Psalms 119
1 [ALEPH.] How happy the men of blameless life, who walk in the law of Yahweh.
ALEPH Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the LORD’s law.
2 How happy they who observe his testimonies, with a whole heart, they seek him.
Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.
3 Yea, they have not wrought perversity, In his ways, have they walked.
Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
4 Thou, hast commanded thy precepts, that they should be diligently kept.
You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
5 Oh would that my ways might be settled! that I might keep thy statutes.
Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
6 Then, shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
7 I will thank thee with uprightness of heart, when I have learned thy righteous regulations.
I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgements.
8 Thy statutes, will I keep, Do not thou forsake me utterly.
I will observe your statutes. Don’t utterly forsake me.
9 [BETH.] Wherewithal can a young man keep pure his way? By taking heed, according to thy word.
BETH How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
10 With all my heart, have I sought thee, Suffer me not to be led astray from thy commandments.
With my whole heart I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments.
11 In my heart, have I treasured what thou hast said, to the end I may not sin against thee.
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed art thou, O Yahweh—Teach me thy statutes.
Blessed are you, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips, have I recounted All the regulations of thy mouth.
With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
14 In the way of thy testimonies, have I rejoiced, Like as over all riches.
I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 In thy precepts, will I meditate, that I may discern thy paths.
I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
16 In thy statutes, will I find my dear delight, I will not forget thy word.
I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
17 [GIMEL.] Bestow thy bounties upon thy servant—let me live, That I may observe thy word.
GIMEL Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.
18 Unveil thou mine eyes, that I may discern Wondrous things out of thy law.
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your Torah.
19 A sojourner, am, I, in the earth, Do not hide from me, thy commandments.
I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me.
20 My soul is crushed with longing for thy just decisions at all times.
My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
21 Thou hast rebuked the proud as accursed, who stray from thy commandments.
You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
22 Roll from off me, reproach and contempt, For, thy testimonies, have I observed.
Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
23 Even rulers have taken their seat, against me, have talked, Thy servant, will still meditate in thy statutes.
Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Yea, thy testimonies, are my dear delight, My counsellors.
Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counsellors.
25 [DALETH.] My soul, cleaveth to the dust, Give me life, according to thy word.
DALETH My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
26 My ways, I recounted, and thou didst answer me, Teach me thy statutes.
I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
27 The way of thy precepts, cause thou me to understand, and I will indeed meditate in thy wonders.
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul weepeth itself away, for grief, Confirm thou me, according to thy word.
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29 The way of falsehood, take thou from me, and, with thy law, O favour me.
Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your Torah graciously!
30 The way of faithfulness, have I chosen, Thy regulations, have I deemed right.
I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
31 I have kept close to thy testimonies, O Yahweh! do not put me to shame.
I cling to your statutes, LORD. Don’t let me be disappointed.
32 The way of thy commandments, will I run, for thou wilt enlarge my heart.
I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.
33 [HE.] Point out to me, O Yahweh, the way of thy statutes, that I may observe it unto the end.
HE Teach me, LORD, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may observe thy law, that I may keep it with a whole heart.
Give me understanding, and I will keep your Torah. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
35 Guide me in the path of thy commandments, for, therein, do I find pleasure.
Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not unto unjust gain.
Turn my heart towards your statutes, not towards selfish gain.
37 Turn away mine eyes, from beholding vanity, In thy way, give me life.
Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
38 Establish, unto thy servant, thy word, which pertaineth to the reverence of thee.
Fulfil your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
39 Cause to pass away my reproach, that I have feared, for, thy regulations, are good.
Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
40 Lo! I have longed for thy precepts, In thy righteousness, give me life.
Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.
41 [WAW.] And let thy lovingkindness reach me, O Yahweh, thy salvation, according to thy word.
VAV Let your loving kindness also come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your word.
42 So shall I have something to answer him that reproacheth me, That I have trusted in thy word.
So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
43 And do not snatch away from my mouth the word of truth in any wise, because, for thy regulation, have I waited.
Don’t snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
44 That I may keep thy law continually, to times age-abiding and beyond.
So I will obey your Torah continually, forever and ever.
45 That I may walk to and fro in a large place, because, thy precepts, have I sought.
I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
46 That I may speak of thy testimonies before kings, and not be ashamed.
I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
47 That I may find dear delight in thy commandments, which I have loved.
I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
48 That I may lift up my hands unto thy commandments, which I have loved, and may meditate in thy statutes.
I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.
