Psa 119:61-160 | NET2full | STEP | The ropes of the wicked tighten around me, but I do not forget your law .

‏ Psalms 119:61-160

61 The ropes of the wicked tighten around ^{▼▼tn Heb “surround.”} me,
but I do not forget your law.
62 In the middle of the night I arise ^{▼▼tn The psalmist uses an imperfect verbal form to emphasize that this is his continuing practice.} to thank you
for your just regulations.
63 I am a friend to all your loyal followers ^{▼▼tn Heb “to all who fear you.”}
and to those who keep your precepts.
64 O Lord, your loyal love fills the earth.
Teach me your statutes!

ט (Tet)

65 You are good ^{▼▼tn Heb “do good.”} to your servant,
O Lord, just as you promised. ^{▼▼tn Heb “according to your word.”}
66 Teach me proper discernment ^{▼▼tn Heb “goodness of taste.” Here “taste” refers to moral and ethical discernment.} and understanding.
For I consider your commands to be reliable. ^{▼▼tn Heb “for I believe in your commands.”}
67 Before I was afflicted I used to stray off, ^{▼▼tn Heb “before I suffered, I was straying off.”}
but now I keep your instructions. ^{▼▼tn Heb “your word.”}
68 You are good and you do good.
Teach me your statutes.
69 Arrogant people smear my reputation with lies, ^{▼▼tn Heb “smear over me a lie.”}
but I observe your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are calloused, ^{▼▼tn Heb “their heart is insensitive like fat.”}
but I find delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to suffer
so that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law you have revealed is more important to me
than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. ^{▼▼tn Heb “better to me [is] the law of your mouth than thousands of gold and silver.”}

י (Yod)

73 Your hands made me and formed me. ^{▼▼tn Heb “made me and established me.” The two verbs also appear together in Deut 32:6, where God, compared to a father, is said to have “made and established” Israel.}
Give me understanding so that I might learn ^{▼▼tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.} your commands.
74 Your loyal followers will be glad when they see me, ^{▼▼tn Heb “those who fear you will see me and rejoice.”}
for I find hope in your word.
75 I know, Lord, that your regulations ^{▼▼tn In this context (note the second line) the Hebrew term מִשְׁפָּטִים (mishpatim), which so often refers to the regulations of God’s law elsewhere in this psalm, may refer instead to his decisions or disciplinary judgment.} are just.
You disciplined me because of your faithful devotion to me. ^{▼▼tn Heb “and [in] faithfulness you afflicted me.”}
76 May your loyal love console me,
as you promised your servant. ^{▼▼tn Heb “according to your word to your servant.”}
77 May I experience your compassion ^{▼▼tn Heb “and may your compassion come to me.”} so I might live.
For I find delight in your law.
78 May the arrogant be humiliated, for they have slandered me. ^{▼▼tn Heb “for [with] falsehood they have denied me justice.”}
But I meditate on your precepts.
79 May your loyal followers ^{▼▼tn Heb “those who fear you.”} turn to me,
those who know your rules.
80 May I be fully committed to your statutes, ^{▼▼tn Heb “may my heart be complete in your statutes.”}
so that I might not be ashamed.

כ (Kaf)

81 I desperately long for ^{▼▼tn Heb “my soul pines for.” See Ps 84:2.} your deliverance.
I find hope in your word.
82 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your promise to be fulfilled. ^{▼▼tn Heb “my eyes fail for your word.” The psalmist has intently kept his eyes open, looking for God to intervene, but now his eyes are watery and bloodshot, impairing his vision. See Ps 69:3.}
I say, ^{▼▼tn Heb “saying.”} “When will you comfort me?”
83 For ^{▼▼tn Or “even though.”} I am like a wineskin ^{▼▼tn The Hebrew word נֹאד (noʾd, “leather container”) refers to a container made from animal skin which is used to hold wine or milk (see Josh 9:4, 13; Judg 4:19; 1 Sam 16:20).} dried up in smoke. ^{▼▼tn Heb “in the smoke.”}
I do not forget your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure this? ^{▼▼tn Heb “How long are the days of your servant?”}
When will you judge those who pursue me?
85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me, ^{▼▼tn Heb “for me.”}
which violates your law. ^{▼▼tn Heb “which [is] not according to your law.”}
86 All your commands are reliable.
I am pursued without reason. ^{▼▼sn God’s commands are a reliable guide to right and wrong. By keeping them the psalmist is doing what is right, yet he is still persecuted.} Help me!
87 They have almost destroyed me here on the earth,
but I do not reject your precepts.
88 Revive me with ^{▼▼tn Heb “according to.”} your loyal love
that I might keep ^{▼▼tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.} the rules you have revealed. ^{▼▼tn Heb “of your mouth.”}

