Text -- Psalms 119:54-176 (NET)

119:54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house where I live. 119:55 I remember your name during the night, O Lord, and I will keep your law. 119:56 This has been my practice, for I observe your precepts. 119:57 ח(Khet) The Lord is my source of security. I have determined to follow your instructions. 119:58 I seek your favor with all my heart. Have mercy on me as you promised! 119:59 I consider my actions and follow your rules. 119:60 I keep your commands eagerly and without delay. 119:61 The ropes of the wicked tighten around me, but I do not forget your law. 119:62 In the middle of the night I arise to thank you for your just regulations. 119:63 I am a friend to all your loyal followers, and to those who keep your precepts. 119:64 O Lord, your loyal love fills the earth. Teach me your statutes! 119:65 ט(Tet) You are good to your servant, O Lord, just as you promised. 119:66 Teach me proper discernment and understanding! For I consider your commands to be reliable. 119:67 Before I was afflicted I used to stray off, but now I keep your instructions. 119:68 You are good and you do good. Teach me your statutes! 119:69 Arrogant people smear my reputation with lies, but I observe your precepts with all my heart. 119:70 Their hearts are calloused, but I find delight in your law. 119:71 It was good for me to suffer, so that I might learn your statutes. 119:72 The law you have revealed is more important to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. 119:73 י(Yod) Your hands made me and formed me. Give me understanding so that I might learn your commands. 119:74 Your loyal followers will be glad when they see me, for I find hope in your word. 119:75 I know, Lord, that your regulations are just. You disciplined me because of your faithful devotion to me. 119:76 May your loyal love console me, as you promised your servant. 119:77 May I experience your compassion, so I might live! For I find delight in your law. 119:78 May the arrogant be humiliated, for they have slandered me! But I meditate on your precepts. 119:79 May your loyal followers turn to me, those who know your rules. 119:80 May I be fully committed to your statutes, so that I might not be ashamed. 119:81 כ(Kaf) I desperately long for your deliverance. I find hope in your word. 119:82 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your promise to be fulfilled. I say, “When will you comfort me?” 119:83 For I am like a wineskin dried up in smoke. I do not forget your statutes. 119:84 How long must your servant endure this? When will you judge those who pursue me? 119:85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me, which violates your law. 119:86 All your commands are reliable. I am pursued without reason. Help me! 119:87 They have almost destroyed me here on the earth, but I do not reject your precepts. 119:88 Revive me with your loyal love, that I might keep the rules you have revealed. 119:89 ל(Lamed) O Lord, your instructions endure; they stand secure in heaven. 119:90 You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations. You established the earth and it stood firm. 119:91 Today they stand firm by your decrees, for all things are your servants. 119:92 If I had not found encouragement in your law, I would have died in my sorrow. 119:93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have revived me. 119:94 I belong to you. Deliver me! For I seek your precepts. 119:95 The wicked prepare to kill me, yet I concentrate on your rules. 119:96 I realize that everything has its limits, but your commands are beyond full comprehension. 119:97 מ(Mem) O how I love your law! All day long I meditate on it. 119:98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for I am always aware of them. 119:99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your rules. 119:100 I am more discerning than those older than I, for I observe your precepts. 119:101 I stay away from the evil path, so that I might keep your instructions. 119:102 I do not turn aside from your regulations, for you teach me. 119:103 Your words are sweeter in my mouth than honey! 119:104 Your precepts give me discernment. Therefore I hate all deceitful actions. 119:105 נ(Nun) Your word is a lamp to walk by, and a light to illumine my path. 119:106 I have vowed and solemnly sworn to keep your just regulations. 119:107 I am suffering terribly. O Lord, revive me with your word! 119:108 O Lord, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise! Teach me your regulations! 119:109 My life is in continual danger, but I do not forget your law. 119:110 The wicked lay a trap for me, but I do not wander from your precepts. 119:111 I claim your rules as my permanent possession, for they give me joy. 119:112 I am determined to obey your statutes at all times, to the very end. 119:113 ס(Samek) I hate people with divided loyalties, but I love your law. 119:114 You are my hiding place and my shield. I find hope in your word. 119:115 Turn away from me, you evil men, so that I can observe the commands of my God. 119:116 Sustain me as you promised, so that I will live. Do not disappoint me! 119:117 Support me, so that I will be delivered. Then I will focus on your statutes continually. 119:118 You despise all who stray from your statutes, for they are deceptive and unreliable. 119:119 You remove all the wicked of the earth like slag. Therefore I love your rules. 119:120 My body trembles because I fear you; I am afraid of your judgments. 119:121 ע(Ayin) I do what is fair and right. Do not abandon me to my oppressors! 119:122 Guarantee the welfare of your servant! Do not let the arrogant oppress me! 119:123 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your deliverance, for your reliable promise to be fulfilled. 119:124 Show your servant your loyal love! Teach me your statutes! 119:125 I am your servant. Give me insight, so that I can understand your rules. 119:126 It is time for the Lord to act– they break your law! 119:127 For this reason I love your commands more than gold, even purest gold. 119:128 For this reason I carefully follow all your precepts. I hate all deceitful actions. 119:129 פ(Pe) Your rules are marvelous. Therefore I observe them. 119:130 Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines. They give insight to the untrained. 119:131 I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commands. 119:132 Turn toward me and extend mercy to me, as you typically do to your loyal followers. 119:133 Direct my steps by your word! Do not let any sin dominate me! 119:134 Deliver me from oppressive men, so that I can keep your precepts. 119:135 Smile on your servant! Teach me your statutes! 119:136 Tears stream down from my eyes, because people do not keep your law. 119:137 צ(Tsade) You are just, O Lord, and your judgments are fair. 119:138 The rules you impose are just, and absolutely reliable. 119:139 My zeal consumes me, for my enemies forget your instructions. 119:140 Your word is absolutely pure, and your servant loves it! 119:141 I am insignificant and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts. 119:142 Your justice endures, and your law is reliable. 119:143 Distress and hardship confront me, yet I find delight in your commands. 119:144 Your rules remain just. Give me insight so that I can live. 119:145 ק(Qof) I cried out with all my heart, “Answer me, O Lord! I will observe your statutes.” 119:146 I cried out to you, “Deliver me, so that I can keep your rules.” 119:147 I am up before dawn crying for help. I find hope in your word. 119:148 My eyes anticipate the nighttime hours, so that I can meditate on your word. 119:149 Listen to me because of your loyal love! O Lord, revive me, as you typically do! 119:150 Those who are eager to do wrong draw near; they are far from your law. 119:151 You are near, O Lord, and all your commands are reliable. 119:152 I learned long ago that you ordained your rules to last. 119:153 ר(Resh) See my pain and rescue me! For I do not forget your law. 119:154 Fight for me and defend me! Revive me with your word! 119:155 The wicked have no chance for deliverance, for they do not seek your statutes. 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 119:54

