Psalms 119

ISV(i) 1 Alef
Living in the Law of God How blessed are those whose life is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD! 2 How blessed are those who observe his decrees, who seek him with all of their heart, 3 who practice no evil while they walk in his ways. 4 You have commanded concerning your precepts, that they be guarded with diligence. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast, so I may keep your statutes. 6 Then I will not be ashamed, since my eyes will be fixed on all of your commands. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, as I learn your righteous decrees. 8 I will keep your statutes; do not ever abandon me.
9 Bet
The Benefits of the WordHow can a young man keep his behavior pure? By guarding it in accordance with your word. 10 I have sought you with all of my heart; do not let me drift away from your commands. 11 I have stored what you have said in my heart, so I won’t sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, LORD! Teach me your statutes. 13 I have spoken with my lips about all your decrees that you have announced. 14 I find joy in the path of your decrees, as if I owned all kinds of riches. 15 I will meditate on your precepts, and I will respect your ways. 16 I am delighted with your statutes; I will not forget your word.
17 Gimmel
Living and Keeping God’s WordDeal kindly with your servant so I may live and keep your word. 18 Open my eyes so that I will observe amazing things from your instruction. 19 Since I am a stranger on the earth, do not hide your commands from me. 20 My soul is consumed with longing for your decrees at all times. 21 You rebuke the accursed ones, who wander from your commands. 22 Remove scorn and disrespect from me, for I observe your decrees. 23 Though nobles take their seat and gossip about me, your servant will meditate on your statutes. 24 I take joy in your decrees, for they are my counselors.
25 Daleth
Strength Comes from the WordMy soul clings to the dust; revive me according to your word. 26 I have talked about my ways, and you have answered me; Teach me your statutes. 27 Help me understand how your precepts function, and I will meditate on your wondrous acts. 28 I weep because of sorrow; fortify me according to your word. 29 Remove false paths from me; and graciously give me your instruction. 30 I have chosen the faithful way; I have firmly placed your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to your decrees; LORD, do not put me to shame. 32 I eagerly race along the way of your commands, for you enable me to do so.
33 He
Instructed by the WordTeach me, LORD, about the way of your statutes, and I will observe them without fail. 34 Give me understanding and I will observe your instruction. I will keep it with all of my heart. 35 Help me live my life by your commands, because my joy is in them. 36 Turn my heart to your decrees and away from unjust gain. 37 Turn my eyes away from gazing at worthless things, and revive me by your ways. 38 Confirm your promise to your servant, which is for those who fear you. 39 Turn away the shame that I dread, because your ordinances are good. 40 Look, I long for your precepts; revive me through your righteousness.
41 Vav
A Song of PraiseMay your gracious love come to me, LORD, your salvation, just as you said. 42 Then I can answer the one who insults me, for I place my trust in your word. 43 Never take your truthful words from me, For I wait for your ordinances. 44 Then I will always keep your Law, forever and ever, 45 I will walk in liberty, for I seek your precepts. 46 Then I will speak of your decrees before kings and not be ashamed. 47 I will take delight in your commands, which I love. 48 I will lift up my hands to your commands, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.
49 Zayin
Remembering What God Has SaidRemember what you said to your servant, by which you caused me to hope. 50 This is what comforts me in my troubles: that what you say revives me. 51 Even though the arrogant utterly deride me, I do not turn away from your instruction. 52 I have remembered your ancient ordinances, LORD, and I take comfort in them. 53 I burn with indignation because of the wicked who forsake your instruction. 54 Your statutes are my songs, no matter where I make my home. 55 In the night I remember your name, LORD, and keep your instruction. 56 I have made it my personal responsibility to keep your precepts.
57 Cheth
Keeping God’s WordThe LORD is my inheritance; I have given my promise to keep your word. 58 I have sought your favor with all of my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 I examined my lifestyle and set my feet in the direction of your decrees. 60 I hurried and did not procrastinate to keep your commands. 61 Though the ropes of the wicked have ensnared me, I have not forgotten your instruction. 62 At midnight I will get up to thank you for your righteous ordinances. 63 I am united with all who fear you, and with everyone who keeps your precepts. 64 LORD, the earth overflows with your gracious love! Teach me your statutes.
