Psalm 119
1. א (Alef) 1 How happy are those whose way of life is blameless, 1 who live by the Torah of Adonai!
2. How happy are those who observe his instruction, 2 who seek him wholeheartedly!
3. They do nothing wrong 3 but live by his ways.
4. You laid down your precepts 4 for us to observe with care.
5. May my ways be steady 5 in observing your laws.
6. Then I will not be put to shame, 6 since I will have fixed my sight on all your mitzvot.
7. I thank you with a sincere heart 7 as I learn your righteous rulings.
8. I will observe your laws; 8 don’t completely abandon me!
9. ב (Bet) 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? 9 By guarding it according to your word.
10. I seek you with all my heart; 10 don’t let me stray from your mitzvot.
11. I treasure your word in my heart, 11 so that I won’t sin against you.
12. Blessed are you, Adonai! 12 Teach me your laws.
13. I proclaim with my mouth 13 all the rulings you have spoken.
14. I rejoice in the way of your instruction 14 more than in any kind of wealth.
15. I will meditate on your precepts 15 and keep my eyes on your ways.
16. I will find my delight in your regulations. 16 I will not forget your word.
17. ג (Gimel) 17 Deal generously with your servant; 17 then I will live and observe your word.
18. Open my eyes, so that I will see 18 wonders from your Torah.
19. Though I’m just a wanderer on the earth, 19 don’t hide your mitzvot from me.
20. I am continually consumed 20 with longing for your rulings.
21. You rebuke the proud, the cursed, 21 who stray from your mitzvot.
22. Remove scorn and contempt from me, 22 because I observe your instruction.
23. Even when princes sit and plot against me, 23 your servant meditates on your laws.
24. Also your instructions are my delight; 24 they are my counselors.
25. ד (Dalet) 25 I lie prostrate in the dust; 25 revive me, in keeping with your word.
26. I told you of my ways, and you answered me; 26 teach me your laws.
27. Make me understand the way of your precepts, 27 and I will meditate on your wonders.
28. I am melting away from anxiety and grief; 28 renew my strength, in keeping with your word.
29. Keep deceitful ways far from me, 29 and favor me with your Torah.
30. I choose the way of trust; 30 I set your rulings [before me].
31. I cling to your instruction; 31 Adonai, don’t let me be put to shame!
32. I will run the way of your mitzvot, 32 for you have broadened my understanding.
33. ה (Heh) 33 Teach me, Adonai, the way of your laws; 33 keeping them will be its own reward for me.
34. Give me understanding; then I will keep your Torah; 34 I will observe it with all my heart.
35. Guide me on the path of your mitzvot, 35 for I take pleasure in it.
36. Bend my heart toward your instructions 36 and not toward selfish gain.
37. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; 37 with your ways, give me life.
38. Fulfill your promise, which you made to your servant, 38 which you made to those who fear you.
39. Avert the disgrace which I dread, 39 for your rulings are good.
40. See how I long for your precepts; 40 in your righteousness, give me life!
41. ו (Vav) 41 May your grace come to me, Adonai, 41 your salvation, as you promised;
42. then I will have an answer for those who taunt me; 42 for I trust in your word.
43. Don’t take away completely my power to speak the truth; 43 for I put my hope in your rulings;
44. and I will keep your Torah always, 44 forever and ever.
45. I will go wherever I like, 45 for I have sought your precepts.
46. I will speak of your instructions even to kings 46 without being ashamed.
47. I will delight myself in your mitzvot, 47 which I have loved.
48. I will lift my hands to your mitzvot, which I love; 48 and I will meditate on your laws.
49. ז (Zayin) 49 Remember your promise to your servant, 49 through which you have given me hope.
50. In my distress my comfort is this: 50 that your promise gives me life.
51. Though the arrogant scorn me completely, 51 I have not turned away from your Torah.
52. Adonai, I keep in mind your age-old rulings; 52 in them I take comfort.
53. Fury seizes me when I think of the wicked, 53 because they abandon your Torah.
54. Your laws have become my songs 54 wherever I make my home.
55. I remember your name, Adonai, at night; 55 and I observe your Torah.
56. This [comfort] has come to me, 56 because I observe your precepts.
57. ח (Het) 57 Adonai, I say that my task 57 is to observe your words.
