THE
BOOK OF PSALMS
Psalm 119
ALEPH.
1
¶ Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who
walk in the law of the LORD.
2
Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, and who seek him with
the whole heart.
3
They do no wrong: but walk in his ways.
4
¶ You have commanded us to give diligent
attention to your directions.
5
O that my life would conform to your laws!
6
Then I would never be ashamed, if I keep my eyes on all your commandments.
7
¶ I will praise you with uprightness of heart, when I have learned your
righteous judgments.
8
I will keep your laws: do not abandon me.
BETH.
9
¶ How can a young man keep his life pure? by taking heed to it according to your word.
10
¶ I have sought you with my whole heart: O let me not wander from your
commandments.
11
¶ I have hid your word in my heart, so that I might not sin against you.
12
¶ Blessed are you, O LORD: teach me your statutes.
13
¶ With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from your
mouth.
14
I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all
riches.
15
I will meditate on your precepts, and have respect for your ways.
16
I will delight in your laws: and will not forget what you say.
GIMEL.
17
¶ Deal kindly with your servant, so that I may live, and do what you
say.
18
¶ Open my eyes, so that I may see wonderful things in what you teach.
19
¶ I am a stranger in the earth: do not hide your commandments from me.
20
¶ My heart is continually breaking with a longing for
your judgments.
21
¶ You have rebuked the proud who are cursed,
who err from your commandments.
22 ¶ Remove reproach and contempt from me; for I have
kept your testimonies.
23
¶ Princes also sat and talked against me: but your servant
meditated on your statutes.
24
¶ Your testimonies are also my delight and
my counselors.
DALETH.
25
¶ My soul cleaves to the dust: give me life according
to your word.
26
¶ I have confessed my ways, and you heard me: teach me your statutes.
27
Help me to understand how you want me to live: And I will proclaim the
wonderful things you do.
28
¶ My soul melts for heaviness: strengthen me according
to your word.
29
Remove from me the way of falsehood: and kindly give me your instructions.
30
¶ I have chosen the way of truth: I have set your decrees before me.
31
I cling to your testimonies: O LORD, do not put me to shame.
32
I will run the way of your commandments, when you give me a heart that is
willing.
HE.
33
¶ Teach me, O LORD, the way you prescribe; and I will follow it to the
end.
34
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law; yea, I will observe it with my
whole heart.
35
¶ Lead me in the path of your commandments; for I delight in them.
36
Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37
¶ Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless; and give me life
in your way.
38
¶ Fulfill your promise to your servant, to the one who fears you.
39
¶ Take away the condemnation that I dread: for your judgments are good.
40
¶ Behold, I have longed for your precepts: by your righteousness give me life.
VAU.
41
¶ Let your mercy come to me, O LORD, even your salvation, according to
your word.
42
Then I will have an answer for him who reproaches me: for I trust in your word.
43
¶ Never remove the word of truth from my mouth;
because my hope is in your promise.
44
Then I will keep your law continually for ever and ever.
45
¶ And I will walk in freedom: because I seek your precepts.
46
I will also proclaim your truth before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47
And I will delight in your commandments, which I have loved.
48
I will also stretch out my hands for your commandments, which I have loved; and
I will meditate on your statutes.
ZAIN.
49
¶ Remember your promise to your servant, for by it you have given me hope.
50
¶ This is my comfort in my affliction: for your
word has given me life.
51
¶ The proud have bitterly scorned me: but I
have not departed from your law.
52
¶ I remembered your righteous acts of long ago, O LORD; and am comforted.
53
¶ The wicked who forsake your law make me hot with
anger.
54
¶ Your laws have been my songs here where I am a
pilgrim.
55
¶ I think of your name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept your law.
56
This is my gift, that I have kept your precepts.
CHETH.
57
¶ You are my portion, O LORD: I have
said that I would do what you say.
58
¶ I sought your favor with my whole heart: be merciful to me according
to your word.
59
¶ I considered my ways, and turned my feet to your testimonies.
60
I made haste, and did not hesitate to keep your commandments.
61
¶ The wicked lay the cords of their traps around me: but
I have not forgotten your law.
62
¶ At
63
¶ I am a companion of all those who fear you, and of those who
keep your precepts.
64
¶ The earth, O LORD, is full of your mercy: teach me your ways.
TETH.
65
¶ You have treated your servant well, O LORD, according to your word.
66
Teach me good judgment and knowledge: because I trust your commands.
67
¶ Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now I have kept your word.
68
¶ You are good, and do good; teach me your statutes.
69
¶ The proud have smeared me with lies: but I will keep your precepts
with my whole heart.
70
Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in your law.
71
¶ It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your
statutes.
72
¶ Instructions from your lips is better for me than thousands in gold
and silver.
JOD.
73
¶ Your hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, so that I
may learn your commandments.
74
¶ Those who fear you will see me and be glad; because I have trusted in your
word.
75
¶ I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right, and that you
were faithful when you made me suffer.
76
¶ May your merciful kindness comfort me, according to your promise to your
servant.
77
Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live: for your law is my
delight.
78
¶ Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but
I will meditate on your precepts.
79
Let those who fear you turn to me, and those who have known your testimonies.
80
¶ Let my heart be blameless in your statutes; so that I may not be put to
shame.
CAPH.
81
¶ My soul longs for your salvation: but I trust in your promise.
82
My eyes grow weary looking for what you have promised, I ask, When will you
comfort me?
83
¶ For I have become like a bottle in the smoke; yet I do not forget your
statutes.
84
¶ How many days must your servant wait? when will you execute
judgment on those who persecute me?
85
¶ The proud have dug pits for me, that are not according to your law.
86
All your commandments are faithful: help me, for they persecute
me wrongfully.
87
They almost destroyed me on earth; but I did not forsake your precepts.
