Psalm 119

Psalm 119

Psalm 119^[a]

    א Aleph ¹ Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
   who walk according to the law of the LORD.
² Blessed are those who keep his statutes
   and seek him with all their heart—
³ they do no wrong
   but follow his ways.
⁴ You have laid down precepts
   that are to be fully obeyed.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast
   in obeying your decrees!
⁶ Then I would not be put to shame
   when I consider all your commands.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart
   as I learn your righteous laws.
⁸ I will obey your decrees;
   do not utterly forsake me.
   ב Beth
 ⁹ How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
   By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
   do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
   that I might not sin against you.
¹² Praise be to you, LORD;
   teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
   all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
   as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
   and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
   I will not neglect your word.
   ג Gimel
 ¹⁷ Be good to your servant while I live,
   that I may obey your word.
¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see
   wonderful things in your law.
¹⁹ I am a stranger on earth;
   do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing
   for your laws at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
   those who stray from your commands.
²² Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
   for I keep your statutes.
²³ Though rulers sit together and slander me,
   your servant will meditate on your decrees.
²⁴ Your statutes are my delight;
   they are my counselors.
   ד Daleth
 ²⁵ I am laid low in the dust;
   preserve my life according to your word.
²⁶ I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
   teach me your decrees.
²⁷ Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
   that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
²⁸ My soul is weary with sorrow;
   strengthen me according to your word.
²⁹ Keep me from deceitful ways;
   be gracious to me and teach me your law.
³⁰ I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
   I have set my heart on your laws.
³¹ I hold fast to your statutes, LORD;
   do not let me be put to shame.
³² I run in the path of your commands,
   for you have broadened my understanding.
   ה He
 ³³ Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
   that I may follow it to the end.^[b]
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
   and obey it with all my heart.
³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands,
   for there I find delight.
³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes
   and not toward selfish gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
   preserve my life according to your word.^[c]
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant,
   so that you may be feared.
³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread,
   for your laws are good.
⁴⁰ How I long for your precepts!
   In your righteousness preserve my life.
   ו Waw
 ⁴¹ May your unfailing love come to me, LORD,
   your salvation, according to your promise;
⁴² then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
   for I trust in your word.
⁴³ Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
   for I have put my hope in your laws.
⁴⁴ I will always obey your law,
   for ever and ever.
⁴⁵ I will walk about in freedom,
   for I have sought out your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will speak of your statutes before kings
   and will not be put to shame,
⁴⁷ for I delight in your commands
   because I love them.
⁴⁸ I reach out for your commands, which I love,
   that I may meditate on your decrees.
   ז Zayin
 ⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant,
   for you have given me hope.
⁵⁰ My comfort in my suffering is this:
   Your promise preserves my life.
⁵¹ The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
   but I do not turn from your law.
⁵² I remember, LORD, your ancient laws,
   and I find comfort in them.
⁵³ Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
   who have forsaken your law.
⁵⁴ Your decrees are the theme of my song
   wherever I lodge.
⁵⁵ In the night, LORD, I remember your name,
   that I may keep your law.
⁵⁶ This has been my practice:
   I obey your precepts.
   ח Heth
 ⁵⁷ You are my portion, LORD;
   I have promised to obey your words.
⁵⁸ I have sought your face with all my heart;
   be gracious to me according to your promise.
⁵⁹ I have considered my ways
   and have turned my steps to your statutes.
⁶⁰ I will hasten and not delay
   to obey your commands.
⁶¹ Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
   I will not forget your law.
⁶² At midnight I rise to give you thanks
   for your righteous laws.
⁶³ I am a friend to all who fear you,
   to all who follow your precepts.
⁶⁴ The earth is filled with your love, LORD;
   teach me your decrees.
   ט Teth
 ⁶⁵ Do good to your servant
   according to your word, LORD.
⁶⁶ Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
   for I trust your commands.
⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray,
   but now I obey your word.
⁶⁸ You are good, and what you do is good;
   teach me your decrees.
⁶⁹ Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
   I keep your precepts with all my heart.
⁷⁰ Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
   but I delight in your law.
⁷¹ It was good for me to be afflicted
   so that I might learn your decrees.
⁷² The law from your mouth is more precious to me
   than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
   י Yodh
 ⁷³ Your hands made me and formed me;
   give me understanding to learn your commands.
⁷⁴ May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
   for I have put my hope in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
   and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶ May your unfailing love be my comfort,
   according to your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷ Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
   for your law is my delight.
⁷⁸ May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
   but I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹ May those who fear you turn to me,
   those who understand your statutes.
⁸⁰ May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
   that I may not be put to shame.
   כ Kaph
 ⁸¹ My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
   but I have put my hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
   I say, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³ Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
   I do not forget your decrees.
⁸⁴ How long must your servant wait?
   When will you punish my persecutors?
⁸⁵ The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
   contrary to your law.
⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy;
   help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
⁸⁷ They almost wiped me from the earth,
   but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸ In your unfailing love preserve my life,
   that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.
   ל Lamedh
 ⁸⁹ Your word, LORD, is eternal;
   it stands firm in the heavens.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
   you established the earth, and it endures.
⁹¹ Your laws endure to this day,
