Psalm 119:137–160

ץ (Tsade)

119:137 You are just, O Lord,

and your judgments are fair.

119:138 The rules you impose are just,177

and absolutely reliable.

119:139 My zeal178 consumes179 me,

for my enemies forget your instructions.180

119:140 Your word is absolutely pure,

and your servant loves it!

119:141 I am insignificant and despised,

yet I do not forget your precepts.

119:142 Your justice endures,181

and your law is reliable.182

119:143 Distress and hardship confront183 me,

yet I find delight in your commands.

119:144 Your rules remain just.184

Give me insight so that I can live.185

ק (Qof)

119:145 I cried out with all my heart, “Answer me, O Lord!

I will observe your statutes.”

119:146 I cried out to you, “Deliver me,

so that I can keep186 your rules.”

119:147 I am up before dawn crying for help.

I find hope in your word.

119:148 My eyes anticipate the nighttime hours,

so that I can meditate on your word.

119:149 Listen to me187 because of188 your loyal love!

O Lord, revive me, as you typically do!189

119:150 Those who are eager to do190 wrong draw near;

they are far from your law.

119:151 You are near, O Lord,

and all your commands are reliable.191

119:152 I learned long ago that

you ordained your rules to last.192

ר (Resh)

119:153 See my pain and rescue me!

For I do not forget your law.

119:154 Fight for me193 and defend me!194

Revive me with your word!

119:155 The wicked have no chance for deliverance,195

for they do not seek your statutes.

119:156 Your compassion is great, O Lord.

Revive me, as you typically do!196

119:157 The enemies who chase me are numerous.197

Yet I do not turn aside from your rules.

119:158 I take note of the treacherous and despise them,

because they do not keep your instructions.198

119:159 See how I love your precepts!

O Lord, revive me with your loyal love!

119:160 Your instructions are totally reliable;

all your just regulations endure.199

177	tn Heb “you commanded [in] justice your rules.”
178	tn or “zeal.”
179	tn Heb “destroys,” in a hyperbolic sense.
180	tn Heb “your words.”
181	tn Heb “your justice [is] justice forever.”
182	tn Or “truth.”
183	tn Heb “find.”
184	tn Heb “just are your rules forever.”
185	tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
186	tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
187	tn Heb “my voice.”
188	tn Heb “according to.”
189	tn Heb “according to your custom.”
190	tn Heb “those who pursue.”
191	tn Or “truth.”
192	tn Heb “long ago I knew concerning your rules, that forever you established them.” See v. 89 for the same idea. The translation assumes that the preposition מִן (min) prefixed to “your rules” introduces the object of the verb יָדַע (yada’), as in 1 Sam 23:23. Another option is that the preposition indicates source, in which case one might translate, “Long ago I realized from your rules that forever you established them” (cf. NIV, NRSV).
193	tn Or “argue my case.”
194	tn Heb “and redeem me.” The verb “redeem” casts the Lord in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis (see Ps 19:14).
195	tn Heb “far from the wicked [is] deliverance.”
196	tn Heb “according to your customs.”
197	tn Heb “many [are] those who chase me and my enemies.”
198	tn Heb “your word.”
199	tn Heb “the head of your word is truth, and forever [is] all your just regulation.” The term “head” is used here of the “sum total” of God’s instructions.