< Psalms 119 >
1 ALEPH. Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of Jehovah.
ALEPH Happy are they who are without sin in their ways, walking in the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart.
Happy are they who keep his unchanging word, searching after him with all their heart.
3 Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
They do no evil; they go in his ways.
4 You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
You have put your orders into our hearts, so that we might keep them with care.
5 Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes.
If only my ways were ordered so that I might keep your rules!
6 Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
Then I would not be put to shame, as long as I have respect for all your teaching.
7 I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.
I will give you praise with an upright heart in learning your right decisions.
8 I will observe your statutes. Do not utterly forsake me.
I will keep your rules: O give me not up completely.
9 BET. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
BETH How may a young man make his way clean? by guiding it after your word.
10 With my whole heart, I have sought you. Do not let me wander from your commandments.
I have made search for you with all my heart: O let me not go wandering far from your teaching.
11 In my heart I have hidden your word, that I might not sin against you.
I have kept your sayings secretly in my heart, so that I might do no sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, Jehovah. Teach me your statutes.
Praise be to you, O Lord: give me knowledge of your rules.
13 With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
With my lips have I made clear all the decisions of your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
I have taken as much delight in the way of your unchanging word, as in all wealth.
15 I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
I will give thought to your orders, and have respect for your ways.
16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
I will have delight in your rules; I will not let your word go out of my mind.
17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
GIMEL Give me, your servant, the reward of life, so that I may keep your word;
18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your Law.
Let my eyes be open to see the wonders of your law.
19 I am a stranger on the earth. Do not hide your commandments from me.
I am living in a strange land: do not let your teachings be kept secret from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
My soul is broken with desire for your decisions at all times.
21 You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
Your hand has been against the men of pride, a curse is on those who go wandering out of your way.
22 Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
Take away from me shame and bitter words; for I have kept your unchanging word in my heart.
23 Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
Rulers make evil designs against me; but your servant gives thought to your rules.
24 Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.
Your unchanging word is my delight, and the guide of my footsteps.
25 DALET. My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word.
DALETH My soul is joined to the dust: O give me life, in keeping with your word.
26 I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
I put the record of my ways before you, and you gave me an answer: O give me knowledge of your rules.
27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts. Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
Make the way of your orders clear to me; then my thoughts will be ever on your wonders.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.
My soul is wasted with sorrow; give me strength again in keeping with your word
29 Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your Law graciously.
Take from me every false way; and in mercy give me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
I have taken the way of faith: I have kept your decisions before me.
31 I cling to your statutes, Jehovah. Do not let me be disappointed.
I have been true to your unchanging word; O Lord, do not put me to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.
I will go quickly in the way of your teaching, because you have given me a free heart.
33 HEY. Teach me, Jehovah, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.
HE O Lord, let me see the way of your rules, 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.
Give me wisdom, so that I may keep your law; going after it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
Make me go in the way of your teachings; for they are my delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.
Let my heart be turned to your unchanging word, and not to evil desire.
37 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
Let my eyes be turned away from what is false; give me life in your ways.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
Give effect to your word to your servant, in whose heart is the fear of you.
39 Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
Take away the shame which is my fear; for your decisions are good.
40 Look, I long for your precepts. Revive me in your righteousness.
See how great is my desire for your orders: give me life in your righteousness.
41 WAW. Let your loving kindness also come to me, Jehovah, your salvation, according to your word.
VAU Let your mercies come to me, O Lord, even your salvation, as you have said.
42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
So that I may have an answer for the man who would put me to shame; for I have faith in your word.
43 Do not snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
Take not your true word quite out of my mouth; for I have put my hope in your decisions.
44 So I will obey your Law continually, forever and ever.
So that I may keep your law for ever and ever;
45 I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
So that my way may be in a wide place: because my search has been for your orders.
46 I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
So that I may give knowledge of your unchanging word before kings, and not be put to shame.
