Psalm 119

International Standard Version

119 How blessed are those whose life^[b] is blameless,
    who walk in the Law of the Lord!
² How blessed are those who observe his decrees,
    who seek him with all of their heart,
³ who practice no evil
    while they walk in his ways.
⁴ You have commanded concerning your precepts,
    that they be guarded with diligence.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast,
    so I may keep your statutes.
⁶ Then I will not be ashamed,
    since my eyes will be fixed on all of your commands.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart,
    as I learn your righteous decrees.
⁸ I will keep your statutes;
    do not ever abandon me.

⁹ How can a young man keep his behavior pure?
    By guarding it in accordance with your word.
¹⁰ I have sought you with all of my heart;
    do not let me drift away from your commands.
¹¹ I have stored what you have said^[c] in my heart,
    so I won’t sin against you.
¹² Blessed are you, Lord!
    Teach me your statutes.
¹³ I have spoken with my lips
    about all your decrees that you have announced.^[d]
14 I find joy in the path of your decrees,
    as if I owned all kinds of riches.
¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts,
    and I will respect your ways.
¹⁶ I am delighted with your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.^[e]

¹⁷ Deal kindly with your servant
    so I may live and keep your word.^[f]
18 Open my eyes
    so that I will observe amazing things from your instruction.^[g]
19 Since I am a stranger on the earth,
    do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing
    for your decrees at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the accursed ones,
    who wander from your commands.
²² Remove scorn and disrespect from me,
    for I observe your decrees.
²³ Though nobles take their seat and gossip about me,
    your servant will meditate on your statutes.
²⁴ I take joy in your decrees,
    for they are my counselors.

²⁵ My soul clings to the dust;
    revive me according to your word.
²⁶ I have talked about my ways,
    and you have answered me;
        Teach me your statutes.
²⁷ Help me understand how your precepts function,^[h]
    and I will meditate on your wondrous acts.
²⁸ I weep because of sorrow;
    fortify me according to your word.
²⁹ Remove false paths from me;
    and graciously give me your instruction.^[i]
30 I have chosen the faithful way;
    I have firmly placed your ordinances before me.^[j]
31 I cling to your decrees;
    Lord, do not put me to shame.
³² I eagerly race along the way of your commands,
    for you enable me to do so.^[k]

³³ Teach me, Lord, about the way of your statutes,
    and I will observe them without fail.^[l]
34 Give me understanding
    and I will observe your instruction.^[m]
        I will keep it with all of my heart.
³⁵ Help me live my life by your commands,
    because my joy is in them.
³⁶ Turn my heart to your decrees
    and away from unjust gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes away from gazing at worthless things,
    and revive me by your ways.
³⁸ Confirm your promise to your servant,
    which is for those who fear you.
³⁹ Turn away the shame that I dread,
    because your ordinances are good.
⁴⁰ Look, I long for your precepts;
    revive me through your righteousness.

⁴¹ May your gracious love come to me, Lord,
    your salvation, just as you said.
⁴² Then I can answer the one who insults me,
    for I place my trust in your word.
⁴³ Never take your truthful words from me,
    For I wait for^[n] your ordinances.
⁴⁴ Then I will always keep your Law,
    forever and ever,
⁴⁵ I will walk in liberty,
    for I seek your precepts.
⁴⁶ Then I will speak of your decrees before kings
    and not be ashamed.
⁴⁷ I will take delight in your commands,
    which I love.
⁴⁸ I will lift up my hands to your commands,
    which I love,
        and I will meditate on your statutes.

⁴⁹ Remember what you said^[o] to your servant,
    by which you caused me to hope.
⁵⁰ This is what comforts me in my troubles:
    that what you say revives me.
⁵¹ Even though the arrogant utterly deride me,
    I do not turn away from your instruction.^[p]
52 I have remembered your ancient ordinances, Lord,
    and I take comfort in them.
⁵³ I burn with indignation because of the wicked
    who forsake your instruction.^[q]
54 Your statutes are my songs,
    no matter where I make my home.^[r]
55 In the night I remember your name, Lord,
    and keep your instruction.^[s]
56 I have made it my personal responsibility
    to keep your precepts.

⁵⁷ The Lord is my inheritance;
    I have given my promise to keep your word.
⁵⁸ I have sought your favor with all of my heart;
    be gracious to me according to your promise.
⁵⁹ I examined my lifestyle
    and set my feet in the direction of your decrees.
⁶⁰ I hurried and did not procrastinate
    to keep your commands.
⁶¹ Though the ropes of the wicked have ensnared me,
    I have not forgotten your instruction.^[t]
62 At midnight I will get up to thank you
    for your righteous ordinances.
⁶³ I am united with all who fear you,
    and with everyone who keeps your precepts.
⁶⁴ Lord, the earth overflows with your gracious love!
    Teach me your statutes.