65 Teth
Praise for God’s WordLORD, you have dealt well with your servant, according to your word. 66 Teach me both knowledge and appropriate discretion, because I believe in your commands. 67 Before I was humbled, I wandered away, but now I observe your words. 68 LORD, you are good, and do what is good; teach me your statutes. 69 The arrogant have accused me falsely; but I will observe your precepts wholeheartedly. 70 Their minds are clogged as with greasy fat, but I find joy in your instruction. 71 It was for my good that I was humbled; so that I would learn your statutes. 72 Instruction that comes from you is better for me than thousands of gold and silver coins.
73 Yod
Prayer for God’s GraceYour hands made and formed me; give me understanding, that I may learn your commands. 74 May those who fear you see me and be glad, for I have hoped in your word. 75 I know, LORD, that your decrees are just, and that you have rightfully humbled me. 76 May your gracious love comfort me in accordance with your promise to your servant. 77 May your mercies come to me that I may live, for your instruction is my delight. 78 May the arrogant become ashamed, because they have subverted me with deceit; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. 79 May those who fear you turn to me, along with those who know your decrees. 80 May my heart be blameless with respect to your statutes so that I may not become ashamed.
81 Kaf
On Obeying God’s WordI long for your deliverance; I have looked to your word, placing my hope in it. 82 My eyes grow weary with respect to what you have promised— I keep asking, “When will you comfort me?” 83 Though I have become like a water skin dried by smoke, I have not forgotten your statutes. 84 How many days must your servant endure this? When will you judge those who persecute me? 85 The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me disobeying your instruction. 86 All of your commands are reliable. I am persecuted without cause—help me! 87 Though the arrogant nearly destroyed me on earth, I did not abandon your precepts. 88 Revive me according to your gracious love; and I will keep the decrees that you have proclaimed.
89 Lamed
Pay Attention to God’s WordYour word is forever, LORD; it is firmly established in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness continues from generation to generation. You established the earth, and it stands firm. 91 To this day they stand by means of your rulings, for all things serve you. 92 Had your instruction not been my pleasure, I would have died in my affliction. 93 I will never forget your precepts, for you have revived me with them. 94 I am yours, so save me, since I have sought your precepts. 95 The wicked lay in wait to destroy me, while I ponder your decrees. 96 I have observed that all things have their limit, but your commandment is very broad.
97 Mem
Loving God’s WordHow I love your instruction! Every day it is my meditation. 98 Your commands make me wiser than my adversaries, since they are always with me. 99 I am more insightful than my teachers, because your decrees are my meditations. 100 I have more common sense than the elders, for I observe your precepts. 101 I keep away from every evil choice so that I may keep your word. 102 I do not avoid your judgments, for you pointed them out to me. 103 How pleasing is what you have to say to me— tasting better than honey. 104 I obtain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.
105 Nun
God’s Word a LightYour word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my pathway. 106 I have given my word and affirmed it, to keep your righteous judgments. 107 I am severely afflicted. Revive me, LORD, according to your word. 108 LORD, please accept my voluntary offerings of praise, and teach me your judgments. 109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I do not forget your instruction. 110 Though the wicked lay a trap for me, I haven’t wandered away from your precepts. 111 I have inherited your decrees forever, because they are the joy of my heart. 112 As a result, I am determined to carry out your statutes forever.
113 Samek
Loving God’s LawI despise the double-minded, but I love your instruction. 114 You are my fortress and shield; I hope in your word. 115 Leave me, you who practice evil, that I may observe the commands of my God. 116 Sustain me, God, as you have promised, and I will live. Do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117 Support me, that I may be saved, and I will carry out your statutes consistently. 118 You reject all who wander from your statutes, since their deceitfulness is vain. 119 You remove all the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love your decrees. 120 My flesh trembles out of fear of you, and I am in awe of your judgments.