47 I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
And so that I may take delight in your teachings, to which I have given my love.
48 I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.
And so that my hands may be stretched out to you; and I will give thought to your rules.
49 ZAYIN. Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
ZAIN Keep in mind your word to your servant, for on it has my hope been fixed.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
This is my comfort in my trouble; that your sayings have given me life.
51 The arrogant mock me excessively, but I do not swerve from your Law.
The men of pride have made great sport of me; but I have not been turned from your law.
52 I remember your ordinances of old, Jehovah, and have comforted myself.
I have kept the memory of your decisions from times past, O Lord; and they have been my comfort.
53 Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your Law.
I am burning with wrath, because of the sinners who have given up your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live.
Your rules have been melodies to me, while I have been living in strange lands.
55 I have remembered your name, Jehovah, in the night, and I obey your Law.
I have given thought to your name in the night, O Lord, and have kept your law.
56 This is my way, that I keep your precepts.
This has been true of me, that I have kept your orders in my heart.
57 HET. Jehovah is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
CHETH The Lord is my heritage: I have said that I would be ruled by your words.
58 I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
I have given my mind to do your pleasure with all my heart; have mercy on me, as you have said.
59 I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
I gave thought to my steps, and my feet were turned into the way of your unchanging word.
60 I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
I was quick to do your orders, and let no time be wasted.
61 The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your Law.
The cords of evil-doers are round me; but I have kept in mind your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
In the middle of the night I will get up to give you praise, because of all your right decisions.
63 I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
I keep company with all your worshippers, and those who have your orders in their memory.
64 The earth is full of your loving kindness, Jehovah. Teach me your statutes.
The earth, O Lord, is full of your mercy: give me knowledge of your rules.
65 TET. Do good to your servant, according to your word, Jehovah.
TETH You have done good to your servant, O Lord, in keeping with your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
Give me knowledge and good sense; for I have put my faith in your teachings.
67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
Before I was in trouble I went out of the way; but now I keep your word.
68 You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
You are good, and your works are good; give me knowledge of your rules.
69 The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
The men of pride have said false things about me; but I will keep your orders in my heart.
70 Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your Law.
Their hearts are shut up with fat; but my delight is in your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
It is good for me to have been through trouble; so that I might come to the knowledge of your rules.
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 gold and silver.
73 YOD. Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.
JOD Your hands have made me, and given me form: give me wisdom, so that I may have knowledge of your teaching.
74 Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
Your worshippers will see me and be glad; because my hope has been in your word.
75 Jehovah, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have humbled me.
I have seen, O Lord, that your decisions are right, and that in unchanging faith you have sent trouble on me.
76 Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.
Let your mercy now be my comfort, as you have said to your servant.
77 Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your Law is my delight.
Let your gentle mercies come to me, so that I may have life; for your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
Let the men of pride be shamed; because they have falsely given decision against me; but I will give thought to your orders.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
Let your worshippers be turned to me, and those who have knowledge of your words.
80 Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.
Let all my heart be given to your orders, so that I may not be put to shame.
81 KAPH. My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
CAPH My soul is wasted with desire for your salvation: but I have hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?"
My eyes are full of weariness with searching for your word, saying, When will you give me comfort?
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I do not forget your statutes.
For I have become like a wine-skin black with smoke; but I still keep the memory of your rules.
84 How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?
How short is the life of your servant! when will you give your decision against those who are attacking me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your Law.
The men of pride, who are turned away from your law, have put nets for me.
86 All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me.
All your teachings are certain; they go after me with evil design; give me your help.
87 They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I did not forsake your precepts.
They had almost put an end to me on earth; but I did not give up your orders.
88 Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
Give me life in your mercy; so that I may be ruled by the unchanging word of your mouth.
89 LAMED. Jehovah, your word is settled in heaven forever.
LAMED For ever, O Lord, your word is fixed in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
Your faith is unchanging from generation to generation: you have put the earth in its place, and it is not moved.
