< Psalms 119 >
1 ALEPH. Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.
[ALEPH.] How happy the men of blameless life, who walk in the law of Yahweh.
2 Blessed are those who keep his decrees, who seek him with their whole heart.
How happy they who observe his testimonies, with a whole heart, they seek him.
3 Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
Yea, they have not wrought perversity, In his ways, have they walked.
4 You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
Thou, hast commanded thy precepts, that they should be diligently kept.
5 Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes.
Oh would that my ways might be settled! that I might keep thy statutes.
6 Then I wouldn't be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
Then, shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7 I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.
I will thank thee with uprightness of heart, when I have learned thy righteous regulations.
8 I will observe your statutes. Do not utterly forsake me.
Thy statutes, will I keep, Do not thou forsake me utterly.
9 BET. How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
[BETH.] Wherewithal can a young man keep pure his way? By taking heed, according to thy 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 thee, Suffer me not to be led astray from thy commandments.
11 In my heart I have hidden your word, that I might not sin against you.
In my heart, have I treasured what thou hast said, to the end I may not sin against thee.
12 Blessed are you, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
Blessed art thou, O Yahweh—Teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
With my lips, have I recounted All the regulations of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
In the way of thy testimonies, have I rejoiced, Like as over all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
In thy precepts, will I meditate, that I may discern thy paths.
16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
In thy statutes, will I find my dear delight, I will not forget thy word.
17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.
[GIMEL.] Bestow thy bounties upon thy servant—let me live, That I may observe thy word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your Law.
Unveil thou mine eyes, that I may discern Wondrous things out of thy law.
19 I am a stranger on the earth. Do not hide your commandments from me.
A sojourner, am, I, in the earth, Do not hide from me, thy commandments.
20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
My soul is crushed with longing for thy just decisions at all times.
21 You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
Thou hast rebuked the proud as accursed, who stray from thy commandments.
22 Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
Roll from off me, reproach and contempt, For, thy testimonies, have I observed.
23 Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
Even rulers have taken their seat, against me, have talked, Thy servant, will still meditate in thy statutes.
24 Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.
Yea, thy testimonies, are my dear delight, My counsellors.
25 DALET. My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word.
[DALETH.] My soul, cleaveth to the dust, Give me life, according to thy word.
26 I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
My ways, I recounted, and thou didst answer me, Teach me thy statutes.
27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts. Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
The way of thy precepts, cause thou me to understand, and I will indeed meditate in thy wonders.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.
My soul weepeth itself away, for grief, Confirm thou me, according to thy word.
29 Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your Law graciously.
The way of falsehood, take thou from me, and, with thy law, O favour me.
30 I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
The way of faithfulness, have I chosen, Thy regulations, have I deemed right.
31 I cling to your statutes, LORD. Do not let me be disappointed.
I have kept close to thy testimonies, O Yahweh! do not put me to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.
The way of thy commandments, will I run, for thou wilt enlarge my heart.
33 HEY Teach me, LORD, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.
[HE.] Point out to me, O Yahweh, the way of thy statutes, that I may observe it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your Law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
Give me understanding, that I may observe thy law, that I may keep it with a whole heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
Guide me in the path of thy commandments, for, therein, do I find pleasure.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.
Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not unto unjust gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
Turn away mine eyes, from beholding vanity, In thy way, give me life.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
Establish, unto thy servant, thy word, which pertaineth to the reverence of thee.
39 Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
Cause to pass away my reproach, that I have feared, for, thy regulations, are good.
40 Look, I long for your precepts. Revive me in your righteousness.
Lo! I have longed for thy precepts, In thy righteousness, give me life.
41 WAW. Let your loving kindness also come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your word.
[WAW.] And let thy lovingkindness reach me, O Yahweh, thy salvation, according to thy word.
42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
So shall I have something to answer him that reproacheth me, That I have trusted in thy word.
43 Do not snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
And do not snatch away from my mouth the word of truth in any wise, because, for thy regulation, have I waited.
44 So I will obey your Law continually, forever and ever.
That I may keep thy law continually, to times age-abiding and beyond.
45 I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
That I may walk to and fro in a large place, because, thy precepts, have I sought.
46 I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
That I may speak of thy testimonies before kings, and not be ashamed.