121 Ayin
Praying for God’s DeliveranceI have acted with justice and righteousness; do not abandon me to my oppressors. 122 Back up your servant in a positive way; do not let the arrogant oppress me. 123 My eyes fail as I look for your salvation and for your righteous promise. 124 Act toward your servant consistent with your gracious love, and teach me your statutes. 125 Since I am your servant, give me understanding, so I will know your decrees. 126 It is time for the LORD to act, since they have violated your instruction. 127 I truly love your commands more than gold, including fine gold. 128 I truly consider all of your precepts—all of them—to be just, while I despise every false way.
129 Peyh
Living in God’s WordYour decrees are wonderful— that’s why I observe them. 130 The disclosure of your words illuminates, providing understanding to the simple. 131 I open my mouth and pant as I long for your commands. 132 Turn in my direction and show mercy to me, as you have decreed regarding those who love your name. 133 Direct my footsteps by your promise, and do not let any kind of iniquity rule over me. 134 Deliver me from human oppression and I will keep your precepts. 135 Show favor to your servant, and teach me your statutes. 136 My eyes shed rivers of tears, when others do not obey your instruction.
137 Tsade
God’s Righteous DecreesLORD, you are righteous, and your judgments are right. 138 You have ordered your decrees to us rightly, and they are very faithful. 139 My zeal consumes me because my enemies forget your words. 140 Your word is very pure, and your servant loves it. 141 Though I may be small and despised, I do not neglect your precepts. 142 Your righteousness is an eternal righteousness, and your instruction is true. 143 Though trouble and anguish overwhelm me, your commands remain my delight. 144 Your righteous decrees are eternal; give me understanding, and I will live.
145 Qof
Waiting in HopeI have cried out with all of my heart. Answer me, LORD! I will observe your statutes. 146 I have called out to you, “Save me, so I may keep your decrees.” 147 I get up before dawn and cry for help; I place my hope in your word. 148 I look forward to the night watches, when I may meditate on what you have said. 149 Hear my voice according to your gracious love. LORD, revive me in keeping with your justice. 150 Those who pursue wickedness draw near; they remain far from your instruction. 151 You are near, LORD, and all of your commands are true. 152 I discovered long ago about your decrees that you have confirmed them forever.
153 Resh
God’s Word is TruthLook on my misery, and rescue me, for I do not ignore your instruction. 154 Defend my case and redeem me; revive me according to your promise. 155 Deliverance remains remote from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes. 156 Your mercies are magnificent, LORD; revive me according to your judgments. 157 Though my persecutors and adversaries are numerous, I do not turn aside from your decrees. 158 I watch the treacherous, and despise them, because they do not do what you have said. 159 Look how I love your precepts, LORD; revive me according to your gracious love. 160 The sum of your word is truth, and each righteous ordinance of yours is everlasting.
161 Sin/Shin
Loving God’s InstructionThough nobles persecute me for no reason, my heart stands in awe of your words. 162 I find joy at what you have said like one who has discovered a great treasure. 163 I despise and hate falsehood, but I love your instruction. 164 I praise you seven times a day because of your righteous ordinances. 165 Great peace belongs to those who love your instruction, and nothing makes them stumble. 166 I am looking in hope for your deliverance, LORD, as I carry out your commands. 167 My soul treasures your decrees, and I love them deeply. 168 I keep your precepts and your decrees because all of my ways are before you.
169 Tav
The Joy of God’s WordMay my cry arise before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word. 170 Let my request come before you; deliver me, as you have promised. 171 May my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes. 172 May my tongue sing about your promise, for all of your commands are right. 173 May your hand stand ready to assist me, for I have chosen your precepts. 174 I am longing for your deliverance, LORD, and your instruction is my joy. 175 Let me live, and I will praise you; let your ordinances help me. 176 I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come find your servant, for I do not forget your commands.