88
¶ Give me life in accordance with your loving-kindness; and I will keep the
truths of your mouth.
LAMED.
89
¶ Forever, O LORD, your word is settled in heaven.
90
Your faithfulness is to all generations: you have established the earth,
and it stands fast.
91
They continue this day according to your laws: for all things serve you.
92
¶ If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in
my affliction.
93
¶ I will never forget your truths: for through them you have given me life.
94
¶ I am yours, save me; for I have sought your will.
95
¶ The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I want to understand
your truths.
96
¶ I have seen an end to everything perfect: but your commandment goes on
and on.
MEM.
97
¶ O how love I your law! it is my meditation all the day.
98
¶ Through your commandments you have made me wiser than my enemies: for they are
ever with me.
99
I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are
my meditation.
100
I understand more than the ancients, because I follow your truths.
101
¶ I have refrained my feet from every evil way, so that I might keep your word.
102
¶ I have not departed from your judgments: for you have taught me.
103
¶ How sweet are your words to my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my
mouth!
104
Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
NUN.
105
¶ Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
106
¶ I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep your righteous
judgments.
107
¶ I am greatly tormented: give me new life, O LORD, according to your word.
108
¶ Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me your
judgments.
109
¶ My life is continually in my hand: yet I do not forget your law.
110
The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I did not err from your precepts.
111
¶ I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever: for they are the
rejoicing of my heart.
112
I have inclined my heart to perform your statutes always, even to the
end.
SAMECH.
113
¶ I hate vain thoughts: but I love your law.
114
¶ You are my hiding place and my shield: I trust in your word.
115
¶ Depart from me, you evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116
¶ Uphold me according to your word, that I may live: and do not let me be
ashamed of my hope.
117
Hold me up, and I will be safe: and I will continually have respect for your
statutes.
118
¶ You have trodden down all those who err from your statutes: for their
deceitful rationalizations are falsehood.
119
You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love
your testimonies.
120
My flesh trembles for fear of you; and I am afraid of your judgments.
AIN.
121
¶ I have done judgment and justice: do not leave me to my oppressors.
122
Guarantee your servant’s welfare: do not let the proud oppress me.
123
¶ My eyes fail for your salvation, and for the word of your righteousness.
124
¶ Deal with your servant according to your mercy, and teach me your statutes.
125
I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your
testimonies.
126
¶ LORD, it is time for you to work: for they have made
void your law.
127
¶ But I love your commandments more than gold; yea, more than fine gold.
128
I agree with all your precepts regarding everything; and I
hate every false way.
PE.
129
¶ Your testimonies are wonderful: therefore my soul keeps them.
130
¶ The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
131
¶ I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for your commandments.
132
¶ Look upon me, and be merciful to me, as you used to do to those who love your
name.
133
¶ Order my steps in your word: and do not allow any sin to have dominion over
me.
134
¶ Free me from the oppression of men: and I will walk in your way.
135
¶ Make your face shine upon your servant; and teach me your statutes.
136
¶ Tears stream down from my eyes, because others do not keep your law.
TZADDI.
137
¶ You are righteous, O LORD, and your judgements
are upright.
138
The truths that you have given are righteous and very dependable.
139
¶ My zeal consumes me, because my enemies have forgotten your words.
140
¶ Your word is very pure: therefore your servant loves it.
141
¶ I am small and despised: yet I do not forget your precepts.
142
¶ Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and your law is
the truth.
143
¶ Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet your commandments are
my delights.
144
The truths you wrote are always right: give me understanding, and I will
live.
KOPH.
145
¶ I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep your
statutes.
146
I cried to you; save me, and I will keep your testimonies.
147
¶ In the morning I was up before dawn, and cried for help: I am trusting
in your promise.
148
I wake up during the night watches, so that I might study your word.
149
¶ Hear my voice according to your loving-kindness: O LORD, give me life
according to your justice.
150
¶ Those who follow after mischief draw near: they are far from your law.
151
You are near, O LORD; and all your commandments are truth.
152
¶ Concerning the truths you wrote, I have known long ago that you have
established them forever.
RESH.
153
¶ Consider my affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget your law.
154
Plead my cause, and deliver me: give me life according to your word.
155
¶ Salvation is far from the wicked: for they do not seek your statutes.
156
¶ Your tender mercies are great, O LORD: give me new life according to
your justice.
157
¶ My persecutors and enemies are many; yet I do not turn from
your testimonies.
158
¶ I saw the transgressors, and was grieved; because they did not keep your
word.
159
¶ Consider how I love your precepts: grant me life, O LORD, according to your
loving-kindness.
160
¶ Your word is true from the beginning: and every one of your
righteous judgments endures forever.
SCHIN.
161
¶ Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart stands in awe of
your word.
162
¶ I rejoice at your word, as one who finds a great treasure.
163
¶ I hate and detest lying: but I love your law.
164
¶ I praise you seven times a day because of your righteous judgments.
165
¶ Those who love your law have great peace: and nothing shall offend them or
cause them to stumble.
166
¶ LORD, I am looking for your salvation, and do what you command.
167
¶ My soul has kept your truths; and I love them very much.
168
I keep your precepts and your truths: because all my ways are before
you.
TAU.
169
¶ Let my loud cry come before you, O LORD: give me understanding according to
your word.
170
Let my plea come before you: deliver me according to your promise.
171
¶ My lips will utter praise, when you have taught me your statutes.
172
¶ My tongue will sing about your word: for all your commandments are
righteous.
173
¶ Let your hand help me; for I have chosen your precepts.
174
I have longed for your salvation, O LORD; and your law is my delight.
175
¶ Give me new life, and I will praise you; and let your judgments help me.
176
¶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant; for I have not
forgotten your commandments.