49 [ZAYIN.] Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
ZAYIN Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
50 This, is my comfort in mine affliction, that, thy word, hath given me life.
This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
51 Insolent men, have derided me exceedingly, From thy law, have I not swerved.
The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don’t swerve from your Torah.
52 I have remembered thy regulations, [which have come down] from age-past times, O Yahweh, and have consoled myself.
I remember your ordinances of old, LORD, and have comforted myself.
53 A raging heat, hath seized me, by reason of the lawless, who forsake thy law.
Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your Torah.
54 Songs, have thy statutes become to me, in my house of sojourn.
Your statutes have been my songs in the house where I live.
55 I have remembered, in the night, thy Name, O Yahweh, and have kept thy law.
I have remembered your name, LORD, in the night, and I obey your Torah.
56 This, have I had, because, thy precepts, have I observed.
This is my way, that I keep your precepts.
57 [HETH.] My portion, is Yahweh, I have promised that I would keep thy words.
HETH The LORD is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought the smile of thy face with all my heart, Show me favour, according to thy word.
I sought your favour with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
59 I have thought upon my ways, and have turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I have hastened, and not delayed, to keep thy commandments.
I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
61 The meshes of the lawless, have surrounded me, Thy law, have I not forgotten.
The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won’t forget your Torah.
62 At midnight, I arise to give thanks unto thee, For thy righteous regulations.
At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
63 Companion, am I, to all who revere thee, and to them who keep thy precepts.
I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
64 Of thy lovingkindness, O Yahweh, the earth, is full, Thy statutes, teach thou me.
The earth is full of your loving kindness, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
65 [TETH.] Well, hast thou dealt with thy servant, O Yahweh, according to thy word.
TETH You have treated your servant well, according to your word, LORD.
66 Good judgment and knowledge, teach thou me, For, in thy commandments, have I trusted.
Teach me good judgement and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted, I myself was going astray, but, now, thy word, have I kept.
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
68 Good, thou art, and doing good, Teach me thy statutes.
You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
69 Insolent men have plastered falsehood over me, I, with a whole heart, will observe thy precepts.
The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
70 Gross, like fat, is their heart, I, in thy law, have found dear delight.
Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your Torah.
71 It is, well for me, that I was afflicted, That I might learn thy statutes.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
72 Better to me, is the law of thy mouth, than thousands of gold and silver.
The Torah you have spoken is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
73 [YODH.] Thine own hands, have made me, and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
YODH Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.
74 They who revere thee, shall see me and rejoice, that, for thy word, I waited.
Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, O Yahweh, that righteous are thy regulations, and, in faithfulness, didst thou afflict me.
LORD, I know that your judgements are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let thy lovingkindness, I beseech thee, serve to comfort me, according to thy word to thy servant.
Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.
77 Let thy compassions reach me, that I may live, for, thy law, is my dear delight.
Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your Torah is my delight.
78 Let insolent men, be ashamed, because, by means of falsehood, they have dealt with me perversely, I, will meditate in thy precepts.
Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let them who revere thee, turn unto me, even they who know thy testimonies.
Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
80 Let my heart be thorough in thy statutes, that I may not be ashamed.
Let my heart be blameless towards your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.
81 [KAPH.] My soul, hath languished for thy salvation, For thy word, have I hoped.
KAPF My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
82 Mine eyes have failed for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
My eyes fail for your word. I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 Though I have been like a wine-skin in the smoke, thy statutes, have I not forgotten.
For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don’t forget your statutes.
84 How few are the days of thy servant! When wilt thou execute sentence on my persecutors?
How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgement on those who persecute me?
85 Insolent men digged for me pits, men who are not according to thy law.
The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your Torah.
86 All thy commandments, are faithful, With falsehood, have they persecuted me, O help me!
All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
87 A little more, and they had consumed me in the earth, but, I, forsake not thy precepts.
They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn’t forsake your precepts.
88 According to thy lovingkindness, give thou me life, so will I keep the testimonies of thy mouth.
Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
89 [LAMED.] Age-abidingly, O Yahweh, hath thy word been set up in the heavens.
LAMEDH LORD, your word is settled in heaven forever.