⁶⁵ Lord, you have dealt well with your servant,
    according to your word.
⁶⁶ Teach me both knowledge and appropriate discretion,
    because I believe in your commands.
⁶⁷ Before I was humbled, I wandered away,
    but now I observe your words.
⁶⁸ Lord,^[u] you are good^[v], and do what is good;
    teach me your statutes.
⁶⁹ The arrogant have accused me falsely;
    but I will observe your precepts wholeheartedly.
⁷⁰ Their minds are clogged as with greasy fat,
    but I find joy in your instruction.^[w]
71 It was for my good that I was humbled;^[x]
    so that I would learn your statutes.
⁷² Instruction^[y] that comes from you^[z] is better for me
    than thousands of gold and silver coins.^[aa]

⁷³ Your hands made and formed me;
    give me understanding,
        that I may learn your commands.
⁷⁴ May those who fear you see me and be glad,
    for I have hoped in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, Lord, that your decrees are just,
    and that you have rightfully humbled me.
⁷⁶ May your gracious love comfort me
    in accordance with your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷ May your mercies come to me that I may live,
    for your instruction^[ab] is my delight.
⁷⁸ May the arrogant become ashamed,
    because they have subverted me with deceit;
        as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹ May those who fear you turn to me,
    along with those who know your decrees.
⁸⁰ May my heart be blameless with respect to your statutes
    so that I may not become ashamed.

⁸¹ I long for your deliverance;
    I have looked to your word,
        placing my hope in it.
⁸² My eyes grow weary
    with respect to what you have promised—
        I keep asking, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³ Though I have become like a water skin dried by^[ac] smoke,
    I have not forgotten your statutes.
⁸⁴ How many days must your servant endure this?^[ad]
    When will you judge those who persecute me?
⁸⁵ The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me,
    disobeying your instruction.^[ae]
86 All of your commands are reliable.
    I am persecuted without cause—help me!
⁸⁷ Though the arrogant^[af] nearly destroyed me on earth,
    I did not abandon your precepts.
⁸⁸ Revive me according to your gracious love;
    and I will keep the decrees that you have proclaimed.

⁸⁹ Your word is forever, Lord;
    it is firmly established in heaven.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues from generation to generation.
    You established the earth, and it stands firm.
⁹¹ To this day they stand by means of your rulings,
    for all things serve you.
⁹² Had your instruction^[ag] not been my pleasure,
    I would have died in my affliction.
⁹³ I will never forget your precepts,
    for you have revived me with them.
⁹⁴ I am yours, so save me,
    since I have sought your precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked lay in wait to destroy me,
    while I ponder your decrees.
⁹⁶ I have observed that all things have their limit,
    but your commandment is very broad.

⁹⁷ How I love your instruction!^[ah]
    Every day it is my meditation.
⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my adversaries,
    since they are always with me.
⁹⁹ I am more insightful than my teachers,
    because your decrees are my meditations.
¹⁰⁰ I have more common sense than the elders,
    for I observe your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I keep away from every evil choice^[ai]
    so that I may keep your word.^[aj]
102 I do not avoid your judgments,
    for you pointed them out to me.
¹⁰³ How pleasing is what you have to say to me—
    tasting better than honey.
¹⁰⁴ I obtain understanding from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every false way.

¹⁰⁵ Your word is^[ak] a lamp for my feet,
    a light for my pathway.
¹⁰⁶ I have given my word and affirmed it,
    to keep your righteous judgments.
¹⁰⁷ I am severely afflicted.
    Revive me, Lord, according to your word.
¹⁰⁸ Lord, please accept my voluntary offerings of praise,^[al]
    and teach me your judgments.
¹⁰⁹ Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
    I do not forget your instruction.^[am]
110 Though the wicked lay a trap for me,
    I haven’t wandered away from your precepts.
¹¹¹ I have inherited your decrees forever,
    because they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² As a result, I am determined
    to carry out your statutes forever.

¹¹³ I despise the double-minded,
    but I love your instruction.^[an]
114 You are my fortress and shield;
    I hope in your word.
¹¹⁵ Leave me, you who practice evil,
    that I may observe the commands of my God.
¹¹⁶ Sustain me, God,^[ao] as you have promised,
    and I will live.
        Do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
¹¹⁷ Support me, that I may be saved,
    and I will carry out your statutes consistently.
¹¹⁸ You reject all who wander from your statutes,
    since their deceitfulness is vain.
¹¹⁹ You remove^[ap] all the wicked of the earth like^[aq] dross;
    therefore I love your decrees.
¹²⁰ My flesh trembles out of fear of you,
    and I am in awe of^[ar] your judgments.

