Psa 119 | HCSB | STEP | How . happy are those whose way is blameless , who live according to the Lord ’s instruction !

1 How ^{▼▼The stanzas of this poem form an acrostic}. happy are those whose way is blameless, ^b
who live according to the Lord’s instruction! ^c
2 Happy are those who keep His decrees ^d
and seek Him with all their heart. ^e
3 They do nothing wrong; ^f
they follow His ways.
4 You have commanded that Your precepts ^g
be diligently kept.
5 If only my ways were committed
to keeping Your statutes! ^h
6 Then I would not be ashamed ⁱ
when I think about all Your commands.
7 I will praise You with a sincere heart ^j
when I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I will keep Your statutes;
never abandon me. ^k

‏ב‎ Bet

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping Your ^{▼▼Or keeping it according to Your} word. ^m
10 I have sought You with all my heart; ⁿ
don’t let me wander from Your commands. ^o
11 I have treasured Your word in my heart ^p
so that I may not sin against You.
12 Lord, may You be praised;
teach me Your statutes. ^q
13 With my lips I proclaim
all the judgments from Your mouth. ^r
14 I rejoice in the way revealed by Your decrees ^s
as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts ^t
and think about Your ways. ^u
16 I will delight in Your statutes; ^v
I will not forget Your word.

‏ג‎ Gimel

17 Deal generously with Your servant ^w
so that I might live;
then I will keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate
wonderful things from Your instruction.
19 I am a stranger on earth; ^x
do not hide Your commands from me.
20 I am continually overcome
with longing for Your judgments. ^y
21 You rebuke the proud,
the ones under a curse, ^z
who wander from Your commands. ^aa
22 Take insult and contempt away from me, ^ab
for I have kept Your decrees.
23 Though princes sit together speaking against me, ^ac
Your servant will think about Your statutes; ^ad
24 Your decrees are my delight
and my counselors. ^ae

‏ד‎ Dalet

25 My life is down in the dust; ^af
give me life ^ag through Your word.
26 I told You about my life,
and You listened to me;
teach me Your statutes. ^ah
27 Help me understand
the meaning of Your precepts
so that I can meditate on Your wonders. ^ai
28 I am weary ^{▼▼Or I weep} from grief;
strengthen me through Your word. ^ak
29 Keep me from the way of deceit
and graciously give me Your instruction.
30 I have chosen the way of truth;
I have set Your ordinances before me. ^al
31 I cling to Your decrees;
Lord, do not put me to shame. ^am
32 I pursue the way of Your commands,
for You broaden my understanding. ^{▼▼Lit You enlarge my heart
,} ^ao

‏ה‎ He

33 Teach me, Lord, the meaning ^{▼▼Lit way} of Your statutes,
and I will always keep them. ^{▼▼Or will keep it as my reward
,} ^ar
34 Help me understand Your instruction, ^as
and I will obey it
and follow it with all my heart. ^at
35 Help me stay on the path of Your commands, ^au
for I take pleasure in it. ^av
36 Turn my heart to Your decrees ^aw
and not to material gain. ^ax
37 Turn my eyes
from looking at what is worthless; ^ay
give me life in Your ways. ^{▼▼Some Hb mss, Tg read word
,} ^ba
38 Confirm what You said to Your servant, ^bb
for it produces reverence for You.
39 Turn away the disgrace I dread; ^bc
indeed, Your judgments are good.
40 How I long for Your precepts! ^bd
Give me life through Your righteousness.

‏ו‎ Vav

41 Let Your faithful love come to me, Lord, ^be
Your salvation, as You promised. ^bf
42 Then I can answer the one who taunts me, ^bg
for I trust in Your word.
43 Never take the word of truth from my mouth,
for I hope in Your judgments. ^bh
44 I will always obey Your instruction,
forever and ever. ^bi
45 I will walk freely in an open place ^bj
because I seek Your precepts. ^bk
46 I will speak of Your decrees before kings
and not be ashamed. ^bl
47 I delight in Your commands,
which I love. ^bm
48 I will lift up my hands ^bn to Your commands,
which I love,
and will meditate on Your statutes. ^bo

‏ז‎ Zayin

49 Remember Your word to Your servant;
You have given me hope through it.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: ^bp
Your promise has given me life.
51 The arrogant constantly ridicule me,
but I do not turn away from Your instruction. ^bq
52 Lord, I remember Your judgments from long ago
and find comfort.
53 Rage seizes me ^br because of the wicked
who reject Your instruction. ^bs
54 Your statutes are the theme of my song
during my earthly life. ^{▼▼Lit song in the house of my sojourning}
55 ^{▼▼Yahweh/Yah: Or The Lord; the personal name of God in Hebrew; "Yah" is the shortened form of the name.}Yahweh, I remember Your name ^bv in the night, ^bw
and I obey Your instruction.
56 This is my practice:
I obey Your precepts. ^bx

