Psalms 99

The Lord Our God Is Holy

1 ^aThe Lord reigns; ^blet the peoples tremble!
He ^csits enthroned upon the cherubim; ^dlet the earth quake!
2The Lord is ^egreat in Zion;
he is ^fexalted over all the peoples.
3Let them praise your ^ggreat and awesome name!
^hHoly is he!
4 ⁱThe King in his might ^jloves justice. ▼

▼Or  The might of the King loves justice

You have established equity;
you have executed justice
and righteousness in Jacob.
5 ^lExalt the Lord our God;
^mworship at his ⁿfootstool!
^oHoly is he!
6 ^pMoses and Aaron were among his ^qpriests,
Samuel also was among those who ^rcalled upon his name.
They ^scalled to the Lord, and he answered them.
7In ^tthe pillar of the cloud he spoke to them;
they ^ukept his testimonies
and the statute that he gave them.
8 O Lord our God, you answered them;
you were ^va forgiving God to them,
but ^wan avenger of their wrongdoings.
9Exalt the Lord our God,
and worship at his ^xholy mountain;
for the Lord our God is holy!

Psalms 119

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Aleph

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 ^zway is blameless,
who ^aawalk in the law of the Lord!
2Blessed are those who ^abkeep his ^actestimonies,
who ^adseek him with their whole heart,
3who also ^aedo no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4You have commanded your ^afprecepts
to be kept diligently.
5Oh that my ways may ^agbe steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 ^ahThen I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn ^aiyour righteous rules. ▼

▼Or  your just and righteous decrees; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164

8I will keep your statutes;
^akdo not utterly forsake me!

Beth

9 How can ^ala young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 ^amWith my whole heart I seek you;
let me not ^anwander from your commandments!
11I have ^aostored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12Blessed are you, O Lord;
^apteach me your statutes!
13With my lips I ^aqdeclare
all the rules ▼

▼Or  all the just decrees

of your mouth.
14In the way of your testimonies I ^asdelight
as much as in all ^atriches.
15I will ^aumeditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ^avways.
16I will ^awdelight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.

Gimel

17 ^axDeal bountifully with your servant,
^aythat I may live and keep your word.
18Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
19I am ^aza sojourner on the earth;
^bahide not your commandments from me!
20My soul is consumed with ^bblonging
for your rules ▼

▼Or  your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175

at all times.
21You rebuke ^bdthe insolent, ^beaccursed ones,
who ^bfwander from your commandments.
22Take away from me ^bgscorn and contempt,
^bhfor I have kept your testimonies.
23Even though ^biprinces sit plotting against me,
your servant will ^bjmeditate on your statutes.
24Your testimonies are my ^bkdelight;
they are my ^blcounselors.

Daleth

25 ^bmMy soul clings to the dust;
^bngive me life ^boaccording to your word!
26When ^bpI told of my ways, you answered me;
^bqteach me your statutes!
27 ^brMake me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will ^bsmeditate on your wondrous works.
28 ^btMy soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29Put false ways far from me
and graciously ^buteach me your law!
30I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I ^bvset your rules before me.
31I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
^bwlet me not be put to shame!
32I will run in the way of your commandments
when you ^bxenlarge my heart! ▼

▼Or for you set my heart free

He

33 ^bzTeach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it ^cato the end. ▼

▼Or  keep it as my reward

34 ^ccGive me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 ^cdLead me in the path of your commandments,
for I ^cedelight in it.
36 ^cfIncline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to ^cgselfish gain!
37 ^chTurn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and ^cigive me life in your ways.
38 ^cjConfirm to your servant your promise,
^ckthat you may be feared.
39Turn away the ^clreproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
40Behold, I ^cmlong for your precepts;
^cnin your righteousness give me life!

Waw

41 Let your ^costeadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation ^cpaccording to your promise;
42then ^cqshall I have an answer for him ^crwho taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my ^cshope is in your rules.
44I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
45and I shall walk ^ctin a wide place,
for I have ^cusought your precepts.
46I will also speak of your testimonies ^cvbefore kings
and shall not be put to shame,
47for I ^cwfind my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
48I will ^cxlift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will ^cymeditate on your statutes.

Zayin

49 Remember ^czyour word to your servant,
in which you have made me ^dahope.
50This is ^dbmy comfort in my affliction,
that your promise ^dcgives me life.
51 ^ddThe insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not ^deturn away from your law.
52When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
53 ^dfHot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my ^dgsojourning.
55I ^dhremember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
56This blessing has fallen to me,
that ^diI have kept your precepts.

Heth

57 ^djThe Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58I ^dkentreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me ^dlaccording to your promise.
59When I ^dmthink on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61Though ^dnthe cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not ^doforget your law.
62At ^dpmidnight I rise to praise you,
because of your ^dqrighteous rules.
63 ^drI am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 ^dsThe earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
^dtteach me your statutes!

Teth

65 You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, ^duaccording to your word.
66Teach me ^dvgood judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 ^dwBefore I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 ^dxYou are good and do good;
^dyteach me your statutes.
69 ^dzThe insolent ^easmear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I ^ebkeep your precepts;
70their heart is unfeeling ^eclike fat,
but I ^eddelight in your law.
71It is ^eegood for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 ^efThe law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh

73 ^egYour hands have made and fashioned me;
^ehgive me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74Those who fear you shall see me and ^eirejoice,
because I have ^ejhoped in your word.
75I know, O Lord, that your rules are ^ekrighteous,
and that in ^elfaithfulness you have afflicted me.
76Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77Let your ^emmercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my ^endelight.
78Let ^eothe insolent be put to ^epshame,
because they have ^eqwronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will ^ermeditate on your precepts.
79Let those who fear you ^esturn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80May my heart be ^etblameless in your statutes,
^euthat I may not be put to shame!

