Psalms, 119

1. How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of Yahweh!

1. ALEPH. Blessed [are] the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

2. Blessed are those who observe his instructions, who seek him with all their hearts,

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

3. and, doing no evil, who walk in his ways.

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

4. You lay down your precepts to be carefully kept.

4. Thou hast commanded [us] to keep thy precepts diligently.

5. May my ways be steady in doing your will.

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

6. Then I shall not be shamed, if my gaze is fixed on your commandments.

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

7. I thank you with a sincere heart for teaching me your upright judgements.

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

8. I shall do your will; do not ever abandon me wholly.

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

9. How can a young man keep his way spotless? By keeping your words.

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

10. With all my heart I seek you, do not let me stray from your commandments.

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

11. In my heart I treasure your promises, to avoid sinning against you.

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

12. Blessed are you, Yahweh, teach me your will!

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

13. With my lips I have repeated all the judgements you have given.

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

14. In the way of your instructions lies my joy, a joy beyond all wealth.

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

15. I will ponder your precepts and fix my gaze on your paths.

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

16. I find my delight in your will, I do not forget your words.

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

17. Be generous to your servant and I shall live, and shall keep your words.

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

18. Open my eyes and I shall fix my gaze on the wonders of your Law.

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

19. Wayfarer though I am on the earth, do not hide your commandments from me.

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

20. My heart is pining away with longing at all times for your judgements.

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

21. You have rebuked the arrogant, the accursed, who stray from your commandments.

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

22. Set me free from taunts and contempt since I observe your instructions.

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

23. Though princes sit plotting against me, your servant keeps pondering your will.

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

24. Your instructions are my delight, your wishes my counsellors.

24. Thy testimonies also [are] my delight [and] my counsellors.

25. Down in the dust I lie prostrate; true to your word, revive me.

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

26. I tell you my ways and you answer me; teach me your wishes.

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

27. Show me the way of your precepts, that I may reflect on your wonders.

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

28. I am melting away for grief; true to your word, raise me up.

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

29. Keep me far from the way of deceit, grant me the grace of your Law.

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

30. I have chosen the way of constancy, I have moulded myself to your judgements.

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

31. I cling to your instructions, Yahweh, do not disappoint me.

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

32. I run the way of your commandments, for you have given me freedom of heart.

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

33. Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your will, and I will observe it.