‏ח‎ Khet

57 The Lord is my portion; ^{▼▼Lit You are my portion, Lord
,} ^bz
I have promised to keep Your words.
58 I have sought Your favor ^ca with all my heart;
be gracious to me ^cb according to Your promise.
59 I thought about my ways ^cc
and turned my steps back to Your decrees.
60 I hurried, not hesitating
to keep Your commands.
61 Though the ropes of the wicked ^cd
were wrapped around me,
I did not forget Your instruction. ^ce
62 I rise at midnight to thank You ^cf
for Your righteous judgments. ^cg
63 I am a friend to all who ^{▼▼fear(s) God or the Lord/ the fear of the Lord: No single English word conveys every aspect of the word fear in this phrase. The meaning includes worshipful submission, reverential awe, and obedient respect to the covenant-keeping God of Israel.}fear You, ^ci
to those who keep Your precepts.
64 Lord, the earth is filled with Your faithful love; ^cj
teach me Your statutes. ^ck

‏ט‎ Tet

65 Lord, You have treated Your servant well,
just as You promised.
66 Teach me good judgment and discernment, ^cl
for I rely on Your commands.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, ^cm
but now I keep Your word.
68 You are good, ^cn and You do what is good; ^co
teach me Your statutes.
69 The arrogant have smeared me with lies, ^cp
but I obey Your precepts with all my heart. ^cq
70 Their hearts are hard and insensitive, ^cr
but I delight in Your instruction. ^cs
71 It was good for me to be afflicted ^ct
so that I could learn Your statutes.
72 Instruction from Your lips ^cu is better for me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

‏י‎ Yod

73 Your hands made me and formed me; ^cv
give me understanding
so that I can learn Your commands. ^cw
74 Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, ^cx
for I put my hope in Your word. ^cy
75 I know, Lord, that Your judgments are just
and that You have afflicted me fairly. ^cz
76 May Your faithful love comfort me
as You promised Your servant.
77 May Your compassion come to me ^da
so that I may live,
for Your instruction is my delight. ^db
78 Let the arrogant be put to shame ^dc
for slandering me with lies;
I will meditate on Your precepts.
79 Let those who fear You,
those who know Your decrees, turn to me.
80 May my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes ^dd
so that I will not be put to shame.

‏כ‎ Kaf

81 I long for Your salvation; ^de
I put my hope in Your word. ^df
82 My eyes grow weary
looking for what You have promised; ^dg
I ask, “When will You comfort me?”
83 Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke,
I do not forget Your statutes.
84 How many days must Your servant wait?
When will You execute judgment on my persecutors? ^dh
85 The arrogant have dug pits for me; ^di
they violate Your instruction.
86 All Your commands are true;
people persecute me with lies – help me! ^dj
87 They almost ended my life on earth,
but I did not abandon Your precepts.
88 Give me life in accordance with Your faithful love,
and I will obey the decree You have spoken.

‏ל‎ Lamed

89 Lord, Your word is forever; ^dk
it is firmly fixed in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness is for all generations; ^dl
You established the earth, and it stands firm. ^dm
91 They stand today in accordance with Your judgments, ^dn
for all things are Your servants. ^do
92 If Your instruction had not been my delight,
I would have died in my affliction. ^dp
93 I will never forget Your precepts,
for You have given me life through them. ^dq
94 I am Yours; save me, ^dr
for I have sought Your precepts. ^ds
95 The wicked hope to destroy me, ^dt
but I contemplate Your decrees.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but Your command is without limit.

‏מ‎ Mem

97 How I love Your instruction! ^du
It is my meditation all day long. ^dv
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, ^dw
for they are always with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers
because Your decrees are my meditation. ^dx
100 I understand more than the elders ^dy
because I obey Your precepts. ^dz
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path ^ea
to follow Your word.
102 I have not turned from Your judgments, ^eb
for You Yourself have instructed me.
103 How sweet Your word is ^ec to my taste –
sweeter than honey in my mouth.
104 I gain understanding from Your precepts; ^ed
therefore I hate every false way. ^ee

‏נ‎ Nun

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet ^ef
and a light on my path.
106 I have solemnly sworn ^eg
to keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am severely afflicted;
Lord, give me life through Your word. ^eh
108 Lord, please accept my willing offerings of praise, ^ei
and teach me Your judgments. ^ej
109 My life is constantly in danger, ^{▼▼Lit in my hand}
yet I do not forget Your instruction. ^el
110 The wicked have set a trap for me, ^em
but I have not wandered from Your precepts. ^en
111 I have Your decrees as a heritage forever;
indeed, they are the joy of my heart. ^eo
112 I am resolved to obey Your statutes
to the very end. ^{▼▼Or statutes; the reward is eternal
,} ^eq

‏ס‎ Samek

113 I hate those who are double-minded, ^er
but I love Your instruction. ^es
114 You are my shelter and my shield; ^et
I put my hope in Your word. ^eu
115 Depart from me, ^ev you evil ones,
so that I may obey my God’s commands. ^ew
116 Sustain me as You promised, ^ex and I will live;
do not let me be ashamed of my hope. ^ey
117 Sustain me so that I can be safe ^ez
and always be concerned about Your statutes. ^fa
118 You reject all who stray from Your statutes, ^fb
for their deceit is a lie.
119 You remove all the wicked on earth
as if they were ^{▼▼Some Hb mss, DSS, LXX, Aq, Sym, Jer read All the wicked of the earth You count as} dross; ^fd
therefore, I love Your decrees. ^fe
120 I tremble ^{▼▼Lit My flesh shudders} in awe of You; ^fg
I fear Your judgments.