Kaph

81 My soul ^evlongs for your salvation;
I ^ewhope in your word.
82My ^exeyes long for your promise;
I ask, ^ey“When will you comfort me?”
83For I have ^ezbecome like a ^fawineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 ^fbHow long must your servant endure? ▼

▼Hebrew  How many are the days of your servant?

^fdWhen will you judge those who persecute me?
85 ^feThe insolent have ^ffdug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86All your commandments are ^fgsure;
they persecute me ^fhwith falsehood; ^fihelp me!
87They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88In your steadfast love ^fjgive me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lamedh

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

Mem

97 Oh how ^ftI love your law!
It is my ^fumeditation all the day.
98Your commandment makes me ^fvwiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
99I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for ^fwyour testimonies are my meditation.
100I understand more than ^fxthe aged, ▼

▼Or  the elders

for I ^fzkeep your precepts.
101I ^gahold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
102I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
103How ^gbsweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore ^gcI hate every false way.

Nun

105 ^gdYour word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106I have ^gesworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your ^gfrighteous rules.
107I am severely ^ggafflicted;
^ghgive me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108Accept ^gimy freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
and ^gjteach me your rules.
109I hold my life ^gkin my hand continually,
but I do not ^glforget your law.
110The wicked have laid ^gma snare for me,
but ^gnI do not stray from your precepts.
111Your testimonies are ^gomy heritage forever,
for they are ^gpthe joy of my heart.
112I ^gqincline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, ^grto the end. ▼

▼Or  statutes; the reward is eternal

Samekh

113 I hate ^gtthe double-minded,
but I love ^guyour law.
114You are my ^gvhiding place and my ^gwshield;
I ^gxhope in your word.
115 ^gyDepart from me, you evildoers,
that I may ^gzkeep the commandments of my God.
116Uphold me ^haaccording to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be ^hbput to shame in my ^hchope!
117 ^hdHold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
118You ^hespurn all who ^hfgo astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
119All the wicked of the earth you discard like ^hgdross,
therefore ^hhI love your testimonies.
120My flesh ^hitrembles 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.
122Give your servant ^hja pledge of good;
let not ^hkthe insolent oppress me.
123My ^hleyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and ^hmteach me your statutes.
125I am your ^hnservant; ^hogive me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
126It is time for the Lord to act,
for your law has been broken.
127Therefore I ^hplove your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
128Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every ^hqfalse way.

Pe

129 Your testimonies are ^hrwonderful;
therefore my soul ^hskeeps them.
130The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts ^htunderstanding to the simple.
131I ^huopen my mouth and ^hvpant,
because I ^hwlong for your commandments.
132 ^hxTurn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 ^hyKeep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity ^hzget dominion over me.
134 ^iaRedeem me from man’s oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 ^ibMake your face shine upon your servant,
and ^icteach me your statutes.
136My eyes ^idshed streams of tears,
because people ^iedo not keep your law.

Tsadhe

137 ^ifRighteous are you, O Lord,
and right are your rules.
138You have appointed your testimonies in ^igrighteousness
and in all ^ihfaithfulness.
139My ⁱⁱzeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140Your promise is well ^ijtried,
and your servant ^ikloves it.
141I am small and despised,
yet I do not ^ilforget your precepts.
142Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is ^imtrue.
143Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my ⁱⁿdelight.
144Your testimonies are righteous forever;
^iogive me understanding that I may ^iplive.

Qoph

145 With my ^iqwhole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
I will ^irkeep your statutes.
146I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
147I rise before ^isdawn and cry for help;
I ^ithope in your words.
148My eyes are awake before ^iuthe watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
149Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O Lord, ^ivaccording to your justice ^iwgive me life.
150They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
151But ^ixyou are near, O Lord,
and all your commandments are ^iytrue.
152Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have ^izfounded them forever.

Resh

153 Look on my ^jaaffliction and deliver me,
for ^jbI do not forget your law.
154 ^jcPlead my cause and redeem me;
^jdgive me life according to your promise!
155 ^jeSalvation is far from the wicked,
^jffor they do not seek your statutes.
156 ^jgGreat is your mercy, O Lord;
^jhgive me life according to your rules.
157 ^jiMany are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not ^jjswerve from your testimonies.
158I look at ^jkthe faithless with ^jldisgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
159Consider how I ^jmlove your precepts!
^jnGive me life according to your steadfast love.
160 ^joThe sum of your word is ^jptruth,
and every one of your ^jqrighteous rules endures forever.

Sin and Shin

161 ^jrPrinces persecute me ^jswithout cause,
but my heart ^jtstands in awe of your words.
162I ^jurejoice at your word
like one who ^jvfinds great spoil.
163I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love ^jwyour law.
164Seven times a day I praise you
for your ^jxrighteous rules.
165Great ^jypeace have those who love your law;
^jznothing can make them stumble.
166I ^kahope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I do your commandments.
167My soul keeps your testimonies;
I ^kblove them exceedingly.
168I keep your precepts and testimonies,
^kcfor all my ways are before you.

Taw

169 Let my ^kdcry come before you, O Lord;
^kegive me understanding ^kfaccording to your word!
170Let my plea come before you;
^kgdeliver me according to your word.
171My lips will ^khpour forth praise,
for you ^kiteach me your statutes.
172My tongue will sing of your word,
for ^kjall your commandments are right.
173Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have ^kkchosen your precepts.
174I ^kllong for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my ^kmdelight.
175Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
176I have ^kngone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not ^koforget your commandments.