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119. Psalm 119

¹ Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
   who walk according to the law of the LORD.
² Blessed are those who keep his statutes
   and seek him with all their heart—
³ they do no wrong
   but follow his ways.
⁴ You have laid down precepts
   that are to be fully obeyed.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast
   in obeying your decrees!
⁶ Then I would not be put to shame
   when I consider all your commands.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart
   as I learn your righteous laws.
⁸ I will obey your decrees;
   do not utterly forsake me.

ב Beth

    ⁹ How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
   By living according to your word.
¹⁰ I seek you with all my heart;
   do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart
   that I might not sin against you.
¹² Praise be to you, LORD;
   teach me your decrees.
¹³ With my lips I recount
   all the laws that come from your mouth.
¹⁴ I rejoice in following your statutes
   as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵ I meditate on your precepts
   and consider your ways.
¹⁶ I delight in your decrees;
   I will not neglect your word.

ג Gimel

    ¹⁷ Be good to your servant while I live,
   that I may obey your word.
¹⁸ Open my eyes that I may see
   wonderful things in your law.
¹⁹ I am a stranger on earth;
   do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing
   for your laws at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
   those who stray from your commands.
²² Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
   for I keep your statutes.
²³ Though rulers sit together and slander me,
   your servant will meditate on your decrees.
²⁴ Your statutes are my delight;
   they are my counselors.

ד Daleth

    ²⁵ I am laid low in the dust;
   preserve my life according to your word.
²⁶ I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
   teach me your decrees.
²⁷ Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
   that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
²⁸ My soul is weary with sorrow;
   strengthen me according to your word.
²⁹ Keep me from deceitful ways;
   be gracious to me and teach me your law.
³⁰ I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
   I have set my heart on your laws.
³¹ I hold fast to your statutes, LORD;
   do not let me be put to shame.
³² I run in the path of your commands,
   for you have broadened my understanding.

ה He

    ³³ Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees,
   that I may follow it to the end. Or follow it for its reward
³⁴ Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
   and obey it with all my heart.
³⁵ Direct me in the path of your commands,
   for there I find delight.
³⁶ Turn my heart toward your statutes
   and not toward selfish gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
   preserve my life according to your word. Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way
³⁸ Fulfill your promise to your servant,
   so that you may be feared.
³⁹ Take away the disgrace I dread,
   for your laws are good.
⁴⁰ How I long for your precepts!
   In your righteousness preserve my life.

ו Waw

    ⁴¹ May your unfailing love come to me, LORD,
   your salvation, according to your promise;
⁴² then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
   for I trust in your word.
⁴³ Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
   for I have put my hope in your laws.
⁴⁴ I will always obey your law,
   for ever and ever.
⁴⁵ I will walk about in freedom,
   for I have sought out your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will speak of your statutes before kings
   and will not be put to shame,
⁴⁷ for I delight in your commands
   because I love them.
⁴⁸ I reach out for your commands, which I love,
   that I may meditate on your decrees.

ז Zayin

    ⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant,
   for you have given me hope.
⁵⁰ My comfort in my suffering is this:
   Your promise preserves my life.
⁵¹ The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
   but I do not turn from your law.
⁵² I remember, LORD, your ancient laws,
   and I find comfort in them.
⁵³ Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
   who have forsaken your law.
⁵⁴ Your decrees are the theme of my song
   wherever I lodge.
⁵⁵ In the night, LORD, I remember your name,
   that I may keep your law.
⁵⁶ This has been my practice:
   I obey your precepts.

ח Heth

    ⁵⁷ You are my portion, LORD;
   I have promised to obey your words.
⁵⁸ I have sought your face with all my heart;
   be gracious to me according to your promise.
⁵⁹ I have considered my ways
   and have turned my steps to your statutes.
⁶⁰ I will hasten and not delay
   to obey your commands.
⁶¹ Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
   I will not forget your law.
⁶² At midnight I rise to give you thanks
   for your righteous laws.
⁶³ I am a friend to all who fear you,
   to all who follow your precepts.
⁶⁴ The earth is filled with your love, LORD;
   teach me your decrees.