47 I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
That I may find dear delight in thy commandments, which I have loved.
48 I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.
That I may lift up my hands unto thy commandments, which I have loved, and may meditate in thy statutes.
49 ZAYIN. Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
[ZAYIN.] Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
This, is my comfort in mine affliction, that, thy word, hath given me life.
51 The arrogant mock me excessively, but I do not swerve from your Law.
Insolent men, have derided me exceedingly, From thy law, have I not swerved.
52 I remember your ordinances of old, LORD, and have comforted myself.
I have remembered thy regulations, [which have come down] from age-past times, O Yahweh, and have consoled myself.
53 Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your Law.
A raging heat, hath seized me, by reason of the lawless, who forsake thy law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live.
Songs, have thy statutes become to me, in my house of sojourn.
55 I have remembered your name, LORD, in the night, and I obey your Law.
I have remembered, in the night, thy Name, O Yahweh, and have kept thy law.
56 This is my way, that I keep your precepts.
This, have I had, because, thy precepts, have I observed.
57 HET. The LORD is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
[HETH.] My portion, is Yahweh, I have promised that I would keep thy words.
58 I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
I have sought the smile of thy face with all my heart, Show me favour, according to thy word.
59 I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
I have thought upon my ways, and have turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60 I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
I have hastened, and not delayed, to keep thy commandments.
61 The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won't forget your Law.
The meshes of the lawless, have surrounded me, Thy law, have I not forgotten.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
At midnight, I arise to give thanks unto thee, For thy righteous regulations.
63 I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
Companion, am I, to all who revere thee, and to them who keep thy precepts.
64 The earth is full of your loving kindness, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
Of thy lovingkindness, O Yahweh, the earth, is full, Thy statutes, teach thou me.
65 TET. Do good to your servant, according to your word, LORD.
[TETH.] Well, hast thou dealt with thy servant, O Yahweh, according to thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
Good judgment and knowledge, teach thou me, For, in thy commandments, have I trusted.
67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
Before I was afflicted, I myself was going astray, but, now, thy word, have I kept.
68 You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
Good, thou art, and doing good, Teach me thy statutes.
69 The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
Insolent men have plastered falsehood over me, I, with a whole heart, will observe thy precepts.
70 Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your Law.
Gross, like fat, is their heart, I, in thy law, have found dear delight.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
It is, well for me, that I was afflicted, That I might learn thy statutes.
72 The Law you have spoken is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
Better to me, is the law of thy mouth, 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.
[YODH.] Thine own hands, have made me, and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74 Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
They who revere thee, shall see me and rejoice, that, for thy word, I waited.
75 LORD, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have humbled me.
I know, O Yahweh, that righteous are thy regulations, and, in faithfulness, didst thou afflict me.
76 Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.
Let thy lovingkindness, I beseech thee, serve to comfort me, according to thy word to thy servant.
77 Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your Law is my delight.
Let thy compassions reach me, that I may live, for, thy law, is my dear delight.
78 Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
Let insolent men, be ashamed, because, by means of falsehood, they have dealt with me perversely, I, will meditate in thy precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
Let them who revere thee, turn unto me, even they who know thy testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.
Let my heart be thorough in thy statutes, that I may not be ashamed.
81 KAPH. My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
[KAPH.] My soul, hath languished for thy salvation, For thy word, have I hoped.
82 My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?"
Mine eyes have failed for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I do not forget your statutes.
Though I have been like a wine-skin in the smoke, thy statutes, have I 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 thy servant! When wilt thou execute sentence on my persecutors?
85 The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your Law.
Insolent men digged for me pits, men who are not according to thy law.
86 All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me.
All thy commandments, are faithful, With falsehood, have they persecuted me, O help me!
87 They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I did not forsake your precepts.
A little more, and they had consumed me in the earth, but, I, forsake not thy precepts.
88 Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
According to thy lovingkindness, give thou me life, so will I keep the testimonies of thy mouth.
89 LAMED. LORD, your word is settled in heaven forever.
[LAMED.] Age-abidingly, O Yahweh, hath thy word been set up in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
To generation after generation, is thy faithfulness, Thou hast established the earth, and it standeth.
91 Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.
