Text -- Psalms 119:156-176 (NET)

119:156 Your compassion is great, O Lord. Revive me, as you typically do! 119:157 The enemies who chase me are numerous. Yet I do not turn aside from your rules. 119:158 I take note of the treacherous and despise them, because they do not keep your instructions. 119:159 See how I love your precepts! O Lord, revive me with your loyal love! 119:160 Your instructions are totally reliable; all your just regulations endure. 119:161 שׂ/שׁ(Sin/Shin) Rulers pursue me for no reason, yet I am more afraid of disobeying your instructions. 119:162 I rejoice in your instructions, like one who finds much plunder. 119:163 I hate and despise deceit; I love your law. 119:164 Seven times a day I praise you because of your just regulations. 119:165 Those who love your law are completely secure; nothing causes them to stumble. 119:166 I hope for your deliverance, O Lord, and I obey your commands. 119:167 I keep your rules; I love them greatly. 119:168 I keep your precepts and rules, for you are aware of everything I do. 119:169 ת(Tav) Listen to my cry for help, O Lord! Give me insight by your word! 119:170 Listen to my appeal for mercy! Deliver me, as you promised. 119:171 May praise flow freely from my lips, for you teach me your statutes. 119:172 May my tongue sing about your instructions, for all your commands are just. 119:173 May your hand help me, for I choose to obey your precepts. 119:174 I long for your deliverance, O Lord; I find delight in your law. 119:175 May I live and praise you! May your regulations help me! 119:176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep. Come looking for your servant, for I do not forget your commands.

Commentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes

NET Notes: Psa 119:156

¹ tn Heb “according to your customs.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:157

¹ tn Heb “many [are] those who chase me and my enemies.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:158

¹ tn Heb “your word.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:160

¹ tn Heb “the head of your word is truth, and forever [is] all your just regulation.” The term “head” is used here of the “sum total” of God’s instructions.

NET Notes: Psa 119:161

¹ tn Heb “and because of your instructions my heart trembles.” The psalmist’s healthy “fear” of the consequences of violating God’s instructions motivates him to obey them. See v. 120.

NET Notes: Psa 119:162

¹ tn Heb “like one who finds great plunder.” See Judg 5:30. The image is that of a victorious warrior who finds a large amount of plunder on the field of battle.

NET Notes: Psa 119:164

¹ tn The number “seven” is use rhetorically to suggest thoroughness.

NET Notes: Psa 119:165

¹ tn Heb “great peace [is] to the lovers of your law.”

² tn Heb “and there is no stumbling to them.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:166

¹ tn Heb “do.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:168

¹ tn Heb “for all my ways [are] before you.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:169

¹ tn Heb “may my cry approach before you.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:170

¹ tn Heb “may my appeal for mercy come before you.”

² tn Heb “according to your speech.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:172

¹ tn Heb “your word.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:173

¹ tn The words “to obey” are not in the Hebrew text, but have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarity.

NET Notes: Psa 119:175

¹ tn Heb “my life.”

² tn God’s regulations will “help” the psalmist by giving him moral and ethical guidance.

NET Notes: Psa 119:176

¹ tn Heb “I stray like a lost sheep.” It is possible that the point of the metaphor is vulnerability: The psalmist, who is threatened by his enemies, feels as vulnerable as a straying, lost sheep. This would not suggest, however, that he has wandered from God’s path (see the second half of the verse, as well as v. 110).