ט Teth

    ⁶⁵ Do good to your servant
   according to your word, LORD.
⁶⁶ Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
   for I trust your commands.
⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted I went astray,
   but now I obey your word.
⁶⁸ You are good, and what you do is good;
   teach me your decrees.
⁶⁹ Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
   I keep your precepts with all my heart.
⁷⁰ Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
   but I delight in your law.
⁷¹ It was good for me to be afflicted
   so that I might learn your decrees.
⁷² The law from your mouth is more precious to me
   than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

י Yodh

    ⁷³ Your hands made me and formed me;
   give me understanding to learn your commands.
⁷⁴ May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
   for I have put my hope in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous,
   and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶ May your unfailing love be my comfort,
   according to your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷ Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
   for your law is my delight.
⁷⁸ May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
   but I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹ May those who fear you turn to me,
   those who understand your statutes.
⁸⁰ May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
   that I may not be put to shame.

כ Kaph

    ⁸¹ My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
   but I have put my hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
   I say, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³ Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
   I do not forget your decrees.
⁸⁴ How long must your servant wait?
   When will you punish my persecutors?
⁸⁵ The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
   contrary to your law.
⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy;
   help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
⁸⁷ They almost wiped me from the earth,
   but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸ In your unfailing love preserve my life,
   that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

ל Lamedh

    ⁸⁹ Your word, LORD, is eternal;
   it stands firm in the heavens.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
   you established the earth, and it endures.
⁹¹ Your laws endure to this day,
   for all things serve you.
⁹² If your law had not been my delight,
   I would have perished in my affliction.
⁹³ I will never forget your precepts,
   for by them you have preserved my life.
⁹⁴ Save me, for I am yours;
   I have sought out your precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
   but I will ponder your statutes.
⁹⁶ To all perfection I see a limit,
   but your commands are boundless.

מ Mem

    ⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law!
   I meditate on it all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commands are always with me
   and make me wiser than my enemies.
⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers,
   for I meditate on your statutes.
¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the elders,
   for I obey your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I have kept my feet from every evil path
   so that I might obey your word.
¹⁰² I have not departed from your laws,
   for you yourself have taught me.
¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste,
   sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ I gain understanding from your precepts;
   therefore I hate every wrong path.

נ Nun

    ¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet,
   a light on my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
   that I will follow your righteous laws.
¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much;
   preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.
¹⁰⁸ Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth,
   and teach me your laws.
¹⁰⁹ Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
   I will not forget your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have set a snare for me,
   but I have not strayed from your precepts.
¹¹¹ Your statutes are my heritage forever;
   they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² My heart is set on keeping your decrees
   to the very end. Or decrees / for their enduring reward

ס Samekh

    ¹¹³ I hate double-minded people,
   but I love your law.
¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield;
   I have put my hope in your word.
¹¹⁵ Away from me, you evildoers,
   that I may keep the commands of my God!
¹¹⁶ Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
   do not let my hopes be dashed.
¹¹⁷ Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
   I will always have regard for your decrees.
¹¹⁸ You reject all who stray from your decrees,
   for their delusions come to nothing.
¹¹⁹ All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
   therefore I love your statutes.
¹²⁰ My flesh trembles in fear of you;
   I stand in awe of your laws.

ע Ayin

    ¹²¹ I have done what is righteous and just;
   do not leave me to my oppressors.
¹²² Ensure your servant’s well-being;
   do not let the arrogant oppress me.
¹²³ My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
   looking for your righteous promise.
¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according to your love
   and teach me your decrees.
¹²⁵ I am your servant; give me discernment
   that I may understand your statutes.
¹²⁶ It is time for you to act, LORD;
   your law is being broken.
¹²⁷ Because I love your commands
   more than gold, more than pure gold,
¹²⁸ and because I consider all your precepts right,
   I hate every wrong path.

