Psalms 119:89-96

ל (Lamed)

119:89 O Lord, your instructions endure;

they stand secure in heaven. ¹ 

119:90 You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations. ² 

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, ³ 

I would have died in my sorrow. ⁴ 

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, ⁵ 

yet I concentrate on your rules.

119:96 I realize that everything has its limits,

but your commands are beyond full comprehension. ⁶ 

[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.”

[119:90]  ² tn Heb “to a generation and a generation [is] your faithfulness.”

[119:92]  ³ tn Heb “if your law had not been my delight.”

[119:92]  ⁴ tn Or “my suffering.”

[119:95]  ⁴ tn Heb “the wicked wait for me to kill me.”

[119:96]  ⁵ 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).