Psalm 119

Psalm 119¹

א Aleph

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,^a

who walk^b according to the law of the Lord.^c

Blessed^d are those who keep his statutes^e

and seek him^f with all their heart—^g

they do no wrong^h

but follow his ways.ⁱ

You have laid down precepts^j

that are to be fully obeyed.^k

Oh, that my ways were steadfast

in obeying your decrees!^l

Then I would not be put to shame^m

when I consider all your commands.ⁿ

I will praise you with an upright heart

as I learn your righteous laws.^o

I will obey your decrees;

do not utterly forsake me.^p

ב Beth

How can those who are young keep their way pure?^q

By living according to your word.^r

I seek you with all my heart;^s

do not let me stray from your commands.^t

I have hidden your word in my heart^u

that I might not sin^v against you.

Praise be^w to you, Lord;

teach me^x your decrees.^y

With my lips I recount

all the laws that come from your mouth.^z

I rejoice in following your statutes^a

as one rejoices in great riches.

I meditate on your precepts^b

and consider your ways.

I delight^c in your decrees;

I will not neglect your word.

ג Gimel

Be good to your servant^d while I live,

that I may obey your word.^e

Open my eyes that I may see

wonderful things in your law.

I am a stranger on earth;^f

do not hide your commands from me.

My soul is consumed^g with longing

for your laws^h at all times.

You rebuke the arrogant,ⁱ who are accursed,^j

those who stray^k from your commands.

Remove from me scorn^l and contempt,

for I keep your statutes.^m

Though rulers sit together and slander me,

your servant will meditate on your decrees.

Your statutes are my delight;

they are my counselors.

ד Daleth

I am laid low in the dust;ⁿ

preserve my life^o according to your word.^p

I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;

teach me your decrees.^q

Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,

that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.^r

My soul is weary with sorrow;^s

strengthen me^t according to your word.^u

Keep me from deceitful ways;^v

be gracious to me^w and teach me your law.

I have chosen^x the way of faithfulness;^y

I have set my heart^z on your laws.

I hold fast^a to your statutes, Lord;

do not let me be put to shame.

I run in the path of your commands,

for you have set my heart free.

ה He

Teach me,^b Lord, the way of your decrees,

that I may follow it to the end.

Give me understanding,^c so that I may keep your law^d

and obey it with all my heart.^e

Direct me^f in the path of your commands,^g

for there I find delight.^h

Turn my heartⁱ toward your statutes

and not toward selfish gain.^j

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my life^k according to your word.^l

Fulfill your promise^m to your servant,

so that you may be feared.

Take away the disgraceⁿ I dread,

for your laws are good.

How I long^o for your precepts!

In your righteousness preserve my life.^p

ו Waw

May your unfailing love^q come to me, Lord,

your salvation, according to your promise;^r

then I can answer^s anyone who taunts me,^t

for I trust in your word.

Never take your word of truth from my mouth,^u

for I have put my hope^v in your laws.

I will always obey your law,^w

for ever and ever.

I will walk about in freedom,

for I have sought out your precepts.^x

I will speak of your statutes before kings^y

and will not be put to shame,^z

for I delight^a in your commands

because I love them.^b

I reach out for your commands, which I love,

that I may meditate^c on your decrees.

ז Zayin

Remember your word^d to your servant,

for you have given me hope.^e

My comfort in my suffering is this:

Your promise preserves my life.^f

The arrogant mock me^g unmercifully,

but I do not turn^h from your law.

I remember,ⁱ Lord, your ancient laws,

and I find comfort in them.

Indignation grips me^j because of the wicked,

who have forsaken your law.^k

Your decrees are the theme of my song^l

wherever I lodge.

In the night, Lord, I remember^m your name,

that I may keep your law.ⁿ

This has been my practice:

I obey your precepts.^o

ח Heth

You are my portion,^p Lord;

I have promised to obey your words.^q

I have sought^r your face with all my heart;

be gracious to me^s according to your promise.^t

I have considered my ways^u

and have turned my steps to your statutes.

I will hasten and not delay

to obey your commands.^v

Though the wicked bind me with ropes,

I will not forget^w your law.

At midnight^x I rise to give you thanks

for your righteous laws.^y

I am a friend to all who fear you,^z

to all who follow your precepts.^a

The earth is filled with your love,^b Lord;

teach me your decrees.^c

ט Teth

Do good^d to your servant

according to your word,^e Lord.

Teach me knowledge^f and good judgment,

for I trust your commands.

Before I was afflicted^g I went astray,^h

but now I obey your word.ⁱ

You are good,^j and what you do is good;

teach me your decrees.^k

Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,^l

I keep your precepts with all my heart.

Their hearts are callous^m and unfeeling,

but I delight in your law.

It was good for me to be afflictedⁿ

so that I might learn your decrees.

The law from your mouth is more precious to me

than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.^o

י Yodh

Your hands made me^p and formed me;

give me understanding to learn your commands.

