Psalm 119

Happy are they whose way is blameless, *

who walk in the law of the LORD!

Happy are they who observe his decrees *

and seek him with all their hearts!

Who never do any wrong, *

but always walk in his ways.

You laid down your commandments, *

that we should fully keep them.

Oh, that my ways were made so direct *

that I might keep your statutes!

Then I should not be put to shame, *

when I regard all your commandments.

I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, *

when I have learned your righteous judgments.

I will keep your statutes; *

do not utterly forsake me.

How shall a young man cleanse his way? *

By keeping to your words.

With my whole heart I seek you; *

let me not stray from your commandments.

I treasure your promise in my heart, *

that I may not sin against you.

Blessed are you, O LORD; *

instruct me in your statutes.

With my lips will I recite *

all the judgments of your mouth.

I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees *

than in all manner of riches.

I will meditate on your commandments *

and give attention to your ways.

My delight is in your statutes; *

I will not forget your word.

Deal bountifully with your servant, *

that I may live and keep your word.

Open my eyes, that I may see *

the wonders of your law.

I am a stranger here on earth; *

do not hide your commandments from me.

My soul is consumed at all times *

with longing for your judgments.

You have rebuked the insolent; *

cursed are they who stray from your commandments!

Turn from me shame and rebuke, *

for I have kept your decrees.

Even though rulers sit and plot against me, *

I will meditate on your statutes.

For your decrees are my delight, *

and they are my counselors.

My soul cleaves to the dust; *

give me life according to your word.

I have confessed my ways, and you answered me; *

instruct me in your statutes.

Make me understand the way of your commandments, *

that I may meditate on your marvelous works.

My soul melts away for sorrow; *

strengthen me according to your word.

Take from me the way of lying; *

let me find grace through your law.

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; *

I have set your judgments before me.

I hold fast to your decrees; *

O LORD, let me not be put to shame.

I will run the way of your commandments, *

for you have set my heart at liberty.

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.

Your word is a lantern to my feet *

and a light upon my path.

I have sworn and am determined *

to keep your righteous judgments.

I am deeply troubled; *

preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.

Accept, O LORD, the willing tribute of my lips, *

and teach me your judgments.

My life is always in my hand, *

yet I do not forget your law.

The wicked have set a trap for me, *

but I have not strayed from your commandments.

Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; *

truly, they are the joy of my heart.

I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes *

for ever and to the end.

I hate those who have a divided heart, *

but your law do I love.

You are my refuge and shield; *

my hope is in your word.

Away from me, you wicked! *

I will keep the commandments of my God.

Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, *

and let me not be disappointed in my hope.

Hold me up, and I shall be safe, *

and my delight shall be ever in your statutes.

You spurn all who stray from your statutes; *

their deceitfulness is in vain.

In your sight all the wicked of the earth are but dross; *

therefore I love your decrees.

My flesh trembles with dread of you; *

I am afraid of your judgments.

I have done what is just and right; *

do not deliver me to my oppressors.

Be surety for your servant's good; *

let not the proud oppress me.

My eyes have failed from watching for your salvation *

and for your righteous promise.

Deal with your servant according to your loving-kindness *

and teach me your statutes.

I am your servant; grant me understanding, *

that I may know your decrees.

It is time for you to act, O LORD, *

for they have broken your law.

Truly, I love your commandments *

more than gold and precious stones.

I hold all your commandments to be right for me; *

all paths of falsehood I abhor.

Your decrees are wonderful; *

therefore I obey them with all my heart.

When your word goes forth it gives light; *

it gives understanding to the simple.

I open my mouth and pant; *

I long for your commandments.

Turn to me in mercy, *

as you always do to those who love your Name.

Steady my footsteps in your word; *

let no iniquity have dominion over me.

Rescue me from those who oppress me, *

and I will keep your commandments.

Let your countenance shine upon your servant *

and teach me your statutes.

My eyes shed streams of tears, *

because people do not keep your law.

You are righteous, O LORD, *

and upright are your judgments.

You have issued your decrees *

with justice and in perfect faithfulness.

My indignation has consumed me, *

because my enemies forget your words.

Your word has been tested to the uttermost, *

and your servant holds it dear.

I am small and of little account, *

yet I do not forget your commandments.

Your justice is an everlasting justice *

and your law is the truth.

Trouble and distress have come upon me, *

yet your commandments are my delight.

The righteousness of your decrees is everlasting; *

grant me understanding, that I may live.

I call with my whole heart; *

answer me, O LORD, that I may keep your statutes.

I call to you;

oh, that you would save me! *

I will keep your decrees.

Early in the morning I cry out to you, *

for in your word is my trust.

My eyes are open in the night watches, *

that I may meditate upon your promise.

Hear my voice, O LORD, according to your loving-kindness; *

according to your judgments, give me life.

They draw near who in malice persecute me; *

they are very far from your law.

You, O LORD, are near at hand, *

and all your commandments are true.

Long have I known from your decrees *

that you have established them for ever.

Behold my affliction and deliver me, *

for I do not forget your law.

Plead my cause and redeem me; *

according to your promise, give me life.

Deliverance is far from the wicked, *

for they do not study your statutes.

Great is your compassion, O LORD; *

preserve my life, according to your judgments.

There are many who persecute and oppress me, *

yet I have not swerved from your decrees.

I look with loathing at the faithless, *

for they have not kept your word.

See how I love your commandments! *

O LORD, in your mercy, preserve me.

The heart of your word is truth; *

all your righteous judgments endure for evermore.

Rulers have persecuted me without a cause, *

but my heart stands in awe of your word.

I am as glad because of your promise *

as one who finds great spoils.

As for lies, I hate and abhor them, *

but your law is my love.

Seven times a day do I praise you, *

because of your righteous judgments.

Great peace have they who love your law; *

for them there is no stumbling block.

I have hoped for your salvation, O LORD, *

and have fulfilled your commandments.

I have kept your decrees *

and I have loved them deeply.

I have kept your commandments and decrees, *

for all my ways are before you.

Let my cry come before you, O LORD; *

give me understanding, according to your word.

Let my supplication come before you; *

deliver me, according to your promise.

My lips shall pour forth your praise, *

when you teach me your statutes.

My tongue shall sing of your promise, *

for all your commandments are righteous.

Let your hand be ready to help me, *

for I have chosen your commandments.

I long for your salvation, O LORD, *

and your law is my delight.

Let me live, and I will praise you, *

and let your judgments help me.

I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; *

search for your servant,

for I do not forget your commandments.