Psalm 119
Delight in God’s Word
א Aleph
1How happy are those whose way is blameless,
who walk according to the Lord’s instruction!
2Happy are those who keep his decrees
and seek him with all their heart.
3They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.
4You have commanded that your precepts
be diligently kept.
5If only my ways were committed
to keeping your statutes!
6Then I would not be ashamed
when I think about all your commands.
7I will praise you with an upright heart
when I learn your righteous judgments.
8I will keep your statutes;
never abandon me.
ב Beth
9How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping your word.
10I have sought you with all my heart;
don’t let me wander from your commands.
11I have treasured your word in my heart
so that I may not sin against you.
12Lord, may you be blessed;
teach me your statutes.
13With my lips I proclaim
all the judgments from your mouth.
14I rejoice in the way revealed by your decrees
as much as in all riches.
15I will meditate on your precepts
and think about your ways.
16I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
ג Gimel
17Deal generously with your servant
so that I might live;
then I will keep your word.
18Open my eyes so that I may contemplate
wondrous things from your instruction.
19I am a resident alien on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
20I am continually overcome
with longing for your judgments.
21You rebuke the arrogant,
the ones under a curse,
who wander from your commands.
22Take insult and contempt away from me,
for I have kept your decrees.
23Though princes sit together speaking against me,
your servant will think about your statutes;
24your decrees are my delight
and my counselors.
ד Daleth
25My life is down in the dust;
give me life through your word.
26I told you about my life,
and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
27Help me understand
the meaning of your precepts
so that I can meditate on your wonders.
28I am weary from grief;
strengthen me through your word.
29Keep me from the way of deceit
and graciously give me your instruction.
30I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set your ordinances before me.
31I cling to your decrees;
Lord, do not put me to shame.
32I pursue the way of your commands,
for you broaden my understanding.
ה He
33Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your statutes,
and I will always keep them.
34Help me understand your instruction,
and I will obey it
and follow it with all my heart.
35Help me stay on the path of your commands,
for I take pleasure in it.
36Turn my heart to your decrees
and not to dishonest profit.
37Turn my eyes
from looking at what is worthless;
give me life in your ways.
38Confirm what you said to your servant,
for it produces reverence for you.
39Turn away the disgrace I dread;
indeed, your judgments are good.
40How I long for your precepts!
Give me life through your righteousness.
ו Waw
41Let your faithful love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, as you promised.
42Then I can answer the one who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43Never take the word of truth from my mouth,
for I hope in your judgments.
44I will always obey your instruction,
forever and ever.
45I will walk freely in an open place
because I study your precepts.
46I will speak of your decrees before kings
and not be ashamed.
47I delight in your commands,
which I love.
48I will lift up my hands to your commands,
which I love,
and will meditate on your statutes.
ז Zayin
49Remember your word to your servant;
you have given me hope through it.
50This is my comfort in my affliction:
Your promise has given me life.
51The arrogant constantly ridicule me,
but I do not turn away from your instruction.
52Lord, I remember your judgments from long ago
and find comfort.
53Fury seizes me because of the wicked
who reject your instruction.
54Your statutes are the theme of my song
during my earthly life.
55Lord, I remember your name in the night,
and I obey your instruction.
56This is my practice:
I obey your precepts.
ח Cheth
57The Lord is my portion;
I have promised to keep your words.
58I have sought your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59I thought about my ways
and turned my steps back to your decrees.
60I hurried, not hesitating
to keep your commands.
61Though the ropes of the wicked
were wrapped around me,
I did not forget your instruction.
62I rise at midnight to thank you
for your righteous judgments.
63I am a friend to all who fear you,
to those who keep your precepts.
64Lord, the earth is filled with your faithful love;
teach me your statutes.
ט Teth
65Lord, you have treated your servant well,
just as you promised.
66Teach me good judgment and discernment,
for I rely on your commands.
67Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68You are good, and you do what is good;
teach me your statutes.
69The arrogant have smeared me with lies,
but I obey your precepts with all my heart.
70Their hearts are hard and insensitive,
but I delight in your instruction.
71It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I could learn your statutes.
72Instruction from your lips is better for me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
י Yod
73Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding
so that I can learn your commands.
74Those who fear you will see me and rejoice,
for I put my hope in your word.
75I know, Lord, that your judgments are just
and that you have afflicted me fairly.
76May your faithful love comfort me
as you promised your servant.
77May your compassion come to me
so that I may live,
for your instruction is my delight.
78Let the arrogant be put to shame
for slandering me with lies;
I will meditate on your precepts.
79Let those who fear you,
those who know your decrees, turn to me.
80May my heart be blameless regarding your statutes
so that I will not be put to shame.
כ Kaph
81I long for your salvation;
I put my hope in your word.
82My eyes grow weary
looking for what you have promised;
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke,
I do not forget your statutes.
84How many days must your servant wait?
When will you execute judgment on my persecutors?
85The arrogant have dug pits for me;
they violate your instruction.
86All your commands are true;
people persecute me with lies — help me!
87They almost ended my life on earth,
but I did not abandon your precepts.
