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Psalms 119:80-176

Context

119:80 May I be fully committed to your statutes,¹

so that I might not be ashamed.

כ (Kaf)

119:81 I desperately long for² your deliverance.

I find hope in your word.

119:82 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your promise to be fulfilled.³

I say,⁴ “When will you comfort me?”

119:83 For⁵ I am like a wineskin⁶ dried up in smoke.⁷

I do not forget your statutes.

119:84 How long must your servant endure this?⁸

When will you judge those who pursue me?

119:85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me,⁹

which violates your law.¹⁰

119:86 All your commands are reliable.

I am pursued without reason.¹¹ Help me!

119:87 They have almost destroyed me here on the earth,

but I do not reject your precepts.

119:88 Revive me with¹² your loyal love,

that I might keep¹³ the rules you have revealed.¹⁴

ל (Lamed)

119:89 O Lord, your instructions endure;

they stand secure in heaven.¹⁵

119:90 You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations.¹⁶

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,¹⁷

I would have died in my sorrow.¹⁸

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,¹⁹

yet I concentrate on your rules.

119:96 I realize that everything has its limits,

but your commands are beyond full comprehension.²⁰

מ (Mem)

119:97 O how I love your law!

All day long I meditate on it.

119:98 Your commandments²¹ 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 away²² from the evil path,

so that I might keep your instructions.²³

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!²⁴

119:104 Your precepts give me discernment.

Therefore I hate all deceitful actions.²⁵

נ (Nun)

119:105 Your word²⁶ is a lamp to walk by,

and a light to illumine my path.²⁷

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!²⁸

119:108 O Lord, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise!²⁹

Teach me your regulations!

119:109 My life is in continual danger,³⁰

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.³¹

119:112 I am determined to obey³² your statutes

at all times, to the very end.

ס (Samek)

119:113 I hate people with divided loyalties,³³

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 observe³⁴ the commands of my God.³⁵

119:116 Sustain me as you promised,³⁶ so that I will live.³⁷

Do not disappoint me!³⁸

119:117 Support me, so that I will be delivered.

Then I will focus³⁹ on your statutes continually.

119:118 You despise⁴⁰ all who stray from your statutes,

for they are deceptive and unreliable.⁴¹

119:119 You remove all the wicked of the earth like slag.⁴²

Therefore I love your rules.⁴³

119:120 My body⁴⁴ trembles⁴⁵ because I fear you;⁴⁶

I am afraid of your judgments.

ע (Ayin)

119:121 I do what is fair and right.⁴⁷

Do not abandon me to my oppressors!

119:122 Guarantee the welfare of your servant!⁴⁸

Do not let the arrogant oppress me!

119:123 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your deliverance,⁴⁹

for your reliable promise to be fulfilled.⁵⁰

119:124 Show your servant your loyal love!⁵¹

Teach me your statutes!

119:125 I am your servant. Give me insight,

so that I can understand⁵² your rules.

119:126 It is time for the Lord to act –

they break your law!

119:127 For this reason⁵³ I love your commands

more than gold, even purest gold.

119:128 For this reason I carefully follow all your precepts.⁵⁴

I hate all deceitful actions.⁵⁵

פ (Pe)

119:129 Your rules are marvelous.

Therefore I observe them.

119:130 Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines.⁵⁶

They give⁵⁷ insight to the untrained.⁵⁸

119:131 I open my mouth and pant,

because I long⁵⁹ for your commands.

119:132 Turn toward me and extend mercy to me,

as you typically do to your loyal followers.⁶⁰

119:133 Direct my steps by your word!⁶¹

Do not let any sin dominate me!

119:134 Deliver me⁶² from oppressive men,

so that I can keep⁶³ your precepts.

119:135 Smile⁶⁴ on your servant!

Teach me your statutes!

119:136 Tears stream down from my eyes,⁶⁵

because people⁶⁶ 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,⁶⁷

and absolutely reliable.

119:139 My zeal⁶⁸ consumes⁶⁹ me,

for my enemies forget your instructions.⁷⁰

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,⁷¹

and your law is reliable.⁷²

119:143 Distress and hardship confront⁷³ me,

yet I find delight in your commands.

119:144 Your rules remain just.⁷⁴

Give me insight so that I can live.⁷⁵

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 keep⁷⁶ 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 me⁷⁷ because of⁷⁸ your loyal love!