פ Pe

    ¹²⁹ Your statutes are wonderful;
   therefore I obey them.
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light;
   it gives understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant,
   longing for your commands.
¹³² Turn to me and have mercy on me,
   as you always do to those who love your name.
¹³³ Direct my footsteps according to your word;
   let no sin rule over me.
¹³⁴ Redeem me from human oppression,
   that I may obey your precepts.
¹³⁵ Make your face shine on your servant
   and teach me your decrees.
¹³⁶ Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
   for your law is not obeyed.

צ Tsadhe

    ¹³⁷ You are righteous, LORD,
   and your laws are right.
¹³⁸ The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
   they are fully trustworthy.
¹³⁹ My zeal wears me out,
   for my enemies ignore your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
   and your servant loves them.
¹⁴¹ Though I am lowly and despised,
   I do not forget your precepts.
¹⁴² Your righteousness is everlasting
   and your law is true.
¹⁴³ Trouble and distress have come upon me,
   but your commands give me delight.
¹⁴⁴ Your statutes are always righteous;
   give me understanding that I may live.

ק Qoph

    ¹⁴⁵ I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD,
   and I will obey your decrees.
¹⁴⁶ I call out to you; save me
   and I will keep your statutes.
¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help;
   I have put my hope in your word.
¹⁴⁸ My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
   that I may meditate on your promises.
¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
   preserve my life, LORD, according to your laws.
¹⁵⁰ Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
   but they are far from your law.
¹⁵¹ Yet you are near, LORD,
   and all your commands are true.
¹⁵² Long ago I learned from your statutes
   that you established them to last forever.

ר Resh

    ¹⁵³ Look on my suffering and deliver me,
   for I have not forgotten your law.
¹⁵⁴ Defend my cause and redeem me;
   preserve my life according to your promise.
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked,
   for they do not seek out your decrees.
¹⁵⁶ Your compassion, LORD, is great;
   preserve my life according to your laws.
¹⁵⁷ Many are the foes who persecute me,
   but I have not turned from your statutes.
¹⁵⁸ I look on the faithless with loathing,
   for they do not obey your word.
¹⁵⁹ See how I love your precepts;
   preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.
¹⁶⁰ All your words are true;
   all your righteous laws are eternal.

ש Sin and Shin

    ¹⁶¹ Rulers persecute me without cause,
   but my heart trembles at your word.
¹⁶² I rejoice in your promise
   like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and detest falsehood
   but I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
   for your righteous laws.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love your law,
   and nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I wait for your salvation, LORD,
   and I follow your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I obey your statutes,
   for I love them greatly.
¹⁶⁸ I obey your precepts and your statutes,
   for all my ways are known to you.

ת Taw

    ¹⁶⁹ May my cry come before you, LORD;
   give me understanding according to your word.
¹⁷⁰ May my supplication come before you;
   deliver me according to your promise.
¹⁷¹ May my lips overflow with praise,
   for you teach me your decrees.
¹⁷² May my tongue sing of your word,
   for all your commands are righteous.
¹⁷³ May your hand be ready to help me,
   for I have chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, LORD,
   and your law gives me delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live that I may praise you,
   and may your laws sustain me.
¹⁷⁶ I have strayed like a lost sheep.
   Seek your servant,
   for I have not forgotten your commands.

38. Confirm thy word unto thy servant. Here we have briefly set forth the sole end and legitimate use of prayer, which is, that we may reap the fruits of God’s promises. Whence it comes to pass, that they commit sin who utter vague and incoherent desires. For we perceive the prophet allows not himself to petition or wish any thing but what God hath condescended to promise. And certainly their presumption is great, who rush into the presence of God without any call from his word; as if they would make him subservient to their humor and caprice. The argument by which the Psalmist enforces his plea deserves to be noticed; because I am devoted to thy fear. The relative אשר asher, in this place bears the signification of the causal conjunction, because or for. The prophet intimates that he does not content himself with mere temporal enjoyments, as worldly men do; and that he did not make a preposterous abuse of God’s promises, to secure the delights of the flesh, but that he made his fear and reverence his aim. And truly the best assurance which we can have of obtaining our requests is when these and God’s service harmonize, and our sole desire is that he may reign in and over us.