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

34. Give me understanding and I will observe your Law, and keep it wholeheartedly.

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

35. Guide me in the way of your commandments, for my delight is there.

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

36. Bend my heart to your instructions, not to selfish gain.

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

37. Avert my eyes from pointless images, by your word give me life.

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

38. Keep your promise to your servant so that all may hold you in awe.

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

39. Avert the taunts that I dread, for your judgements are generous.

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

40. See how I yearn for your precepts; in your saving justice give me life.

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

41. Let your faithful love come to me, Yahweh, true to your promise, save me!

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

42. Give me an answer to the taunts against me, since I rely on your word.

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

43. Do not deprive me of that faithful word, since my hope lies in your judgements.

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

44. I shall keep your Law without fail for ever and ever.

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

45. I shall live in all freedom because I have sought your precepts.

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

46. I shall speak of your instructions before kings and will not be shamed.

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

47. Your commandments fill me with delight, I love them dearly.

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

48. I stretch out my hands to your commandments that I love, and I ponder your judgements.

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

49. Keep in mind your promise to your servant on which I have built my hope.

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

50. It is my comfort in distress, that your promise gives me life.

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

51. Endlessly the arrogant have jeered at me, but I have not swerved from your Law.

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

52. I have kept your age -- old judgements in mind, Yahweh, and I am comforted.

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

53. Fury grips me when I see the wicked who abandon your Law.

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

54. Your judgements are my song where I live in exile.

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

55. All night, Yahweh, I hold your name in mind, I keep your Law.

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

56. This is what it means to me, observing your precepts.

56. This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

57. My task, I have said, Yahweh, is to keep your word.

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

58. Wholeheartedly I entreat your favour; true to your promise, take pity on me!

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

59. I have reflected on my ways, and I turn my steps to your instructions.

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

60. I hurry without delay to keep your commandments.

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

61. Though caught in the snares of the wicked, I do not forget your Law.

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

62. At midnight I rise to praise you for your upright judgements.

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

63. I am a friend to all who fear you and keep your precepts.

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

64. Your faithful love fills the earth, Yahweh, teach me your judgements.

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

65. You have been generous to your servant, Yahweh, true to your promise.

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

66. Teach me judgement and knowledge, for I rely on your commandments.

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

67. Before I was punished I used to go astray, but now I keep to your promise.

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

68. You are generous and act generously, teach me your will.

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

69. The arrogant blacken me with lies though I wholeheartedly observe your precepts.

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

70. Their hearts are gross like rich fat, but my delight is in your Law.

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

71. It was good for me that I had to suffer, the better to learn your judgements.

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

72. The Law you have uttered is more precious to me than all the wealth in the world.

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

73. Your hands have made me and held me firm, give me understanding and I shall learn your commandments.

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

74. Those who fear you rejoice at the sight of me since I put my hope in your word.

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

75. I know, Yahweh, that your judgements are upright, and in punishing me you show your constancy.

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

76. Your faithful love must be my consolation, as you have promised your servant.

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

77. Treat me with tenderness and I shall live, for your Law is my delight.

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

78. Let the arrogant who tell lies against me be shamed, while I ponder your precepts.

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

79. Let those who fear you rally to me, those who understand your instructions.

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

80. My heart shall be faultless towards your will; then I shall not be ashamed.

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

81. I shall wear myself out for your salvation, for your word is my hope.

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

82. My eyes, too, are worn out waiting for your promise, when will you have pity on me?

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

83. For I am like a smoked wineskin, but I do not forget your will.

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

84. How long has your servant to live? When will you bring my persecutors to judgement?

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

85. The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me in defiance of your Law.

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

86. All your commandments show constancy. Help me when they pursue me dishonestly.

86. All thy commandments [are] faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

87. They have almost annihilated me on earth, but I have not deserted your precepts.

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

88. True to your faithful love, give me life, and I shall keep the instructions you have laid down.

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

89. For ever, Yahweh, your word is planted firm in heaven.

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

90. Your constancy endures from age to age; you established the earth and it stands firm.

90. Thy faithfulness [is] unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

91. Through your judgements all stands firm to this day, for all creation is your servant.

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

92. Had your Law not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery.

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

93. I shall never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

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

94. I am yours, save me, for I seek your precepts.

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

95. The wicked may hope to destroy me, but all my thought is of your instructions.

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

96. I have seen that all perfection is finite, but your commandment has no limit.

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

97. How I love your Law! I ponder it all day long.

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

98. You make me wiser than my enemies by your commandment which is mine for ever.

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

99. I am wiser than all my teachers because I ponder your instructions.

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

100. I have more understanding than the aged because I keep your precepts.

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

101. I restrain my foot from evil paths to keep your word.

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

102. I do not turn aside from your judgements, because you yourself have instructed me.

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

103. How pleasant your promise to my palate, sweeter than honey in my mouth!

103. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! [yea, sweeter] than honey to my mouth!

