Day 25 of the 30-day Psalter: Morning and Evening

Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, *

and I shall keep it to the end.

Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; *

I shall keep it with all my heart.

Make me go in the path of your commandments, *

for that is my desire.

Incline my heart to your decrees *

and not to unjust gain.

Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; *

give me life in your ways.

Fulfill your promise to your servant, *

which you make to those who fear you.

Turn away the reproach which I dread, *

because your judgments are good.

Behold, I long for your commandments; *

in your righteousness preserve my life.

Let your loving-kindness come to me, O LORD, *

and your salvation, according to your promise.

Then shall I have a word for those who taunt me, *

because I trust in your words.

Do not take the word of truth out of my mouth, *

for my hope is in your judgments.

I shall continue to keep your law; *

I shall keep it for ever and ever.

I will walk at liberty, *

because I study your commandments.

I will tell of your decrees before kings *

and will not be ashamed.

I delight in your commandments, *

which I have always loved.

I will lift up my hands to your commandments, *

and I will meditate on your statutes.

Remember your word to your servant, *

because you have given me hope.

This is my comfort in my trouble, *

that your promise gives me life.

The proud have derided me cruelly, *

but I have not turned from your law.

When I remember your judgments of old, *

O LORD, I take great comfort.

I am filled with a burning rage, *

because of the wicked who forsake your law.

Your statutes have been like songs to me *

wherever I have lived as a stranger.

I remember your Name in the night, O LORD, *

and dwell upon your law.

This is how it has been with me, *

because I have kept your commandments.

You only are my portion, O LORD; *

I have promised to keep your words.

I entreat you with all my heart, *

be merciful to me according to your promise.

I have considered my ways *

and turned my feet toward your decrees.

I hasten and do not tarry *

to keep your commandments.

Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, *

I do not forget your law.

At midnight I will rise to give you thanks, *

because of your righteous judgments.

I am a companion of all who fear you *

and of those who keep your commandments.

The earth, O LORD, is full of your love; *

instruct me in your statutes.

O LORD, you have dealt graciously with your servant, *

according to your word.

Teach me discernment and knowledge, *

for I have believed in your commandments.

Before I was afflicted I went astray, *

but now I keep your word.

You are good and you bring forth good; *

instruct me in your statutes.

The proud have smeared me with lies, *

but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.

Their heart is gross and fat, *

but my delight is in your law.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *

that I might learn your statutes.

The law of your mouth is dearer to me *

than thousands in gold and silver.

Your hands have made me and fashioned me; *

give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.

Those who fear you will be glad when they see me, *

because I trust in your word.

I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right *

and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

Let your loving-kindness be my comfort, *

as you have promised to your servant.

Let your compassion come to me, that I may live, *

for your law is my delight.

Let the arrogant be put to shame, for they wrong me with lies; *

but I will meditate on your commandments.

Let those who fear you turn to me, *

and also those who know your decrees.

Let my heart be sound in your statutes, *

that I may not be put to shame.

My soul has longed for your salvation; *

I have put my hope in your word.

My eyes have failed from watching for your promise, *

and I say, "When will you comfort me?"

I have become like a leather flask in the smoke, *

but I have not forgotten your statutes.

How much longer must I wait? *

when will you give judgment against those who persecute me?

The proud have dug pits for me; *

they do not keep your law.

All your commandments are true; *

help me, for they persecute me with lies.

They had almost made an end of me on earth, *

but I have not forsaken your commandments.

In your loving-kindness, revive me, *

that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.

O LORD, your word is everlasting; *

it stands firm in the heavens.

Your faithfulness remains from one generation to another; *

you established the earth, and it abides.

By your decree these continue to this day, *

for all things are your servants.

If my delight had not been in your law, *

I should have perished in my affliction.

I will never forget your commandments, *

because by them you give me life.

I am yours; oh, that you would save me! *

for I study your commandments.

Though the wicked lie in wait for me to destroy me, *

I will apply my mind to your decrees.

I see that all things come to an end, *

but your commandment has no bounds.

Oh, how I love your law! *

all the day long it is in my mind.

Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, *

and it is always with me.

I have more understanding than all my teachers, *

for your decrees are my study.

I am wiser than the elders, *

because I observe your commandments.

I restrain my feet from every evil way, *

that I may keep your word.

I do not shrink from your judgments, *

because you yourself have taught me.

How sweet are your words to my taste! *

they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.

Through your commandments I gain understanding; *

therefore I hate every lying way.