Psa 119 | ESV | STEP | Aleph Blessed are those whose way is blameless , who walk in the law of the Lord !

1 ^{▼▼This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter} Blessed are those whose ^bway is blameless,
who ^cwalk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who ^dkeep his ^etestimonies,
who ^fseek him with their whole heart,
3 who also ^gdo no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your ^hprecepts
to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may ⁱbe steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 ^jThen I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn ^kyour righteous rules. ^{▼▼Or your just and righteous decrees; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164}
8 I will keep your statutes;
^mdo not utterly forsake me!

Beth

9 How can ⁿa young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 ^oWith my whole heart I seek you;
let me not ^pwander from your commandments!
11 I have ^qstored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
^rteach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I ^sdeclare
all the rules ^{▼▼Or all the just decrees} of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I ^udelight
as much as in all ^vriches.
15 I will ^wmeditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ^xways.
16 I will ^ydelight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.

Gimel

17 ^zDeal bountifully with your servant,
^aathat I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am ^aba sojourner on the earth;
^achide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with ^adlonging
for your rules ^{▼▼Or your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175} at all times.
21 You rebuke ^afthe insolent, ^agaccursed ones,
who ^ahwander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me ^aiscorn and contempt,
^ajfor I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though ^akprinces sit plotting against me,
your servant will ^almeditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my ^amdelight;
they are my ^ancounselors.

Daleth

25 ^aoMy soul clings to the dust;
^apgive me life ^aqaccording to your word!
26 When ^arI told of my ways, you answered me;
^asteach me your statutes!
27 ^atMake me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will ^aumeditate on your wondrous works.
28 ^avMy soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
and graciously ^awteach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I ^axset your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
^aylet me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
when you ^azenlarge my heart! ^{▼▼Or for you set my heart free}

He

33 ^bbTeach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it ^bcto the end. ^{▼▼Or keep it as my reward}
34 ^beGive me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 ^bfLead me in the path of your commandments,
for I ^bgdelight in it.
36 ^bhIncline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to ^biselfish gain!
37 ^bjTurn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and ^bkgive me life in your ways.
38 ^blConfirm to your servant your promise,
^bmthat you may be feared.
39 Turn away the ^bnreproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I ^bolong for your precepts;
^bpin your righteousness give me life!

Waw

41 Let your ^bqsteadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation ^braccording to your promise;
42 then ^bsshall I have an answer for him ^btwho taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my ^buhope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk ^bvin a wide place,
for I have ^bwsought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies ^bxbefore kings
and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I ^byfind my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
48 I will ^bzlift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will ^cameditate on your statutes.

Zayin

49 Remember ^cbyour word to your servant,
in which you have made me ^cchope.
50 This is ^cdmy comfort in my affliction,
that your promise ^cegives me life.
51 ^cfThe insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not ^cgturn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
53 ^chHot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my ^cisojourning.
55 I ^cjremember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
that ^ckI have kept your precepts.

Heth

57 ^clThe Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58 I ^cmentreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me ^cnaccording to your promise.
59 When I ^cothink on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61 Though ^cpthe cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not ^cqforget your law.
62 At ^crmidnight I rise to praise you,
because of your ^csrighteous rules.
63 ^ctI am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 ^cuThe earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
^cvteach me your statutes!

Teth

65 You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, ^cwaccording to your word.
66 Teach me ^cxgood judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 ^cyBefore I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 ^czYou are good and do good;
^dateach me your statutes.
69 ^dbThe insolent ^dcsmear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I ^ddkeep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling ^delike fat,
but I ^dfdelight in your law.
71 It is ^dggood for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 ^dhThe law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh

73 ^diYour hands have made and fashioned me;
^djgive me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and ^dkrejoice,
because I have ^dlhoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are ^dmrighteous,
and that in ^dnfaithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your ^domercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my ^dpdelight.
78 Let ^dqthe insolent be put to ^drshame,
because they have ^dswronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will ^dtmeditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you ^duturn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be ^dvblameless in your statutes,
^dwthat I may not be put to shame!

Kaph

81 My soul ^dxlongs for your salvation;
I ^dyhope in your word.
82 My ^dzeyes long for your promise;
I ask, ^ea“When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have ^ebbecome like a ^ecwineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 ^edHow long must your servant endure? ^{▼▼Hebrew How many are the days of your servant?}
^efWhen will you judge those who persecute me?
85 ^egThe insolent have ^ehdug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are ^eisure;
they persecute me ^ejwith falsehood; ^ekhelp me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love ^elgive me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lamedh

89 Forever, O Lord, your ^emword
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your ^enfaithfulness endures to all generations;
you have ^eoestablished the earth, and it ^epstands fast.
91 By your ^eqappointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my ^erdelight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have ^esgiven me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
^etfor I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly ^eubroad.