By thy regulations, do they stand to-day, for, all, are thy servants.
92 Unless your Law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
Had not thy law been my dear delight, then, had I perished in mine affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
Unto times age-abiding, will I not forget thy precepts, For, by them, hast thou given me life.
94 I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
Thine, am I, —oh save me! For, thy precepts, have I sought.
95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
For me, have the lawless waited, to destroy me, Thy testimonies, will I diligently consider.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.
To all perfection, have I seen an end, Broad is thy commandment, exceedingly.
97 MEM. How I love your Law. It is my meditation all day.
[MEM.] Oh how I love thy law! All the day, is it my (meditation)
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
Beyond mine enemies, will thy commandment make me wise, for, age-abidingly, shall it be mine.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my (meditation)
Beyond all my teachers, have I shown discretion, for, thy testimonies, are my (meditation)
100 I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
Beyond the elders, will I show understanding, for, thy precepts, have I observed.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
From every way of wickedness, have I withheld my feet, that I might keep thy word.
102 I have not turned aside from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
From thy regulations, have I not turned aside, for, thou, hast directed me.
103 How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth.
How smooth to my palate is thy speech, More than honey, to my mouth.
104 Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Out of thy precepts, will I get understanding, For this cause, do I hate every false way.
105 NUN. Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
[NUN.] A lamp to my feet, is thy word, and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.
I sware, and have fulfilled, To keep thy righteous regulations.
107 I am afflicted very much. Revive me, LORD, according to your word.
I have been afflicted exceedingly, —O Yahweh, give me life according to thy word.
108 Please accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, LORD, and teach me your ordinances.
The freewill offerings of my mouth, accept, I pray thee, O Yahweh, And, thy regulations, teach thou me.
109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won't forget your Law.
My life, is in my hand continually, Yet, thy law, have I not forgotten.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts.
The lawless have set a snare for me, Yet, from thy precepts, have I not strayed.
111 I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
As an inheritance have I taken thy testimonies unto times age-abiding, for, the joy of my heart, they are.
112 I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.
I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes, Age-abidingly, to the end.
113 SAMEKH. I hate double-minded men, but I love your Law.
[SAMECH.] Half-hearted ones, do I hate, but, thy law, do I love.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
My hiding-place and my buckler, thou art, For thy word, have I waited.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
Depart from me, ye evil-doers, —that I may observe the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Uphold me according to thy word, that I may live, and do not shame me out of my hope!
117 Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
Sustain me, that I may be saved, and may find dear delight in thy statutes continually.
118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
Thou hast made light of all who stray from thy statutes, for their fraud is, falsehood.
119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
Dross, have I accounted all the lawless of the earth, therefore do I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.
My flesh, bristled up from dread of thee, and, of thy regulations, stand I in fear.
121 AYIN. I have done what is just and righteous. Do not leave me to my oppressors.
[AYIN.] I have done justice and righteousness, —Do not leave me to mine oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant's well-being. Do not let the proud oppress me.
Be thou surety for thy servant for good, Let not insolent men oppress me.
123 My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
Mine eyes, have become dim for thy salvation, and for thy righteous word.
124 Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.
Deal with thy servant according to thy lovingkindness, and, thy statutes, teach thou me.
125 I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
Thy servant, I am—give me understanding, so shall I get to know thy testimonies.
126 It is time to act, LORD, for they break your Law.
It is time that Yahweh should work, They have frustrated thy law!
127 Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
For this cause, do I love thy commandments, More than gold, yea than fine gold!
128 Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
For this cause, all thy precepts concerning all things, I deem right, Every way of falsehood, I hate.
129 PEY. Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
[PE.] Wonderful are thy testimonies, For this cause, hath my soul observed them.
130 The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
The opening of thy words, sheddeth light, Giving understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
My mouth, have I opened wide, and panted, because, for thy commandments, have I longed.
132 Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
Turn thyself unto me, and show me favour, —As is befitting, to the lovers of thy Name.
133 Establish my footsteps in your word. Do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
My steps, direct thou by thy word, and let no iniquity, have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
Set me free from the oppression of man, so will I keep thy precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
Thy face, light thou up on thy servant, and teach me thy statutes.
136 Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they do not observe your Law.