O Lord, revive me, as you typically do!⁷⁹

119:150 Those who are eager to do⁸⁰ wrong draw near;

they are far from your law.

119:151 You are near, O Lord,

and all your commands are reliable.⁸¹

119:152 I learned long ago that

you ordained your rules to last.⁸²

ר (Resh)

119:153 See my pain and rescue me!

For I do not forget your law.

119:154 Fight for me⁸³ and defend me!⁸⁴

Revive me with your word!

119:155 The wicked have no chance for deliverance,⁸⁵

for they do not seek your statutes.

119:156 Your compassion is great, O Lord.

Revive me, as you typically do!⁸⁶

119:157 The enemies who chase me are numerous.⁸⁷

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.⁸⁸

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.⁸⁹

שׂ/שׁ (Sin/Shin)

119:161 Rulers pursue me for no reason,

yet I am more afraid of disobeying your instructions.⁹⁰

119:162 I rejoice in your instructions,

like one who finds much plunder.⁹¹

119:163 I hate and despise deceit;

I love your law.

119:164 Seven⁹² times a day I praise you

because of your just regulations.

119:165 Those who love your law are completely secure;⁹³

nothing causes them to stumble.⁹⁴

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

and I obey⁹⁵ 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.⁹⁶

ת (Tav)

119:169 Listen to my cry for help,⁹⁷ O Lord!

Give me insight by your word!

119:170 Listen to my appeal for mercy!⁹⁸

Deliver me, as you promised.⁹⁹

119:171 May praise flow freely from my lips,

for you teach me your statutes.

119:172 May my tongue sing about your instructions,¹⁰⁰

for all your commands are just.

119:173 May your hand help me,

for I choose to obey¹⁰¹ your precepts.

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

I find delight in your law.

119:175 May I¹⁰² live and praise you!

May your regulations help me!¹⁰³

119:176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep.¹⁰⁴

Come looking for your servant,

for I do not forget your commands.

[119:80] ¹tn Heb “may my heart be complete in your statutes.”

[119:81] ²tn Heb “my soul pines for.” See Ps 84:2.

[119:82] ³tn 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.

[119:82] ⁴tn Heb “saying.”

[119:83] ⁵tn Or “even though.”

[119:83] ⁶tn 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).

[119:83] ⁷tn Heb “in the smoke.”

[119:84] ⁸tn Heb “How long are the days of your servant?”

[119:85] ⁹tn Heb “for me.”

[119:85] ¹⁰tn Heb “which [is] not according to your law.”

[119:86] ¹¹sn 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.

[119:88] ¹²tn Heb “according to.”

[119:88] ¹³tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

[119:88] ¹⁴tn Heb “of your mouth.”

[119:89] ¹⁵tn 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.”

[119:90] ¹⁶tn Heb “to a generation and a generation [is] your faithfulness.”

[119:92] ¹⁷tn Heb “if your law had not been my delight.”

[119:92] ¹⁸tn Or “my suffering.”

[119:95] ¹⁹tn Heb “the wicked wait for me to kill me.”

[119:96] ²⁰tn 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).

[119:98] ²¹tn 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).

[119:101] ²²tn Heb “I hold back my feet.”

[119:101] ²³tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural.

[119:103] ²⁴tn 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.”

[119:104] ²⁵tn Heb “every false path.”

[119:105] ²⁶tn Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural (“words”).

[119:105] ²⁷tn Heb “[is] a lamp for my foot and a light for my path.”

[119:107] ²⁸tn Heb “according to your word.”

[119:108] ²⁹tn Heb “of my mouth.”

[119:109] ³⁰tn Heb “my life [is] in my hands continually.”

[119:111] ³¹tn Heb “for the joy of my heart [are] they.”

[119:112] ³²tn Heb “I turn my heart to do.”

[119:113] ³³tn 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.

[119:115] ³⁴tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

[119:115] ³⁵tn 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.”

[119:116] ³⁶tn Heb “according to your word.”

[119:116] ³⁷tn The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

[119:116] ³⁸tn 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.

[119:117] ³⁹tn 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.

[119:118] ⁴⁰tn 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.”

[119:118] ⁴¹tn Heb “for their deceit [is] falsehood.”

