Psalm 119 - Good News Translation (GNT)

The Law of the Lord

119 Happy are those whose lives are faultless,
who live according to the law of the Lord.
² Happy are those who follow his commands,
who obey him with all their heart.
³ They never do wrong;
they walk in the Lord's ways.
⁴ Lord, you have given us your laws
and told us to obey them faithfully.
⁵ How I hope that I shall be faithful
in keeping your instructions!
⁶ If I pay attention to all your commands,
then I will not be put to shame.
⁷ As I learn your righteous judgments,
I will praise you with a pure heart.
⁸ I will obey your laws;
never abandon me!

Obedience to the Law of the Lord

⁹ How can young people keep their lives pure?
By obeying your commands.
¹⁰ With all my heart I try to serve you;
keep me from disobeying your commandments.
¹¹ I keep your law in my heart,
so that I will not sin against you.
¹² I praise you, O Lord;
teach me your ways.
¹³ I will repeat aloud
all the laws you have given.
¹⁴ I delight in following your commands
more than in having great wealth.
¹⁵ I study your instructions;
I examine your teachings.
¹⁶ I take pleasure in your laws;
your commands I will not forget.

Happiness in the Law of the Lord

¹⁷ Be good to me, your servant,
so that I may live and obey your teachings.
¹⁸ Open my eyes, so that I may see
the wonderful truths in your law.
¹⁹ I am here on earth for just a little while;
do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰ My heart aches with longing;
I want to know your judgments at all times.
²¹ You reprimand the proud;
cursed are those who disobey your commands.
²² Free me from their insults and scorn,
because I have kept your laws.
²³ The rulers meet and plot against me,
but I will study your teachings.
²⁴ Your instructions give me pleasure;
they are my advisers.

Determination to Obey the Law of the Lord

²⁵ I lie defeated in the dust;
revive me, as you have promised.
²⁶ I confessed all I have done, and you answered me;
teach me your ways.
²⁷ Help me to understand your laws,
and I will meditate on your wonderful teachings.^[a]
28 I am overcome by sorrow;
strengthen me, as you have promised.
²⁹ Keep me from going the wrong way,
and in your goodness teach me your law.
³⁰ I have chosen to be obedient;
I have paid attention to your judgments.
³¹ I have followed your instructions, Lord;
don't let me be put to shame.
³² I will eagerly obey your commands,
because you will give me more understanding.

A Prayer for Understanding

³³ Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your laws,
and I will obey them at all times.
³⁴ Explain your law to me, and I will obey it;
I will keep it with all my heart.
³⁵ Keep me obedient to your commandments,
because in them I find happiness.
³⁶ Give me the desire to obey your laws
rather than to get rich.
³⁷ Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless;
be good to me, as you have promised.
³⁸ Keep your promise to me, your servant—
the promise you make to those who obey you.
³⁹ Save me from the insults I fear;
how wonderful are your judgments!
⁴⁰ I want to obey your commands;
give me new life, for you are righteous.

Trusting the Law of the Lord

⁴¹ Show me how much you love me, Lord,
and save me according to your promise.
⁴² Then I can answer those who insult me
because I trust in your word.
⁴³ Enable me to speak the truth at all times,
because my hope is in your judgments.
⁴⁴ I will always obey your law,
forever and ever.
⁴⁵ I will live in perfect freedom,
because I try to obey your teachings.
⁴⁶ I will announce your commands to kings
and I will not be ashamed.
⁴⁷ I find pleasure in obeying your commands,
because I love them.
⁴⁸ I respect and love your commandments;
I will meditate on your instructions.

Confidence in the Law of the Lord

⁴⁹ Remember your promise to me, your servant;
it has given me hope.
⁵⁰ Even in my suffering I was comforted
because your promise gave me life.
⁵¹ The proud are always scornful of me,
but I have not departed from your law.
⁵² I remember your judgments of long ago,
and they bring me comfort, O Lord.
⁵³ When I see the wicked breaking your law,
I am filled with anger.
⁵⁴ During my brief earthly life
I compose songs about your commands.
⁵⁵ In the night I remember you, Lord,
and I think about your law.
⁵⁶ I find my happiness
in obeying your commands.

Devotion to the Law of the Lord

⁵⁷ You are all I want, O Lord;
I promise to obey your laws.
⁵⁸ I ask you with all my heart
to have mercy on me, as you have promised!
⁵⁹ I have considered my conduct,
and I promise to follow your instructions.
⁶⁰ Without delay I hurry
to obey your commands.
⁶¹ The wicked have laid a trap for me,
but I do not forget your law.
⁶² In the middle of the night I wake up
to praise you for your righteous judgments.
⁶³ I am a friend of all who serve you,
of all who obey your laws.
⁶⁴ Lord, the earth is full of your constant love;
teach me your commandments.

