1 1 Chapter 119 This psalm is an acrostic poem; the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the LORD . |
2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart. |
3 They do nothing wrong;
they walk in 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. |
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
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, O 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. |
17 Do good to your servant, and I will live;
I will 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 cursed
and who stray from your commands. |
22 Remove from me 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. |
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word. |
26 I recounted my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees. |
27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts;
then I will meditate on your wonders. |
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word. |
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me through your law. |
30 I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on your laws. |
31 I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD ;
do not let me be put to shame. |
32 I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free. |
33 Teach me, O LORD , to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end. |
34 Give me understanding, and I will 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.2 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way |
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!
Preserve my life in your righteousness. |
41 May your unfailing love come to me, O LORD ,
your salvation according to your promise; |
42 then I will answer the one who taunts me,
for I trust in your word. |
43 Do not snatch the 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 lift up my hands to3 119:48 Or for your commands, which I love,
and I meditate on your decrees. |
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 without restraint,
but I do not turn from your law. |
52 I remember your ancient laws, O LORD ,
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 I remember your name, O LORD ,
and I will keep your law. |
56 This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts. |
57 You are my portion, O 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, O LORD ;
teach me your decrees. |
65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, O LORD . |
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I believe in 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. |
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, O LORD , that your laws are righteous,
and 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 my heart be blameless toward your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame. |
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 pitfalls for me,
contrary to your law. |
86 All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for men persecute me without cause. |
87 They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts. |
88 Preserve my life according to your love,
and I will obey the statutes of your mouth. |
89 Your word, O 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. |
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long. |
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me. |
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. |
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for 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, O LORD , according to your word. |
108 Accept, O 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. |
113 I hate double-minded men,
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 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 deceitfulness is in vain. |
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. |
121 I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors. |
122 Ensure your servant's well-being;
let not 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, O 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. |
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 the oppression of men,
that I may obey your precepts. |
135 Make your face shine upon your servant
and teach me your decrees. |
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed. |
137 Righteous are you, O 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 are my delight. |
144 Your statutes are forever right;
give me understanding that I may live. |
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, O 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, O 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, O LORD ,
and all your commands are true. |
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes
that you established them to last forever. |
153 Look upon 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 is great, O LORD ;
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, O LORD , according to your love. |
160 All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal. |
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 abhor falsehood
but I love your law. |
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws. |
165 Great peace have they who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble. |
166 I wait for your salvation, O 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. |
169 May my cry come before you, O 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, O LORD ,
and your law is my 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. |
