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Psalms 119

Psalm 119

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Aleph

[1] Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD!
[2] Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
[3] who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
[4] You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
[5] Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
[6] Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
[7] I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.
[8] I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!


Beth

[9] How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
[10] With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
[11] I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
[12] Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes!
[13] With my lips I declare
all the rules of your mouth.
[14] In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
[15] I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
[16] I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.


Gimel

[17] Deal bountifully with your servant,
that I may live and keep your word.
[18] Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
[19] I am a sojourner on the earth;
hide not your commandments from me!
[20] My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.
[21] You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments.
[22] Take away from me scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
[23] Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
[24] Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.


Daleth

[25] My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!
[26] When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
[27] Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
[28] My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
[29] Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
[30] I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
[31] I cling to your testimonies, O LORD;
let me not be put to shame!
[32] I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!


He

[33] Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
[34] Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
[35] Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
[36] Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
[37] Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
[38] Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.
[39] Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
[40] Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!


Waw

[41] Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,
your salvation according to your promise;
[42] then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
[43] And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
[44] I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
[45] and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
[46] I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
[47] for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
[48] I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.


Zayin

[49] Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
[50] This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
[51] The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
[52] When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O LORD.
[53] Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
[54] Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
[55] I remember your name in the night, O LORD,
and keep your law.
[56] This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.


Heth

[57] The LORD is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
[58] I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
[59] When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
[60] I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
[61] Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
[62] At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
[63] I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
[64] The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!


Teth

[65] You have dealt well with your servant,
O LORD, according to your word.
[66] Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
[67] Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
[68] You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
[69] The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
[70] their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
[71] It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
[72] The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.


Yodh

[73] Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
[74] Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
[75] I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
[76] Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
[77] Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
[78] Let the insolent be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
[79] Let those who fear you turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
[80] May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
that I may not be put to shame!


Kaph

[81] My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
[82] My eyes long for your promise;
I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
[83] For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
[84] How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
[85] The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
[86] All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
[87] They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
[88] In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.


Lamedh

[89] Forever, O LORD, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
[90] Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
[91] By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
[92] If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
[93] I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
[94] I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
[95] The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
[96] I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.


Mem

[97] Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
[98] Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
[99] I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
[100] I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
[101] I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
[102] I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
[103] How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
[104] Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.


Nun

[105] Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
[106] I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your righteous rules.
[107] I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O LORD, according to your word!
[108] Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD,
and teach me your rules.
[109] I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
[110] The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
[111] Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
[112] I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end.


Samekh

[113] I hate the double-minded,
but I love your law.
[114] You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
[115] Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
[116] Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
[117] Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
[118] You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
[119] All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
therefore I love your testimonies.
[120] My flesh trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.


Ayin

[121] I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
[122] Give your servant a pledge of good;
let not the insolent oppress me.
[123] My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
[124] Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
[125] I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
[126] It is time for the LORD to act,
for your law has been broken.
[127] Therefore I love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
[128] Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every false way.


Pe

[129] Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
[130] The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
[131] I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
[132] Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
[133] Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
[134] Redeem me from man’s oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
[135] Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
[136] My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your law.


Tsadhe

[137] Righteous are you, O LORD,
and right are your rules.
[138] You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
[139] My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
[140] Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
[141] I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
[142] Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.
[143] Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.
[144] Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.


Qoph

[145] With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!
I will keep your statutes.
[146] I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
[147] I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I hope in your words.
[148] My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
[149] Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O LORD, according to your justice give me life.
[150] They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
[151] But you are near, O LORD,
and all your commandments are true.
[152] Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have founded them forever.


Resh

[153] Look on my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.
[154] Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
[155] Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
[156] Great is your mercy, O LORD;
give me life according to your rules.
[157] Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
[158] I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
[159] Consider how I love your precepts!
Give me life according to your steadfast love.
[160] The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.


Sin and Shin

[161] Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
[162] I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
[163] I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
[164] Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous rules.
[165] Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
[166] I hope for your salvation, O LORD,
and I do your commandments.
[167] My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
[168] I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.


Taw

[169] Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word!
[170] Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
[171] My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
[172] My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
[173] Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
[174] I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
[175] Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
[176] I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments. (ESV)