Psalm 119

א ALEPH.

1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.footnote a

2Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

4Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

5O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.footnote b

8I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

ב BETH.

9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

12Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

13With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

14I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

ג GIMEL.

17Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

18Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.footnote c

19I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

20My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

21Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

22Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

23Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.footnote d

ד DALETH.

25My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

26I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

27Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

28My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.footnote e

29Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

30I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

31I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.

32I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

ה HE.

33Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

34Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

35Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

36Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

37Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.footnote f

38Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

39Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

40Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

ו VAU.

41Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

42So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.footnote g

43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

44So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

45And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.footnote h

46I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

48My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

ז ZAIN.

49Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

50This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

51The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

52I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

53Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

54Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

55I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

56This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

ח CHETH.

57Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

58I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.footnote i

59I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

61The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.footnote j

62At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

63I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

64The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

ט TETH.

65Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

66Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

67Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

68Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

69The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

70Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

71It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

72The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

י JOD.

73Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

74They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

75I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.footnote k

76Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.footnote l

77Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

78Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

79Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

80Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

כ CAPH.

81My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

82Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

83For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

86All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.footnote m

87They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

88Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

ל LAMED.

89For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

90Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.footnote nfootnote o

91They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

92Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

93I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

94I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

95The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

96I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

מ MEM.

97O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

98Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.footnote p

99I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

100I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

101I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

102I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

103How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!footnote q

104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

נ NUN.

105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.footnote r

106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

107I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

108Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

109My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

110The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

111Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.footnote s

ס SAMECH.

113I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

114Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

115Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

116Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

117Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

118Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

119Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.footnote t

120My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

ע AIN.

121I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

122Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

123Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

124Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

125I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

126It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

127Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

128Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

פ PE.

129Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

131I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

132Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.footnote u

133Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

134Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

135Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

צ TZADDI.

137Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.

138Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.footnote vfootnote w

139My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.footnote x

140Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.footnote y

141I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

142Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

143Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.footnote z

144The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

ק KOPH.

145I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

146I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.footnote aa

147I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

148Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

149Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.

150They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.

151Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

152Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

ר RESH.

153Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

154Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

155Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

156Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.footnote ab

157Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

158I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

159Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

160Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.footnote ac

ש SCHIN.

161Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

162I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

163I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

164Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

165Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.footnote ad

166LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

167My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

168I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

ת TAU.

169Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

170Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

171My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

173Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

174I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

175Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

1Blessedfootnote aare those whose way is blameless,who walk in the Law of the LORD. 2Blessed are those who keep His testimoniesand seek Him with all their heart. 3They do no iniquity;they walk in His ways. 4You have ordained Your precepts,that we should keep them diligently. 5Oh, that my ways were committedto keeping Your statutes! 6Then I would not be ashamedwhen I consider all Your commandments. 7I will praise You with an upright heartwhen I learn Your righteous judgments. 8I will keep Your statutes;do not utterly forsake me.

9How can a young man keep his way pure?By guarding it according to Your word. 10With all my heart I have sought You;do not let me stray from Your commandments. 11I have hidden Your word in my heartthat I might not sin against You. 12Blessed are You, O LORD;teach me Your statutes. 13With my lips I proclaimall the judgments of Your mouth. 14I rejoice in the way of Your testimoniesas much as in all riches. 15I will meditate on Your preceptsand regard Your ways. 16I will delight in Your statutes;I will not forget Your word.

17Deal bountifully with Your servant,that I may live and keep Your word. 18Open my eyes that I may seewondrous things from Your law. 19I am a stranger on the earth;do not hide Your commandments from me. 20My soul is consumed with longingfor Your judgments at all times. 21You rebuke the arrogant—the cursed who stray from Your commandments. 22Remove my scorn and contempt,for I have kept Your testimonies. 23Though rulers sit and slander me,Your servant meditates on Your statutes. 24Your testimonies are indeed my delight;they are my counselors.

25My soul cleaves to the dust;revive me according to Your word. 26I recounted my ways, and You answered me;teach me Your statutes. 27Make clear to me the way of Your precepts;then I will meditate on Your wonders. 28My soul melts with sorrow;strengthen me according to Your word. 29Remove me from the path of deceitand graciously grant me Your law. 30I have chosen the way of truth;I have set Your ordinances before me. 31I cling to Your testimonies, O LORD;let me not be put to shame. 32I run in the path of Your commandments,for You will enlarge my heart.

33Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,and I will keep them to the end.footnote b 34Give me understanding that I may obey Your law,and follow it with all my heart. 35Direct me in the path of Your commandments,for there I find delight. 36Turn my heart to Your testimoniesand not to covetous gain. 37Turn my eyes away from worthless things;revive me with Your word.footnote c 38Establish Your word to Your servant,to produce reverence for You. 39Turn away the disgrace I dread,for Your judgments are good. 40How I long for Your precepts!Revive me in Your righteousness.

41May Your loving devotion come to me, O LORD,Your salvation, according to Your promise. 42Then I can answer him who taunts,for I trust in Your word. 43Never take Your word of truth from my mouth,for I hope in Your judgments. 44I will always obey Your law,forever and ever. 45And I will walk in freedom,for I have sought Your precepts. 46I will speak of Your testimonies before kings,and I will not be ashamed. 47I delight in Your commandmentsbecause I love them. 48I lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love,and I meditate on Your statutes.

49Remember Your word to Your servant,upon which You have given me hope. 50This is my comfort in affliction,that Your promise has given me life. 51The arrogant utterly deride me,but I do not turn from Your law. 52I remember Your judgments of old, O LORD,and in them I find comfort. 53Rage has taken hold of mebecause of the wicked who reject Your law. 54Your statutes are songs to mein the house of my pilgrimage. 55In the night, O LORD, I remember Your name,that I may keep Your law. 56This is my practice,for I obey Your precepts.

57The LORD is my portion;I have promised to keep Your words. 58I have sought Your face with all my heart;be gracious to me according to Your promise. 59I considered my waysand turned my steps to Your testimonies. 60I hurried without hesitatingto keep Your commandments. 61Though the ropes of the wicked bind me,I do not forget Your law. 62At midnight I rise to give You thanksfor Your righteous judgments. 63I am a friend to all who fear You,and to those who keep Your precepts. 64The earth is filled with Your loving devotion, O LORD;teach me Your statutes.

65You are good to Your servant, O LORD,according to Your word. 66Teach me good judgment and knowledge,for I believe in Your commandments. 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. 69Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,I keep Your precepts with all my heart. 70Their hearts are callous and insensitive,footnote dbut I delight in Your law. 71It was good for me to be afflicted,that I might learn Your statutes. 72The law from Your mouth is more precious to methan thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

73Your hands have made me and fashioned me;give me understanding to learn Your commandments. 74May those who fear You see me and rejoice,for I have hoped in Your word. 75I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous,and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76May Your loving devotion comfort me, I pray,according to Your promise to Your servant. 77May Your compassion come to me, that I may live,for Your law is my delight. 78May the arrogant be put to shame for subverting me with a lie;I will meditate on Your precepts. 79May those who fear You turn to me,those who know Your testimonies. 80May my heart be blameless in Your statutes,that I may not be put to shame.

81My soul faints for Your salvation;I wait for Your word. 82My eyes fail, looking for Your promise;I ask, “When will You comfort me?” 83Though I am like a wineskin dried up by smoke,I do not forget Your statutes. 84How many days must Your servant wait?footnote eWhen will You execute judgment on my persecutors? 85The arrogant have dug pits for mein violation of Your law. 86All Your commandments are faithful;I am persecuted without cause—help me! 87They almost wiped me from the earth,but I have not forsaken Your precepts. 88Revive me according to Your loving devotion,that I may obey the testimony of Your mouth.

89Your word, O LORD, is everlasting;it is firmly fixed in the heavens. 90Your faithfulness continues through all generations;You established the earth, and it endures. 91Your ordinances stand to this day,footnote ffor all things are servants to You. 92If Your law had not been my delight,then I would have perished in my affliction. 93I will never forget Your precepts,for by them You have revived me. 94I am Yours; save me,for I have sought Your precepts. 95The wicked wait to destroy me,but I will ponder Your testimonies. 96I have seen a limit to all perfection,but Your commandment is without limit.

97Oh, how I love Your law!All day long it is my meditation. 98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,for they are always with me. 99I have more insight than all my teachers,for Your testimonies are my meditation. 100I discern more than the elders,for I obey Your precepts. 101I have kept my feet from every evil path,that I may keep Your word. 102I have not departed from Your ordinances,for You Yourself have taught me. 103How sweet are Your words to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth! 104I gain understanding from Your precepts;therefore I hate every false way.