39. Take away my reproach. It is not certain to what reproach he alludes. Knowing that many calumniators were on the watch to find occasion for reviling him, should they happen to detect him in any offense, it is not without reason he dreaded lest he might fall into such disgrace, and that by his own fault. Probably he might be apprehensive of some other reproach, aware that wicked men shamefully and injuriously slander the good generally, and, by their calumnies, distort and pervert their good actions. The concluding clause, Because the judgments of God are good, is the reason why God should put to silence the mischievous tongues, which pour out the venom of their malice without shame against the innocent, who are reverently observing his law. If any be inclined to view the word reproach as directed against God himself, such an interpretation is by no means objectionable, That the prophet, whose aim it was to stand approved as to his life in God’s sight, merely desired, when he appeared before his tribunal, not to be judged as a reprobate man; just as if, with great zeal and magnanimity, he would despise all the empty talk of the men of the world, provided he stood upright in God’s sight. Above all, it becomes holy men to dread the reproach of being suffused with shame at God’s judgment-seat.

40. Behold, I have a desire to thy precepts This is a repetition of what he declared a little before, with regard to his pious affection, and his love of righteousness; and that nothing was wanting but God to complete the work which he had commenced. If this interpretation be admitted, then, to be quickened in the righteousness of God, will be tantamount to being quickened in the way. The term righteousness is often put in this psalm for the law of God, or the rule of a righteous life. This view tends to make the two parts of the verse accord with one another. “Lord, this is now a remarkable kindness thou hast done me, in having inspired me with a holy desire to keep thy law; one thing is still necessary, that this same virtue pervade my whole life.” But as the word righteousness is ambiguous, my readers may, if they choose, understand it thus: Restore, defend, and maintain me for the sake of thy goodness, which thou art wont to show to all thy people. I have already pointed out the exposition which I prefer.

41. Let thy mercies come to me There can be no doubt, that, in mentioning the mercy of God first, and afterwards his salvation, the Psalmist, according to the natural order, puts the cause before the effect. By adopting this arrangement, he acknowledges that there is no salvation for him but in the pure mercy of God. And while he desires a gracious salvation, he, at the same time, relies on the promise, as we have already elsewhere seen.

In the second verse he boasts that he is furnished with the best defense against the calumnies of his enemies, arising from his trust in the word of God. We may resolve the future tense into the optative mood, as many do: O Lord, since I have trusted in thy word, grant that my mouth with all boldness may repel the slanders which they utter against me, and suffer me not to be silent when they load me with unmerited reproach.” Whichever of these meanings we adopt, we are taught that there will always be evil-speakers, who will not cease to defame the children of God, though they be entirely undeserving of such treatment. It is somewhat dubious to what particular kind of reproach he refers; for the ungodly not only cover the children of God with ignominy, but also make their faith the subject of ridicule. I prefer the following interpretation, because it agrees best with the context, and David is here placing his trust in God in opposition to their derision. “I shall have something to reply to the base mockery of the enemies who injure me without cause, in that God never disappoints those who place their confidence in him.” If any one be inclined to consider the passage as embracing both meanings, I offer no objection to it. Besides, he does not simply say, that he trusted in God, but that he also trusted in his word, which is the ground of his trust. We must carefully attend to the correspondence and mutual relation between the term word, in the first part of the verse, and that in the other. Were not God, by his Word, to furnish us with another word for our defense, we would instantly be overwhelmed with the insolence of our enemies. If, then, we wish to be proof against the attacks of the world, the commencement and foundation of our magnanimity is here pointed out to us, — our trusting in God’s word, guarded by which, the Spirit of God calls upon us boldly to contemn the virulent blasphemies of the ungodly. And to qualify us for repelling such blasphemies, he connects the word of hope with the word of confession.