‏ע‎ Ayin

121 I have done what is just and right; ^fh
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Guarantee Your servant’s well-being; ^fi
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes grow weary ^fj looking for Your salvation
and for Your righteous promise.
124 Deal with Your servant based on Your faithful love; ^fk
teach me Your statutes.
125 I am Your servant; ^fl give me understanding ^fm
so that I may know Your decrees.
126 It is time for the Lord to act, ^fn
for they have violated Your instruction.
127 Since I love Your commands ^fo
more than gold, even the purest gold,
128 I carefully follow ^{▼▼Lit I therefore follow carefully} all Your precepts ^fq
and hate every false way. ^fr

‏פ‎ Pe

129 Your decrees are wonderful; ^fs
therefore I obey them. ^ft
130 The revelation of Your words ^fu brings light
and gives understanding to the inexperienced. ^fv
131 I open my mouth and pant ^fw
because I long for Your commands.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, ^fx
as is Your practice toward those who love Your name.
133 Make my steps steady through Your promise; ^fy
don’t let any sin dominate me. ^fz
134 Redeem me from human oppression, ^ga
and I will keep Your precepts.
135 Show favor to Your servant, ^gb
and teach me Your statutes. ^gc
136 My eyes pour out streams of tears ^gd
because people do not follow Your instruction.

‏צ‎ Tsade

137 You are righteous, Lord, ^ge
and Your judgments are just.
138 The decrees You issue are righteous
and altogether trustworthy. ^gf
139 My anger overwhelms me
because my foes forget Your words. ^gg
140 Your word is completely pure, ^gh
and Your servant loves it. ^gi
141 I am insignificant and despised, ^gj
but I do not forget Your precepts. ^gk
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
and Your instruction is true. ^gl
143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me,
but Your commands are my delight. ^gm
144 Your decrees are righteous forever. ^gn
Give me understanding, and I will live.

‏ק‎ Qof

145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord.
I will obey Your statutes. ^go
146 I call to You; save me,
and I will keep Your decrees. ^gp
147 I rise before dawn and cry out for help; ^gq
I put my hope in Your word.
148 I am awake through each watch of the night
to meditate on Your promise. ^gr
149 In keeping with Your faithful love, hear my voice.
Lord, give me life in keeping with Your justice. ^gs
150 Those who pursue evil plans ^{▼▼Some Hb mss, LXX, Sym, Jer read who maliciously persecute me
,} ^gu come near;
they are far from Your instruction.
151 You are near, Lord, ^gv
and all Your commands are true. ^gw
152 Long ago I learned from Your decrees
that You have established them forever. ^gx

‏ר‎ Resh

153 Consider my affliction and rescue me, ^gy
for I have not forgotten Your instruction. ^gz
154 Defend my cause and redeem me; ^ha
give me life as You promised.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked
because they do not seek Your statutes. ^hb
156 Your compassions are many, Lord; ^hc
give me life according to Your judgments.
157 My persecutors and foes are many. ^hd
I have not turned from Your decrees. ^he
158 I have seen the disloyal ^hf and feel disgust ^hg
because they do not keep Your word.
159 Consider how I love Your precepts;
Lord, give me life according to Your faithful love. ^hh
160 The entirety of Your word is truth,
and all Your righteous judgments endure forever. ^hi

‏ׂש‎ Sin/ ‏ׁש‎ Shin

161 Princes have persecuted me without cause,
but my heart fears only Your word. ^hj
162 I rejoice over Your promise ^hk
like one who finds vast treasure.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood, ^hl
but I love Your instruction. ^hm
164 I praise You seven times a day
for Your righteous judgments. ^hn
165 Abundant peace belongs to those ^ho
who love Your instruction;
nothing makes them stumble. ^hp
166 Lord, I hope for Your salvation ^hq
and carry out Your commands.
167 I obey Your decrees
and love them greatly. ^hr
168 I obey Your precepts and decrees,
for all my ways are before You. ^hs

‏ת‎ Tav

169 Let my cry reach You, Lord; ^ht
give me understanding according to Your word. ^hu
170 Let my plea reach You; ^hv
rescue me according to Your promise. ^hw
171 My lips pour out praise, ^hx
for You teach me Your statutes. ^hy
172 My tongue sings about Your promise, ^hz
for all Your commands are righteous. ^ia
173 May Your hand be ready to help me, ^ib
for I have chosen Your precepts. ^ic
174 I long for Your salvation, Lord,
and Your instruction is my delight. ^id
175 Let me live, and I will praise You; ^ie
may Your judgments help me.
176 I wander like a lost sheep; ^if
seek Your servant, ^ig
for I do not forget Your commands. ^ih