104. From your precepts I learn wisdom, so I hate all deceptive ways.

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

105. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

105. NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

106. I have sworn -- and shall maintain it -- to keep your upright judgements.

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

107. I am utterly wretched, Yahweh; true to your promise, give me life.

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

108. Accept, Yahweh, the tribute from my mouth, and teach me your judgements.

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

109. My life is in your hands perpetually, I do not forget your Law.

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

110. The wicked have laid out a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

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

111. Your instructions are my eternal heritage, they are the joy of my heart.

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

112. I devote myself to obeying your statutes, their recompense is eternal.

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

113. I hate a divided heart, I love your Law.

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

114. You are my refuge and shield, I put my hope in your word.

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

115. Leave me alone, you wicked, I shall observe the commandments of my God.

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

116. True to your word, support me and I shall live; do not disappoint me of my hope.

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

117. Uphold me and I shall be saved, my gaze fixed on your will.

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

118. You shake off all who stray from your will; deceit fills their horizon.

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

119. In your sight all the wicked of the earth are like rust, so I love your instructions.

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

120. My whole body trembles before you, your judgements fill me with fear.

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

121. All my conduct has been just and upright, do not hand me over to my oppressors.

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

122. Guarantee the well-being of your servant, do not let the proud oppress me.

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

123. My eyes are languishing for your salvation and for the saving justice you have promised.

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

124. Show your faithful love to your servant, teach me your judgements.

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

125. Your servant am I; give me understanding and I shall know your instructions.

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

126. It is time to take action, Yahweh, your Law is being broken.

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

127. So I love your commandments more than gold, purest gold.

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

128. So I rule my life by your precepts, I hate all deceptive paths.

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

129. Wonderful are your instructions, so I observe them.

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

130. As your word unfolds it gives light, and even the simple understand.

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

131. I open wide my mouth, panting eagerly for your commandments.

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

132. Turn to me, pity me; those who love your name deserve it.

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

133. Keep my steps firm in your promise; that no evil may triumph over me.

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

134. Rescue me from human oppression, and I will observe your precepts.

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

135. Let your face shine on your servant, teach me your will.

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

136. My eyes stream with tears because your Law is disregarded.

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

137. You are upright, Yahweh, and your judgements are honest.

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

138. You impose uprightness as a witness to yourself, it is constancy itself.

138. Thy testimonies [that] thou hast commanded [are] righteous and very faithful.

139. My zeal is burning me up because my oppressors forget your word.

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

140. Your promise is well tested, your servant holds it dear.

140. Thy word [is] very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

141. Puny and despised as I am, I do not forget your precepts.

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

142. Your saving justice is for ever just, and your Law is trustworthy.

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

143. Though anguish and distress grip me your commandments are my delight.

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

144. Your instructions are upright for ever, give me understanding and I shall live.

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

145. I call with all my heart; answer me, Yahweh, and I will observe your judgements.

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

146. I call to you; save me, and I will keep your instructions.

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

147. I am awake before dawn to cry for help, I put my hope in your word.

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

148. My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, to ponder your promise.

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

149. In your faithful love, Yahweh, listen to my voice, let your judgements give me life.

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

150. My pursuers are coming closer to their wicked designs, and further from your Law.

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

151. You are close to me, Yahweh, and all your commandments are true.

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

152. Long have I known that your instructions were laid down to last for ever.

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

153. Look at my suffering and rescue me, for I do not forget your Law.

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

154. Plead my cause and defend me; as you promised, give me life.

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

155. Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your will.

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

156. Your kindnesses to me are countless, Yahweh; true to your judgements, give me life.

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

157. Though my enemies and oppressors are countless, I do not turn aside from your instructions.

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

158. The sight of these renegades appals me; they do not observe your promise.

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

159. See how I love your precepts; true to your faithful love, give me life.

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

160. Faithfulness is the essence of your word, your upright judgements hold good for ever.

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

161. Though princes hound me unprovoked, what fills me with awe is your word.

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

162. I rejoice in your promise like one who finds a vast treasure.

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

163. Falsehood I hate and detest, my love is for your Law.

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

164. Seven times a day I praise you for your upright judgements.

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

165. Great peace for those who love your Law; no stumbling-blocks for them!

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

166. I am waiting for your salvation, Yahweh, I fulfil your commandments.

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

167. I observe your instructions, I love them dearly.

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

168. I observe your precepts, your judgements, for all my ways are before you.

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

169. May my cry approach your presence, Yahweh; by your word give me understanding.

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

170. May my prayer come into your presence, rescue me as you have promised.

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

171. May my lips proclaim your praise, for you teach me your will.

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

172. May my tongue recite your promise, for all your commandments are upright.

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

173. May your hand be there to help me, since I have chosen your precepts.

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

174. I long for your salvation, Yahweh, your Law is my delight.

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

175. May I live only to praise you, may your judgements be my help.

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

176. I am wandering like a lost sheep, come and look for your servant, for I have not forgotten your commandments.

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