Streams of water, have run down mine eyes, because men have not kept thy law.
137 TZADE. You are righteous, LORD. Your judgments are upright.
[ZADHE.] Righteous art thou, O Yahweh, —and, equitable, are thy regulations.
138 You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
Thou hast righteously commanded thy testimonies, yea in great faithfulness.
139 My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
My zeal, hath put an end to me, for mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
Refined is thy word, to the uttermost, and, thy servant loveth it.
141 I am small and despised. I do not forget your precepts.
Small, am I, and despised, Thy precepts, have I not forgotten.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your Law is truth.
Thy righteousness, is righteous to times age-abiding, and, thy law, is truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
Straitness and distress, have befallen me, Thy commandments, are my dear delights.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
Righteous are thy testimonies, unto times age-abiding, Give me understanding, that I may live.
145 QOPH. I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, LORD. I will keep your statutes.
[KOPH.] I have cried out with all my heart, answer me, O Yahweh; Thy statutes, will I observe.
146 I have called to you. Save me. I will obey your statutes.
I have cried out unto thee, oh save me, That I may keep thy testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
I forestalled the twilight, and cried for help, For thy word, I waited.
148 My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
Mine eyes forestalled the night-watches, To meditate in thy word.
149 Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, LORD, according to your ordinances.
My voice, O hear, according to thy lovingkindness, O Yahweh! according to thy wont, give me life.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your Law.
They have drawn near, who pursue villainy, From thy law, have they gone far away.
151 You are near, LORD. All your commandments are truth.
Near art thou, O Yahweh, and, all thy commandments, are truth.
152 Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.
Long, have I known, from thy testimonies, That, to times age-abiding, thou didst establish them.
153 RESH. Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I do not forget your Law.
[RESH.] Behold mine affliction, and rescue me, For, thy law, have I not forgotten.
154 Plead my cause, and redeem me. Revive me according to your promise.
Plead my cause, and redeem me, By thy word, give me life
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.
Far from the lawless, is salvation, For, thy statutes, have they not sought.
156 Great are your tender mercies, LORD. Revive me according to your ordinances.
Thy compassions, are great, O Yahweh, According to thy regulations, give me life.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies.
Many, are my persecutors and mine adversaries, From thy testimonies, have I not swerved.
158 I look at the faithless with loathing, because they do not observe your word.
I have seen traitors, and felt loathing, Because, thy word, they kept not.
159 Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, LORD, according to your loving kindness.
See thou that, thy precepts, I have loved, O Yahweh, according to thy lovingkindness, give me life.
160 All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
The sum of thy word, is truth, and, age-abiding, is every one of thy righteous regulations.
161 SIN and SHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
[SHIN.] Rulers, have persecuted me, without cause, But, of thy word, hath my heart stood in awe.
162 I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great spoil.
Joyful am I over thy word, Like the finder of spoil in abundance.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your Law.
Falsehood, I hate and abhor, Thy law, do I love.
164 Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
Seven times in the day, have I praised thee, For thy righteous regulations.
165 Those who love your Law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
Blessing in abundance, have the lovers of thy law, and nothing to make them stumble.
166 I have hoped for your salvation, LORD. I have done your commandments.
I have looked for thy salvation, O Yahweh, and, thy commandments, have I done.
167 My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
My soul hath kept thy testimonies, yea I have loved them greatly.
168 I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
I have kept thy precepts, and thy testimonies, For, all my ways, are before thee.
169 TAW. Let my cry come before you, LORD. Give me understanding according to your word.
[TAU] Let my shouting come near before thee, O Yahweh, According to thy word, give me understanding.
170 Let my petition come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
Let my supplication come in before thee, According to thy word, deliver me.
171 Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.
My lips, shall pour out, praise, When thou shalt teach me thy statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
My tongue, shall respond, with thy word, For, all thy commandments, are righteous.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
Be thy hand ready to help me, For, thy statutes, have I chosen.
174 I have longed for your salvation, LORD. Your Law is my delight.
I have longed for thy salvation, O Yahweh, and, thy law, is my dear delight.
175 Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
Let my soul live, that it may praise thee, So shall thy regulation 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, O seek thy servant, For, thy commandments, have I not forgotten.