Psalm 119
Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
1. Aleph 1 [a] Blessed are those whose way is blameless, 1 who walk in the law of the Lord!
2. Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, 2 who seek him with their whole heart,
3. who also do no wrong, 3 but walk in his ways!
4. You have commanded your precepts 4 to be kept diligently.
5. Oh that my ways may be steadfast 5 in keeping your statutes!
6. Then I shall not be put to shame, 6 having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7. I will praise you with an upright heart, 7 when I learn your righteous rules.[b]
8. I will keep your statutes; 8 do not utterly forsake me!
9. Beth 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? 9 By guarding it according to your word.
10. With my whole heart I seek you; 10 let me not wander from your commandments!
11. I have stored up your word in my heart, 11 that I might not sin against you.
12. Blessed are you, O Lord; 12 teach me your statutes!
13. With my lips I declare 13 all the rules[c] of your mouth.
14. In the way of your testimonies I delight 14 as much as in all riches.
15. I will meditate on your precepts 15 and fix my eyes on your ways.
16. I will delight in your statutes; 16 I will not forget your word.
17. Gimel 17 Deal bountifully with your servant, 17 that I may live and keep your word.
18. Open my eyes, that I may behold 18 wondrous things out of your law.
19. I am a sojourner on the earth; 19 hide not your commandments from me!
20. My soul is consumed with longing 20 for your rules[d] at all times.
21. You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, 21 who wander from your commandments.
22. Take away from me scorn and contempt, 22 for I have kept your testimonies.
23. Even though princes sit plotting against me, 23 your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24. Your testimonies are my delight; 24 they are my counselors.
25. Daleth 25 My soul clings to the dust; 25 give me life according to your word!
26. When I told of my ways, you answered me; 26 teach me your statutes!
27. Make me understand the way of your precepts, 27 and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28. My soul melts away for sorrow; 28 strengthen me according to your word!
29. Put false ways far from me 29 and graciously teach me your law!
30. I have chosen the way of faithfulness; 30 I set your rules before me.
31. I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; 31 let me not be put to shame!
32. I will run in the way of your commandments 32 when you enlarge my heart![e]
33. He 33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; 33 and I will keep it to the end.[f]
34. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law 34 and observe it with my whole heart.
35. Lead me in the path of your commandments, 35 for I delight in it.
36. Incline my heart to your testimonies, 36 and not to selfish gain!
37. Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; 37 and give me life in your ways.
38. Confirm to your servant your promise, 38 that you may be feared.
39. Turn away the reproach that I dread, 39 for your rules are good.
40. Behold, I long for your precepts; 40 in your righteousness give me life!
41. Waw 41 Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord, 41 your salvation according to your promise;
42. then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, 42 for I trust in your word.
43. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, 43 for my hope is in your rules.
44. I will keep your law continually, 44 forever and ever,
45. and I shall walk in a wide place, 45 for I have sought your precepts.
46. I will also speak of your testimonies before kings 46 and shall not be put to shame,
47. for I find my delight in your commandments, 47 which I love.
48. I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, 48 and I will meditate on your statutes.
49. Zayin 49 Remember your word to your servant, 49 in which you have made me hope.
50. This is my comfort in my affliction, 50 that your promise gives me life.
51. The insolent utterly deride me, 51 but I do not turn away from your law.
52. When I think of your rules from of old, 52 I take comfort, O Lord.
53. Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, 53 who forsake your law.
54. Your statutes have been my songs 54 in the house of my sojourning.
55. I remember your name in the night, O Lord, 55 and keep your law.
56. This blessing has fallen to me, 56 that I have kept your precepts.
57. Heth 57 The Lord is my portion; 57 I promise to keep your words.
58. I entreat your favor with all my heart; 58 be gracious to me according to your promise.
59. When I think on my ways, 59 I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60. I hasten and do not delay 60 to keep your commandments.
61. Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, 61 I do not forget your law.
62. At midnight I rise to praise you, 62 because of your righteous rules.
63. I am a companion of all who fear you, 63 of those who keep your precepts.
64. The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; 64 teach me your statutes!
65. Teth 65 You have dealt well with your servant, 65 O Lord, according to your word.
66. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, 66 for I believe in your commandments.
67. Before I was afflicted I went astray, 67 but now I keep your word.
68. You are good and do good; 68 teach me your statutes.
69. The insolent smear me with lies, 69 but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70. their heart is unfeeling like fat, 70 but I delight in your law.
71. It is good for me that I was afflicted, 71 that I might learn your statutes.
72. The law of your mouth is better to me 72 than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
73. Yodh 73 Your hands have made and fashioned me; 73 give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, 74 because I have hoped in your word.
75. I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, 75 and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76. Let your steadfast love comfort me 76 according to your promise to your servant.
77. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; 77 for your law is my delight.
78. Let the insolent be put to shame, 78 because they have wronged me with falsehood; 78 as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79. Let those who fear you turn to me, 79 that they may know your testimonies.
80. May my heart be blameless in your statutes, 80 that I may not be put to shame!
81. Kaph 81 My soul longs for your salvation; 81 I hope in your word.
82. My eyes long for your promise; 82 I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
83. For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, 83 yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84. How long must your servant endure?[g] 84 When will you judge those who persecute me?
85. The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; 85 they do not live according to your law.
86. All your commandments are sure; 86 they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87. They have almost made an end of me on earth, 87 but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88. In your steadfast love give me life, 88 that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
89. Lamedh 89 Forever, O Lord, your word 89 is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; 90 you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91. By your appointment they stand this day, 91 for all things are your servants.
