Psalm 119

א (Alef)

1How blessed are those whose actions are blameless,

who obey the law of the Lord.

2How blessed are those who observe his rules,

and seek him with all their heart,

3who, moreover, do no wrong,

but follow in his footsteps.

4You demand that your precepts

be carefully kept.

5If only I were predisposed

to keep your statutes!

6Then I would not be ashamed,

if I were focused on all your commands.

7I will give you sincere thanks,

when I learn your just regulations.

8I will keep your statutes.

Do not completely abandon me!

ב (Bet)

9How can a young person maintain a pure life?

By guarding it according to your instructions!

10With all my heart I seek you.

Do not allow me to stray from your commands!

11In my heart I store up your words,

so I might not sin against you.

12You deserve praise, O Lord!

Teach me your statutes!

13With my lips I proclaim

all the regulations you have revealed.

14I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules

as if they were riches of all kinds.

15I will meditate on your precepts

and focus on your behavior.

16I find delight in your statutes;

I do not forget your instructions.

ג (Gimel)

17Be kind to your servant!

Then I will live and keep your instructions.

18Open my eyes so I can truly see

the marvelous things in your law!

19I am like a foreigner in this land.

Do not hide your commands from me!

20I desperately long to know

your regulations at all times.

21You reprimand arrogant people.

Those who stray from your commands are doomed.

22Spare me shame and humiliation,

for I observe your rules.

23Though rulers plot and slander me,

your servant meditates on your statutes.

24Yes, I find delight in your rules;

they give me guidance.

ד (Dalet)

25I collapse in the dirt.

Revive me with your word!

26I told you about my ways and you answered me.

Teach me your statutes!

27Help me to understand what your precepts mean!

Then I can meditate on your marvelous teachings.

28I collapse from grief.

Sustain me by your word!

29Remove me from the path of deceit!

Graciously give me your law!

30I choose the path of faithfulness;

I am committed to your regulations.

31I hold fast to your rules.

O Lord, do not let me be ashamed!

32I run along the path of your commands,

for you enable me to do so.

ה (He)

33Teach me, O Lord, the lifestyle prescribed by your statutes,

so that I might observe it continually.

34Give me understanding so that I might observe your law,

and keep it with all my heart.

35Guide me in the path of your commands,

for I delight to walk in it.

36Give me a desire for your rules,

rather than for wealth gained unjustly.

37Turn my eyes away from what is worthless!

Revive me with your word!

38Confirm to your servant your promise,

which you made to the one who honors you.

39Take away the insults that I dread!

Indeed, your regulations are good.

40Look, I long for your precepts.

Revive me with your deliverance!

ו (Vav)

41May I experience your loyal love, O Lord,

and your deliverance, as you promised.

42Then I will have a reply for the one who insults me,

for I trust in your word.

43Do not completely deprive me of a truthful testimony,

for I await your justice.

44Then I will keep your law continually

now and for all time.

45I will be secure,

for I seek your precepts.

46I will speak about your regulations before kings

and not be ashamed.

47I will find delight in your commands,

which I love.

48I will lift my hands to your commands,

which I love,

and I will meditate on your statutes.

ז (Zayin)

49Remember your word to your servant,

for you have given me hope.

50This is what comforts me in my trouble,

for your promise revives me.

51Arrogant people do nothing but scoff at me.

Yet I do not turn aside from your law.

52I remember your ancient regulations,

O Lord, and console myself.

53Rage takes hold of me because of the wicked,

those who reject your law.

54Your statutes have been my songs

in the house where I live.

55I remember your name during the night, O Lord,

and I will keep your law.

56This has been my practice,

for I observe your precepts.

ח (Khet)

57The Lord is my source of security.

I have determined to follow your instructions.

58I seek your favor with all my heart.

Have mercy on me as you promised!

59I consider my actions

and follow your rules.

60I keep your commands

eagerly and without delay.

61The ropes of the wicked tighten around me,

but I do not forget your law.

62In the middle of the night I arise to thank you

for your just regulations.

63I am a friend to all your loyal followers,

and to those who keep your precepts.

64O Lord, your loyal love fills the earth.

Teach me your statutes!

ט (Tet)

65You are good to your servant,

O Lord, just as you promised.

66Teach me proper discernment and understanding!

For I consider your commands to be reliable.

67Before I was afflicted I used to stray off,

but now I keep your instructions.

68You are good and you do good.

Teach me your statutes!

69Arrogant people smear my reputation with lies,

but I observe your precepts with all my heart.

70Their hearts are calloused,

but I find delight in your law.

71It was good for me to suffer,

so that I might learn your statutes.

72The law you have revealed is more important to me

than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

י (Yod)

73Your hands made me and formed me.

Give me understanding so that I might learn your commands.

74Your loyal followers will be glad when they see me,

for I find hope in your word.

75I know, Lord, that your regulations are just.

You disciplined me because of your faithful devotion to me.

76May your loyal love console me,

as you promised your servant.

77May I experience your compassion, so I might live!

For I find delight in your law.

78May the arrogant be humiliated, for they have slandered me!

But I meditate on your precepts.

79May your loyal followers turn to me,

those who know your rules.

80May I be fully committed to your statutes,

so that I might not be ashamed.

כ (Kaf)

81I desperately long for your deliverance.

I find hope in your word.

82My eyes grow tired as I wait for your promise to be fulfilled.

I say, “When will you comfort me?”

83For I am like a wineskin dried up in smoke.

I do not forget your statutes.

84How long must your servant endure this?

When will you judge those who pursue me?

85The arrogant dig pits to trap me,

which violates your law.

86All your commands are reliable.

I am pursued without reason. Help me!

87They have almost destroyed me here on the earth,

but I do not reject your precepts.

