119
ALEPH
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk in the law of Yahweh.
2 Blessed are they who keep his solemn commands,
who seek him with all their heart.
3 They do no wrong;
they walk in his ways.
4 You have commanded us to keep your instructions
so that we should carefully observe them.
5 Oh, that I would be firmly established
in the observance of your statutes!
6 Then I would not be put to shame
when I think of all your commandments.
7 I will give thanks to you with an upright heart
when I learn your righteous decrees.
8 I will observe your statutes;
do not leave me alone.
BETH
9 How can a young person keep his path pure?
By obeying your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
Do not let me stray from your commandments.
11 I have stored up your word in my heart
so that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed you are, Yahweh;
teach me your statutes.
13 With my mouth I have declared
all the righteous decrees that you have revealed.
14 I rejoice in the way of your covenant decrees
more than in all riches.
15 I will meditate on your instructions
and pay attention to your ways.
16 I delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
GIMEL
17 Be kind to your servant so that I may live
and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes so that I may see
marvelous things in your law.
19 I am a foreigner in the land;
do not hide your commandments from me.
20 My desires are crushed by the longing to know
your righteous decrees at all times.
21 You rebuke the proud, who are cursed,
who wander from your commandments.
22 Spare me from disgrace and humiliation,
for I have obeyed your covenant decrees.
23 Though rulers plot and slander me,
your servant meditates on your statutes.
24 Your covenant decrees are my delight,
and they are my counselors.
DALETH
25 My life clings to the dust!
Give me life by your word.
26 I told you my ways, and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
27 Make me understand the ways of your instructions,
so that I can meditate on your wondrous teachings.
28 I am overwhelmed with grief!
Strengthen me by your word.
29 Turn from me the path of deceit;
graciously teach me your law.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have always kept your righteous decrees before me.
31 I cling to your covenant decrees;
Yahweh, do not let me be shamed.
32 I will run in the path of your commandments,
for you enlarge my heart to do so.
HE
33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes,
and I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law;
I will observe it with all my heart.
35 Guide me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight to walk in it.
36 Direct my heart toward your covenant decrees
and away from unrighteous gain.
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
revive me in your ways.
38 Carry out for your servant your promise
that you made to those who honor you.
39 Take away the insults I dread,
for your righteous judgments are good.
40 See, I have longed for your instructions;
revive me in your righteousness.
VAV
41 Yahweh, give me your unfailing love—
your salvation, according to your promise;
42 then I will have a reply for the one who mocks me,
for I trust in your word.
43 Do not take the word of truth from my mouth,
for my hope is in your righteous decrees.
44 I will observe your law continually,
forever and ever.
45 I will walk securely,
for I seek your instructions.
46 I will speak of your solemn commands before kings
and will not be ashamed.
47 I delight in your commandments,
which I love dearly.
48 I will lift up my hands to your commandments, which I love;
I will meditate on your statutes.
ZAYIN
49 Call to mind your promise to your servant
because you have given me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction:
that your promise has kept me alive.
51 The proud have scoffed at me,
yet I have not turned away from your law.
52 I have thought about your righteous decrees from ancient times, Yahweh,
and I comfort myself.
53 Hot anger has taken hold of me
because of the wicked who reject your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house where I temporarily live.
55 I think about your name during the night, Yahweh,
and I keep your law.
56 This has been my practice
because I have observed your instructions.
HETH
57 Yahweh is my portion;
I have determined to observe your words.
58 I earnestly request your favor with my whole heart;
be merciful to me, as your word promised.
59 I examined my ways
and turned my feet to your covenant decrees.
60 I hurry and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have ensnared me;
I have not forgotten your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give thanks to you
because of your righteous decrees.
63 I am a companion of all who honor you,
to all who observe your instructions.
64 The earth, Yahweh, is full of your covenant faithfulness;
teach me your statutes.
TETH
65 You have done good to your servant,
Yahweh, by means of your word.
66 Teach me proper discernment and understanding,
for I have believed in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I observe your word.
68 You are good, and you are one who does good;
teach me your statutes.
69 The arrogant have smeared me with lies,
but I keep your instructions with my whole heart.
70 Their hearts are hardened,
but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I have suffered
so that I would learn your statutes.
72 Instruction from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
YOD
73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding so that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who honor you will be glad when they see me
because I find hope in your word.
75 I know, Yahweh, that your decrees are just,
and that in faithfulness you afflicted me.
76 Let your covenant faithfulness comfort me,
as you promised your servant.
77 Show me compassion so that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be put to shame,
for they have slandered me;
but I will meditate on your instructions.
79 May those who honor you turn to me,
those who know your covenant decrees.
80 May my heart be blameless with respect to your statutes
so that I may not be put to shame.
KAPH
81 I faint with longing that you might rescue me!
I hope in your word.
82 My eyes long to see your promise;
when will you comfort me?
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke;
I do not forget your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure this;
when will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me,
defying your law.
86 All your commandments are reliable;
those people persecute me wrongfully; help me.
