Psalms 119:1-159

Psalm 119

א (Alef)

119:1 How blessed are those whose actions are blameless,

who obey the law of the Lord.

119:2 How blessed are those who observe his rules,

and seek him with all their heart,

119:3 who, moreover, do no wrong,

but follow in his footsteps.

119:4 You demand that your precepts

be carefully kept.

119:5 If only I were predisposed

to keep your statutes!

119:6 Then I would not be ashamed,

if I were focused on all your commands.

119:7 I will give you sincere thanks,

when I learn your just regulations.

119:8 I will keep your statutes.

Do not completely abandon me!

ב (Bet)

119:9 How can a young person maintain a pure life?

By guarding it according to your instructions!

119:10 With all my heart I seek you.

Do not allow me to stray from your commands!

119:11 In my heart I store up your words,

so I might not sin against you.

119:12 You deserve praise, O Lord!

Teach me your statutes!

119:13 With my lips I proclaim

all the regulations you have revealed.

119:14 I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules

as if they were riches of all kinds.

119:15 I will meditate on your precepts

and focus on your behavior.

119:16 I find delight in your statutes;

I do not forget your instructions.

ג (Gimel)

119:17 Be kind to your servant!

Then I will live and keep your instructions.

119:18 Open my eyes so I can truly see

the marvelous things in your law!

119:19 I am like a foreigner in this land.

Do not hide your commands from me!

119:20 I desperately long to know

your regulations at all times.

119:21 You reprimand arrogant people.

Those who stray from your commands are doomed.

119:22 Spare me shame and humiliation,

for I observe your rules.

119:23 Though rulers plot and slander me,

your servant meditates on your statutes.

119:24 Yes, I find delight in your rules;

they give me guidance.

ד (Dalet)

119:25 I collapse in the dirt.

Revive me with your word!

119:26 I told you about my ways and you answered me.

Teach me your statutes!

119:27 Help me to understand what your precepts mean!

Then I can meditate on your marvelous teachings.

119:28 I collapse from grief.

Sustain me by your word!

119:29 Remove me from the path of deceit!

Graciously give me your law!

119:30 I choose the path of faithfulness;

I am committed to your regulations.

119:31 I hold fast to your rules.

O Lord, do not let me be ashamed!

119:32 I run along the path of your commands,

for you enable me to do so.

ה (He)

119:33 Teach me, O Lord, the lifestyle prescribed by your statutes,

so that I might observe it continually.

119:34 Give me understanding so that I might observe your law,

and keep it with all my heart.

119:35 Guide me in the path of your commands,

for I delight to walk in it.

119:36 Give me a desire for your rules,

rather than for wealth gained unjustly.

119:37 Turn my eyes away from what is worthless!

Revive me with your word!

119:38 Confirm to your servant your promise,

which you made to the one who honors you.

119:39 Take away the insults that I dread!

Indeed, your regulations are good.

119:40 Look, I long for your precepts.

Revive me with your deliverance!

ו (Vav)

119:41 May I experience your loyal love, O Lord,

and your deliverance, as you promised.

119:42 Then I will have a reply for the one who insults me,

for I trust in your word.

119:43 Do not completely deprive me of a truthful testimony,

for I await your justice.

119:44 Then I will keep your law continually

now and for all time.

119:45 I will be secure,

for I seek your precepts.

119:46 I will speak about your regulations before kings

and not be ashamed.

119:47 I will find delight in your commands,

which I love.

119:48 I will lift my hands to your commands,

which I love,

and I will meditate on your statutes.

ז (Zayin)

119:49 Remember your word to your servant,

for you have given me hope.

119:50 This is what comforts me in my trouble,

for your promise revives me.

119:51 Arrogant people do nothing but scoff at me.

Yet I do not turn aside from your law.

119:52 I remember your ancient regulations,

O Lord, and console myself.

119:53 Rage takes hold of me because of the wicked,

those who reject your law.

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.

ח (Khet)

119:57 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!

ט (Tet)

119:65 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.

י (Yod)

119:73 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.

כ (Kaf)

119:81 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.

ל (Lamed)

119:89 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.

מ (Mem)

119:97 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.

נ (Nun)

119:105 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.

ס (Samek)

119:113 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.

ע (Ayin)

119:121 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.

פ (Pe)

119:129 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.

צ (Tsade)

119:137 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.

ק (Qof)

119:145 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.

ר (Resh)

119:153 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!