88Revive me with your loyal love,

that I might keep the rules you have revealed.

ל (Lamed)

89O Lord, your instructions endure;

they stand secure in heaven.

90You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations.

You established the earth and it stood firm.

91Today they stand firm by your decrees,

for all things are your servants.

92If I had not found encouragement in your law,

I would have died in my sorrow.

93I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have revived me.

94I belong to you. Deliver me!

For I seek your precepts.

95The wicked prepare to kill me,

yet I concentrate on your rules.

96I realize that everything has its limits,

but your commands are beyond full comprehension.

מ (Mem)

97O how I love your law!

All day long I meditate on it.

98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,

for I am always aware of them.

99I have more insight than all my teachers,

for I meditate on your rules.

100I am more discerning than those older than I,

for I observe your precepts.

101I stay away from the evil path,

so that I might keep your instructions.

102I do not turn aside from your regulations,

for you teach me.

103Your words are sweeter

in my mouth than honey!

104Your precepts give me discernment.

Therefore I hate all deceitful actions.

נ (Nun)

105Your word is a lamp to walk by,

and a light to illumine my path.

106I have vowed and solemnly sworn

to keep your just regulations.

107I am suffering terribly.

O Lord, revive me with your word!

108O Lord, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise!

Teach me your regulations!

109My life is in continual danger,

but I do not forget your law.

110The wicked lay a trap for me,

but I do not wander from your precepts.

111I claim your rules as my permanent possession,

for they give me joy.

112I am determined to obey your statutes

at all times, to the very end.

ס (Samek)

113I hate people with divided loyalties,

but I love your law.

114You are my hiding place and my shield.

I find hope in your word.

115Turn away from me, you evil men,

so that I can observe the commands of my God.

116Sustain me as you promised, so that I will live.

Do not disappoint me!

117Support me, so that I will be delivered.

Then I will focus on your statutes continually.

118You despise all who stray from your statutes,

for they are deceptive and unreliable.

119You remove all the wicked of the earth like slag.

Therefore I love your rules.

120My body trembles because I fear you;

I am afraid of your judgments.

ע (Ayin)

121I do what is fair and right.

Do not abandon me to my oppressors!

122Guarantee the welfare of your servant!

Do not let the arrogant oppress me!

123My eyes grow tired as I wait for your deliverance,

for your reliable promise to be fulfilled.

124Show your servant your loyal love!

Teach me your statutes!

125I am your servant. Give me insight,

so that I can understand your rules.

126It is time for the Lord to act –

they break your law!

127For this reason I love your commands

more than gold, even purest gold.

128For this reason I carefully follow all your precepts.

I hate all deceitful actions.

פ (Pe)

129Your rules are marvelous.

Therefore I observe them.

130Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines.

They give insight to the untrained.

131I open my mouth and pant,

because I long for your commands.

132Turn toward me and extend mercy to me,

as you typically do to your loyal followers.

133Direct my steps by your word!

Do not let any sin dominate me!

134Deliver me from oppressive men,

so that I can keep your precepts.

135Smile on your servant!

Teach me your statutes!

136Tears stream down from my eyes,

because people do not keep your law.

צ (Tsade)

137You are just, O Lord,

and your judgments are fair.

138The rules you impose are just,

and absolutely reliable.

139My zeal consumes me,

for my enemies forget your instructions.

140Your word is absolutely pure,

and your servant loves it!

141I am insignificant and despised,

yet I do not forget your precepts.

142Your justice endures,

and your law is reliable.

143Distress and hardship confront me,

yet I find delight in your commands.

144Your rules remain just.

Give me insight so that I can live.

ק (Qof)

145I cried out with all my heart, “Answer me, O Lord!

I will observe your statutes.”

146I cried out to you, “Deliver me,

so that I can keep your rules.”

147I am up before dawn crying for help.

I find hope in your word.

148My eyes anticipate the nighttime hours,

so that I can meditate on your word.

149Listen to me because of your loyal love!

O Lord, revive me, as you typically do!

150Those who are eager to do wrong draw near;

they are far from your law.

151You are near, O Lord,

and all your commands are reliable.

152I learned long ago that

you ordained your rules to last.

ר (Resh)

153See my pain and rescue me!

For I do not forget your law.

154Fight for me and defend me!

Revive me with your word!

155The wicked have no chance for deliverance,

for they do not seek your statutes.

156Your compassion is great, O Lord.

Revive me, as you typically do!

157The enemies who chase me are numerous.

Yet I do not turn aside from your rules.

158I take note of the treacherous and despise them,

because they do not keep your instructions.

159See how I love your precepts!

O Lord, revive me with your loyal love!

160Your instructions are totally reliable;

all your just regulations endure.

שׂ/שׁ (Sin/Shin)

161Rulers pursue me for no reason,

yet I am more afraid of disobeying your instructions.

162I rejoice in your instructions,

like one who finds much plunder.

163I hate and despise deceit;

I love your law.

164Seven times a day I praise you

because of your just regulations.

165Those who love your law are completely secure;

nothing causes them to stumble.

166I hope for your deliverance, O Lord,

and I obey your commands.

167I keep your rules;

I love them greatly.

168I keep your precepts and rules,

for you are aware of everything I do.

ת (Tav)

169Listen to my cry for help, O Lord!

Give me insight by your word!

170Listen to my appeal for mercy!

Deliver me, as you promised.

171May praise flow freely from my lips,

for you teach me your statutes.

172May my tongue sing about your instructions,

for all your commands are just.

173May your hand help me,

for I choose to obey your precepts.

174I long for your deliverance, O Lord;

I find delight in your law.

175May I live and praise you!

May your regulations help me!

176I have wandered off like a lost sheep.

Come looking for your servant,

for I do not forget your commands.