The Law of the Lord

119 Happy are those whose lives are faultless,

who live according to the law of the Lord.

2 Happy are those who follow his commands,

who obey him with all their heart.

3 They never do wrong;

they walk in the Lord’s ways.

4 Lord, you have given us your laws

and told us to obey them faithfully.

5 How I hope that I shall be faithful

in keeping your instructions!

6 If I pay attention to all your commands,

then I will not be put to shame.

7 As I learn your righteous judgements,

I will praise you with a pure heart.

8 I will obey your laws;

never abandon me!

Obedience to the Law of the Lord

9 How can young people keep their lives pure?

By obeying your commands.

10 With all my heart I try to serve you;

keep me from disobeying your commandments.

11 I keep your law in my heart,

so that I will not sin against you.

12 I praise you, O Lord;

teach me your ways.

13 I will repeat aloud

all the laws you have given.

14 I delight in following your commands

more than in having great wealth.

15 I study your instructions;

I examine your teachings.

16 I take pleasure in your laws;

your commands I will not forget.

Happiness in the Law of the Lord

17 Be good to me, your servant,

so that I may live and obey your teachings.

18 Open my eyes, so that I may see

the wonderful truths in your law.

19 I am here on earth for just a little while;

do not hide your commands from me.

20 My heart aches with longing;

I want to know your judgments at all times.

21 You reprimand the proud;

cursed are those who disobey your commands.

22 Free me from their insults and scorn,

because I have kept your laws.

23 The rulers meet and plot against me,

but I will study your teachings.

24 Your instructions give me pleasure;

they are my advisers.

Determination to Obey the Law of the Lord

25 I lie defeated in the dust;

revive me, as you have promised.

26 I confessed all I have done, and you answered me;

teach me your ways.

27 Help me to understand your laws,

and I will meditate on your wonderful teachings.a

28 I am overcome by sorrow;

strengthen me, as you have promised.

29 Keep me from going the wrong way,

and in your goodness teach me your law.

30 I have chosen to be obedient;

I have paid attention to your judgements.

31 I have followed your instructions, Lord;

don’t let me be put to shame.

32 I will eagerly obey your commands,

because you will give me more understanding.

A Prayer for Understanding

33 Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your laws,

and I will obey them at all times.

34 Explain your law to me, and I will obey it;

I will keep it with all my heart.

35 Keep me obedient to your commandments,

because in them I find happiness.

36 Give me the desire to obey your laws

rather than to get rich.

37 Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless;

be good to me, as you have promised.

38 Keep your promise to me, your servant—

the promise you make to those who obey you.

39 Save me from the insults I fear;

how wonderful are your judgements!

40 I want to obey your commands;

give me new life, for you are righteous.

Trusting the Law of the Lord

41 Show me how much you love me, Lord,

and save me according to your promise.

42 Then I can answer those who insult me

because I trust in your word.

43 Enable me to speak the truth at all times,

because my hope is in your judgements.

44 I will always obey your law,

for ever and ever.

45 I will live in perfect freedom,

because I try to obey your teachings.

46 I will announce your commands to kings

and I will not be ashamed.

47 I find pleasure in obeying your commands,

because I love them.

48 I respect and love your commandments;

I will meditate on your instructions.

Confidence in the Law of the Lord

49 Remember your promise to me, your servant;

it has given me hope.

50 Even in my suffering I was comforted

because your promise gave me life.

51 The proud are always scornful of me,

but I have not departed from your law.

52 I remember your judgements of long ago,

and they bring me comfort, O Lord.

53 When I see the wicked breaking your law,

I am filled with anger.

54 During my brief earthly life

I compose songs about your commands.

55 In the night I remember you, Lord,

and I think about your law.

56 I find my happiness

in obeying your commands.

Devotion to the Law of the Lord

57 You are all I want, O Lord;

I promise to obey your laws.

58 I ask you with all my heart

to have mercy on me, as you have promised!

59 I have considered my conduct,

and I promise to follow your instructions.

60 Without delay I hurry

to obey your commands.