¹ tn Heb “songs were your statutes to me.”

² tn Heb “in the house of my dwelling place.” Some take the Hebrew noun מָגוֹר (magor) in the sense of “temporary abode,” and see this as a reference to the psalmist’s status as a resident alien (see v. 19). But the noun can refer to a dwelling place in general (see Ps 55:15).

NET Notes: Psa 119:55

¹ tn The cohortative verbal form expresses the psalmist’s resolve to obey the law.

NET Notes: Psa 119:56

¹ tn Heb “this has been to me.” The demonstrative “this” (1) refers back to the practices mentioned in vv. 54-55, or (2) looks forward to the statement in the second line, in which case the כִּי (ki) at the beginning of the second line should be translated “that.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:57

¹ tn Heb “my portion [is] the Lord.” The psalmist compares the Lord to landed property, which was foundational to economic stability in ancient Israel (see Ps 16:5).

² tn Heb “I said.”

³ tn Heb “to keep your words” (see v. 9).

NET Notes: Psa 119:58

¹ tn Heb “I appease your face.”

² tn Heb “according to your word.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:59

¹ tn Heb “my ways.”

² tn Heb “and I turn my feet toward.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:60

¹ tn Heb “I hurry and I do not delay to keep your commands.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:61

¹ tn Heb “surround.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:62

¹ tn The psalmist uses an imperfect verbal form to emphasize that this is his continuing practice.

NET Notes: Psa 119:63

¹ tn Heb “to all who fear you.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:65

¹ tn Heb “do good.”

² tn Heb “according to your word.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:66

¹ tn Heb “goodness of taste.” Here “taste” refers to moral and ethical discernment.

² tn Heb “for I believe in your commands.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:67

¹ tn Heb “before I suffered, I was straying off.”

² tn Heb “your word.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:69

¹ tn Heb “smear over me a lie.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:70

¹ tn Heb “their heart is insensitive like fat.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:72

¹ tn Heb “better to me [is] the law of your mouth than thousands of gold and silver.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:73

¹ tn Heb “made me and established me.” The two verbs also appear together in Deut 32:6, where God, compared to a father, is said to have “made and established” Israel.

² tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

NET Notes: Psa 119:74

¹ tn Heb “those who fear you will see me and rejoice.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:75

¹ tn In this context (note the second line) the Hebrew term מִשְׁפָּטִים (mishpatim), which so often refers to the regulations of God’s law elsewhere in this psalm, may refer instead to his decisions or disciplinary judgment.

² tn Heb “and [in] faithfulness you afflicted me.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:76

¹ tn Heb “according to your word to your servant.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:77

¹ tn Heb “and may your compassion come to me.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:78

¹ tn Heb “for [with] falsehood they have denied me justice.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:79

¹ tn Heb “those who fear you.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:80

¹ tn Heb “may my heart be complete in your statutes.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:81

¹ tn Heb “my soul pines for.” See Ps 84:2.

NET Notes: Psa 119:82

¹ tn Heb “my eyes fail for your word.” The psalmist has intently kept his eyes open, looking for God to intervene, but now his eyes are watery and bloodshot, impairing his vision. See Ps 69:3.

² tn Heb “saying.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:83

¹ tn Or “even though.”

² tn The Hebrew word נֹאד (no’d, “leather container”) refers to a container made from animal skin which is used to hold wine or milk (see Josh 9:4, 13; Judg 4:19; 1 Sam 16:20).

³ tn Heb “in the smoke.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:84

¹ tn Heb “How long are the days of your servant?”

NET Notes: Psa 119:85

¹ tn Heb “for me.”

² tn Heb “which [is] not according to your law.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:86

¹ sn God’s commands are a reliable guide to right and wrong. By keeping them the psalmist is doing what is right, yet he is still persecuted.

NET Notes: Psa 119:88

¹ tn Heb “according to.”

² tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

³ tn Heb “of your mouth.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:89

¹ tn Heb “Forever, O Lord, your word stands firm in heaven,” or “Forever, O Lord, [is] your word; it stands firm in heaven.” The translation assumes that “your word” refers here to the body of divine instructions contained in the law (note the frequent references to the law in vv. 92-96). See vv. 9, 16-17, 57, 101, 105, 130, 139 and 160-61. The reference in v. 86 to God’s law being faithful favors this interpretation. Another option is that “your word” refers to God’s assuring word of promise, mentioned in vv. 25, 28, 42, 65, 74, 81, 107, 114, 147 and 169. In this case one might translate, “O Lord, your promise is reliable, it stands firm in heaven.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:90

¹ tn Heb “to a generation and a generation [is] your faithfulness.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:92

¹ tn Heb “if your law had not been my delight.”

² tn Or “my suffering.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:95

¹ tn Heb “the wicked wait for me to kill me.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:96

¹ tn Heb “to every perfection I have seen an end, your command is very wide.” God’s law is beyond full comprehension, which is why the psalmist continually studies it (vv. 95, 97).

NET Notes: Psa 119:98

¹ tn The plural form needs to be revocalized as a singular in order to agree with the preceding singular verb and the singular pronoun in the next line. The Lord’s “command” refers here to the law (see Ps 19:8).

NET Notes: Psa 119:101

¹ tn Heb “I hold back my feet.”

² tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural.

NET Notes: Psa 119:103

¹ tn Heb “How smooth they are to my palate, your word, more than honey to my mouth.” A few medieval Hebrew mss, as well as several other ancient witnesses, read the plural “your words,” which can then be understood as the subject of the plural verb “they are smooth.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:104

¹ tn Heb “every false path.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:105

¹ tn Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural (“words”).

² tn Heb “[is] a lamp for my foot and a light for my path.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:107

¹ tn Heb “according to your word.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:108

¹ tn Heb “of my mouth.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:109

¹ tn Heb “my life [is] in my hands continually.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:111

¹ tn Heb “for the joy of my heart [are] they.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:112

¹ tn Heb “I turn my heart to do.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:113

¹ tn Heb “divided ones.” The word occurs only here; it appears to be derived from a verbal root, attested in Arabic, meaning “to split” (see HALOT 762 s.v. *סֵעֵף). Since the psalmist is emphasizing his unswerving allegiance to God and his law, the term probably refers to those who lack such loyalty. The translation is similar to that suggested by L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 131.

NET Notes: Psa 119:115

¹ tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

² tn The psalmist has already declared that he observes God’s commands despite persecution, so here the idea must be “so that I might observe the commands of my God unhindered by threats.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:116

¹ tn Heb “according to your word.”

² tn The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

³ tn Heb “do not make me ashamed of my hope.” After the Hebrew verb בּוֹשׁ (bosh, “to be ashamed”) the preposition מִן (min, “from”) often introduces the reason for shame.