ל (Lamed)

89 O Lord, your instructions endure;
they stand secure in heaven. ^{▼▼tn Heb “Forever, O Lord, your word stands firm in heaven,” or “Forever, O Lord, [is] your word; it stands firm in heaven.” The translation assumes that “your word” refers here to the body of divine instructions contained in the law (note the frequent references to the law in vv. 92-96). See vv. 9, 16-17, 57, 101, 105, 130, 139 and 160-61. The reference in v. 86 to God’s law being faithful favors this interpretation. Another option is that “your word” refers to God’s assuring word of promise, mentioned in vv. 25, 28, 42, 65, 74, 81, 107, 114, 147 and 169. In this case one might translate, “O Lord, your promise is reliable, it stands firm in heaven.”}
90 You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations. ^{▼▼tn Heb “to a generation and a generation [is] your faithfulness.”}
You established the earth and it stood firm.
91 Today they stand firm by your decrees,
for all things are your servants.
92 If I had not found encouragement in your law, ^{▼▼tn Heb “if your law had not been my delight.”}
I would have died in my sorrow. ^{▼▼tn Or “my suffering.”}
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have revived me.
94 I belong to you. Deliver me!
For I seek your precepts.
95 The wicked prepare to kill me, ^{▼▼tn Heb “the wicked wait for me to kill me.”}
yet I concentrate on your rules.
96 I realize that everything has its limits,
but your commands are beyond full comprehension. ^{▼▼tn Heb “to every perfection I have seen an end, your command is very wide.” God’s law is beyond full comprehension, which is why the psalmist continually studies it (vv. 95, 97).}

מ (Mem)

97 O how I love your law!
All day long I meditate on it.
98 Your commandments ^{▼▼tn The plural form needs to be revocalized as a singular in order to agree with the preceding singular verb and the singular pronoun in the next line. The Lord’s “command” refers here to the law (see Ps 19:8).} make me wiser than my enemies,
for I am always aware of them.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your rules.
100 I am more discerning than those older than I,
for I observe your precepts.
101 I stay away ^{▼▼tn Heb “I hold back my feet.”} from every evil path,
so that I might keep your instructions. ^{▼▼tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural.}
102 I do not turn aside from your regulations,
for you teach me.
103 Your words are sweeter
in my mouth than honey! ^{▼▼tn Heb “How smooth they are to my palate, your word, more than honey to my mouth.” A few medieval Hebrew mss, as well as several other ancient witnesses, read the plural “your words,” which can then be understood as the subject of the plural verb “they are smooth.”}
104 Your precepts give me discernment.
Therefore I hate all deceitful actions. ^{▼▼tn Heb “every false path.”}

נ (Nun)

105 Your word ^{▼▼tn Many medieval Hebrew mss read the plural (“words”).} is a lamp to walk by
and a light to illumine my path. ^{▼▼tn Heb “[is] a lamp for my foot and a light for my path.”}
106 I have vowed and solemnly sworn
to keep your just regulations.
107 I am suffering terribly.
O Lord, revive me with your word. ^{▼▼tn Heb “according to your word.”}
108 O Lord, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise. ^{▼▼tn Heb “of my mouth.”}
Teach me your regulations.
109 My life is in continual danger, ^{▼▼tn Heb “my life [is] in my hands continually.”}
but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked lay a trap for me,
but I do not wander from your precepts.
111 I claim your rules as my permanent possession,
for they give me joy. ^{▼▼tn Heb “for the joy of my heart [are] they.”}
112 I am determined to obey ^{▼▼tn Heb “I turn my heart to do.”} your statutes
at all times, to the very end.