May those who fear you rejoice^q when they see me,

for I have put my hope in your word.^r

I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,^s

and that in faithfulness^t you have afflicted me.

May your unfailing love^u be my comfort,

according to your promise^v to your servant.

Let your compassion^w come to me that I may live,

for your law is my delight.^x

May the arrogant^y be put to shame for wronging me without cause;^z

but I will meditate on your precepts.

May those who fear you turn to me,

those who understand your statutes.^a

May my heart be blameless^b toward your decrees,^c

that I may not be put to shame.^d

כ Kaph

My soul faints^e with longing for your salvation,^f

but I have put my hope^g in your word.

My eyes fail,^h looking for your promise;ⁱ

I say, “When will you comfort me?”

Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,

I do not forget^j your decrees.

How long^k must your servant wait?

When will you punish my persecutors?^l

The arrogant^m dig pitsⁿ to trap me,

contrary to your law.

All your commands are trustworthy;^o

help me,^p for I am being persecuted^q without cause.^r

They almost wiped me from the earth,

but I have not forsaken^s your precepts.

In your unfailing love^t preserve my life,^u

that I may obey the statutes^v of your mouth.

ל Lamedh

Your word, Lord, is eternal;^w

it stands firm in the heavens.

Your faithfulness^x continues through all generations;^y

you established the earth, and it endures.^z

Your laws endure^a to this day,

for all things serve you.^b

If your law had not been my delight,^c

I would have perished in my affliction.^d

I will never forget^e your precepts,

for by them you have preserved my life.^f

Save me,^g for I am yours;

I have sought out your precepts.^h

The wicked are waiting to destroy me,ⁱ

but I will ponder your statutes.^j

To all perfection I see a limit,

but your commands are boundless.^k

מ Mem

Oh, how I love your law!^l

I meditate^m on it all day long.

Your commands are always with me

and make me wiserⁿ than my enemies.

I have more insight than all my teachers,

for I meditate on your statutes.^o

I have more understanding than the elders,

for I obey your precepts.^p

I have kept my feet^q from every evil path

so that I might obey your word.^r

I have not departed from your laws,^s

for you yourself have taught^t me.

How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey^u to my mouth!^v

I gain understanding^w from your precepts;

therefore I hate every wrong path.^x

נ Nun

Your word is a lamp^y to my feet

and a light^z for my path.

I have taken an oath^a and confirmed it,

that I will follow your righteous laws.^b

I have suffered much;

preserve my life,^c Lord, according to your word.

Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,^d

and teach me your laws.^e

Though I constantly take my life in my hands,^f

I will not forget^g your law.

The wicked have set a snare^h for me,

but I have not strayedⁱ from your precepts.

Your statutes are my heritage forever;

they are the joy of my heart.^j

My heart is set^k on keeping your decrees

to the very end.^l

ס Samekh

I hate double-minded people,^m

but I love your law.ⁿ

You are my refuge and my shield;^o

I have put my hope^p in your word.

Away from me,^q you evildoers,

that I may keep the commands of my God!

Sustain me^r according to your promise,^s and I will live;

do not let my hopes be dashed.^t

Uphold me,^u and I will be delivered;^v

I will always have regard for your decrees.^w

You reject all who stray^x from your decrees,

for their delusions come to nothing.

All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;^y

therefore I love your statutes.^z

My flesh trembles^a in fear of you;^b

I stand in awe^c of your laws.

ע Ayin

I have done what is righteous and just;^d

do not leave me to my oppressors.

Ensure your servant’s well-being;^e

do not let the arrogant oppress me.^f

My eyes fail,^g looking for your salvation,^h

looking for your righteous promise.ⁱ

Deal with your servant according to your love^j

and teach me your decrees.^k

I am your servant;^l give me discernment

that I may understand your statutes.^m

It is time for you to act, Lord;

your law is being broken.ⁿ

Because I love your commands^o

more than gold,^p more than pure gold,^q

and because I consider all your precepts right,^r

I hate every wrong path.^s

פ Pe

Your statutes are wonderful;^t

therefore I obey them.^u

The unfolding of your words gives light;^v

it gives understanding to the simple.^w

I open my mouth and pant,^x

longing for your commands.^y

Turn to me^z and have mercy^a on me,

as you always do to those who love your name.^b

Direct my footsteps according to your word;^c

let no sin rule^d over me.

Redeem me from human oppression,^e

that I may obey your precepts.^f

Make your face shine^g on your servant

and teach me your decrees.^h

Streams of tearsⁱ flow from my eyes,

for your law is not obeyed.^j

צ Tsadhe

You are righteous,^k Lord,

and your laws are right.^l

The statutes you have laid down are righteous;^m

they are fully trustworthy.ⁿ

My zeal wears me out,^o

for my enemies ignore your words.

Your promises^p have been thoroughly tested,^q

and your servant loves them.^r

Though I am lowly and despised,^s

I do not forget your precepts.^t

Your righteousness is everlasting

and your law is true.^u

Trouble and distress have come upon me,

but your commands give me delight.^v

Your…