Psalm 119:65–88

The Value of the Law of the

⁶⁵You have kept your promise, Lord,

and you are good to me, your servant.

⁶⁶Give me wisdom and knowledge,

because I trust in your commands.

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

but now I obey your word.

⁶⁸How good you are—how kind!

Teach me your commands.

⁶⁹The proud have told lies about me,

but with all my heart I obey your instructions.

⁷⁰They have no understanding,

but I find pleasure in your law.

⁷¹My punishment was good for me,

because it made me learn your commands.

⁷²The law that you gave means more to me

than all the money in the world.

The Justice of the Law of the

⁷³You created me, and you keep me safe;

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

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

because I trust in your promise.

⁷⁵I know that your judgements are righteous, Lord,

and that you punished me because you are faithful.

⁷⁶Let your constant love comfort me,

as you have promised me, your servant.

⁷⁷Have mercy on me, and I will live

because I take pleasure in your law.

⁷⁸May the proud be ashamed for falsely accusing me;

as for me, I will meditate on your instructions.

⁷⁹May those who honour you come to me—

all those who know your commands.

⁸⁰May I perfectly obey your commandments

and be spared the shame of defeat.

A Prayer for Deliverance

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

I place my trust in your word.

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

while I ask, “When will you help me?”

⁸³I am as useless as a discarded wineskin;

yet I have not forgotten your commands.

⁸⁴How much longer must I wait?

When will you punish those who persecute me?

⁸⁵The proud, who do not obey your law,

have dug pits to trap me.

⁸⁶Your commandments are all trustworthy;

people persecute me with lies—help me!

⁸⁷They have almost succeeded in killing me,

but I have not neglected your commands.

⁸⁸Because of your constant love be good to me,

so that I may obey your laws.