25-32 I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!
    Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
When I told my story, you responded;
    train me well in your deep wisdom.
Help me understand these things inside and out
    so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;
    build me up again by your Word.
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;
    grace me with your clear revelation.
I choose the true road to Somewhere,
    I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;
    God, don’t let me down!
I’ll run the course you lay out for me
    if you’ll just show me how.

* * *

33-40 God, teach me lessons for living
    so I can stay the course.
Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—
    my whole life one long, obedient response.
Guide me down the road of your commandments;
    I love traveling this freeway!
Give me an appetite for your words of wisdom,
    and not for piling up loot.
Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,
    invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
Affirm your promises to me—
    promises made to all who fear you.
Deflect the harsh words of my critics—
    but what you say is always so good.
See how hungry I am for your counsel;
    preserve my life through your righteous ways!

* * *

41-48 Let your love, God, shape my life
    with salvation, exactly as you promised;
Then I’ll be able to stand up to mockery
    because I trusted your Word.
Don’t ever deprive me of truth, not ever—
    your commandments are what I depend on.
Oh, I’ll guard with my life what you’ve revealed to me,
    guard it now, guard it ever;
And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces
    as I look for your truth and your wisdom;
Then I’ll tell the world what I find,
    speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.
I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!—
    relishing every fragment of your counsel.

* * *

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ד Daleth

25 I am laid low in the dust;(A)
    preserve my life(B) according to your word.(C)
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
    teach me your decrees.(D)
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.(E)
28 My soul is weary with sorrow;(F)
    strengthen me(G) according to your word.(H)
29 Keep me from deceitful ways;(I)
    be gracious to me(J) and teach me your law.
30 I have chosen(K) the way of faithfulness;(L)
    I have set my heart(M) on your laws.
31 I hold fast(N) 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,(O) Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.[a]
34 Give me understanding,(P) so that I may keep your law(Q)
    and obey it with all my heart.(R)
35 Direct me(S) in the path of your commands,(T)
    for there I find delight.(U)
36 Turn my heart(V) toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.(W)
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life(X) according to your word.[b](Y)
38 Fulfill your promise(Z) to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
39 Take away the disgrace(AA) I dread,
    for your laws are good.
40 How I long(AB) for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.(AC)

ו Waw

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

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
  2. Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way