58. I beg your favor with my whole heart; 58 show pity to me, in keeping with your promise.
59. I thought about my ways 59 and turned my feet toward your instruction.
60. I hurry, I don’t delay, 60 to observe your mitzvot.
61. Even when the cords of the wicked close around me, 61 I don’t forget your Torah.
62. At midnight I rise to give you thanks 62 because of your righteous rulings.
63. I am a friend of all who fear you, 63 of those who observe your precepts.
64. The earth, Adonai, is full of your grace; 64 teach me your laws.
65. ט (Tet) 65 You have treated your servant well, 65 Adonai, in keeping with your word.
66. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, 66 because I trust in your mitzvot.
67. Before I was humbled, I used to go astray; 67 but now I observe your word.
68. You are good, and you do good; 68 teach me your laws.
69. The arrogant are slandering me, 69 but I will wholeheartedly keep your precepts.
70. Their hearts are as thick as fat, 70 but I take delight in your Torah.
71. It is for my good that I have been humbled; 71 it was so that I would learn your laws.
72. The Torah you have spoken means more to me 72 than a fortune in gold and silver.
73. י (Yud) 73 Your hands made and formed me; 73 give me understanding, so I can learn your mitzvot.
74. Those who fear you rejoice at the sight of me, 74 because I put my hope in your word.
75. I know, Adonai, that your rulings are righteous, 75 that even when you humble me you are faithful.
76. Let your grace comfort me, 76 in keeping with your promise to your servant.
77. Show me pity, and I will live, 77 for your Torah is my delight.
78. Let the proud be ashamed, because they wrong me with lies; 78 as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79. Let those who fear you turn to me, 79 along with those who know your instruction.
80. Let my heart be pure in your laws, 80 so that I won’t be put to shame.
81. כ (Kaf) 81 I am dying to know your salvation; 81 my hope is in your word.
82. My eyes fail from watching for your promise; 82 I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83. For I have shriveled like a wineskin in a smoky room; 83 still, I don’t forget your laws.
84. How long can your servant stay alive? 84 When will you bring judgment on my persecutors?
85. The arrogant have dug pits for me to fall in; 85 this is not in keeping with your Torah!
86. All your mitzvot [show your] faithfulness; 86 they are hounding me with lies; help me!
87. They have nearly ended my life on earth, 87 but I have not abandoned your precepts.
88. In keeping with your grace, revive me; 88 and I will observe your spoken instructions.
89. ל (Lamed) 89 Your word continues forever, Adonai, 89 firmly fixed in heaven;
90. your faithfulness through all generations; 90 you established the earth, and it stands.
91. Yes, it stands today, in keeping with your rulings; 91 for all things are your servants.
92. If your Torah had not been my delight, 92 I would have perished in my distress.
93. I will never forget your precepts, 93 for with them you have made me alive.
94. I am yours; save me 94 because I seek your precepts.
95. The wicked hope to destroy me, 95 but I focus on your instruction.
96. I see the limits of all perfection, 96 but your mitzvah has no bounds.
97. מ (Mem) 97 How I love your Torah! 97 I meditate on it all day.
98. I am wiser than my foes, 98 because your mitzvot are mine forever.
99. I have more understanding than all my teachers, 99 because I meditate on your instruction.
100. I understand more than my elders, 100 because I keep your precepts.
101. I keep my feet from every evil way, 101 in order to observe your word.
102. I don’t turn away from your rulings, 102 because you have instructed me.
103. How sweet to my tongue is your promise, 103 truly sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104. From your precepts I gain understanding; 104 this is why I hate every false way.
105. נ (Nun) 105 Your word is a lamp for my foot 105 and light on my path.
106. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, 106 that I will observe your righteous rulings.
107. I am very much distressed; 107 Adonai, give me life, in keeping with your word.
108. Please accept my mouth’s voluntary offerings, Adonai; 108 and teach me your rulings.
109. I am continually taking my life in my hands, 109 yet I haven’t forgotten your Torah.
110. The wicked have set a trap for me, 110 yet I haven’t strayed from your precepts.
111. I take your instruction as a permanent heritage, 111 because it is the joy of my heart.
112. I have resolved to obey your laws 112 forever, at every step.
113. ס (Samekh) 113 I hate doubleminded people, 113 but I love your Torah.
114. You are my hiding-place and shield; 114 I put my hope in your word.
115. Leave me alone, you evildoers, 115 so that I can keep my God’s mitzvot.
116. Uphold me, as you promised; and I will live; 116 don’t disappoint me in my hope.
117. Support me; and I will be saved, 117 always putting my attention on your laws.
118. You reject all who stray from your laws, 118 for what they deceive themselves with is false.
119. You discard the wicked of the earth like slag; 119 this is why I love your instruction.
120. My body trembles for fear of you; 120 your rulings make me afraid.
121. ע (‘Ayin) 121 I have done what is just and right; 121 don’t abandon me to my oppressors.