ס (Samek)

113 I hate people with divided loyalties, ^{▼▼tn Heb “divided ones.” The word occurs only here; it appears to be derived from a verbal root, attested in Arabic, meaning “to split” (see HALOT 762 s.v. *סֵעֵף). Since the psalmist is emphasizing his unswerving allegiance to God and his law, the term probably refers to those who lack such loyalty. The translation is similar to that suggested by L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 131.}
but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield.
I find hope in your word.
115 Turn away from me, you evil men,
so that I can observe ^{▼▼tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.} the commands of my God. ^{▼▼tn The psalmist has already declared that he observes God’s commands despite persecution, so here the idea must be “so that I might observe the commands of my God unhindered by threats.”}
116 Sustain me as you promised, ^{▼▼tn Heb “according to your word.”} so that I will live. ^{▼▼tn The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.}
Do not disappoint me. ^{▼▼tn Heb “do not make me ashamed of my hope.” After the Hebrew verb בּוֹשׁ (bosh, “to be ashamed”) the preposition מִן (min, “from”) often introduces the reason for shame.}
117 Support me so that I will be delivered.
Then I will focus ^{▼▼tn Or “and that I might focus.” The two cohortatives with vav (ו) conjunctive indicate purpose/result after the imperative at the beginning of the verse.} on your statutes continually.
118 You despise ^{▼▼tn The Hebrew verb סָלָה (salah, “to disdain”) occurs only here and in Lam 1:15. Cognate usage in Aramaic and Akkadian, as well as Lam 1:15, suggest it may have a concrete nuance of “to throw away.”} all who stray from your statutes,
for such people are deceptive and unreliable. ^{▼▼tn Heb “for their deceit [is] falsehood.”}
119 You remove all the wicked of the earth like slag. ^{▼▼sn Traditionally “dross” (so KJV, ASV, NIV). The metaphor comes from metallurgy; “slag” is the substance left over after the metallic ore has been refined.}
Therefore I love your rules. ^{▼▼sn As he explains in the next verse, the psalmist’s fear of judgment motivates him to obey God’s rules.}
120 My body ^{▼▼tn Heb “my flesh.”} trembles ^{▼▼tn The Hebrew verb סָמַר (samar, “to tremble”) occurs only here and in Job 4:15.} because I fear you; ^{▼▼tn Heb “from fear of you.” The pronominal suffix on the noun is an objective genitive.}
I am afraid of your judgments.

ע (Ayin)

121 I do what is fair and right. ^{▼▼tn Heb “do justice and righteousness.”}
Do not abandon me to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee the welfare of your servant. ^{▼▼tn Heb “be surety for your servant for good.”}
Do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your deliverance, ^{▼▼tn Heb “my eyes fail for your deliverance.” The psalmist has intently kept his eyes open, looking for God to intervene, but now his eyes are watery and bloodshot, impairing his vision. See the similar phrase in v. 82.}
for your reliable promise to be fulfilled. ^{▼▼tn Heb “and for the word of your faithfulness.”}
124 Show your servant your loyal love. ^{▼▼tn Heb “do with your servant according to your loyal love.”}
Teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant. Give me insight,
so that I can understand ^{▼▼tn or “know.” The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.} your rules.
126 It is time for the Lord to act—
they break your law.
127 For this reason ^{▼▼tn “For this reason” connects logically with the statement made in v. 126. Because the judgment the psalmist fears (see vv. 119-120) is imminent, he remains loyal to God’s law.} I love your commands
more than gold, even purest gold.
128 For this reason I carefully follow all your precepts. ^{▼▼tn Heb “for this reason all the precepts of everything I regard as right.” The phrase “precepts of everything” is odd. It is preferable to take the כ (kaf) on כֹּל (kol, “everything) with the preceding form as a pronominal suffix, “your precepts,” and the ל (lamed) with the following verb as an emphatic particle. See L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 138.}
I hate all deceitful actions. ^{▼▼tn Heb “every false path.”}

פ (Pe)

