Psalms Chapter 119
Aleph א
1How blessed they are who follow his way blamelessly,
who follow the Law of Yahveh,
2who observe his testimonies
and look to him with all their heart.
3 They do no evil who follow his ways.
4 You’ve charged us
to keep your commandments diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may become secure
by reflecting on your statutes!
6 I won’t be disgraced
if I keep my eye on everything you’ve commanded.
7 I’ll thank you by living with a godly heart
as I learn your good ordinances.
8 I’ll keep your statutes;
don’t give up on me!
Ps 119:1-8
Bet ב
9How can the young keep their conduct pure?
By guarding it with what you say.
10 I’ve looked to you wholeheartedly;
don’t let me stray from your commandments.
11 I’ve treasured up your word in my heart
so I won’t sin against you.
12 You’re blessed, Yahveh;
teach me your statutes.
13 I’ve recited all the ordinances you’ve given
14and delighted in your testimonies as much as in wealth.
15 I’ll study your precepts
and fix my attention on your ways.
16 I’ll delight in your decrees
and commit your word to memory.
Ps 119:9-16
Gimel ג
17Deal well with me
so I can live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes so I can see
the wonderful things in your Law.
19 I’m a foreigner in the world;
so make your commandments clear to me.
20 I feel a burden
to always keep your ordinances.
21 You rebuke the insolent, the accursed
that wander off from your commandments.
22Take their insults and contempt away from me
because I observe your decrees.
23 Even though officials sit around plotting against me,
I still think about your statutes
24and delight in your decrees;
they’re my counselors.
Ps 119:17-24
Dalet ד
25I’m lying in the dust;
revive me with your message.
26 I’ve told you my intentions and you responded;
now teach me your statutes!
27 Make me understand what your commandments mean
so I can think about your wonderful deeds.
28 I melt away with sorrow;
encourage me with your message.
29 Put false ways far away from me
and graciously teach me your Law.
30 I’ve chosen to be faithful
and keep your ordinances at hand.
31 I hold onto your testimonies, Yahveh;
don’t let me feel humiliated!
32 I’ll follow your commands
because by them you increase my understanding.
Ps 119:25-32
He ה
33Teach me, Yahveh, the way your statutes direct,
and I’ll keep them to the end.
34 Help me understand
so I can observe your Law properly.
35 Lead me the way your commandments dictate
because I delight in them.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies
rather than to dishonest profit.
37 Turn my attention away from pointless things
and give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to me your servant your promise
to those who respect you.
39 Turn away the disgrace I dread,
because your ordinances are good.
40 I want to obey your commandments;
so in your goodness give me life.
Ps 119:33-40
Vav ו
41Direct your enduring love toward me, Yahveh,
the salvation you offer in your word,
42so I can answer whoever tries to discredit me,
because I trust what you say.
43 Don’t take your message out of my mouth,
because I’ve put my hope in your ordinances
44so I can keep your Law ever and always.
45 I’m free because I look to your precepts.
46I’ll talk to kings about your testimonies
without feeling self-conscious.
47 I delight in your commandments;
48I lift up my hands to them
and study your statutes.
Ps 119:41-48
Zayin ז
49Remember your promise
that you made for me to trust in.
50 That’s my reassurance in adversity;
your promise revives me.
51 Godless people utterly deride me;
yet I won’t turn aside from your Law.
52 When I remember your ordinances from of old,
I find comfort.
53 Burning indignation has seized me
because of sinners that abandon your Law.
54 Your statutes are my songs
wherever life leads me.
55 I think about you at night,
about keeping your instructions.
56 This has been my way of life:
observing your commandments.
Ps 119:49-56
Het ח
57Yahveh, you’re my portion;
I promise to obey what you say.
58 I ask for your blessing with all my heart;
be gracious to me like you promised.
59 When I think about your ways,
I turn to your testimonies.
