< Psalms 119 >
1 ALEPH Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the LORD’s law.
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.
3 Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
They do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.
5 Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!
6 Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.
7 I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgements.
I will praise You with an upright heart when I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I will observe your statutes. Don’t utterly forsake me.
I will keep Your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.
9 BETH How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments.
With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin 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 I proclaim all the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
17 GIMEL Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.
Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.
19 I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me.
I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
My soul is consumed with longing for Your judgments at all times.
21 You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
You rebuke the arrogant— the cursed who stray from Your commandments.
22 Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
Remove my scorn and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies.
23 Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
Though rulers sit and slander me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24 Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counsellors.
Your testimonies are indeed my delight; they are my counselors.
25 DALETH My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word.
26 I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
I recounted my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes.
27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
Make clear to me the way of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
My soul melts with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word.
29 Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!
Remove me from the path of deceit 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 truth; I have set Your ordinances before me.
31 I cling to your statutes, LORD. Don’t let me be disappointed.
I cling to Your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.
I run in the path of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart.
33 HE 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 them to 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 obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart towards your statutes, not towards selfish gain.
Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.
38 Fulfil your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You.
39 Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
Turn away the disgrace I dread, for Your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.
How I long for Your precepts! Revive me in Your righteousness.
41 VAV Let your loving kindness also come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your word.
May Your loving devotion come to me, O LORD, Your salvation, according to Your promise.
42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
Then I can answer him who taunts, for I trust in Your word.
43 Don’t snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
Never take Your word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in Your judgments.
44 So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.
I will always obey Your law, forever and ever.
45 I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
And I will walk in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed.
47 I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
I delight in Your commandments because I love them.
48 I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.
I lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love, and I meditate on Your statutes.
49 ZAYIN Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
Remember Your word to Your servant, upon which You have given me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life.
51 The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don’t swerve from your law.
The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law.
52 I remember your ordinances of old, LORD, and have comforted myself.
I remember Your judgments of old, O LORD, and in them I find comfort.
53 Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.
Rage has taken hold of me because of the wicked who reject Your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house where I live.
Your statutes are songs to me in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered your name, LORD, in the night, and I obey your law.
In the night, O LORD, I remember Your name, that I may keep Your law.
56 This is my way, that I keep your precepts.
This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts.
57 HETH The LORD is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.
58 I sought your favour with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.
59 I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.
60 I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.
61 The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won’t forget your law.
Though the ropes of the wicked bind me, I do not forget Your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments.
63 I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth is full of your loving kindness, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
The earth is filled with Your loving devotion, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.
65 TETH You have treated your servant well, according to your word, LORD.
You are good to Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word.
66 Teach me good judgement and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.
68 You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.
69 The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.
Their hearts are hard and callous, 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 afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
73 YODH 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; give me understanding to learn Your commandments.
74 Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
May those who fear You see me and rejoice, for I have hoped in Your word.
75 LORD, I know that your judgements are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.
May Your loving devotion comfort me, I pray, according to Your promise to Your servant.
77 Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
May Your compassion come to me, that I may live, for Your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
May the arrogant be put to shame for subverting me with a lie; I will meditate on Your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
May those who fear You turn to me, those who know Your testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless towards your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.
May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, that I may not be put to shame.
81 KAPF My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.
82 My eyes fail for your word. I say, “When will you comfort me?”
My eyes fail, looking for Your promise; I ask, “When will You comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don’t forget your statutes.
Though I am like a wineskin dried up by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.
84 How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgement on those who persecute me?
How many days must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on my persecutors?
85 The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.
The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law.
86 All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
All Your commandments are faithful; I am persecuted without cause—help me!
87 They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn’t forsake your precepts.
They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.
88 Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
Revive me according to Your loving devotion, that I may obey the testimony of Your mouth.
89 LAMEDH LORD, your word is settled in heaven forever.
Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.
Your ordinances stand to this day, for all things are servants to You.
92 Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.
94 I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
The wicked wait to destroy me, but I will ponder Your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.