61 The wicked have laid a trap for me,

but I do not forget your law.

62 In the middle of the night I wake up

to praise you for your righteous judgements.

63 I am a friend

of all who serve you, of all who obey your laws.

64 Lord, the earth is full of your constant love;

teach me your commandments.

The Value of the Law of the Lord

65 You have kept your promise, Lord,

and you are good to me, your servant.

66 Give me wisdom and knowledge,

because I trust in your commands.

67 Before you punished me, I used to go wrong,

but now I obey your word.

68 How good you are—how kind!

Teach me your commands.

69 The proud have told lies about me,

but with all my heart I obey your instructions.

70 They have no understanding,

but I find pleasure in your law.

71 My punishment was good for me,

because it made me learn your commands.

72 The law that you gave means more to me

than all the money in the world.

The Justice of the Law of the Lord

73 You created me, and you keep me safe;

give me understanding, so that I may learn your laws.

74 Those who honour you will be glad when they see me,

because I trust in your promise.

75 I know that your judgements are righteous, Lord,

and that you punished me because you are faithful.

76 Let your constant love comfort me,

as you have promised me, your servant.

77 Have mercy on me, and I will live

because I take pleasure in your law.

78 May the proud be ashamed for falsely accusing me;

as for me, I will meditate on your instructions.

79 May those who honour you come to me—

all those who know your commands.

80 May I perfectly obey your commandments

and be spared the shame of defeat.

A Prayer for Deliverance

81 I am worn out, Lord, waiting for you to save me;

I place my trust in your word.

82 My eyes are tired from watching for what you promised,

while I ask, “When will you help me?”

83 I am as useless as a discarded wineskin;

yet I have not forgotten your commands.

84 How much longer must I wait?

When will you punish those who persecute me?

85 The proud, who do not obey your law,

have dug pits to trap me.

86 Your commandments are all trustworthy;

people persecute me with lies—help me!

87 They have almost succeeded in killing me,

but I have not neglected your commands.

88 Because of your constant love be good to me,

so that I may obey your laws.

Faith in the Law of the Lord

89 Your word, O Lord, will last for ever;

it is eternal in heaven.

90 Your faithfulness endures through all the ages;

you have set the earth in place, and it remains.

91 All things remain to this day because of your command,

because they are all your servants.

92 If your law had not been the source of my joy,

I would have died from my sufferings.

93 I will never neglect your instructions,

because by them you have kept me alive.

94 I am yours—save me!

I have tried to obey your commands.

95 The wicked are waiting to kill me,

but I will meditate on your laws.

96 I have learnt that everything has limits;

but your commandment is perfect.

Love for the Law of the Lord

97 How I love your law!

I think about it all day long.

98 Your commandment is with me all the time

and makes me wiser than my enemies.

99 I understand more than all my teachers,

because I meditate on your instructions.

100 I have greater wisdom than those who are old,

because I obey your commands.

101 I have avoided all evil conduct,

because I want to obey your word.

102 I have not neglected your instructions,

for you yourself are my teacher.

103 How sweet is the taste of your instructions—

sweeter even than honey!

104 I gain wisdom from your laws,

and so I hate all bad conduct.

Light from the Law of the Lord

105 Your word is a lamp to guide me

and a light for my path.

106 I will keep my solemn promise

to obey your just instructions.

107 My sufferings, Lord, are terrible indeed;

keep me alive, as you have promised.

108 Accept my prayer of thanks, O Lord,

and teach me your commands.

109 I am always ready to risk my life;

Ib have not forgotten your law.

110 The wicked lay a trap for me,

but I have not disobeyed your commands.

111 Your commandments are my eternal possession;

they are the joy of my heart.

112 I have decided to obey your laws

until the day I die.

Safety in the Law of the Lord

113 I hate those who are not completely loyal to you,

but I love your law.

114 You are my defender and protector;

I put my hope in your promise.

115 Go away from me, you sinful people.

I will obey the commands of my God.

116 Give me strength, as you promised, and I shall live;

don’t let me be disappointed in my hope!