129 Your rules are marvelous.
Therefore I observe them.
130 Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines. ^{▼▼tn Heb “the doorway of your words gives light.” God’s “words” refer here to the instructions in his law (see vv. 9, 57).}
They give ^{▼▼tn Heb “it [i.e., the doorway] gives.”} insight to the untrained. ^{▼▼tn Or “the [morally] naive,” that is, the one who is young and still in the process of learning right from wrong and distinguishing wisdom from folly. See Pss 19:7; 116:6.}
131 I open my mouth and pant,
because I long ^{▼▼tn The verb occurs only here in the OT.} for your commands.
132 Turn toward me and extend mercy to me,
as you typically do to your loyal followers. ^{▼▼tn Heb “according to custom toward the lovers of your name.” The “lovers of” God’s “name” are the Lord’s loyal followers. See Pss 5:11; 69:36; Isa 56:6.}
133 Direct my steps by your word. ^{▼▼tn God’s “word” refers here to his law (see v. 11).}
Do not let any sin dominate me.
134 Deliver me ^{▼▼tn Or “redeem me.”} from oppressive men,
so that I can keep ^{▼▼tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.} your precepts.
135 Smile ^{▼▼tn Heb “cause your face to shine.”} on your servant.
Teach me your statutes!
136 Tears stream down from my eyes, ^{▼▼tn Heb “[with] flowing streams my eyes go down.”}
because people ^{▼▼tn Heb “they”; even though somewhat generic, the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.} do not keep your law.

צ (Tsade)

137 You are just, O Lord,
and your judgments are fair.
138 The rules you impose are just ^{▼▼tn Heb “you commanded [in] justice your rules.”}
and absolutely reliable.
139 My zeal ^{▼▼tn or “zeal.”} consumes ^{▼▼tn Heb “destroys,” in a hyperbolic sense.} me,
for my enemies forget your instructions. ^{▼▼tn Heb “your words.”}
140 Your word is absolutely pure,
and your servant loves it.
141 I am insignificant and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your justice endures, ^{▼▼tn Heb “your justice [is] justice forever.”}
and your law is reliable. ^{▼▼tn Or “truth.”}
143 Distress and hardship confront ^{▼▼tn Heb “find.”} me,
yet I find delight in your commands.
144 Your rules remain just. ^{▼▼tn Heb “just are your rules forever.”}
Give me insight so that I can live. ^{▼▼tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.}

ק (Qof)

145 I cried out with all my heart, “Answer me, O Lord!
I will observe your statutes.”
146 I cried out to you, “Deliver me,
so that I can keep ^{▼▼tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.} your rules.”
147 I am up before dawn crying for help.
I find hope in your word.
148 My eyes anticipate the nighttime hours
so that I can meditate on your word.
149 Listen to me ^{▼▼tn Heb “my voice.”} because of ^{▼▼tn Heb “according to.”} your loyal love.
O Lord, revive me, as you typically do. ^{▼▼tn Heb “according to your custom.”}
150 Those who are eager to do ^{▼▼tn Heb “those who pursue.”} wrong draw near;
they are far from your law.
151 You are near, O Lord,
and all your commands are reliable. ^{▼▼tn Or “truth.”}
152 I learned long ago that
you ordained your rules to last. ^{▼▼tn Heb “long ago I knew concerning your rules, that forever you established them.” See v. 89 for the same idea. The translation assumes that the preposition מִן (min) prefixed to “your rules” introduces the object of the verb יָדַע (yadaʿ), as in 1 Sam 23:23. Another option is that the preposition indicates source, in which case one might translate, “Long ago I realized from your rules that forever you established them” (cf. NIV, NRSV).}

ר (Resh)

153 See my pain and rescue me.
For I do not forget your law.
154 Fight for me ^{▼▼tn Or “argue my case.”} and defend me. ^{▼▼tn Heb “and redeem me.” The verb “redeem” casts the Lord in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis (see Ps 19:14).}
Revive me with your word.
155 The wicked have no chance for deliverance, ^{▼▼tn Heb “far from the wicked [is] deliverance.”}
for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Your compassion is great, O Lord.
Revive me, as you typically do. ^{▼▼tn Heb “according to your customs.”}
157 The enemies who chase me are numerous. ^{▼▼tn Heb “many [are] those who chase me and my enemies.”}
Yet I do not turn aside from your rules.
158 I take note of the treacherous and despise them,
because they do not keep your instructions. ^{▼▼tn Heb “your word.”}
159 See how I love your precepts.
O Lord, revive me with your loyal love.
160 Your instructions are totally reliable;
all your just regulations endure. ^{▼▼tn Heb “the head of your word is truth, and forever [is] all your just regulation.” The term “head” is used here of the “sum total” of God’s instructions.}