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?"
My eyes pine away for your promise: saying, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I do not forget your statutes.
Though shrivelled like wine-skin in smoke, your statutes I have not forgotten.
84 How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?
How few are the days of your servant! When will you judge those who harass me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your Law.
Proud people have dug for me pits people who do not conform to your law.
86 All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me.
All your commandments are trusty. With falsehood they harass me: help me.
87 They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I did not forsake your precepts.
They had nearly made an end of me, yet I did not forget your precepts.
88 Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
Spare me in your kindness, and I will observe the charge of your mouth.
89 LAMED. LORD, your word is settled in heaven forever.
Forever, O Lord, is your word fixed firmly in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
Your truth endures age after age; it is established on earth, and it stands.
91 Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.
By your appointment they stand this day, for all are your servants.
92 Unless your Law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
Had not your law been my joy, in my misery then had I perished.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
I will never forget your precepts, for through them you have put life in me.
94 I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
I am yours, O save me, for I give my mind to your precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
The wicked lay wait to destroy me, but I give heed to your charge.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.
I have seen a limit to all things: but your commandment is spacious exceedingly.
97 MEM. How I love your Law. It is my meditation all day.
O how I love your law! All the day long I muse on it.
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies: for it is mine forever.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my (meditation)
I am prudent above all my teachers, for your charges are my (meditation)
100 I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
I have insight more than the aged, because I observe your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
I refrain my foot from all wicked ways, that I may keep your word.
102 I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
I turn not aside from your judgments, for you yourself are my teacher.
103 How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth.
How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Insight I win through your precepts, therefore every false way I hate.
105 NUN. Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.
I have sworn an oath, and will keep it, to observe your righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much. Revive me, LORD, according to your word.
I am afflicted sorely: revive me, O Lord, as you said.
108 Please accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, LORD, and teach me your ordinances.
Accept, Lord, my willing praise, and teach me your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your Law.
My life is in ceaseless peril; but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts.
The wicked set traps for me, yet I do not stray from your precepts.
111 I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
In your charges are my everlasting inheritance, they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.
I am resolved to perform your statutes forever, to the utmost.
113 SAMEKH. I hate double-minded men, but I love your Law.
I hate people of divided heart, but your law do I love.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
You are my shelter and shield: in your word do I hope.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
Begone, you wicked people, I will keep the commands of my God.
116 Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Uphold me and spare me, as you have promised: O disappoint me not.
117 Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
Hold me up, and I shall be saved: and your statutes shall be my unceasing delight.
118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
All who swerve from your statutes you spurn: their cunning is in vain.
119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
All the wicked of earth you count as dross, therefore I love your charges.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.
My flesh, for fear of you, shudders, and I stand in awe of your judgments.
121 AYIN. I have done what is just and righteous. Do not leave me to my oppressors.
Justice and right have I practised, do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant's well-being. Do not let the proud oppress me.
Be your servant’s surety for good, let not the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
My eyes pine for your salvation, and for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.
Deal in your love with your servant, and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
Your servant am I; instruct me, that I may know your charges.
126 It is time to act, LORD, for they break your Law.
It is time for the Lord to act: they have violated your law.
127 Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
So by all your precepts I guide me, and every false way I hate.
129 PEY. Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
Your decrees are wonderful, gladly I keep them.
130 The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
When your word is unfolded, light breaks; it imparts to the simple wisdom.
131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
With open mouth I pant with longing for your commandments.
132 Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
Turn to me with your favor, as is just to those who love you.
133 Establish my footsteps in your word. Do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
Steady my steps by your word, so that sin have no power over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
Set me free from those who oppress me, and I shall observe your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
Shine with your face on your servant, and teach me your statutes.
136 Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they do not observe your Law.
My eyes run down with rills of water, because your law is not kept.
137 TZADE. You are righteous, LORD. Your judgments are upright.
Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your ordinances.
138 You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
The laws you has ordered are just, and trusty exceedingly.
139 My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
My jealousy has undone me, that my foes have forgotten your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
Your word has been tested well; and your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised. I do not forget your precepts.
I am little and held in contempt, but your precepts I have not forgotten.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your Law is truth.
Just is your justice forever, and trusty is your law.
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
Stress and strain are upon me, but your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
Right are your charges forever, instruct me that I may live.
145 QOPH. I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, LORD. I will keep your statutes.
With my whole heart I cry; O answer me. I would keep your statutes, O Lord.
146 I have called to you. Save me. I will obey your statutes.
I cry to you: O save me, and I will observe your charges.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
Ere the dawn I cry for your help: in your word do I hope.
148 My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
Awake I meet the night-watches, to muse upon your sayings.
149 Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, LORD, according to your ordinances.
Hear my voice in your kindness: O Lord, by your judgments revive me.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your Law.
Near me are wicked tormentors, who are far from thoughts of your law;
151 You are near, LORD. All your commandments are truth.
but near, too, are you, O Lord, and all your commandments are trusty.
152 Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.
Long have I known from your charges that you have founded them for all time.
153 RESH. Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I do not forget your Law.
Look on my misery, and rescue me; for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause, and redeem me. Revive me according to your promise.
Defend my cause and redeem me: revive me, as you have promised.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.
Salvation is far from the wicked, for their mind is not in your statutes.
156 Great are your tender mercies, LORD. Revive me according to your ordinances.
Great is your pity, O Lord: Revive me, as you have ordained.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies.
My foes and tormentors are many, but I have not declined from your charges.
158 I look at the faithless with loathing, because they do not observe your word.
I behold the traitors with loathing, for they do not observe your word.
159 Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, LORD, according to your loving kindness.
Behold how I love your precepts: revive me, O Lord!, in your kindness.
160 All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
The sum of your word is truth, all your laws are just and eternal.
161 SIN and SHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
Princes have harassed me wantonly: but my heart stands in awe of your word.
162 I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil.
Over your word I rejoice as one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your Law.
Falsehood I hate and abhor, but your law do I love.
164 Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
Seven times a day do I praise you because of your righteous judgments.
165 Those who love your Law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
Right well do they fare who love your law: they go on their way without stumbling.
166 I have hoped for your salvation, LORD. I have done your commandments.
I hope for your salvation; O Lord I do your commandments.
167 My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
I observe your charges: I love them greatly.
168 I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
I observe your precepts and charges: all my ways are before you.
169 TAW. Let my cry come before you, LORD. Give me understanding according to your word.
Let my cry come before you, O Lord: give me insight, as you have promised.
170 Let my petition come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
Let my prayer enter into your presence: deliver me, as you have said.
171 Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.
My lips shall be fountains of praise, that you teach me your statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
My tongue shall sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
Let your hand be ready to help me, for your precepts have been my choice.
174 I have longed for your salvation, LORD. Your Law is my delight.
I long, Lord, for your salvation, and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
Revive me that I may praise you, and let your precepts help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.
I have strayed like a wandering sheep seek your servant, because I do not forget your commandments.