91 Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.
They are ruled this day by your decisions; for all things are your servants.
92 Unless your Law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
If your law had not been my delight, my troubles would have put an end to me.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
I will ever keep your orders in mind; for in them I have life.
94 I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
I am yours, O be my saviour; for my desire has been for your rules.
95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
The sinners have been waiting for me to give me up to destruction; but I will give all my mind to your unchanging ward.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.
I have seen that nothing on earth is complete; but your teaching is very wide.
97 MEM. How I love your Law. It is my meditation all day.
MEM O what love I have for your law! I give thought to it all the day.
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
Your teaching has made me wiser than my haters: for it is mine for ever.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my (meditation)
I have more knowledge than all my teachers, because I give thought to your unchanging word.
100 I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
I have more wisdom than the old, because I have kept your orders.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
I have kept back my feet from all evil ways, so that I might be true to your word.
102 I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
My heart has not been turned away from your decisions; for you have been my teacher.
103 How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth.
How sweet are your sayings to my taste! truly, they are sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Through your orders I get wisdom; for this reason I am a hater of every false way.
105 NUN. Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
NUN Your word is a light for my feet, ever shining on my way.
106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.
I have made an oath and kept it, to be guided by your upright decisions.
107 I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Jehovah, according to your word.
I am greatly troubled, O Lord, give me life in keeping with your word.
108 Please accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, Jehovah, and teach me your ordinances.
Take, O Lord, the free offerings of my mouth, and give me knowledge of your decisions.
109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your Law.
My soul is ever in danger; but I still keep the memory of your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts.
Sinners have put a net to take me; but I was true to your orders.
111 I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
I have taken your unchanging word as an eternal heritage; for it is the joy of my heart.
112 I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.
My heart is ever ready to keep your rules, even to the end.
113 SAMEKH. I hate double-minded men, but I love your Law.
SAMECH I am a hater of men of doubting mind; but I am a lover of your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
You are my secret place and my breastplate against danger; my hope is in your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
Go far from me, you evil-doers; so that I may keep the teachings of my God.
116 Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Be my support as you have said, and give me life; let not my hope be turned to shame.
117 Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
Let me not be moved, and I will be safe, and ever take delight in your rules.
118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
You have overcome all those who are wandering from your rules; for all their thoughts are false.
119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
All the sinners of the earth are like waste metal in your eyes; and for this cause I give my love to your unchanging word.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.
My flesh is moved for fear of you; I give honour to your decisions.
121 AYIN. I have done what is just and righteous. Do not leave me to my oppressors.
AIN I have done what is good and right: you will not give me into the hands of those who are working against me.
122 Ensure your servant's well-being. Do not let the proud oppress me.
Take your servant's interests into your keeping; let me not be crushed by the men of pride.
123 My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
My eyes are wasted with desire for your salvation, and for the word of your righteousness.
124 Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.
Be good to your servant in your mercy, and give me teaching in your rules.
125 I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
I am your servant; give me wisdom, so that I may have knowledge of your unchanging word.
126 It is time to act, Jehovah, for they break your Law.
It is time, O Lord, for you to let your work be seen; for they have made your law without effect.
127 Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
For this reason I have greater love far your teachings than for gold, even for shining gold.
128 Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
Because of it I keep straight in all things by your orders; and I am a hater of every false way.
129 PEY. Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
PE Your unchanging word is full of wonder; for this reason my soul keeps it.
130 The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
The opening of your words gives light; it gives good sense to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
My mouth was open wide, waiting with great desire for your teachings.
132 Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
Let your eyes be turned to me, and have mercy on me, as it is right for you to do to those who are lovers of your name.
133 Establish my footsteps in your word. Do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
Let my steps be guided by your word; and let not sin have control over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
Make me free from the cruel rule of man; then I will keep your orders.
135 Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
Let your servant see the shining of your face; give me knowledge of your rules.
