Psalms 119 - New International Version, 1984
Psalm 119
א Aleph
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
א Aleph
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart.
and seek him with all their heart.
They do nothing wrong;
they walk in his ways.
they walk in his ways.
You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
that are to be fully obeyed.
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
in obeying your decrees!
Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.
when I consider all your commands.
I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.
as I learn your righteous laws.
I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.
do not utterly forsake me.
ב Beth
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.
teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
I will not neglect your word.
ג Gimel
Do good to your servant, and I will live;
I will obey your word.
Do good to your servant, and I will live;
I will obey your word.
Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
wonderful things in your law.
I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.
do not hide your commands from me.
My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.
for your laws at all times.
You rebuke the arrogant, who are cursed
and who stray from your commands.
and who stray from your commands.
Remove from me scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.
for I keep your statutes.
Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
your servant will meditate on your decrees.
Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.
they are my counselors.
ד Daleth
I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
I recounted my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.
teach me your decrees.
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts;
then I will meditate on your wonders.
then I will meditate on your wonders.
My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
strengthen me according to your word.
Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me through your law.
be gracious to me through your law.
I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set my heart on your laws.
I have set my heart on your laws.
I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.
do not let me be put to shame.
I run in the path of your commands,
for you have set my heart free.
for you have set my heart free.
ה He
Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.
Teach me, O Lord, to follow your decrees;
then I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.
and obey it with all my heart.
Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.
for there I find delight.
Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.
and not toward selfish gain.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.
preserve my life according to your word.
Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.
so that you may be feared.
Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.
for your laws are good.
How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.
Preserve my life in your righteousness.
ו Waw
May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise;
May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise;
then I will answer the one who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
for I trust in your word.
Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.
for I have put my hope in your laws.
I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
for ever and ever.
I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
for I have sought out your precepts.
I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,
and will not be put to shame,
for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
because I love them.
I lift up my hands to your commands, which I love,
and I meditate on your decrees.
and I meditate on your decrees.
ז Zayin
Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
Your promise preserves my life.
The arrogant mock me without restraint,
but I do not turn from your law.
but I do not turn from your law.
I remember your ancient laws, O Lord,
and I find comfort in them.
and I find comfort in them.
Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
who have forsaken your law.
Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
wherever I lodge.
In the night I remember your name, O Lord,
and I will keep your law.
and I will keep your law.
This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
I obey your precepts.
ח Heth
You are my portion, O Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
You are my portion, O Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
be gracious to me according to your promise.
I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
to obey your commands.
Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
I will not forget your law.
At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
for your righteous laws.
I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
to all who follow your precepts.
The earth is filled with your love, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.
teach me your decrees.
ט Teth
Do good to your servant
according to your word, O Lord.
Do good to your servant
according to your word, O Lord.
Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I believe in your commands.
for I believe in your commands.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.
but now I obey your word.
You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
teach me your decrees.
Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
I keep your precepts with all my heart.
Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.
but I delight in your law.
It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
so that I might learn your decrees.
The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
י Yodh
Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
for I have put my hope in your word.
I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
according to your promise to your servant.
Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
for your law is my delight.
May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts.
but I will meditate on your precepts.
May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
those who understand your statutes.
May my heart be blameless toward your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.
that I may not be put to shame.
כ Kaph
My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.
My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees.
I do not forget your decrees.
How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
When will you punish my persecutors?
The arrogant dig pitfalls for me,
contrary to your law.
contrary to your law.
All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for men persecute me without cause.
help me, for men persecute me without cause.
They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
Preserve my life according to your love,
and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
ל Lamedh
Your word, O Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
Your word, O Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.
Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.
you established the earth, and it endures.
Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
for all things serve you.
If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
I would have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.
for by them you have preserved my life.
Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.
I have sought out your precepts.
The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.
but I will ponder your statutes.
To all perfection I see a limit;
but your commands are boundless.
but your commands are boundless.
מ Mem
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
for they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
so that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
therefore I hate every wrong path.
נ Nun
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.
that I will follow your righteous laws.
I have suffered much;
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.
and teach me your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.
I will not forget your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
but I have not strayed from your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.
they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.
to the very end.
ס Samekh
I hate double-minded men,
but I love your law.
I hate double-minded men,
but I love your law.
You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.
I have put my hope in your word.
Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
that I may keep the commands of my God!
Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.
do not let my hopes be dashed.
Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.
I will always have regard for your decrees.
You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their deceitfulness is in vain.
for their deceitfulness is in vain.
All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.
therefore I love your statutes.
My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.
I stand in awe of your laws.
ע Ayin
I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
Ensure your servant’s well-being;
let not the arrogant oppress me.
let not the arrogant oppress me.
My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.
looking for your righteous promise.
Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.
and teach me your decrees.
I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.
that I may understand your statutes.
It is time for you to act, O Lord;
your law is being broken.
your law is being broken.
Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
more than gold, more than pure gold,
and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.
I hate every wrong path.
פ Pe
Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.
it gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
longing for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
let no sin rule over me.
Redeem me from the oppression of men,
that I may obey your precepts.
that I may obey your precepts.
Make your face shine upon your servant
and teach me your decrees.
and teach me your decrees.
Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed.
for your law is not obeyed.
צ Tsadhe
Righteous are you, O Lord,
and your laws are right.
Righteous are you, O Lord,
and your laws are right.
The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
they are fully trustworthy.
My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
for my enemies ignore your words.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
and your servant loves them.
Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
I do not forget your precepts.
Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
and your law is true.
Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands are my delight.
but your commands are my delight.
Your statutes are forever right;
give me understanding that I may live.
give me understanding that I may live.
ק Qoph
I call with all my heart; answer me, O Lord,
and I will obey your decrees.
I call with all my heart; answer me, O Lord,
and I will obey your decrees.
I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes.
and I will keep your statutes.
I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.
I have put my hope in your word.
My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises.
that I may meditate on your promises.
Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your laws.
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your laws.
Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
but they are far from your law.
but they are far from your law.
Yet you are near, O Lord,
and all your commands are true.
and all your commands are true.
Long ago I learned from your statutes
that you established them to last forever.
that you established them to last forever.
ר Resh
Look upon my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.
Look upon my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.
Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.
preserve my life according to your promise.
Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.
for they do not seek out your decrees.
Your compassion is great, O Lord;
preserve my life according to your laws.
preserve my life according to your laws.
Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.
but I have not turned from your statutes.
I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word.
for they do not obey your word.
See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your love.
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your love.
All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.
all your righteous laws are eternal.
ש Sin and Shin
Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.
I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.
like one who finds great spoil.
I hate and abhor falsehood
but I love your law.
but I love your law.
Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.
for your righteous laws.
Great peace have they who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.
and nothing can make them stumble.
I wait for your salvation, O Lord,
and I follow your commands.
and I follow your commands.
I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.
for I love them greatly.
I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.
for all my ways are known to you.
ת Taw
May my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
May my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
deliver me according to your promise.
May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.
for you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.
for all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
and your law is my delight.
Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.
and may your laws sustain me.
I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.