Psalms 119

119 ¹Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the instruction of our Father. ²Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with all their heart. ³They do no wrong; they walk in his ways. ⁴You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. ⁵Oh, that my ways were steadfast in keeping your statutes! ⁶Then I will not be ashamed when I look at all your commandments. ⁷I will praise you with an upright heart when I learn your righteous judgments. ⁸I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.

⁹How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. ¹⁰With all my heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. ¹¹I have treasured your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ¹²Blessed are you, my Father; teach me your statutes. ¹³With my lips I recount all the judgments of your mouth. ¹⁴In the way of your testimonies I rejoice, as much as in all riches. ¹⁵I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. ¹⁶I delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

¹⁷Be generous to your servant, that I may live and keep your word. ¹⁸Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from your instruction. ¹⁹I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide your commandments from me. ²⁰My soul is consumed with longing for your judgments at all times. ²¹You rebuke the insolent, the accursed, who stray from your commandments. ²²Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I keep your testimonies. ²³Even though princes sit and speak against me, your servant meditates on your statutes. ²⁴Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

²⁵My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to your word. ²⁶I told you my ways, and you answered me; teach me your statutes. ²⁷Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works. ²⁸My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. ²⁹Keep me from the way of falsehood, and graciously give me your instruction. ³⁰I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set your judgments before me. ³¹I cling to your testimonies, my Father; let me not be put to shame. ³²I will run in the way of your commandments, for you enlarge my heart.

³³Teach me, my Father, the way of your statutes, and I will keep it to the end. ³⁴Give me understanding, that I may keep your instruction and observe it with all my heart. ³⁵Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. ³⁶Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain. ³⁷Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; revive me in your ways. ³⁸Confirm to your servant your promise, which is for those who fear you. ³⁹Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your judgments are good. ⁴⁰I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life.

⁴¹Let your covenant love come to me, my Father, your salvation according to your promise. ⁴²Then I will have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word. ⁴³And do not take the word of truth utterly from my mouth, for my hope is in your judgments. ⁴⁴I will keep your instruction continually, forever and ever. ⁴⁵And I will walk in freedom, for I have sought your precepts. ⁴⁶I will speak of your testimonies before kings and will not be put to shame. ⁴⁷I delight in your commandments, which I love. ⁴⁸I lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I meditate on your statutes.

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

⁵⁷My Father is my portion; I promise to keep your words. ⁵⁸I seek your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. ⁵⁹When I think about my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies. ⁶⁰I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments. ⁶¹Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your instruction. ⁶²At midnight I rise to praise you for your righteous judgments. ⁶³I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. ⁶⁴The earth is full of your covenant love, my Father; teach me your statutes.

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

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

⁸¹My soul faints for your salvation; I hope in your word. ⁸²My eyes grow weary watching for your promise; I ask, "When will you comfort me?" ⁸³For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I do not forget your statutes. ^a a v83 A wineskin hung in a smoky room shrivels and darkens — the poet's picture of his own worn-out condition. ⁸⁴How many days does your servant have? When will you bring judgment on those who persecute me? ⁸⁵The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your instruction. ⁸⁶All your commandments are faithful; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! ⁸⁷They have almost put an end to me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. ⁸⁸In your covenant love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

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

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

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ¹⁰⁶I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous judgments. ¹⁰⁷I am severely afflicted; give me life, my Father, according to your word. ¹⁰⁸Accept the praises I freely offer, my Father, and teach me your judgments. ¹⁰⁹I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your instruction. ¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. ¹¹¹Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. ¹¹²I set my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

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

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

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

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

¹⁴⁵With my whole heart I cry; answer me, my Father! I will keep your statutes. ¹⁴⁶I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies. ¹⁴⁷I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. ¹⁴⁸My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise. ^b b v148 The night was divided into set watch-periods (typically three or four shifts); the poet wakes before each one to pray. ¹⁴⁹Hear my voice according to your covenant love; my Father, according to your judgments give me life. ¹⁵⁰They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your instruction. ¹⁵¹But you are near, my Father, and all your commandments are true. ¹⁵²I have long known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever.

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

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

¹⁶⁹Let my cry come before you, my Father; give me understanding according to your word. ¹⁷⁰Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word. ¹⁷¹My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes. ¹⁷²My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right. ¹⁷³Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. ¹⁷⁴I long for your salvation, my Father, and your instruction is my delight. ¹⁷⁵Let my soul live and praise you, and let your judgments help me. ¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments. ^c c v176 The longest psalm ends with a confession of wandering and a plea for the Father to come find him — the same shepherd-heart Jesus reveals when he leaves the ninety-nine to seek the one sheep that strayed (Luke 15:4-6).