117 Hold me, and I will be safe,

and I will always pay attention to your commands.

118 You reject everyone who disobeys your laws;

their deceitful schemes are useless.

119 You treat all the wicked like rubbish,

and so I love your instructions.

120 Because of you I am afraid;

I am filled with fear because of your judgements.

Obedience to the Law of the Lord

121 I have done what is right and good;

don’t abandon me to my enemies!

122 Promise that you will help your servant;

don’t let the arrogant oppress me!

123 My eyes are tired from watching for your saving help,

for the deliverance you promised.

124 Treat me according to your constant love,

and teach me your commands.

125 I am your servant; give me understanding,

so that I may know your teachings.

126 Lord, it is time for you to act,

because people are disobeying your law.

127 I love your commands

more than gold, more than the finest gold.

128 And so I follow all your instructions;c

I hate all wrong ways.

Desire to Obey the Law of the Lord

129 Your teachings are wonderful;

I obey them with all my heart.

130 The explanation of your teachings gives light

and brings wisdom to the ignorant.

131 In my desire for your commands

I pant with open mouth.

132 Turn to me and have mercy on me

as you do on all those who love you.

133 As you have promised, keep me from falling;

don’t let me be overcome by evil.

134 Save me from those who oppress me,

so that I may obey your commands.

135 Bless me with your presence

and teach me your laws.

136 My tears pour down like a river,

because people do not obey your law.

The Justice of the Law of the Lord

137 You are righteous, Lord,

and your laws are just.

138 The rules that you have given

are completely fair and right.

139 My anger burns in me like a fire,

because my enemies disregard your commands.

140 How certain your promise is!

How I love it!

141 I am unimportant and despised,

but I do not neglect your teachings.

142 Your righteousness will last for ever,

and your law is always true.

143 I am filled with trouble and anxiety,

but your commandments bring me joy.

144 Your instructions are always just;

give me understanding, and I shall live.

A Prayer for Deliverance

145 With all my heart I call to you;

answer me, Lord, and I will obey your commands!

146 I call to you;

save me, and I will keep your laws.

147 Before sunrise I call to you for help;

I place my hope in your promise.

148 All night long I lie awake,

to meditate on your instructions.

149 Because your love is constant, hear me, O Lord;

show your mercy, and preserve my life!

150 My cruel persecutors are coming closer,

people who never keep your law.

151 But you are near to me, Lord,

and all your commands are permanent.

152 Long ago I learnt about your instructions;

you made them to last for ever.

A Plea for Help

153 Look at my suffering, and save me,

because I have not neglected your law.

154 Defend my cause, and set me free;

save me, as you have promised.

155 The wicked will not be saved,

for they do not obey your laws.

156 But your compassion, Lord, is great;

show your mercy and save me!

157 I have many enemies and oppressors,

but I do not fail to obey your laws.

158 When I look at those traitors, I am filled with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands.

159 See how I love your instructions, Lord.

Your love never changes, so save me!

160 The heart of your law is truth,

and all your righteous judgements are eternal.

Dedication to the Law of the Lord

161 Powerful people attack me unjustly,

but I respect your law.

162 How happy I am because of your promises—

as happy as someone who finds rich treasure.

163 I hate and detest all lies,

but I love your law.

164 Seven times each day I thank you

for your righteous judgements.

165 Those who love your law have perfect security,

and there is nothing that can make them fall.

166 I wait for you to save me, Lord,

and I do what you command.

167 I obey your teachings;

I love them with all my heart.

168 I obey your commands and your instructions;

you see everything I do.

A Prayer for Help

169 Let my cry for help reach you, Lord!

Give me understanding, as you have promised.

170 Listen to my prayer,

and save me according to your promise!

171 I will always praise you,

because you teach me your laws.

172 I will sing about your law,

because your commands are just.

173 Always be ready to help me,

because I follow your commands.

174 How I long for your saving help, O Lord!

I find happiness in your law.

175 Give me life, so that I may praise you;

may your instructions help me.

176 I wander about like a lost sheep;

so come and look for me, your servant,

because I have not neglected your laws.