Psalm 119:9-16 New English Translation
ב (Bet)
9 How can a young person[a] maintain a pure life?[b]
By guarding it according to your instructions.[c]
10 With all my heart I seek you.
Do not allow me to stray from your commands.
11 In my heart I store up[d] your words,[e]
so I might not sin against you.
12 You deserve praise,[f] O Lord.
Teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I proclaim
all the regulations you have revealed.[g]
14 I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules[h]
as if[i] they were riches of all kinds.[j]
15 I will meditate on[k] your precepts
and focus on[l] your behavior.[m]
16 I find delight[n] in your statutes;
I do not forget your instructions.[o]
Footnotes
- Psalm 119:9 tn Heb “young man.” Hebrew wisdom literature often assumes and reflects the male-oriented perspective of ancient Israelite society. The principle of the psalm is certainly applicable to all people, regardless of their gender or age. To facilitate modern application, the gender specific “young man” has been translated with the more neutral “young person.”
- Psalm 119:9 tn Heb “purify his path.”
- Psalm 119:9 tn Heb “by keeping according to your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss as well as the LXX read the plural, “your words.”
- Psalm 119:11 tn Or “hide.”
- Psalm 119:11 tn Heb “your word.” Some medieval Hebrew mss as well as the LXX read the plural, “your words.”
- Psalm 119:12 tn Heb “[are] blessed.”
- Psalm 119:13 tn Heb “of your mouth.”
- Psalm 119:14 tn Heb “in the way of your rules.”
- Psalm 119:14 tn Heb “as upon,” meaning “as if” (see 2 Chr 32:19).
- Psalm 119:14 tn Heb “all wealth.” The phrase refers to all kinds of wealth and riches. See Prov 1:13; 6:31; 24:4; Ezek 27:12, 18.
- Psalm 119:15 tn The cohortative verbal forms in this verse express the psalmist’s resolve.
- Psalm 119:15 tn Heb “gaze [at].”
- Psalm 119:15 tn Heb “ways” (referring figuratively to God’s behavior here).
- Psalm 119:16 tn The imperfects in this verse emphasize the attitude the psalmist maintains toward God’s law. Another option is to translate with the future tense, “I will find delight…I will not forget.”
- Psalm 119:16 tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss as well as the LXX read the plural here.
New English Translation (NET)
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