39 Heb “the way of your precepts make me understand.”
40 The cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
41 Heb “your amazing things,” which refers here to the teachings of the law (see v. 18).
42 Some translate “my soul weeps,” taking the verb דָלַף (dalaf) from a root meaning “to drip; to drop” ( 196 דֶּלַף). On the basis of cognate evidence from Arabic and Akkadian, II דלף proposes a homonymic root here, meaning “be sleepless.” Following L. C. Allen (Psalms 101–150 [], , ) the translation assumes that the verb is cognate with Ugaritic dlp, “to collapse; to crumple” in 2 iv. 17, 26. See G. R. Driver, Canaanite Myths and Legends, 44, 144.
43 Heb “according to your word.” Many medieval Hebrew read the plural “your words.”

In other versions

Make me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

My soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word!

Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,

that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

My soul is weary with sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word.

Help me understand

the meaning of your precepts

so that I can meditate on your wonders.

I am weary from grief;

strengthen me through your word.

Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,

and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.

I weep with sorrow;

encourage me by your word.

Make me understand the way of your precepts,

that I may meditate on your wonderful things.

My soul weeps because of grief;

strengthen me according to your word.

Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:

So shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

My soul melteth for heaviness:

Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

Public Domain