Mem

97 Oh how ^evI love your law!
It is my ^ewmeditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me ^exwiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for ^eyyour testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than ^ezthe aged, ^{▼▼Or the elders}
for I ^fbkeep your precepts.
101 I ^fchold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
103 How ^fdsweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore ^feI hate every false way.

Nun

105 ^ffYour word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106 I have ^fgsworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your ^fhrighteous rules.
107 I am severely ^fiafflicted;
^fjgive me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept ^fkmy freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
and ^flteach me your rules.
109 I hold my life ^fmin my hand continually,
but I do not ^fnforget your law.
110 The wicked have laid ^foa snare for me,
but ^fpI do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are ^fqmy heritage forever,
for they are ^frthe joy of my heart.
112 I ^fsincline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, ^ftto the end. ^{▼▼Or statutes; the reward is eternal}

Samekh

113 I hate ^fvthe double-minded,
but I love ^fwyour law.
114 You are my ^fxhiding place and my ^fyshield;
I ^fzhope in your word.
115 ^gaDepart from me, you evildoers,
that I may ^gbkeep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me ^gcaccording to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be ^gdput to shame in my ^gehope!
117 ^gfHold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You ^ggspurn all who ^ghgo astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like ^gidross,
therefore ^gjI love your testimonies.
120 My flesh ^gktrembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin

121 I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant ^gla pledge of good;
let not ^gmthe insolent oppress me.
123 My ^gneyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and ^goteach me your statutes.
125 I am your ^gpservant; ^gqgive me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the Lord to act,
for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I ^grlove your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every ^gsfalse way.

Pe

129 Your testimonies are ^gtwonderful;
therefore my soul ^gukeeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts ^gvunderstanding to the simple.
131 I ^gwopen my mouth and ^gxpant,
because I ^gylong for your commandments.
132 ^gzTurn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 ^haKeep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity ^hbget dominion over me.
134 ^hcRedeem me from man’s oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 ^hdMake your face shine upon your servant,
and ^heteach me your statutes.
136 My eyes ^hfshed streams of tears,
because people ^hgdo not keep your law.

Tsadhe

137 ^hhRighteous are you, O Lord,
and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies in ^hirighteousness
and in all ^hjfaithfulness.
139 My ^hkzeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well ^hltried,
and your servant ^hmloves it.
141 I am small and despised,
yet I do not ^hnforget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is ^hotrue.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my ^hpdelight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
^hqgive me understanding that I may ^hrlive.

Qoph

145 With my ^hswhole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
I will ^htkeep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before ^hudawn and cry for help;
I ^hvhope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before ^hwthe watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O Lord, ^hxaccording to your justice ^hygive me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
151 But ^hzyou are near, O Lord,
and all your commandments are ^iatrue.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have ^ibfounded them forever.

Resh

153 Look on my ^icaffliction and deliver me,
for ^idI do not forget your law.
154 ^iePlead my cause and redeem me;
^ifgive me life according to your promise!
155 ^igSalvation is far from the wicked,
^ihfor they do not seek your statutes.
156 ⁱⁱGreat is your mercy, O Lord;
^ijgive me life according to your rules.
157 ^ikMany are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not ^ilswerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at ^imthe faithless with ⁱⁿdisgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I ^iolove your precepts!
^ipGive me life according to your steadfast love.
160 ^iqThe sum of your word is ^irtruth,
and every one of your ^isrighteous rules endures forever.

Sin and Shin

161 ^itPrinces persecute me ^iuwithout cause,
but my heart ^ivstands in awe of your words.
162 I ^iwrejoice at your word
like one who ^ixfinds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love ^iyyour law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
for your ^izrighteous rules.
165 Great ^japeace have those who love your law;
^jbnothing can make them stumble.
166 I ^jchope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
I ^jdlove them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
^jefor all my ways are before you.

Taw

169 Let my ^jfcry come before you, O Lord;
^jggive me understanding ^jhaccording to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
^jideliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will ^jjpour forth praise,
for you ^jkteach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
for ^jlall your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have ^jmchosen your precepts.
174 I ^jnlong for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my ^jodelight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
176 I have ^jpgone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not ^jqforget your commandments.