88Give me life in accordance with your faithful love,
and I will obey the decree you have spoken.
ל Lamed
89Lord, your word is forever;
it is firmly fixed in heaven.
90Your faithfulness is for all generations;
you established the earth, and it stands firm.
91Your judgments stand firm today,
for all things are your servants.
92If your instruction had not been my delight,
I would have died in my affliction.
93I will never forget your precepts,
for you have given me life through them.
94I am yours; save me,
for I have studied your precepts.
95The wicked hope to destroy me,
but I contemplate your decrees.
96I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your command is without limit.
מ Mem
97How I love your instruction!
It is my meditation all day long.
98Your command makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is always with me.
99I have more insight than all my teachers
because your decrees are my meditation.
100I understand more than the elders
because I obey your precepts.
101I have kept my feet from every evil path
to follow your word.
102I have not turned from your judgments,
for you yourself have instructed me.
103How sweet your word is to my taste —
sweeter than honey in my mouth.
104I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every false way.
נ Nun
105Your word is a lamp for my feet
and a light on my path.
106I have solemnly sworn
to keep your righteous judgments.
107I am severely afflicted;
Lord, give me life according to your word.
108Lord, please accept my freewill offerings of praise,
and teach me your judgments.
109My life is constantly in danger,
yet I do not forget your instruction.
110The wicked have set a trap for me,
but I have not wandered from your precepts.
111I have your decrees as a heritage forever;
indeed, they are the joy of my heart.
112I am resolved to obey your statutes
to the very end.
ס Samek
113I hate those who are double-minded,
but I love your instruction.
114You are my shelter and my shield;
I put my hope in your word.
115Depart from me, you evil ones,
so that I may obey my God’s commands.
116Sustain me as you promised, and I will live;
do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
117Sustain me so that I can be safe
and always be concerned about your statutes.
118You reject all who stray from your statutes,
for their deceit is a lie.
119You remove all the wicked on earth
as if they were dross from metal;
therefore, I love your decrees.
120I tremble in awe of you;
I fear your judgments.
ע Ayin
121I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122Guarantee your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123My eyes grow weary looking for your salvation
and for your righteous promise.
124Deal with your servant based on your faithful love;
teach me your statutes.
125I am your servant; give me understanding
so that I may know your decrees.
126It is time for the Lord to act,
for they have violated your instruction.
127Since I love your commands
more than gold, even the purest gold,
128I carefully follow all your precepts
and hate every false way.
פ Pe
129Your decrees are wondrous;
therefore I obey them.
130The revelation of your words brings light
and gives understanding to the inexperienced.
131I open my mouth and pant
because I long for your commands.
132Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your practice toward those who love your name.
133Make my steps steady through your promise;
don’t let any sin dominate me.
134Redeem me from human oppression,
and I will keep your precepts.
135Make your face shine on your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136My eyes pour out streams of tears
because people do not follow your instruction.
צ Tsade
137You are righteous, Lord,
and your judgments are just.
138The decrees you issue are righteous
and altogether trustworthy.
139My anger overwhelms me
because my foes forget your words.
140Your word is completely pure,
and your servant loves it.
141I am insignificant and despised,
but I do not forget your precepts.
142Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
and your instruction is true.
143Trouble and distress have overtaken me,
but your commands are my delight.
144Your decrees are righteous forever.
Give me understanding, and I will live.
ק Qoph
145I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord.
I will obey your statutes.
146I call to you; save me,
and I will keep your decrees.
147I rise before dawn and cry out for help;
I put my hope in your word.
148I am awake through each watch of the night
to meditate on your promise.
149In keeping with your faithful love, hear my voice.
Lord, give me life in keeping with your justice.
150Those who pursue evil plans come near;
they are far from your instruction.
151You are near, Lord,
and all your commands are true.
152Long ago I learned from your decrees
that you have established them forever.
ר Resh
153Consider my affliction and rescue me,
for I have not forgotten your instruction.
154Champion my cause and redeem me;
give me life as you promised.
155Salvation is far from the wicked
because they do not study your statutes.
156Your compassions are many, Lord;
give me life according to your judgments.
157My persecutors and foes are many.
I have not turned from your decrees.
158I have seen the disloyal and feel disgust
because they do not keep your word.
159Consider how I love your precepts;
Lord, give me life according to your faithful love.
160The entirety of your word is truth,
each of your righteous judgments endures forever.
שׂ Sin
161Princes have persecuted me without cause,
but my heart fears only your word.
162I rejoice over your promise
like one who finds vast treasure.
163I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your instruction.
164I praise you seven times a day
for your righteous judgments.
165Abundant peace belongs to those
who love your instruction;
nothing makes them stumble.
166Lord, I hope for your salvation
and carry out your commands.
167I obey your decrees
and love them greatly.
168I obey your precepts and decrees,
for all my ways are before you.
ת Taw
169Let my cry reach you, Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
170Let my plea reach you;
rescue me according to your promise.
171My lips pour out praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
172My tongue sings about your promise,
for all your commands are righteous.
173May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your instruction is my delight.
175Let me live, and I will praise you;
may your judgments help me.
176I wander like a lost sheep;
seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commands.