I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your commandment is without limit.
97 MEM How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.
Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my (meditation)
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my (meditation)
I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my (meditation)
100 I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word.
102 I have not turned away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
I have not departed from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.
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 in my mouth!
104 Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.
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 and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much. Revive me, LORD, according to your word.
I am severely afflicted, O LORD; revive me through Your word.
108 Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. LORD, teach me your ordinances.
Accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me Your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won’t forget your law.
I constantly take my life in my hands, yet 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 have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts.
111 I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.
I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes, even to the very end.
113 SAMEKH I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.
The double-minded I despise, but Your law I love.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
You are my hiding place and my shield; I put my hope in Your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Sustain me as You promised, that I may live; let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
Uphold me, and I will be saved, that I may always regard Your statutes.
118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
You reject all who stray from Your statutes, for their deceitfulness is in vain.
119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
All the wicked on earth You discard like dross; therefore I love Your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgements.
My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.
121 AYIN I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors.
I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being. Don’t let the proud oppress me.
Ensure Your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
My eyes fail, looking for Your salvation, and for Your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.
Deal with Your servant according to Your loving devotion, and teach me Your statutes.
125 I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.
126 It is time to act, LORD, for they break your law.
It is time for the LORD to act, for they have broken Your law.
127 Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, even the purest gold.
128 Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
Therefore I admire all Your precepts and hate every false way.
129 PE Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
Wonderful are Your testimonies; therefore I obey them.
130 The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.
131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
I open my mouth and pant, 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 and show me mercy, as You do to those who love Your name.
133 Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.
Order my steps in Your word; let no sin rule over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.
136 Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your law.
My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed.
137 TZADHE You are righteous, LORD. Your judgements are upright.
Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments.
138 You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether faithful.
139 My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
My zeal has consumed me because my foes forget Your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
Your promise is completely pure; therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised. I don’t forget your precepts.
I am lowly and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.
Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
Trouble and distress have found me, but Your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
145 QOPH I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, LORD! I will keep your statutes.
I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! I will obey Your statutes.
146 I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.
I call to You; save me, that I may keep Your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
I rise before dawn and cry for help; in Your word I have put my hope.
148 My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.
149 Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, LORD, according to your ordinances.
Hear my voice, O LORD, according to Your loving devotion; give me life according to Your justice.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.
Those who follow after wickedness draw near; they are far from Your law.
151 You are near, LORD. All your commandments are truth.
You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are true.
152 Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.
Long ago I learned from Your testimonies that You have established them forever.
153 RESH Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don’t forget your law.
Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I have not forgotten Your law.
154 Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.
Defend my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don’t seek your statutes.
Salvation is far from the wicked because they do not seek Your statutes.
156 Great are your tender mercies, LORD. Revive me according to your ordinances.
Great are Your mercies, O LORD; revive me according to Your ordinances.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven’t swerved from your testimonies.
Though my persecutors and foes are many, I have not turned from Your testimonies.
158 I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don’t observe your word.
I look on the faithless with loathing because they do not keep Your word.
159 Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, LORD, according to your loving kindness.
Consider how I love Your precepts, O LORD; give me life according to Your loving devotion.
160 All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.
161 SIN AND SHIN Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart fears only Your word.
162 I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.
I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.
I hate and abhor falsehood, but Your law I love.
164 Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous judgments.
165 Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing can make them stumble.
166 I have hoped for your salvation, LORD. I have done your commandments.
I wait for Your salvation, O LORD, and I carry out Your commandments.
167 My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
I obey Your testimonies and love them greatly.
168 I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
I obey Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.
169 TAV Let my cry come before you, LORD. Give me understanding according to your word.
May my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.
170 Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
May my plea come before You; rescue me according to Your promise.
171 Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.
My lips pour forth praise, for You teach me Your statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
My tongue sings of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.
174 I have longed for your salvation, LORD. Your law is my delight.
I long 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.
Let me live to praise You; may Your judgments sustain me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments.
I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.