60 I hurry to obey your commandments.
61 Although sinful people’s cords ensnare me,
I won’t let them pull me away from your Law.
62 At midnight I get up to thank you
for your good ordinances.
63 I’m a friend to everyone that respects you
and keeps your precepts.
64 The earth is full of your enduring love, Yahveh;
teach me your regulations.
Ps 119:57-64
Tet ט
65You’ve dealt well with me,
Yahveh, like you promised.
66 Give me discernment and insight
because I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I suffered I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 You’re good and do good;
teach me your regulations.
69 The godless have smeared me with slander;
but I’ll still observe your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are dull,
but I delight in your Law.
71 Suffering was good for me
because from it I learned to obey your statutes.
72 Your Law is more valuable to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
Ps 119:65-72
Yod י
73You made me and fashioned me;
help me understand so I can appreciate your commandments.
74 May the ones that respect you see me and be happy
because I wait for your promise.
75 Yahveh, I know your judgments are right
and that it was in your faithfulness that you oppressed me.
76 Let your enduring love comfort me
like you promised.
77 Send me your mercy so I can live,
because I delight in your Law.
78 Discredit godless people
because they’re undermining my welfare with deceit;
meanwhile, I’ll stay focused on your precepts.
79 May those who respect you return to me,
the ones that know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in regard to your statutes
so I won’t have any regrets.
Ps 119:73-80
Kaph כ
81I’m weary waiting for your rescue,
but I’ve put my hope in your message.
82 My eyes strain to see your promises come true,
while I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I’ve shriveled up like a wineskin in smoke,
I don’t lose touch with your regulations.
84 How long will I live?
When will you punish my persecutors?
85Godless men have dug pits to capture me,
men that don’t conform to your Law.
86 Your commandments are reliable;
protect me from people that harass me with lies!
87They almost ruined me,
but I didn’t give up on your precepts;
88in your enduring love, spare my life
so I can keep obeying them.
Ps 119:81-88
Lamed ל
89Yahveh, your word is settled forever in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness continues through every generation;
you built the earth to stand.
91 Your ordinances stand today
because everything serves your purposes.
92 If the Law hadn’t delighted me,
I would’ve died in my misery.
93But I’ll never forget your instructions
because you’ve given me life by them.
94 I belong to you; save me
because I’ve relied on your precepts.
95 Bad people lie in ambush to destroy me,
so I’ll diligently keep thinking about your testimonies.
96 I’ve seen a limit to perfection in everything else,
but your commandments don’t have any.
Ps 119:89-96
Mem מ
97 How I love your law!
I think about it all the time.
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies
because they’re my constant guide.
99 I have more insight than my teachers
because your testimonies inform my thinking.
100 I understand more than my elders
because I’ve observed your precepts.
101 I’ve stayed off of every errant path
so I could keep your word.
102 I haven’t turned aside from your ordinances
because you yourself have taught me.
103 Your words taste so sweet!
they’re sweeter than honey!
104 I gain insight from your precepts;
so I detest every false way of living.
Ps 119:97-104
Nun נ
105Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light for my path.
106 I’ve confirmed the oath I swore
to keep your good ordinances.
107 I’m hurting so much, Yahveh;
give me life like you promised.
108 Accept my praise
and teach me your regulations.
109 My life is constantly at risk;
yet I’m still faithful to your law.
110 Sinners have laid a snare for me;
yet I won’t stray from your precepts.
111 I’ve inherited your testimonies forever;
they make me happy.
112 I’m determined
to keep your commandments to the very end.
Ps 119:105-12
Samek ס
113I detest people with divided loyalties,
but I love your Law.
114 You’re my shield and hiding place;
I’ve put my hope in what you say.
115 Go away, bad people,
so I can observe God’s commands.
116 Sustain me like you promised;
don’t let me lose hope.
117 Uphold me so I’m safe,
so I can always regard your testimonies.
118 You reject those who stray from your statutes
because there’re just fooling themselves.