   for all things serve you.
⁹² If your law had not been my delight,
   I would have perished in my affliction.
⁹³ I will never forget your precepts,
   for by them you have preserved my life.
⁹⁴ Save me, for I am yours;
   I have sought out your precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
   but I will ponder your statutes.
⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit,
   but your commands are boundless.
   מ Mem
 ⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law!
   I meditate on it all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commands are always with me
   and make me wiser than my enemies.
⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers,
   for I meditate on your statutes.
¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the elders,
   for I obey your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path
   so that I might obey your word.
¹⁰² I have not departed from your laws,
   for you yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste,
   sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from your precepts;
   therefore I hate every wrong path.
   נ Nun
 ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet,
   a light on my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
   that I will follow your righteous laws.
¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much;
   preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.
¹⁰⁸ Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
   and teach me your laws.
¹⁰⁹ Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
   I will not forget your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have set a snare for me,
   but I have not strayed from your precepts.
¹¹¹ Your statutes are my heritage forever;
   they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² My heart is set on keeping your decrees
   to the very end.^[d]
   ס Samekh
 ¹¹³ I hate double-minded people,
   but I love your law.
¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield;
   I have put my hope in your word.
¹¹⁵ Away from me, you evildoers,
   that I may keep the commands of my God!
¹¹⁶ Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
   do not let my hopes be dashed.
¹¹⁷ Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
   I will always have regard for your decrees.
¹¹⁸ You reject all who stray from your decrees,
   for their delusions come to nothing.
¹¹⁹ All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
   therefore I love your statutes.
¹²⁰ My flesh trembles in fear of you;
   I stand in awe of your laws.
   ע Ayin
 ¹²¹ I have done what is righteous and just;
   do not leave me to my oppressors.
¹²² Ensure your servant’s well-being;
   do not let the arrogant oppress me.
¹²³ My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
   looking for your righteous promise.
¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according to your love
   and teach me your decrees.
¹²⁵ I am your servant; give me discernment
   that I may understand your statutes.
¹²⁶ It is time for you to act, LORD;
   your law is being broken.
¹²⁷ Because I love your commands
   more than gold, more than pure gold,
¹²⁸ and because I consider all your precepts right,
   I hate every wrong path.
   פ Pe
 ¹²⁹ Your statutes are wonderful;
   therefore I obey them.
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light;
   it gives understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant,
   longing for your commands.
¹³² Turn to me and have mercy on me,
   as you always do to those who love your name.
¹³³ Direct my footsteps according to your word;
   let no sin rule over me.
¹³⁴ Redeem me from human oppression,
   that I may obey your precepts.
¹³⁵ Make your face shine on your servant
   and teach me your decrees.
¹³⁶ Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
   for your law is not obeyed.
   צ Tsadhe
 ¹³⁷ You are righteous, LORD,
   and your laws are right.
¹³⁸ The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
   they are fully trustworthy.
¹³⁹ My zeal wears me out,
   for my enemies ignore your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
   and your servant loves them.
¹⁴¹ Though I am lowly and despised,
   I do not forget your precepts.
¹⁴² Your righteousness is everlasting
   and your law is true.
¹⁴³ Trouble and distress have come upon me,
   but your commands give me delight.
¹⁴⁴ Your statutes are always righteous;
   give me understanding that I may live.
   ק Qoph
 ¹⁴⁵ I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD,
   and I will obey your decrees.
¹⁴⁶ I call out to you; save me
   and I will keep your statutes.
¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help;
   I have put my hope in your word.
¹⁴⁸ My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
   that I may meditate on your promises.
¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
   preserve my life, LORD, according to your laws.
¹⁵⁰ Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
   but they are far from your law.
¹⁵¹ Yet you are near, LORD,
   and all your commands are true.
¹⁵² Long ago I learned from your statutes
   that you established them to last forever.
   ר Resh
 ¹⁵³ Look on my suffering and deliver me,
   for I have not forgotten your law.
¹⁵⁴ Defend my cause and redeem me;
   preserve my life according to your promise.
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked,
   for they do not seek out your decrees.
¹⁵⁶ Your compassion, LORD, is great;
   preserve my life according to your laws.
¹⁵⁷ Many are the foes who persecute me,
   but I have not turned from your statutes.
¹⁵⁸ I look on the faithless with loathing,
   for they do not obey your word.
¹⁵⁹ See how I love your precepts;
   preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.
¹⁶⁰ All your words are true;
   all your righteous laws are eternal.
   ש Sin and Shin
 ¹⁶¹ Rulers persecute me without cause,
   but my heart trembles at your word.
¹⁶² I rejoice in your promise
   like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and detest falsehood
   but I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
   for your righteous laws.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love your law,
   and nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I wait for your salvation, LORD,
   and I follow your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I obey your statutes,
   for I love them greatly.
¹⁶⁸ I obey your precepts and your statutes,
   for all my ways are known to you.
   ת Taw
 ¹⁶⁹ May my cry come before you, LORD;
   give me understanding according to your word.
¹⁷⁰ May my supplication come before you;
   deliver me according to your promise.
¹⁷¹ May my lips overflow with praise,
   for you teach me your decrees.
¹⁷² May my tongue sing of your word,
   for all your commands are righteous.
¹⁷³ May your hand be ready to help me,
   for I have chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, LORD,
   and your law gives me delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live that I may praise you,
   and may your laws sustain me.
¹⁷⁶ I have strayed like a lost sheep.
   Seek your servant,
   for I have not forgotten your commands.

Footnotes:

1. Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet; moreover, the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
2. Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
3. Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way
4. Psalm 119:112 Or decrees / for their enduring reward