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Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God.

[a]Aleph.

119 How blessed and favored by God are those whose way is blameless [those with personal integrity, the upright, the guileless],
Who walk in the law [and who are guided by the precepts and revealed will] of the Lord.

Blessed and favored by God are those who keep His testimonies,
And who [consistently] seek Him and long for Him with all their heart.

They do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways.(A)

You have ordained Your precepts,
That we should follow them with [careful] diligence.

Oh, that my ways may be established
To observe and keep Your statutes [obediently accepting and honoring them]!

Then I will not be ashamed
When I look [with respect] to all Your commandments [as my guide].

I will give thanks to You with an upright heart,
When I learn [through discipline] Your righteous judgments [for my transgressions].

I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not utterly abandon me [when I fail].

Beth.


How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to Your precepts].
10 
With all my heart I have sought You, [inquiring of You and longing for You];
Do not let me wander from Your commandments [neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience].(B)
11 
Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
12 
Blessed and reverently praised are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
13 
With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14 
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15 
I will meditate on Your precepts
And [thoughtfully] regard Your ways [the path of life established by Your precepts].(C)
16 
I will delight in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.

Gimel.

17 
Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word [treasuring it and being guided by it day by day].(D)
18 
Open my eyes [to spiritual truth] so that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law.
19 
I am a stranger on the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.(E)
20 
My soul is crushed with longing
For Your ordinances at all times.
21 
You rebuke the presumptuous and arrogant, the cursed ones,
Who wander from Your commandments.
22 
Take reproach and contempt away from me,
For I observe Your testimonies.
23 
Even though princes sit and talk to one another against me,
Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24 
Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.

Daleth.

25 
My earthly life clings to the dust;
Revive and refresh me according to Your word.(F)
26 
I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
27 
Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
So that I will meditate (focus my thoughts) on Your wonderful works.(G)
28 
My soul dissolves because of grief;
Renew and strengthen me according to [the promises of] Your word.
29 
Remove from me the way of falsehood and unfaithfulness,
And graciously grant me Your law.
30 
I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your ordinances before me.
31 
I cling tightly to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!
32 
I will run the way of Your commandments [with purpose],
For You will give me a heart that is willing.

He.

33 
Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I will [steadfastly] observe it to the end.
34 
Give me understanding [a teachable heart and the ability to learn], that I may keep Your law;
And observe it with all my heart.(H)
35 
Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
36 
Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to dishonest gain and envy.(I)
37 
Turn my eyes away from vanity [all those worldly, meaningless things that distract—let Your priorities be mine],
And restore me [with renewed energy] in Your ways.
38 
Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant,
As that which produces [awe-inspired] reverence for You.(J)
39 
Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your ordinances are good.
40 
I long for Your precepts;
Renew me through Your righteousness.

Vav.

41 
May Your lovingkindness also come to me, O Lord,
Your salvation according to Your promise;
42 
So I will have an answer for the one who taunts me,
For I trust [completely] in Your word [and its reliability].
43 
And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I wait for Your ordinances.
44 
I will keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever [writing Your precepts on my heart].
45 
And I will walk at liberty,
For I seek and deeply long for Your precepts.
46 
I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings
And shall not be ashamed.(K)
47 
For I shall delight in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48 
And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
Which I love;
And I will meditate on Your statutes.

Zayin.

49 
Remember [always] the word and promise to Your servant,
In which You have made me hope.
50 
This is my comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me and given me life.(L)
51 
The arrogant utterly ridicule me,
Yet I do not turn away from Your law.
52 
I have remembered [carefully] Your ancient ordinances, O Lord,
And I have taken comfort.
53 
Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked,
Who [b]reject Your law.
54 
Your statutes are my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 
O Lord, I remember Your name in the night,
And keep Your law.
56 
This has become mine [as the gift of Your grace],
That I observe Your precepts [accepting them with loving obedience].

Heth.

57 
The Lord is my portion;
I have promised to keep Your words.
58 
I sought Your favor with all my heart;
Be merciful and gracious to me according to Your promise.
59 
I considered my ways
And turned my feet to [follow and obey] Your testimonies.
60 
I hurried and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61 
The cords of the wicked have encircled and ensnared me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 
At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your righteous ordinances.
63 
I am a companion of all who [reverently] fear You,
And of those who keep and honor Your precepts.
64 
The earth, O Lord, is full of Your lovingkindness and goodness;
Teach me Your statutes.

Teth.