87 They have almost made an end to me on earth,
but I do not reject your instructions.
88 By your steadfast love, keep me alive,
so that I may obey your commands.
LAMEDH
89 Yahweh, your word stands forever;
your word is established firmly in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness lasts for all generations;
you have established the earth, and it remains.
91 All things continue to this day, just as you said in your righteous decrees,
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 instructions,
for through them you have kept me alive.
94 I am yours; save me,
for I seek your instructions.
95 The wicked prepare to destroy me,
but I will seek to understand your covenant decrees.
96 I have seen that everything has its limits,
but your commandments are broad, beyond limits.
MEM
97 Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all day long.
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
for your commandments are always with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your covenant decrees.
100 I understand more than those older than I am;
this is because I have kept your instructions.
101 I have kept my feet back from every evil path
so that I might observe your word.
102 I have not turned aside from your righteous decrees,
for you have instructed me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your instructions I gain discernment;
therefore I hate every false way.
NUN
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.
106 I have sworn and have confirmed it,
that I will observe your righteous decrees.
107 I am very afflicted;
keep me alive, Yahweh, as you have promised in your word.
108 Yahweh, please accept the freewill offerings of my mouth,
and teach me your righteous decrees.
109 My life is always in my hand,
yet I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your instructions.
111 I claim your covenant decrees as my heritage forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
112 My heart is set on obeying your statutes
forever to the very end.
SAMEKH
113 I hate those who have a double mind,
but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
115 Get away from me, you evil doers,
so that I may observe the commandments of my God.
116 Sustain me by your word so that I may live
and not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Support me, and I will be safe;
I will always meditate on your statutes.
118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes,
for those people are deceptive and unreliable.
119 You remove all the wicked of the earth like slag;
therefore I love your solemn commands.
120 My body trembles in fear of you,
and I am afraid of your righteous decrees.
AYIN
121 I do what is just and right;
do not abandon me to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee the welfare of your servant;
do not let the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your salvation
and for your righteous word.
124 Show your servant your covenant faithfulness,
and teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding
so that I may know your covenant decrees.
126 It is time for Yahweh to act,
for people have broken your law.
127 Truly I love your commandments
more than gold, more than fine gold.
128 Therefore I carefully follow all your instructions,
and I hate every path of falsehood.
PE
129 Your rules are wonderful,
that is why I obey them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the untrained.
131 I open my mouth and pant,
for I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do for those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps by your word;
do not let any sin rule me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression
so that I may observe your instructions.
135 Let your face shine on your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136 Streams of tears run down from my eyes
because people do not observe your law.
TSADHE
137 You are righteous, Yahweh,
and your decrees are fair.
138 You have given your covenant decrees righteously
and faithfully.
139 Anger has destroyed me
because my adversaries forget your words.
140 Your word has been tested very much,
and your servant loves it.
141 I am insignificant and despised,
yet I do not forget your instructions.
142 Your justice is forever right,
and your law is trustworthy.
143 Though distress and anguish have found me,
your commandments are still my delight.
144 Your covenant decrees are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.
QOPH
145 I cried out with my whole heart, “Answer me, Yahweh,
I will keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
and I will observe your covenant decrees.”
147 I rise before the dawn of the morning and cry for help.
I hope in your words.
148 My eyes are open before the night watches change
so that I might meditate on your word.
149 Hear my voice in your covenant faithfulness;
keep me alive, Yahweh, as you have promised in your righteous decrees.
150 Those who are persecuting me are coming closer to me,
but they are far from your law.
151 You are near, Yahweh,
and all your commandments are trustworthy.
152 Long ago I learned from your covenant decrees
that you had set them in place forever.
RESH
153 Look on my affliction and help me,
for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
keep me, as you have promised in your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not love your statutes.
156 Great are your merciful actions, Yahweh;
keep me alive, as you always do.
157 My persecutors and my foes are many,
yet I have not turned from your covenant decrees.
158 I view the treacherous with disgust
because they do not keep your word.
159 See how I love your instructions;
keep me alive, Yahweh, as you have promised by your covenant faithfulness.
160 The essence of your word is truth;
every one of your righteous decrees lasts forever.
SHIN
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your word.
162 I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great plunder.
163 I hate and despise falsehood,
but I love your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
because of your righteous decrees.
165 Great peace they have, those who love your law;
nothing makes them stumble.
166 I hope for your salvation, Yahweh,
and I obey your commandments.
167 I observe your solemn commands,
and I love them greatly.
168 I keep your instructions and your solemn commands,
for you are aware of everything I do.
TAV
169 Listen to my cry for help, Yahweh;
give me understanding into your word.
170 May my plea come before you;
help me, as you have promised in your word.
171 May my lips pour out praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing about your word,
for all your commandments are right.
173 May your hand help me,
for I have chosen your instructions.
174 I long for your rescue, Yahweh,
and your law is my delight.
175 May I live and praise you,
and may your righteous decrees help me.
176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep;
seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commandments.