Psalms 119:156-176

119:156 Your compassion is great, O Lord.

Revive me, as you typically do! ¹ 

119:157 The enemies who chase me are numerous. ² 

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. ³ 

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. ⁴ 

שׂ/שׁ (Sin/Shin)

119:161 Rulers pursue me for no reason,

yet I am more afraid of disobeying your instructions. ⁵ 

119:162 I rejoice in your instructions,

like one who finds much plunder. ⁶ 

119:163 I hate and despise deceit;

I love your law.

119:164 Seven ⁷  times a day I praise you

because of your just regulations.

119:165 Those who love your law are completely secure; ⁸ 

nothing causes them to stumble. ⁹ 

119:166 I hope for your deliverance, O Lord,

and I obey ¹⁰  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. ¹¹ 

ת (Tav)

119:169 Listen to my cry for help, ¹²  O Lord!

Give me insight by your word!

119:170 Listen to my appeal for mercy! ¹³ 

Deliver me, as you promised. ¹⁴ 

119:171 May praise flow freely from my lips,

for you teach me your statutes.

119:172 May my tongue sing about your instructions, ¹⁵ 

for all your commands are just.

119:173 May your hand help me,

for I choose to obey ¹⁶  your precepts.

119:174 I long for your deliverance, O Lord;

I find delight in your law.

119:175 May I ¹⁷  live and praise you!

May your regulations help me! ¹⁸ 

119:176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep. ¹⁹ 

Come looking for your servant,

for I do not forget your commands.

[119:156]  ¹ tn Heb “according to your customs.”

[119:157]  ² tn Heb “many [are] those who chase me and my enemies.”

[119:158]  ³ tn Heb “your word.”

[119:160]  ⁴ 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.

[119:161]  ⁵ 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.

[119:162]  ⁶ 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.

[119:164]  ⁷ tn The number “seven” is use rhetorically to suggest thoroughness.

[119:165]  ⁸ tn Heb “great peace [is] to the lovers of your law.”

[119:165]  ⁹ tn Heb “and there is no stumbling to them.”

[119:166]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “do.”

[119:168]  ¹¹ tn Heb “for all my ways [are] before you.”

[119:169]  ¹² tn Heb “may my cry approach before you.”

[119:170]  ¹³ tn Heb “may my appeal for mercy come before you.”

[119:170]  ¹⁴ tn Heb “according to your speech.”

[119:172]  ¹⁵ tn Heb “your word.”

[119:173]  ¹⁶ tn The words “to obey” are not in the Hebrew text, but have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarity.

[119:175]  ¹⁷ tn Heb “my life.”

[119:175]  ¹⁸ tn God’s regulations will “help” the psalmist by giving him moral and ethical guidance.

[119:176]  ¹⁹ 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).