¹²¹ I have acted with justice and righteousness;
    do not abandon me to my oppressors.
¹²² Back up your servant in a positive way;
    do not let the arrogant oppress me.
¹²³ My eyes fail as I look^[as] for your salvation
    and for your righteous promise.
¹²⁴ Act toward your servant consistent with your gracious love,
    and teach me your statutes.
¹²⁵ Since I am your servant, give me understanding,
    so I will know your decrees.
¹²⁶ It is time for the Lord to act,
    since they have violated your instruction.^[at]
127 I truly love your commands more than gold,
    including fine gold.
¹²⁸ I truly consider all of your precepts—all of them—to be just,
    while I despise every false way.

¹²⁹ Your decrees are wonderful—
    that’s why I observe them.
¹³⁰ The disclosure of your words illuminates,
    providing understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant
    as I long for your commands.
¹³² Turn in my direction and show mercy to me,
    as you have decreed regarding those who love your name.
¹³³ Direct my footsteps by your promise,
    and do not let any kind of iniquity rule over me.
¹³⁴ Deliver me from human oppression
    and I will keep your precepts.
¹³⁵ Show favor to^[au] your servant,
    and teach me your statutes.
¹³⁶ My eyes shed rivers of tears,
    when others do not obey your instruction.^[av]

¹³⁷ Lord, you are righteous,
    and your judgments are right.
¹³⁸ You have ordered your decrees to us rightly,
    and they are very faithful.
¹³⁹ My zeal consumes me
    because my enemies forget your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your word is very pure,
    and your servant loves it.
¹⁴¹ Though I may be small and despised,
    I do not neglect your precepts.
¹⁴² Your righteousness is an eternal righteousness,
    and your instruction^[aw] is true.
¹⁴³ Though trouble and anguish overwhelm me,
    your commands remain my delight.
¹⁴⁴ Your righteous decrees are eternal;
    give me understanding, and I will live.

¹⁴⁵ I have cried out with all of my heart.
    Answer me, Lord!
        I will observe your statutes.
¹⁴⁶ I have called out to you, “Save me,
    so I may keep your decrees.”
¹⁴⁷ I get up before dawn and cry for help;
    I place my hope in your word.
¹⁴⁸ I look forward to the night watches,
    when I may meditate on what you have said.
¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice according to your gracious love.
    Lord, revive me in keeping with your justice.
¹⁵⁰ Those who pursue wickedness draw near;
    they remain far from your instruction.^[ax]
151 You are near, Lord,
    and all of your commands are true.
¹⁵² I discovered long ago about your decrees
    that you have confirmed them forever.

¹⁵³ Look on my misery, and rescue me,
    for I do not ignore your instruction.^[ay]
154 Defend my case and redeem me;
    revive me according to your promise.
¹⁵⁵ Deliverance remains remote from the wicked,
    for they do not seek your statutes.
¹⁵⁶ Your mercies are magnificent, Lord;
    revive me according to your judgments.
¹⁵⁷ Though my persecutors and adversaries are numerous,
    I do not turn aside from your decrees.
¹⁵⁸ I watch the treacherous, and despise them,
    because they do not do what you have said.
¹⁵⁹ Look how I love your precepts, Lord;
    revive me according to your gracious love.
¹⁶⁰ The sum^[az] of your word^[ba] is truth,
    and each righteous ordinance of yours is everlasting.

¹⁶¹ Though nobles persecute me for no reason,
    my heart stands in awe of your words.
¹⁶² I find joy at what you have said
    like one who has discovered a great treasure.
¹⁶³ I despise and hate falsehood,
    but^[bb] I love your instruction.^[bc]
164 I praise you seven times a day
    because of your righteous ordinances.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace belongs to those who love your instruction,^[bd]
    and nothing makes them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I am looking in hope for your deliverance, Lord,
    as I carry out your commands.
¹⁶⁷ My soul treasures^[be] your decrees,
    and I love them deeply.
¹⁶⁸ I keep your precepts and your decrees
    because all of my ways are before you.

¹⁶⁹ May my cry arise before you, Lord;
    give me understanding according to your word.
¹⁷⁰ Let my request come before you;
    deliver me, as you have promised.
¹⁷¹ May my lips utter praise,
    for you teach me your statutes.
¹⁷² May my tongue sing about your promise,
    for all of your commands are right.
¹⁷³ May your hand stand ready to assist me,
    for I have chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I am longing for your deliverance, Lord,
    and your instruction^[bf] is my joy.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live, and I will praise you;
    let your ordinances^[bg] help me.
¹⁷⁶ I have wandered away like a lost sheep;
    come find your servant,
        for I do not forget your commands.