90 To generation after generation, is thy faithfulness, Thou hast established the earth, and it standeth.
Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
91 By thy regulations, do they stand to-day, for, all, are thy servants.
Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.
92 Had not thy law been my dear delight, then, had I perished in mine affliction.
Unless your Torah had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93 Unto times age-abiding, will I not forget thy precepts, For, by them, hast thou given me life.
I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
94 Thine, am I, —oh save me! For, thy precepts, have I sought.
I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
95 For me, have the lawless waited, to destroy me, Thy testimonies, will I diligently consider.
The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
96 To all perfection, have I seen an end, Broad is thy commandment, exceedingly.
I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.
97 [MEM.] Oh how I love thy law! All the day, is it my (meditation)
MEM How I love your Torah! It is my meditation all day.
98 Beyond mine enemies, will thy commandment make me wise, for, age-abidingly, shall it be mine.
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
99 Beyond all my teachers, have I shown discretion, for, thy testimonies, are my (meditation)
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my (meditation)
100 Beyond the elders, will I show understanding, for, thy precepts, have I observed.
I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
101 From every way of wickedness, have I withheld my feet, that I might keep thy word.
I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
102 From thy regulations, have I not turned aside, for, thou, hast directed me.
I have not turned away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
103 How smooth to my palate is thy speech, More than honey, to my mouth.
How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!
104 Out of thy precepts, will I get understanding, For this cause, do I hate every false way.
Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
105 [NUN.] A lamp to my feet, is thy word, and a light to my path.
NUN Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
106 I sware, and have fulfilled, To keep thy righteous regulations.
I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.
107 I have been afflicted exceedingly, —O Yahweh, give me life according to thy word.
I am afflicted very much. Revive me, LORD, according to your word.
108 The freewill offerings of my mouth, accept, I pray thee, O Yahweh, And, thy regulations, teach thou me.
Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. LORD, teach me your ordinances.
109 My life, is in my hand continually, Yet, thy law, have I not forgotten.
My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won’t forget your Torah.
110 The lawless have set a snare for me, Yet, from thy precepts, have I not strayed.
The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven’t gone astray from your precepts.
111 As an inheritance have I taken thy testimonies unto times age-abiding, for, the joy of my heart, they are.
I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes, Age-abidingly, to the end.
I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.
113 [SAMECH.] Half-hearted ones, do I hate, but, thy law, do I love.
SAMEKH I hate double-minded men, but I love your Torah.
114 My hiding-place and my buckler, thou art, For thy word, have I waited.
You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
115 Depart from me, ye evil-doers, —that I may observe the commandments of my God.
Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according to thy word, that I may live, and do not shame me out of my hope!
Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Sustain me, that I may be saved, and may find dear delight in thy statutes continually.
Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
118 Thou hast made light of all who stray from thy statutes, for their fraud is, falsehood.
You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
119 Dross, have I accounted all the lawless of the earth, therefore do I love thy testimonies.
You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh, bristled up from dread of thee, and, of thy regulations, stand I in fear.
My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgements.
121 [AYIN.] I have done justice and righteousness, —Do not leave me to mine oppressors.
AYIN I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors.
122 Be thou surety for thy servant for good, Let not insolent men oppress me.
Ensure your servant’s well-being. Don’t let the proud oppress me.
123 Mine eyes, have become dim for thy salvation, and for thy righteous word.
My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
124 Deal with thy servant according to thy lovingkindness, and, thy statutes, teach thou me.
Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.
125 Thy servant, I am—give me understanding, so shall I get to know thy testimonies.
I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
126 It is time that Yahweh should work, They have frustrated thy law!
It is time to act, LORD, for they break your Torah.
127 For this cause, do I love thy commandments, More than gold, yea than fine gold!
Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
128 For this cause, all thy precepts concerning all things, I deem right, Every way of falsehood, I hate.
Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
129 [PE.] Wonderful are thy testimonies, For this cause, hath my soul observed them.
PE Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The opening of thy words, sheddeth light, Giving understanding to the simple.
The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
131 My mouth, have I opened wide, and panted, because, for thy commandments, have I longed.
I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
132 Turn thyself unto me, and show me favour, —As is befitting, to the lovers of thy Name.
Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
133 My steps, direct thou by thy word, and let no iniquity, have dominion over me.
Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Set me free from the oppression of man, so will I keep thy precepts.
Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
135 Thy face, light thou up on thy servant, and teach me thy statutes.
Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
136 Streams of water, have run down mine eyes, because men have not kept thy law.
Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your Torah.
137 [ZADHE.] Righteous art thou, O Yahweh, —and, equitable, are thy regulations.
TZADHE You are righteous, LORD. Your judgements are upright.
138 Thou hast righteously commanded thy testimonies, yea in great faithfulness.
You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal, hath put an end to me, for mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.
My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
140 Refined is thy word, to the uttermost, and, thy servant loveth it.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
141 Small, am I, and despised, Thy precepts, have I not forgotten.
I am small and despised. I don’t forget your precepts.
142 Thy righteousness, is righteous to times age-abiding, and, thy law, is truth.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your Torah is truth.
143 Straitness and distress, have befallen me, Thy commandments, are my dear delights.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
144 Righteous are thy testimonies, unto times age-abiding, Give me understanding, that I may live.
Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
145 [KOPH.] I have cried out with all my heart, answer me, O Yahweh; Thy statutes, will I observe.
QOPH I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, LORD! I will keep your statutes.
146 I have cried out unto thee, oh save me, That I may keep thy testimonies.
I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.
147 I forestalled the twilight, and cried for help, For thy word, I waited.
I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
148 Mine eyes forestalled the night-watches, To meditate in thy word.
My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
149 My voice, O hear, according to thy lovingkindness, O Yahweh! according to thy wont, give me life.
Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, LORD, according to your ordinances.
150 They have drawn near, who pursue villainy, From thy law, have they gone far away.
They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your Torah.
151 Near art thou, O Yahweh, and, all thy commandments, are truth.
You are near, LORD. All your commandments are truth.
152 Long, have I known, from thy testimonies, That, to times age-abiding, thou didst establish them.
Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.
153 [RESH.] Behold mine affliction, and rescue me, For, thy law, have I not forgotten.
RESH Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don’t forget your Torah.
154 Plead my cause, and redeem me, By thy word, give me life
Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.
155 Far from the lawless, is salvation, For, thy statutes, have they not sought.
Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don’t seek your statutes.
156 Thy compassions, are great, O Yahweh, According to thy regulations, give me life.
Great are your tender mercies, LORD. Revive me according to your ordinances.
157 Many, are my persecutors and mine adversaries, From thy testimonies, have I not swerved.
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven’t swerved from your testimonies.
158 I have seen traitors, and felt loathing, Because, thy word, they kept not.
I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don’t observe your word.
159 See thou that, thy precepts, I have loved, O Yahweh, according to thy lovingkindness, give me life.
Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, LORD, according to your loving kindness.
160 The sum of thy word, is truth, and, age-abiding, is every one of thy righteous regulations.
All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
161 [SHIN.] Rulers, have persecuted me, without cause, But, of thy word, hath my heart stood in awe.
SIN AND SHIN Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 Joyful am I over thy word, Like the finder of spoil in abundance.
I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.
163 Falsehood, I hate and abhor, Thy law, do I love.
I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your Torah.
164 Seven times in the day, have I praised thee, For thy righteous regulations.
Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
165 Blessing in abundance, have the lovers of thy law, and nothing to make them stumble.
Those who love your Torah have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
166 I have looked for thy salvation, O Yahweh, and, thy commandments, have I done.
I have hoped for your salvation, LORD. I have done your commandments.
167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies, yea I have loved them greatly.
My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
168 I have kept thy precepts, and thy testimonies, For, all my ways, are before thee.
I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
169 [TAU] Let my shouting come near before thee, O Yahweh, According to thy word, give me understanding.
TAV Let my cry come before you, LORD. Give me understanding according to your word.
170 Let my supplication come in before thee, According to thy word, deliver me.
Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips, shall pour out, praise, When thou shalt teach me thy statutes.
Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue, shall respond, with thy word, For, all thy commandments, are righteous.
Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
173 Be thy hand ready to help me, For, thy statutes, have I chosen.
Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O Yahweh, and, thy law, is my dear delight.
I have longed for your salvation [yeshuat], LORD. Your Torah is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, that it may praise thee, So shall thy regulation help me.
Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
176 I have strayed like a wandering sheep, O seek thy servant, For, thy commandments, have I not forgotten.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments.