65 
You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your promise.
66 
Teach me good judgment (discernment) and knowledge,
For I have believed and trusted and relied on Your commandments.
67 
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep and honor Your word [with loving obedience].
68 
You are good and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.
69 
The arrogant have forged a lie against me,
But I will keep Your precepts with all my heart.
70 
Their heart is insensitive like fat [their minds are dull and brutal],
But I delight in Your law.
71 
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
72 
The law from Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh.

73 
Your hands have made me and established me;
Give me understanding and a teachable heart, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 
May those who [reverently] fear You see me and be glad,
Because I wait for Your word.
75 
I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are fair,
And that in faithfulness You have disciplined me.(M)
76 
O may Your lovingkindness and graciousness comfort me,
According to Your word (promise) to Your servant.
77 
Let Your compassion come to me that I may live,
For Your law is my delight.
78 
Let the arrogant be ashamed and humiliated, for they sabotage me with a lie;
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
79 
May those who fear You [with submissive wonder] turn to me,
Even those who have known Your testimonies.
80 
May my heart be blameless in Your statutes,
So that I will not be ashamed.

Kaph.

81 
My soul languishes and grows weak for Your salvation;
I wait for Your word.
82 
My eyes fail [with longing, watching] for [the fulfillment of] Your promise,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
83 
For I have become like a wineskin [blackened and shriveled] in the smoke [in which it hangs],
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
84 
How many are the days of Your servant [which he must endure]?
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?(N)
85 
The arrogant (godless) have dug pits for me,
Men who do not conform to Your law.
86 
All Your commandments are faithful and trustworthy.
They have persecuted me with a lie; help me [Lord]!
87 
They had almost destroyed me on earth,
But as for me, I did not [c]turn away from Your precepts.
88 
According to Your steadfast love refresh me and give me life,
So that I may keep and obey the testimony of Your mouth.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:1 This long Psalm (176 verses) consists of separate units, each of which has its first word beginning with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet as a memory aid. The first verse begins with the first letter of the alphabet, aleph (first letter of the word blessed), and the last unit of the Psalm (vv 169-176) begins with tav, the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
  2. Psalm 119:53 Lit forsake.
  3. Psalm 119:87 Lit forsake.

Psalm 119[a]

א Aleph

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,(A)
    who walk(B) according to the law of the Lord.(C)
Blessed(D) are those who keep his statutes(E)
    and seek him(F) with all their heart—(G)
they do no wrong(H)
    but follow his ways.(I)
You have laid down precepts(J)
    that are to be fully obeyed.(K)
Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!(L)
Then I would not be put to shame(M)
    when I consider all your commands.(N)
I will praise you with an upright heart
    as I learn your righteous laws.(O)
I will obey your decrees;
    do not utterly forsake me.(P)

ב Beth

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

ג Gimel

17 Be good to your servant(AD) while I live,
    that I may obey your word.(AE)
18 Open my eyes that I may see
    wonderful things in your law.
19 I am a stranger on earth;(AF)
    do not hide your commands from me.
20 My soul is consumed(AG) with longing
    for your laws(AH) at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant,(AI) who are accursed,(AJ)
    those who stray(AK) from your commands.
22 Remove from me their scorn(AL) and contempt,
    for I keep your statutes.(AM)
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;(AN)
    preserve my life(AO) according to your word.(AP)
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
    teach me your decrees.(AQ)
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.(AR)
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;(AS)
    strengthen me(AT) according to your word.(AU)
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;(AV)
    be gracious to me(AW) and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen(AX) the way of faithfulness;(AY)
    I have set my heart(AZ) on your laws.
31 I hold fast(BA) 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,(BB) Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.[b]
34 Give me understanding,(BC) so that I may keep your law(BD)
    and obey it with all my heart.(BE)
35 Direct me(BF) in the path of your commands,(BG)
    for there I find delight.(BH)
36 Turn my heart(BI) toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.(BJ)
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life(BK) according to your word.[c](BL)
38 Fulfill your promise(BM) to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace(BN) I dread,
    for your laws are good.
40 How I long(BO) for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.(BP)

ו Waw

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

ז Zayin

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

ח Heth

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

ט Teth

65 Do good(DD) to your servant
    according to your word,(DE) Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge(DF) and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted(DG) I went astray,(DH)
    but now I obey your word.(DI)
68 You are good,(DJ) and what you do is good;
    teach me your decrees.(DK)
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,(DL)
    I keep your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous(DM) and unfeeling,
    but I delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted(DN)
    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.(DO)

י Yodh

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

כ Kaph

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

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet; moreover, the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
  2. Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
  3. Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way