136 Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they do not observe your Law.
Rivers of water are flowing from my eyes, because men do not keep your law.
137 TZADE. You are righteous, Jehovah. Your judgments are upright.
TZADE O Lord, great is your righteousness, and upright are your decisions.
138 You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
You have given your unchanging word in righteousness, and it is for ever.
139 My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
My passion has overcome me; because my haters are turned away from your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
Your word is of tested value; and it is dear to your servant.
141 I am small and despised. I do not forget your precepts.
I am small and of no account; but I keep your orders in mind.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your Law is truth.
Your righteousness is an unchanging righteousness, and your law is certain.
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
Pain and trouble have overcome me: but your teachings are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
The righteousness of your unchanging word is eternal; give me wisdom so that I may have life.
145 QOPH. I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Jehovah. I will keep your statutes.
KOPH I have made my prayer with all my heart; give answer to me, O Lord: I will keep your rules.
146 I have called to you. Save me. I will obey your statutes.
My cry has gone up to you; take me out of trouble, and I will be guided by your unchanging word.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
Before the sun is up, my cry for help comes to your ear; my hope is in your words.
148 My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
In the night watches I am awake, so that I may give thought to your saying.
149 Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Jehovah, according to your ordinances.
Let my voice come to you, in your mercy; O Lord, by your decisions give me life.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your Law.
Those who have evil designs against me come near; they are far from your law.
151 You are near, Jehovah. All your commandments are truth.
You are near, O Lord; and all your teachings are true.
152 Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.
I have long had knowledge that your unchanging word is for ever.
153 RESH. Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I do not forget your Law.
RESH O see my trouble, and be my saviour; for I keep your law in my mind,
154 Plead my cause, and redeem me. Revive me according to your promise.
Undertake my cause, and come to my help, give me life, as you have said.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.
Salvation is far from evil-doers; for they have made no search for your rules.
156 Great are your tender mercies, Jehovah. Revive me according to your ordinances.
Great is the number of your mercies, O Lord; give me life in keeping with your decisions.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies.
Great is the number of those who are against me; but I have not been turned away from your unchanging word.
158 I look at the faithless with loathing, because they do not observe your word.
I saw with hate those who were untrue to you; for they did not keep your saying.
159 Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Jehovah, according to your loving kindness.
See how great is my love for your orders: give me life, O Lord, in keeping with your mercy.
160 All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
Your word is true from the first; and your upright decision is unchanging for ever.
161 SIN and SHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
SHIN Rulers have been cruel to me without cause; but I have the fear of your word in my heart.
162 I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil.
I am delighted by your saying, like a man who makes discovery of great wealth.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your Law.
I am full of hate and disgust for false words; but I am a lover of your law.
164 Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
Seven times a day do I give you praise, because of your upright decisions.
165 Those who love your Law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
Great peace have lovers of your law; they have no cause for falling.
166 I have hoped for your salvation, Jehovah. I have done your commandments.
Lord, my hope has been in your salvation; and I have kept your teachings.
167 My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
My soul has kept your unchanging word; great is my love for it.
168 I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
I have been ruled by your orders; for all my ways are before you.
169 TAW. Let my cry come before you, Jehovah. Give me understanding according to your word.
TAU Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me wisdom in keeping with your word.
170 Let my petition come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
Let my prayer come before you; take me out of trouble, as you have said.
171 Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.
Let my lips be flowing with praise, because you have given me knowledge of your rules.
172 Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
Let my tongue make songs in praise of your word; for all your teachings are righteousness.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
Let your hand be near for my help; for I have given my heart to your orders.
174 I have longed for your salvation, Jehovah. Your Law is my delight.
All my desire has been for your salvation, O Lord; and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
Give life to my soul so that it may give you praise; and let your decisions be my support.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.
I have gone out of the way like a wandering sheep; make search for your servant; for I keep your teachings ever in mind.