Psalm 119a

1  Blessed are those whose lives have integrity, 

those who follow the teachings of the Lord. 

2  Blessed are those who obey his written instructions. 

They wholeheartedly search for him. 

3  They do nothing wrong. 

They follow his directions. 

4  You have commanded 

that your guiding principles be carefully followed. 

5  I pray that my ways may become firmly established 

so that I can obey your laws. 

6  Then I will never feel ashamed 

when I study all your commandments. 

7  I will give thanks to you 

as I learn your regulations, which are based on your righteousness. 

8  I will obey your laws. 

Never abandon me. 

9  How can a young person keep his life pure? 

⸤He can do it⸥ by holding on to your word. 

10  I wholeheartedly searched for you. 

Do not let me wander away from your commandments. 

11  I have treasured your promise in my heart 

so that I may not sin against you. 

12  Thanks be to you, O Lord. 

Teach me your laws. 

13  With my lips I have repeated 

every regulation that ⸤comes⸥ from your mouth. 

14  I find joy in the way ⸤shown by⸥ your written instructions 

more than I find joy in all kinds of riches. 

15  I want to reflect on your guiding principles 

and study your ways. 

16  Your laws make me happy. 

I never forget your word. 

17  Be kind to me so that I may live 

and hold on to your word. 

18  Uncover my eyes 

so that I may see the miraculous things in your teachings. 

19  I am a foreigner in this world. 

Do not hide your commandments from me. 

20  My soul is overwhelmed with endless longing for your regulations. 

21  You threaten arrogant people, who are condemned 

and wander away from your commandments. 

22  Remove the insults and contempt that have fallen on me 

because I have obeyed your written instructions. 

23  Even though influential people plot against me, 

I reflect on your laws. 

24  Indeed, your written instructions make me happy. 

They are my best friends. 

25  I am close to death. 

Give me a new life as you promised. 

26  I told you what I have done, and you answered me. 

Teach me your laws. 

27  Help me understand your guiding principles 

so that I may reflect on your miracles. 

28  I am drowning in tears. 

Strengthen me as you promised. 

29  Turn me away from a life of lies. 

Graciously provide me with your teachings. 

30  I have chosen a life of faithfulness. 

I have set your regulations in front of me. 

31  I have clung tightly to your written instructions. 

O Lord, do not let me be put to shame. 

32  I will eagerly pursue your commandments 

because you continue to increase my understanding. 

33  Teach me, O Lord, how to live by your laws, 

and I will obey them to the end. 

34  Help me understand so that I can follow your teachings. 

I will guard them with all my heart. 

35  Lead me on the path of your commandments, 

because I am happy with them. 

36  Direct my heart toward your written instructions 

rather than getting rich in underhanded ways. 

37  Turn my eyes away from worthless things. 

Give me a new life in your ways. 

38  Keep your promise to me 

so that I can fear you. 

39  Take away insults, which I dread, 

because your regulations are good. 

40  I long for your guiding principles. 

Give me a new life in your righteousness. 

41  Let your blessings reach me, O Lord. 

Save me as you promised. 

42  Then I will have an answer for the one who insults me 

since I trust your word. 

43  Do not take so much as a single word of truth from my mouth. 

My hope is based on your regulations. 

44  I will follow your teachings forever and ever. 

45  I will walk around freely 

because I sought out your guiding principles. 

46  I will speak about your written instructions in the presence of kings 

and not feel ashamed. 

47  Your commandments, which I love, make me happy. 

48  I lift my hands ⸤in prayer⸥ because of your commandments, 

which I love. 

I will reflect on your laws. 

49  Remember the word ⸤you gave⸥ me. 

Through it you gave me hope. 

50  This is my comfort in my misery: 

Your promise gave me a new life. 

51  Arrogant people have mocked me with cruelty, 

yet I have not turned away from your teachings. 

52  I remembered your regulations from long ago, O Lord, 

and I found comfort ⸤in them⸥. 

53  I am burning with anger because of wicked people, 

who abandon your teachings. 

54  Your laws have become like psalms to me 

in this place where I am only a foreigner. 

55  At night I remember your name, O Lord, 

and I follow your teachings. 

56  This has happened to me 

because I have obeyed your guiding principles.