119 Sinners you consider dross,
so I love your testimonies.
120 My body trembles for fear of you;
I stand in awe of your judgments.
Ps 119:113-20
Ayin ע
121I’ve done what‘s just and true;
don’t abandon me to my oppressors.
122Be my your servant’s guarantee for good
so godless people won’t oppress me.
123 My eyes strain to see your deliverance come
and your promise come true.
124 Deal with me according to your enduring love
and teach me your statutes.
125 I’m your servant; give me insight
so I can understand your testimonies.
126 It’s time for you to act
because they’ve broken your Law.
127 I love your commandments
more than gold, more than fine gold.
128I care about your precepts about everything;
that’s why I hate every false way.
Ps 119:121-28
Pe פ
129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
so I observe them.
130 Explaining your message gives
light and understanding to simple people.
131 I panted with my mouth wide open,
longing for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious
the way you do with those who love you.
133 Steady my steps with your word;
don’t let any sin get control of me.
134 Ransom me from human oppression
so I can keep your precepts.
135 Smile on me
and teach me your statutes.
136 I shed tears over people
that don’t observe your Law.
Ps 119:129-36
Tsade צ
137You’re good, Yahveh;
your judgments are fair.
138 You’ve commanded your testimonies
in goodness and faithfulness.
139 My zeal has consumed me
because my adversaries have forgotten your words.
140 Your promise is pure;
that’s why I love it.
141 1’m small and despised;
yet I don’t forget your precepts.
142 Your goodness is everlasting;
your Law is true.
143 Trouble and anguish have come on me;
yet I still delight in your commandments.
144 Your testimonies are good forever;
help me understand them so I can live.
Ps 119:137-44
Qoph ק
145I pray with all my heart; answer me, Yahveh!
I’ll observe your statutes.
146 I’ve appealed to you; deliver me,
and I’ll keep your testimonies.
147 I get up before dawn to call for help;
I hope you’ll answer.
148 I look forward to the night watches
so I can think about what you say.
149 Listen to me in your enduring love;
in your justice preserve my life.
150 The ones that persecute me are getting closer;
they’re far from your Law.
151 You’re near me,
and your commandments are true.
152 For a long time I’ve known
that you’ve laid down your testimonies to last forever.
Ps 119:145-52
Resh ר
153Look at my difficulties and deliver me
because I don’t forget your Law.
154 Argue my case and acquit me;
give me life like you promised.
155 Salvation is far from sinners
because they don’t rely on your statutes.
156 Your mercies are great, Yahveh;
give me life like you promised.
157 I have lots of adversaries and persecutors;
yet I don’t swerve from your testimonies.
158 When I look at the faithless, I loathe them
because they don’t listen to what you say.
159 Consider how I love your commandments;
give me life like you promised.
160 Everything you say is true;
every one of your just ordinances lasts forever.
Ps 119:153-60
Shin שׁ
161 Officials harass me for no reason,
but I only stand in awe of what you say.
162 Your message makes me happy
like someone that finds lots of spoil.
163 I despise falsehood,
but I love your Law.
164 I praise you seven times a day
because of your good ordinances.
165 The ones that love your Law have peace;
nothing makes them stumble.
166 I look forward to your salvation, Yahveh,
and do your commandments.
167 I keep your testimonies;
I love them so much.
168 I keep your precepts,
as you’re well aware.
Ps 119:161-68
Tav ת
169 Let my call come to you, Yahveh;
give me insight like you promised.
170 Listen to my petition
and give me the deliverance you promised.
171 Let praise flow from my lips
so you can teach me your regulations.
172 I’ll sing about your word
because your commandments are right.
173 Be ready to help me
because I’ve chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your deliverance
and delight in your Law.
175 Let me live to praise you;
let your ordinances help me.
176 I’ve wandered off like a lost sheep; look for me
because I haven’t forgotten your commands.
Ps 119:169-76