[119:119] ⁴²sn Traditionally “dross” (so KJV, ASV, NIV). The metaphor comes from metallurgy; “slag” is the substance left over after the metallic ore has been refined.

[119:119] ⁴³sn As he explains in the next verse, the psalmist’s fear of judgment motivates him to obey God’s rules.

[119:120] ⁴⁴tn Heb “my flesh.”

[119:120] ⁴⁵tn The Hebrew verb סָמַר (samar, “to tremble”) occurs only here and in Job 4:15.

[119:120] ⁴⁶tn Heb “from fear of you.” The pronominal suffix on the noun is an objective genitive.

[119:121] ⁴⁷tn Heb “do justice and righteousness.”

[119:122] ⁴⁸tn Heb “be surety for your servant for good.”

[119:123] ⁴⁹tn 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.

[119:123] ⁵⁰tn Heb “and for the word of your faithfulness.”

[119:124] ⁵¹tn Heb “do with your servant according to your loyal love.”

[119:125] ⁵²tn or “know.” The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

[119:127] ⁵³tn “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.

[119:128] ⁵⁴tn 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.

[119:128] ⁵⁵tn Heb “every false path.”

[119:130] ⁵⁶tn Heb “the doorway of your words gives light.” God’s “words” refer here to the instructions in his law (see vv. 9, 57).

[119:130] ⁵⁷tn Heb “it [i.e., the doorway] gives.”

[119:130] ⁵⁸tn 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.

[119:131] ⁵⁹tn The verb occurs only here in the OT.

[119:132] ⁶⁰tn 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.

[119:133] ⁶¹tn God’s “word” refers here to his law (see v. 11).

[119:134] ⁶²tn Or “redeem me.”

[119:134] ⁶³tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

[119:135] ⁶⁴tn Heb “cause your face to shine.”

[119:136] ⁶⁵tn Heb “[with] flowing streams my eyes go down.”

[119:136] ⁶⁶tn Heb “they”; even though somewhat generic, the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[119:138] ⁶⁷tn Heb “you commanded [in] justice your rules.”

[119:139] ⁶⁸tn or “zeal.”

[119:139] ⁶⁹tn Heb “destroys,” in a hyperbolic sense.

[119:139] ⁷⁰tn Heb “your words.”

[119:142] ⁷¹tn Heb “your justice [is] justice forever.”

[119:142] ⁷²tn Or “truth.”

[119:143] ⁷³tn Heb “find.”

[119:144] ⁷⁴tn Heb “just are your rules forever.”

[119:144] ⁷⁵tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

[119:146] ⁷⁶tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

[119:149] ⁷⁷tn Heb “my voice.”

[119:149] ⁷⁸tn Heb “according to.”

[119:149] ⁷⁹tn Heb “according to your custom.”

[119:150] ⁸⁰tn Heb “those who pursue.”

[119:151] ⁸¹tn Or “truth.”

[119:152] ⁸²tn 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).

[119:154] ⁸³tn Or “argue my case.”

[119:154] ⁸⁴tn 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).

[119:155] ⁸⁵tn Heb “far from the wicked [is] deliverance.”

[119:156] ⁸⁶tn Heb “according to your customs.”

[119:157] ⁸⁷tn Heb “many [are] those who chase me and my enemies.”

[119:158] ⁸⁸tn Heb “your word.”

[119:160] ⁸⁹tn 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] ⁹⁰tn 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] ⁹¹tn 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] ⁹²tn The number “seven” is use rhetorically to suggest thoroughness.

[119:165] ⁹³tn Heb “great peace [is] to the lovers of your law.”

[119:165] ⁹⁴tn Heb “and there is no stumbling to them.”

[119:166] ⁹⁵tn Heb “do.”

[119:168] ⁹⁶tn Heb “for all my ways [are] before you.”

[119:169] ⁹⁷tn Heb “may my cry approach before you.”

[119:170] ⁹⁸tn Heb “may my appeal for mercy come before you.”

[119:170] ⁹⁹tn Heb “according to your speech.”

[119:172] ¹⁰⁰tn Heb “your word.”

[119:173] ¹⁰¹tn 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] ¹⁰²tn Heb “my life.”

[119:175] ¹⁰³tn God’s regulations will “help” the psalmist by giving him moral and ethical guidance.

[119:176] ¹⁰⁴tn 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).