92. If your law had not been my delight, 92 I would have perished in my affliction.
93. I will never forget your precepts, 93 for by them you have given me life.
94. I am yours; save me, 94 for I have sought your precepts.
95. The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, 95 but I consider your testimonies.
96. I have seen a limit to all perfection, 96 but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
97. Mem 97 Oh how I love your law! 97 It is my meditation all the day.
98. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, 98 for it is ever with me.
99. I have more understanding than all my teachers, 99 for your testimonies are my meditation.
100. I understand more than the aged,[h] 100 for I keep your precepts.
101. I hold back my feet from every evil way, 101 in order to keep your word.
102. I do not turn aside from your rules, 102 for you have taught me.
103. How sweet are your words to my taste, 103 sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104. Through your precepts I get understanding; 104 therefore I hate every false way.
105. Nun 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet 105 and a light to my path.
106. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, 106 to keep your righteous rules.
107. I am severely afflicted; 107 give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108. Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, 108 and teach me your rules.
109. I hold my life in my hand continually, 109 but I do not forget your law.
110. The wicked have laid a snare for me, 110 but I do not stray from your precepts.
111. Your testimonies are my heritage forever, 111 for they are the joy of my heart.
112. I incline my heart to perform your statutes 112 forever, to the end.[i]
113. Samekh 113 I hate the double-minded, 113 but I love your law.
114. You are my hiding place and my shield; 114 I hope in your word.
115. Depart from me, you evildoers, 115 that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116. Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, 116 and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117. Hold me up, that I may be safe 117 and have regard for your statutes continually!
118. You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, 118 for their cunning is in vain.
119. All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, 119 therefore I love your testimonies.
120. My flesh trembles for fear of you, 120 and I am afraid of your judgments.
121. Ayin 121 I have done what is just and right; 121 do not leave me to my oppressors.
122. Give your servant a pledge of good; 122 let not the insolent oppress me.
123. My eyes long for your salvation 123 and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124. Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, 124 and teach me your statutes.
125. I am your servant; give me understanding, 125 that I may know your testimonies!
126. It is time for the Lord to act, 126 for your law has been broken.
127. Therefore I love your commandments 127 above gold, above fine gold.
128. Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; 128 I hate every false way.
129. Pe 129 Your testimonies are wonderful; 129 therefore my soul keeps them.
130. The unfolding of your words gives light; 130 it imparts understanding to the simple.
131. I open my mouth and pant, 131 because I long for your commandments.
132. Turn to me and be gracious to me, 132 as is your way with those who love your name.
133. Keep steady my steps according to your promise, 133 and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134. Redeem me from man's oppression, 134 that I may keep your precepts.
135. Make your face shine upon your servant, 135 and teach me your statutes.
136. My eyes shed streams of tears, 136 because people do not keep your law.
137. Tsadhe 137 Righteous are you, O Lord, 137 and right are your rules.
138. You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness 138 and in all faithfulness.
139. My zeal consumes me, 139 because my foes forget your words.
140. Your promise is well tried, 140 and your servant loves it.
141. I am small and despised, 141 yet I do not forget your precepts.
142. Your righteousness is righteous forever, 142 and your law is true.
143. Trouble and anguish have found me out, 143 but your commandments are my delight.
144. Your testimonies are righteous forever; 144 give me understanding that I may live.
145. Qoph 145 With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! 145 I will keep your statutes.
146. I call to you; save me, 146 that I may observe your testimonies.
147. I rise before dawn and cry for help; 147 I hope in your words.
148. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, 148 that I may meditate on your promise.
149. Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; 149 O Lord, according to your justice give me life.
150. They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; 150 they are far from your law.
151. But you are near, O Lord, 151 and all your commandments are true.
152. Long have I known from your testimonies 152 that you have founded them forever.
153. Resh 153 Look on my affliction and deliver me, 153 for I do not forget your law.
154. Plead my cause and redeem me; 154 give me life according to your promise!
155. Salvation is far from the wicked, 155 for they do not seek your statutes.
156. Great is your mercy, O Lord; 156 give me life according to your rules.
157. Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, 157 but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158. I look at the faithless with disgust, 158 because they do not keep your commands.
159. Consider how I love your precepts! 159 Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160. The sum of your word is truth, 160 and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
161. Sin and Shin 161 Princes persecute me without cause, 161 but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162. I rejoice at your word 162 like one who finds great spoil.
163. I hate and abhor falsehood, 163 but I love your law.
164. Seven times a day I praise you 164 for your righteous rules.
165. Great peace have those who love your law; 165 nothing can make them stumble.
166. I hope for your salvation, O Lord, 166 and I do your commandments.
167. My soul keeps your testimonies; 167 I love them exceedingly.
168. I keep your precepts and testimonies, 168 for all my ways are before you.
169. Taw 169 Let my cry come before you, O Lord; 169 give me understanding according to your word!
170. Let my plea come before you; 170 deliver me according to your word.
171. My lips will pour forth praise, 171 for you teach me your statutes.
172. My tongue will sing of your word, 172 for all your commandments are right.
173. Let your hand be ready to help me, 173 for I have chosen your precepts.
174. I long for your salvation, O Lord, 174 and your law is my delight.
175. Let my soul live and praise you, 175 and let your rules help me.
176. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, 176 for I do not forget your commandments.
Footnotes:
a. Psalm 119:1: This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter
b. Psalm 119:7: Or your just and righteous decrees; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164
c. Psalm 119:13: Or all the just decrees
d. Psalm 119:20: Or your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175
e. Psalm 119:32: Or for you set my heart free
f. Psalm 119:33: Or keep it as my reward
g. Psalm 119:84: Hebrew How many are the days of your servant?
h. Psalm 119:100: Or the elders
i. Psalm 119:112: Or statutes; the reward is eternal