122. Guarantee your servant’s well-being; 122 don’t let the arrogant oppress me.
123. My eyes fail from watching for your salvation 123 and for [the fulfillment of] your righteous promise.
124. Deal with your servant in accordance with your grace, 124 and teach me your laws.
125. I am your servant; give me understanding, 125 so that I can know your instruction.
126. The time has come for Adonai to act, 126 because they are breaking your Torah.
127. Therefore I love your mitzvot 127 more than gold, more than fine gold.
128. Thus I direct my steps by [your] precepts; 128 every false way I hate.
129. פ (Peh) 129 Your instruction is a wonder; 129 this is why I follow it.
130. Your words are a doorway that lets in light, 130 giving understanding to the thoughtless.
131. My mouth is wide open, as I pant 131 with longing for your mitzvot.
132. Turn to me, and show me your favor; 132 in keeping with [your] judgment for those who love your name.
133. Guide my footsteps by your word; 133 don’t let any kind of sin rule me.
134. Redeem me from human oppression, 134 and I will observe your precepts.
135. Make your face shine on your servant, 135 and teach me your laws.
136. Rivers of tears flow down from my eyes, 136 because they don’t observe your Torah.
137. צ (Tzadeh) 137 You are righteous, Adonai; 137 and your rulings are upright.
138. You have commanded your instructions 138 in righteousness and great faithfulness.
139. My zeal is destroying me, 139 because my foes have forgotten your words.
140. Your word is refined to complete purity, 140 and your servant loves it.
141. I may be small and despised, 141 but I do not forget your precepts.
142. Your righteousness is eternal righteousness, 142 and your Torah is truth.
143. Trouble and distress have overtaken me, 143 but your mitzvot are my delight.
144. Your instruction is righteous forever; 144 give me understanding, and I will live.
145. ק (Kuf) 145 Wholeheartedly I am calling on you; 145 answer me, Adonai; I will keep your laws.
146. I am calling on you; save me; 146 and I will observe your instruction.
147. I rise before dawn and cry for help; 147 I put my hope in your word.
148. My eyes are open before the night watches, 148 so that I can meditate on your promise.
149. In your grace, hear my voice; 149 Adonai, in keeping with your justice, revive me.
150. The pursuers of carnality are getting close; 150 they are distancing themselves from your Torah.
151. You are close by, Adonai; 151 and all your mitzvot are truth.
152. Long ago I learned from your instruction 152 that you established it forever.
153. ר (Resh) 153 Look at my distress, and rescue me, 153 for I do not forget your Torah.
154. Plead my cause, and redeem me; 154 in keeping with your promise, revive me.
155. Salvation is far away from the wicked, 155 because they don’t seek your laws.
156. Great is your compassion, Adonai; 156 in keeping with your rulings, revive me.
157. Although my persecutors and foes are many, 157 I have not turned away from your instruction.
158. I look at traitors with disgust, 158 because they don’t keep your word.
159. See how I love your precepts, Adonai; 159 in keeping with your grace, revive me.
160. The main thing about your word is that it’s true; 160 and all your just rulings last forever.
161. ש (Shin) 161 Princes persecute me for no reason, 161 but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162. I take joy in your promise, 162 like someone who finds much booty.
163. I hate falsehood, I detest it; 163 but I love your Torah.
164. I praise you seven times a day 164 because of your righteous rulings.
165. Those who love your Torah have great peace; 165 nothing makes them stumble.
166. I hope for your deliverance, Adonai; 166 I obey your mitzvot.
167. My soul observes your instruction, 167 and I love it so much!
168. I observe your precepts and instruction, 168 for all my ways lie open before you.
169. ת (Tav) 169 Let my cry come before you, Adonai; 169 in keeping with your word, give me understanding.
170. Let my prayer come before you; 170 in keeping with your promise, rescue me.
171. Let my lips speak praise, 171 because you teach me your laws.
172. Let my tongue sing of your promise, 172 because all your mitzvot are righteous.
173. Let your hand be ready to help me, 173 because I choose your precepts.
174. I long for your deliverance, Adonai; 174 and your Torah is my delight.
175. Let me live, and I will praise you; 175 let your rulings help me.
176. I strayed like a lost sheep; seek out your servant; 176 for I do not forget your mitzvot.