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Psalm 119:1-88
Contemporary English Version
Psalm 119:1-88
Contemporary English Version
In Praise of the Law of the Lord
1 Our Lord, you bless everyone
who lives right
and obeys your Law.
2 You bless all those
who follow your commands
from deep in their hearts
3 and who never do wrong
or turn from you.
4 You have ordered us always
to obey your teachings;
5 I don't ever want to stray
from your laws.
6 Thinking about your commands
will keep me from doing
some foolish thing.
7 I will do right and praise you
by learning to respect
your perfect laws.
8 I will obey all of them!
Don't turn your back on me.
9 Young people can live
a clean life
by obeying your word.
10 I worship you
with all my heart.
Don't let me walk away
from your commands.
11 I treasure your word
above all else;
it keeps me from sinning
against you.
12 I praise you, Lord!
Teach me your laws.
13 With my own mouth,
I tell others the laws
that you have spoken.
14 Obeying your instructions
brings as much happiness
as being rich.
15 I will study your teachings
and follow your footsteps.
16 I will take pleasure
in your laws
and remember your words.
17 Treat me with kindness, Lord,
so that I may live
and do what you say.
18 Open my mind
and let me discover
the wonders of your Law.
19 I live here as a stranger.
Don't keep me from knowing
your commands.
20 What I want most
and at all times
is to honor your laws.
21 You punish those boastful,
worthless nobodies who turn
from your commands.
22 Don't let them sneer
and insult me
for following you.
23 I keep thinking about
your teachings, Lord,
even if rulers plot
against me.
24 Your laws are my greatest joy!
I follow their advice.
25 I am at the point of death.
Let your teachings
breathe new life into me.
26 When I told you my troubles,
you answered my prayers.
Now teach me your laws.
27 Help me to understand
your teachings,
and I will think about
your marvelous deeds.
28 I am overcome with sorrow.
Encourage me,
as you have promised to do.
29 Keep me from being deceitful,
and be kind enough
to teach me your Law.
30 I am determined to be faithful
and to respect your laws.
31 I follow your rules, Lord.
Don't let me be ashamed.
32 I am eager to learn all
that you want me to do;
help me to understand more.
33 Point out your rules, Lord,
and I won't disobey
even one of them.
34 Help me to understand your Law;
I promise to obey it
with all my heart.
35 Direct me by your commands!
I love to do what you say.
36 Make me want to obey you,
rather than to be rich.
37 Take away my foolish desires,
and let me find life
by walking with you.
38 I am your servant!
Do for me what you promised
to those who worship you.
39 Your wonderful teachings
protect me from the insults
that I hate so much.
40 I long for your teachings.
Be true to yourself
and let me live.
41 Show me your love
and save me, Lord,
as you have promised.
42 Then I will have an answer
for everyone who insults me
for trusting your word.
43 I rely on your laws!
Don't take away my chance
to speak your truth.
44 I will keep obeying your Law
forever and ever.
45 I have gained perfect freedom
by following your teachings,
46 and I trust them so much
that I tell them to kings.
47 I love your commands!
They bring me happiness.
48 I love and respect them
and will keep them in mind.
49 Don't forget your promise
to me, your servant.
I depend on it.
50 When I am hurting,
I find comfort in your promise
that leads to life.
51 Conceited people sneer at me,
but I obey your Law.
52 I find true comfort, Lord,
because your laws have stood
the test of time.
53 I get furious when evil people
turn against your Law.
54 No matter where I am,
your teachings
fill me with songs.
55 Even in the night
I think about you, Lord,
and I obey your Law.
56 You have blessed me
because I have always followed
your teachings.
57 You, Lord, are my choice,
and I will obey you.
58 With all my heart
I beg you to be kind to me,
just as you have promised.
59 I pay careful attention
as you lead me,
and I follow closely.
60 As soon as you command,
I do what you say.
61 Evil people may set a trap,
but I obey your Law.
62 Your laws are so fair
that I wake up and praise you
in the middle of the night.
63 I choose as my friends
everyone who worships you
and follows your teachings.
64 Our Lord, your love is seen
all over the world.
Teach me your laws.
65 I am your servant, Lord,
and you have kept your promise
to treat me with kindness.
66 Give me wisdom and good sense.
I trust your commands.
67 Once you corrected me
for not obeying you,
but now I do obey.
68 You are kindhearted,
and you do good things,
so teach me your laws.
69 My reputation is being ruined
by conceited liars,
but with all my heart
I follow your teachings.
70 Those liars have no sense,
but I find happiness
in your Law.
71 When you corrected me,
it did me good
because it taught me
to study your laws.
72 I would rather obey you
than to have a thousand pieces
of silver and gold.
73 You created me
and put me together.
Make me wise enough to learn
what you have commanded.
74 Your worshipers will see me,
and they will be glad
that I trust your word.
75 Your decisions are correct,
and you were right
to punish me.
76 I serve you, Lord.
Comfort me with your love,
just as you have promised.
77 I love to obey your Law!
Have mercy and let me live.
78 Put down those proud people
who hurt me with their lies,
because I have chosen
to study your teachings.
79 Let your worshipers come to me,
so they will learn
to obey your rules.
80 Let me truly respect your laws,
so I won't be ashamed.
81 I long for you to rescue me!
Your word is my only hope.
82 I am worn out from waiting
for you to keep your word.
When will you have mercy?
83 My life is wasting away
like a dried-up wineskin,[a]
but I have not forgotten
your teachings.
84 I am your servant!
How long must I suffer?
When will you punish
those troublemakers?
85 Those proud people reject
your teachings,
and they dig pits
for me to fall in.
86 Your laws can be trusted!
Protect me from cruel liars.
87 They have almost killed me,
but I have been faithful
to your teachings.
88 Show that you love me
and let me live,
so that I may obey
your commands.
Footnotes
- 119.83 a dried-up wineskin: The Hebrew text has “a wineskin in the smoke.” In ancient times bags were made from animal skins to hold wine, but when the bags dried up they cracked and could no longer be used.
Psalm 119:1-88
New International Version
Psalm 119:1-88
New International Version
Psalm 119[a]
א Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,(A)
who walk(B) according to the law of the Lord.(C)
2 Blessed(D) are those who keep his statutes(E)
and seek him(F) with all their heart—(G)
3 they do no wrong(H)
but follow his ways.(I)
4 You have laid down precepts(J)
that are to be fully obeyed.(K)
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!(L)
6 Then I would not be put to shame(M)
when I consider all your commands.(N)
7 I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.(O)
8 I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.(P)
ב Beth
9 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.
Footnotes
- 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.
- Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
- Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way
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