NET Notes: Psa 119:117

¹ tn Or “and that I might focus.” The two cohortatives with vav (ו) conjunctive indicate purpose/result after the imperative at the beginning of the verse.

NET Notes: Psa 119:118

¹ tn The Hebrew verb סָלָה (salah, “to disdain”) occurs only here and in Lam 1:15. Cognate usage in Aramaic and Akkadian, as well as Lam 1:15, suggest it may have a concrete nuance of “to throw away.”

² tn Heb “for their deceit [is] falsehood.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:119

¹ sn Traditionally “dross” (so KJV, ASV, NIV). The metaphor comes from metallurgy; “slag” is the substance left over after the metallic ore has been refined.

² sn As he explains in the next verse, the psalmist’s fear of judgment motivates him to obey God’s rules.

NET Notes: Psa 119:120

¹ tn Heb “my flesh.”

² tn The Hebrew verb סָמַר (samar, “to tremble”) occurs only here and in Job 4:15.

³ tn Heb “from fear of you.” The pronominal suffix on the noun is an objective genitive.

NET Notes: Psa 119:121

¹ tn Heb “do justice and righteousness.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:122

¹ tn Heb “be surety for your servant for good.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:123

¹ tn Heb “my eyes fail for your deliverance.” The psalmist has intently kept his eyes open, looking for God to intervene, but now his eyes are watery and bloodshot, impairing his vision. See the similar phrase in v. 82.

² tn Heb “and for the word of your faithfulness.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:124

¹ tn Heb “do with your servant according to your loyal love.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:125

¹ tn or “know.” The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

NET Notes: Psa 119:127

¹ tn “For this reason” connects logically with the statement made in v. 126. Because the judgment the psalmist fears (see vv. 119-120) is imminent, he remains loyal to God’s law.

NET Notes: Psa 119:128

¹ tn Heb “for this reason all the precepts of everything I regard as right.” The phrase “precepts of everything” is odd. It is preferable to take the kaf (כ) on כֹּל (kol, “everything) with the preceding form as a pronominal suffix, “your precepts,” and the lamed (ל) with the following verb as an emphatic particle. See L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 138.

² tn Heb “every false path.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:130

¹ tn Heb “the doorway of your words gives light.” God’s “words” refer here to the instructions in his law (see vv. 9, 57).

² tn Heb “it [i.e., the doorway] gives.”

³ tn Or “the [morally] naive,” that is, the one who is young and still in the process of learning right from wrong and distinguishing wisdom from folly. See Pss 19:7; 116:6.

NET Notes: Psa 119:131

¹ tn The verb occurs only here in the OT.

NET Notes: Psa 119:132

¹ tn Heb “according to custom toward the lovers of your name.” The “lovers of” God’s “name” are the Lord’s loyal followers. See Pss 5:11; 69:36; Isa 56:6.

NET Notes: Psa 119:133

¹ tn God’s “word” refers here to his law (see v. 11).

NET Notes: Psa 119:134

¹ tn Or “redeem me.”

² tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

NET Notes: Psa 119:135

¹ tn Heb “cause your face to shine.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:136

¹ tn Heb “[with] flowing streams my eyes go down.”

² tn Heb “they”; even though somewhat generic, the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

NET Notes: Psa 119:138

¹ tn Heb “you commanded [in] justice your rules.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:139

¹ tn or “zeal.”

² tn Heb “destroys,” in a hyperbolic sense.

³ tn Heb “your words.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:142

¹ tn Heb “your justice [is] justice forever.”

² tn Or “truth.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:143

¹ tn Heb “find.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:144

¹ tn Heb “just are your rules forever.”

² tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

NET Notes: Psa 119:146

¹ tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

NET Notes: Psa 119:149

¹ tn Heb “my voice.”

² tn Heb “according to.”

³ tn Heb “according to your custom.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:150

¹ tn Heb “those who pursue.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:151

¹ tn Or “truth.”

NET Notes: Psa 119:152

¹ tn Heb “long ago I knew concerning your rules, that forever you established them.” See v. 89 for the same idea. The translation assumes that the preposition מִן (min) prefixed to “your rules” introduces the object of the verb יָדַע (yada’), as in 1 Sam 23:23. Another option is that the preposition indicates source, in which case one might translate, “Long ago I realized from your rules that forever you established them” (cf. NIV, NRSV).

NET Notes: Psa 119:154

¹ tn Or “argue my case.”

² tn Heb “and redeem me.” The verb “redeem” casts the Lord in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis (see Ps 19:14).

NET Notes: Psa 119:155

¹ tn Heb “far from the wicked [is] deliverance.”

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).