PSALM 119
Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God.
This long Psalm (176 verses) consists of separate units, each of which has its first word beginning with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet as a memory aid. The first verse begins with the first letter of the alphabet, aleph (first letter of the word blessed), and the last unit of the Psalm (vv 169-176) begins with tav, the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Aleph.
1How blessed and favored by God are those whose way is blameless [those with personal integrity, the upright, the guileless],
Who walk in the law [and who are guided by the precepts and revealed will] of the Lord.
2Blessed and favored by God are those who keep His testimonies,
And who [consistently] seek Him and long for Him with all their heart.
3They do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.
4You have ordained Your precepts,
That we should follow them with [careful] diligence.
5Oh, that my ways may be established
To observe and keep Your statutes [obediently accepting and honoring them]!
6Then I will not be ashamed
When I look [with respect] to all Your commandments [as my guide].
7I will give thanks to You with an upright heart,
When I learn [through discipline] Your righteous judgments [for my transgressions].
8I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not utterly abandon me [when I fail].
Beth.
9How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].
10With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You];
Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience].
11Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
Teach me Your statutes.
13With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15I will meditate on Your precepts
And [thoughtfully] regard Your ways [the path of life established by Your precepts].
16I will delight in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
Gimel.
17Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word [treasuring it and being guided by it day by day].
18Open my eyes [to spiritual truth] so that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law.
19I am a stranger on the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
20My soul is crushed with longing
For Your ordinances at all times.
Who wander from Your commandments.
22Take reproach and contempt away from me,
For I observe Your testimonies.
23Even though princes sit and talk to one another against me,
Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.
Daleth.
25My earthly life clings to the dust;
Revive and refresh me according to Your word.
26I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
27Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
So that I will meditate (focus my thoughts) on Your wonderful works.
28My soul dissolves because of grief;
Renew and strengthen me according to [the promises of] Your word.
29Remove from me the way of falsehood and unfaithfulness,
And graciously grant me Your law.
30I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your ordinances before me.
31I cling tightly to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!
32I will run the way of Your commandments [with purpose],
For You will give me a heart that is willing.
He.
33Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I will [steadfastly] observe it to the end.
34Give me understanding [a teachable heart and the ability to learn], that I may keep Your law;
And observe it with all my heart.
35Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
36Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain and envy.
37Turn my eyes away from vanity [all those worldly, meaningless things that distract—let Your priorities be mine],
And restore me [with renewed energy] in Your ways.
38Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant,
As that which produces [awe-inspired] reverence for You.
39Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your ordinances are good.
40I long for Your precepts;
Renew me through Your righteousness.
Vav.
41May Your lovingkindness also come to me, O Lord,
Your salvation according to Your promise;
42So I will have an answer for the one who taunts me,
For I trust [completely] in Your word [and its reliability].
43And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I wait for Your ordinances.
44I will keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever [writing Your precepts on my heart].
45And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek and deeply long for Your precepts.
46I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings
And shall not be ashamed.
47For I shall delight in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
Which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes.
Zayin.
49Remember [always] the word and promise to Your servant,
In which You have made me hope.
50This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me and given me life.
51The arrogant utterly ridicule me,
Yet I do not turn away from Your law.
52I have remembered [carefully] Your ancient ordinances, O Lord,
And I have taken comfort.
53Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked,
Who Lit forsake.reject Your law.
54Your statutes are my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
55O Lord, I remember Your name in the night,
And keep Your law.
56This has become mine [as the gift of Your grace],
That I observe Your precepts [accepting them with loving obedience].
Heth.
57The Lord is my portion;
I have promised to keep Your words.
58I sought Your favor with all my heart;
Be merciful and gracious to me according to Your promise.
59I considered my ways
And turned my feet to [follow and obey] Your testimonies.
60I hurried and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61The cords of the wicked have encircled and ensnared me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your righteous ordinances.
63I am a companion of all who [reverently] fear You,
And of those who keep and honor Your precepts.
Teach me Your statutes.
Teth.
65You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your promise.
66Teach me good judgment (discernment) and knowledge,
For I have believed and trusted and relied on Your commandments.
67Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep and honor Your word [with loving obedience].
68You are good and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.
69The arrogant have forged a lie against me,
But I will keep Your precepts with all my heart.
70Their heart is insensitive like fat [their minds are dull and brutal],
But I delight in Your law.
71It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
72The law from Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Yodh.
73Your hands have made me and established me;
Give me understanding and a teachable heart, that I may learn Your commandments.
74May those who [reverently] fear You see me and be glad,
Because I wait for Your word.
75I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are fair,
And that in faithfulness You have disciplined me.
76O may Your lovingkindness and graciousness comfort me,
According to Your word (promise) to Your servant.
77Let Your compassion come to me that I may live,
For Your law is my delight.
78Let the arrogant be ashamed and humiliated, for they sabotage me with a lie;
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
79May those who fear You [with submissive wonder] turn to me,
Even those who have known Your testimonies.
80May my heart be blameless in Your statutes,
So that I will not be ashamed.
Kaph.
81My soul languishes and grows weak for Your salvation;
I wait for Your word.
82My eyes fail [with longing, watching] for [the fulfillment of] Your promise,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
83For I have become like a wineskin [blackened and shriveled] in the smoke [in which it hangs],
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
84How many are the days of Your servant [which he must endure]?
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85The arrogant (godless) have dug pits for me,
Men who do not conform to Your law.
86All Your commandments are faithful and trustworthy.
