PSALM 119 (NIV 1984)
1 Blessed are they whose ways are
blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are they who keep his
statutes and seek him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong; they
walk in his ways.
4 You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!
6 Then I would not be put to
shame when I consider all your commands.
7 I will praise you with an
upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.
8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
11 I have hidden your word in my
heart that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount all the
laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your
statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees; I
will not neglect your word.
17 Do good to your servant, and I will live; I will obey your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth; do
not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed with
longing for your laws at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who
are cursed and who stray from your commands.
22 Remove from me scorn and
contempt, for I keep your statutes.
23 Though rulers sit together and
slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.
24 Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.
25 I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.
26 I recounted my ways and you
answered me; teach me your decrees.
27 Let me understand the teaching
of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me through your law.
30 I have chosen the way of
truth; I have set my heart on your laws.
31 I hold fast to your statutes,
O Lord; do not let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your
commands, for you have set my heart free.
33 Teach me, O Lord , to follow
your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I
will keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your
commands, for there I find delight.
36 Turn my heart toward your
statutes and not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from
worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
38 Fulfill your promise to your
servant, so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace I
dread, for your laws are good.
40 How I long for your precepts!
Preserve my life in your righteousness.
41 May your unfailing love come
to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise;
42 then I will answer the one who
taunts me, for I trust in your word.
43 Do not snatch the word of
truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.
44 I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.
45 I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes
before kings and will not be put to shame,
47 for I delight in your commands
because I love them.
48 I lift up my hands to your
commands, which I love, and I meditate on your decrees.
49 Remember your word to your
servant, for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is
this: Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me without
restraint, but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember your ancient laws,
O Lord, and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because
of the wicked, who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of
my song wherever I lodge.
55 In the night I remember your
name, O Lord, and I will keep your law.
56 This has been my practice: I
obey your precepts.
57 You are my portion, O Lord; I
have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with
all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways and
have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay to
obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with
ropes, I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you
thanks for your righteous laws.
63 I am a friend to all who fear
you, to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your
love, O Lord; teach me your decrees.
65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, O Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge and good
judgment, for I believe in your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went
astray, but now I obey your word.
68 You are good, and what you do
is good; teach me your decrees.
69 Though the arrogant have
smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and
unfeeling, but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be
afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is
more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
73 Your hands made me and formed
me; give me understanding to learn your commands.
74 May those who fear you rejoice
when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your
laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 May your unfailing love be my
comfort, according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me
that I may live, for your law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to
shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.
79 May those who fear you turn to
me, those who understand your statutes.
80 May my heart be blameless
toward your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.
81 My soul faints with longing
for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail, looking for your
promise; I say, "When will you comfort me?"
83 Though I am like a wineskin in
the smoke, I do not forget your decrees.
84 How long must your servant
wait? When will you punish my persecutors?
85 The arrogant dig pitfalls for
me, contrary to your law.
86 All your commands are
trustworthy; help me, for men persecute me without cause.
87 They almost wiped me from the
earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 Preserve my life according to
your love, and I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
89 Your word, O Lord, is
eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness continues
through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
91 Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.
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 preserved my life.
94 Save me, for I am yours; I
have sought out your precepts.
95 The wicked are waiting to
destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.
96 To all perfection I see a
limit; but your commands are boundless.
97 Oh, how I love your law! I
meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser
than my enemies, for they are ever with me.
99 I have more insight than all
my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding
than the elders, for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from
every evil path so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your
laws, for you yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to
my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from
your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
105 Your word is a lamp to my
feet and a light for my path.
106 I have taken an oath and
confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
107 I have suffered much;
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, O Lord, the willing
praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
109 Though I constantly take my
life in my hands, I will not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare
for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage
forever; they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on keeping
your decrees to the very end.
113 I hate double-minded men, but
I love your law.
114 You are my refuge and my
shield; I have put my hope in your word.
115 Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me according to your
promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
117 Uphold me, and I will be
delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.
118 You reject all who stray from
your decrees, for their deceitfulness is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth
you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of
you; I stand in awe of your laws.
121 I have done what is righteous
and just; do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant's
well-being; let not the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for
your salvation, looking for your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant
according to your love and teach me your decrees.
125 I am your servant; give me
discernment that I may understand your statutes.
126 It is time for you to act, O
Lord; your law is being broken.
127 Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,
128 and because I consider all
your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.
129 Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.
130 The unfolding of your words
gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on
me, as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps according
to your word; let no sin rule over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression
of men, that I may obey your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon
your servant and teach me your decrees.
136 Streams of tears flow from my
eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
137 Righteous are you, O Lord,
and your laws are right.
138 The statutes you have laid
down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out, for my
enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been
thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
141 Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is
everlasting and your law is true.
143 Trouble and distress have
come upon me, but your commands are my delight.
144 Your statutes are forever
right; give me understanding that I may live.
145 I call with all my heart;
answer me, O Lord, and I will obey your decrees.
146 I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn and cry
for help; I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the
watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice in accordance
with your love; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your laws.
150 Those who devise wicked
schemes are near, but they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near, O Lord,
and all your commands are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your
statutes that you established them to last forever.
153 Look upon my suffering and
deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.
154 Defend my cause and redeem
me; preserve my life according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the
wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.
156 Your compassion is great, O
Lord; preserve my life according to your laws.
157 Many are the foes who
persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with
loathing, for they do not obey your word.
159 See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, O Lord, according to your love.
160 All your words are true; all
your righteous laws are eternal.
161 Rulers persecute me without
cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
162 I rejoice in your promise
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 laws.
165 Great peace have they who
love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
166 I wait for your salvation, O
Lord, and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes, for I
love them greatly.
168 I obey your precepts and your
statutes, for all my ways are known to you.
169 May my cry come before you, O
Lord; give me understanding according to your word.
170 May my supplication come
before you; deliver me according to your promise.
171 May my lips overflow with
praise, for you teach me your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing of your
word, for all your commands are righteous.
173 May 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 me live that I may praise
you, and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost
sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