105Your word is a lamp to my feetand a light to my path. 106I have sworn and confirmedthat I will keep Your righteous judgments. 107I am severely afflicted, O LORD;revive me through Your word. 108Accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,and teach me Your judgments. 109I constantly take my life in my hands,yet I do not forget Your law. 110The wicked have set a snare for me,but I have not strayed from Your precepts. 111Your testimonies are my heritage forever,for they are the joy of my heart. 112I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes,even to the very end.

113The double-minded I despise,but Your law I love. 114You are my hiding place and my shield;I put my hope in Your word. 115Depart from me, you evildoers,that I may obey the commandments of my God. 116Sustain me as You promised, that I may live;let me not be ashamed of my hope. 117Uphold me, and I will be saved,that I may always regard Your statutes. 118You reject all who stray from Your statutes,for their deceitfulness is in vain. 119All the wicked on earth You discard like dross;therefore I love Your testimonies. 120My flesh trembles in awe of You;I stand in fear of Your judgments.

121I have done what is just and right;do not leave me to my oppressors. 122Ensure Your servant’s well-being;do not let the arrogant oppress me. 123My eyes fail, looking for Your salvation,and for Your righteous promise. 124Deal with Your servant according to Your loving devotion,and teach me Your statutes. 125I am Your servant; give me understanding,that I may know Your testimonies. 126It is time for the LORD to act,for they have broken Your law. 127Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold,even the purest gold. 128Therefore I admire all Your preceptsand hate every false way.

129Wonderful are Your testimonies;therefore I obey them. 130The unfolding of Your words gives light;it informs the simple. 131I open my mouth and pant,longing for Your commandments. 132Turn to me and show me mercy,as You do to those who love Your name. 133Order my steps in Your word;let no sin rule over me. 134Redeem me from the oppression of man,that I may keep Your precepts. 135Make Your face shine upon Your servant,and teach me Your statutes. 136My eyes shed streams of tearsbecause Your law is not obeyed.

137Righteous are You, O LORD,and upright are Your judgments. 138The testimonies You have laid down are righteousand altogether faithful. 139My zeal has consumed mebecause my foes forget Your words. 140Your promise is completely pure;therefore Your servant loves it. 141I am lowly and despised,but I do not forget Your precepts. 142Your righteousness is everlastingand Your law is true. 143Trouble and distress have found me,but Your commandments are my delight. 144Your testimonies are righteous forever.Give me understanding, that I may live.

145I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD!I will obey Your statutes. 146I call to You; save me,that I may keep Your testimonies. 147I rise before dawn and cry for help;in Your word I have put my hope. 148My eyes anticipate the watches of night,that I may meditate on Your word. 149Hear my voice, O LORD, according to Your loving devotion;give me life according to Your justice. 150Those who follow after wickedness draw near;they are far from Your law. 151You are near, O LORD,and all Your commandments are true. 152Long ago I learned from Your testimoniesthat You have established them forever.

153Look upon my affliction and rescue me,for I have not forgotten Your law. 154Defend my cause and redeem me;revive me according to Your word. 155Salvation is far from the wickedbecause they do not seek Your statutes. 156Great are Your mercies, O LORD;revive me according to Your ordinances. 157Though my persecutors and foes are many,I have not turned from Your testimonies. 158I look on the faithless with loathingbecause they do not keep Your word. 159Consider how I love Your precepts, O LORD;give me life according to Your loving devotion. 160The entirety of Your word is truth,and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.

161Rulers persecute me without cause,but my heart fears only Your word. 162I rejoice in Your promiselike one who finds great spoil. 163I hate and abhor falsehood,but Your law I love. 164Seven times a day I praise Youfor Your righteous judgments. 165Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your law;nothing can make them stumble. 166I wait for Your salvation, O LORD,and I carry out Your commandments. 167I obey Your testimoniesand love them greatly. 168I obey Your precepts and Your testimonies,for all my ways are before You.

169May my cry come before You, O LORD;give me understanding according to Your word. 170May my plea come before You;rescue me according to Your promise. 171My lips pour forth praise,for You teach me Your statutes. 172My tongue sings of Your word,for all Your commandments are righteous. 173May Your hand be ready to help me,for I have chosen Your precepts. 174I long for Your salvation, O LORD,and Your law is my delight. 175Let me live to praise You;may Your judgments sustain me. 176I have strayed like a lost sheep;seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.