They have persecuted me with a lie; help me [Lord]!
87They had almost destroyed me on earth,
But as for me, I did not Lit forsake.turn away from Your precepts.
88According to Your steadfast love refresh me and give me life,
So that I may keep and obey the testimony of Your mouth.
Lamedh.
89Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven [standing firm and unchangeable].
90Your faithfulness continues from generation to generation;
You have established the earth, and it stands [securely].
91They continue this day according to Your ordinances,
For all things [all parts of the universe] are Your servants.
92If Your law had not been my delight,
Then I would have perished in my time of trouble.
93I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have revived me and given me life.
94I am Yours, save me [as Your own];
For I have [diligently] sought Your precepts and required them [as my greatest need].
95The wicked wait for me to destroy me,
But I will consider Your testimonies.
96I have seen that all [human] perfection has its limits [no matter how grand and perfect and noble];
Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity].
Mem.
97Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For Your words are always with me.
99I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers [because of Your word],
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100I understand more than the aged [who have not observed Your precepts],
Because I have observed and kept Your precepts.
101I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
102I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.
103How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.
Nun.
105Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
106I have sworn [an oath] and have confirmed it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.
107I am greatly afflicted;
Renew and revive me [giving me life], O Lord, according to Your word.
And teach me Your ordinances.
109My life is continually I.e. in danger.in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.
110The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I do not wander from Your precepts.
111I have taken Your testimonies as a heritage forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.
112I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.
Samekh.
113I hate those who are double-minded,
But I love and treasure Your law.
114You are my hiding place and my shield;
I wait for Your word.
115Leave me, you evildoers,
That I may keep the commandments of my God [honoring and obeying them].
116Uphold me according to Your word [of promise], so that I may live;
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope [in Your great goodness].
117Uphold me that I may be safe,
That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.
118You have turned Your back on all those who wander from Your statutes,
For their deceitfulness is useless.
119You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross [for they have no value];
Therefore I love Your testimonies.
120My flesh trembles in [reverent] fear of You,
And I am afraid and in awe of Your judgments.
Ayin.
121I have done justice and righteousness;
Do not leave me to those who oppress me.
122Be the guarantee for Your servant for good [as Judah was the guarantee for Benjamin];
Do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123My eyes fail [with longing, watching] for [the fulfillment of] Your salvation,
And for [the fulfillment of] Your righteous word.
124Deal with Your servant according to Your [gracious] lovingkindness,
And teach me Your statutes.
125I am Your servant; give me understanding [the ability to learn and a teachable heart]
That I may know Your testimonies.
126It is time for the Lord to act;
They have broken Your law.
127Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold,
Yes, more than refined gold.
128Therefore I esteem as right all Your precepts concerning everything;
I hate every false way.
Pe.
129Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.
130The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light;
Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).
131I opened my mouth and panted [with anticipation],
Because I longed for Your commandments.
132Turn to me and be gracious to me and show me favor,
As is Your way to those who love Your name.
133Establish my footsteps in [the way of] Your word;
Do not let any human weakness have power over me [causing me to be separated from You].
134Redeem me from the oppression of man;
That I may keep Your precepts.
135Make Your face shine [with pleasure] upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.
136My eyes weep streams of water
Because people do not keep Your law.
Tsadhe.
137Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.
138You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness
And in great faithfulness.
139My zeal has [completely] consumed me,
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140Your word is very pure (refined);
Therefore Your servant loves it.
141I am small and despised,
But I do not forget Your precepts.
142Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.
143Trouble and anguish have found me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight and my joy.
144Your righteous testimonies are everlasting;
Give me understanding [the ability to learn and a teachable heart] that I may live.
Qoph.
145I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord!
I will observe Your statutes.
146I cried to You; save me
And I will keep Your testimonies.
147I rise before dawn and cry [in prayer] for help;
I wait for Your word.
148My eyes anticipate the night watches and I awake before the call of the watchman,
That I may meditate on Your word.
149Hear my voice according to Your [steadfast] lovingkindness;
O Lord, renew and refresh me according to Your ordinances.
150Those who follow after wickedness approach;
They are far from Your law.
151You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.
152Of old I have known from Your testimonies
That You have founded them forever.
Resh.
153Look upon my agony and rescue me,
For I do not forget Your law.
154Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me and give me life according to [the promise of] Your word.
155Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.
Revive me and give me life according to Your ordinances.
157Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn away from Your testimonies.
158I see the treacherous and loathe them,
Because they do not respect Your law.
159Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me and give me life, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
160The sum of Your word is truth [the full meaning of all Your precepts],
And every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever.
Shin.
161Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in [reverent] awe of Your words [so I can expect You to help me].
162I rejoice at Your word,
As one who finds great treasure.
163I hate and detest falsehood,
But I love Your law.
164
The number seven sometimes represents a continuing action or a sufficiently high number of actions (cf Matt 18:21).
Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous ordinances.
165Those who love Your law have great peace;
Nothing makes them stumble.
And I do Your commandments.
167My soul keeps Your testimonies [hearing and accepting and obeying them];
I love them greatly.
168I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are [fully known] before You.
Tav.
169Let my [mournful] cry come before You, O Lord;
Give me understanding [the ability to learn and a teachable heart] according to Your word [of promise].
170Let my supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.
171Let my lips speak praise [with thanksgiving],
For You teach me Your statutes.
172Let my tongue sing [praise for the fulfillment] of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteous.
173Let 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 my soul live that it may praise You,
And let Your ordinances help me.
176I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.
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