The Value of the Law of the Lord

⁶⁵ You have kept your promise, Lord,
and you are good to me, your servant.
⁶⁶ Give me wisdom and knowledge,
because I trust in your commands.
⁶⁷ Before you punished me, I used to go wrong,
but now I obey your word.
⁶⁸ How good you are—how kind!
Teach me your commands.
⁶⁹ The proud have told lies about me,
but with all my heart I obey your instructions.
⁷⁰ They have no understanding,
but I find pleasure in your law.
⁷¹ My punishment was good for me,
because it made me learn your commands.
⁷² The law that you gave means more to me
than all the money in the world.

The Justice of the Law of the Lord

⁷³ You created me, and you keep me safe;
give me understanding, so that I may learn your laws.
⁷⁴ Those who honor you will be glad when they see me,
because I trust in your promise.
⁷⁵ I know that your judgments are righteous, Lord,
and that you punished me because you are faithful.
⁷⁶ Let your constant love comfort me,
as you have promised me, your servant.
⁷⁷ Have mercy on me, and I will live
because I take pleasure in your law.
⁷⁸ May the proud be ashamed for falsely accusing me;
as for me, I will meditate on your instructions.
⁷⁹ May those who honor you come to me—
all those who know your commands.
⁸⁰ May I perfectly obey your commandments
and be spared the shame of defeat.

A Prayer for Deliverance

⁸¹ I am worn out, Lord, waiting for you to save me;
I place my trust in your word.
⁸² My eyes are tired from watching for what you promised,
while I ask, “When will you help me?”
⁸³ I am as useless as a discarded wineskin;
yet I have not forgotten your commands.
⁸⁴ How much longer must I wait?
When will you punish those who persecute me?
⁸⁵ The proud, who do not obey your law,
have dug pits to trap me.
⁸⁶ Your commandments are all trustworthy;
people persecute me with lies—help me!
⁸⁷ They have almost succeeded in killing me,
but I have not neglected your commands.
⁸⁸ Because of your constant love be good to me,
so that I may obey your laws.

Faith in the Law of the Lord

⁸⁹ Your word, O Lord, will last forever;
it is eternal in heaven.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness endures through all the ages;
you have set the earth in place, and it remains.
⁹¹ All things remain to this day because of your command,
because they are all your servants.
⁹² If your law had not been the source of my joy,
I would have died from my sufferings.
⁹³ I will never neglect your instructions,
because by them you have kept me alive.
⁹⁴ I am yours—save me!
I have tried to obey your commands.
⁹⁵ The wicked are waiting to kill me,
but I will meditate on your laws.
⁹⁶ I have learned that everything has limits;
but your commandment is perfect.

Love for the Law of the Lord

⁹⁷ How I love your law!
I think about it all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commandment is with me all the time
and makes me wiser than my enemies.
⁹⁹ I understand more than all my teachers,
because I meditate on your instructions.
¹⁰⁰ I have greater wisdom than those who are old,
because I obey your commands.
¹⁰¹ I have avoided all evil conduct,
because I want to obey your word.
¹⁰² I have not neglected your instructions,
because you yourself are my teacher.
¹⁰³ How sweet is the taste of your instructions—
sweeter even than honey!
¹⁰⁴ I gain wisdom from your laws,
and so I hate all bad conduct.

Light from the Law of the Lord

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to guide me
and a light for my path.
¹⁰⁶ I will keep my solemn promise
to obey your just instructions.
¹⁰⁷ My sufferings, Lord, are terrible indeed;
keep me alive, as you have promised.
¹⁰⁸ Accept my prayer of thanks, O Lord,
and teach me your commands.
¹⁰⁹ I am always ready to risk my life;
I^[b] have not forgotten your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked lay a trap for me,
but I have not disobeyed your commands.
¹¹¹ Your commandments are my eternal possession;
they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² I have decided to obey your laws
until the day I die.

Safety in the Law of the Lord

¹¹³ I hate those who are not completely loyal to you,
but I love your law.
¹¹⁴ You are my defender and protector;
I put my hope in your promise.
¹¹⁵ Go away from me, you sinful people.
I will obey the commands of my God.
¹¹⁶ Give me strength, as you promised, and I shall live;
don't let me be disappointed in my hope!
¹¹⁷ Hold me, and I will be safe,
and I will always pay attention to your commands.
¹¹⁸ You reject everyone who disobeys your laws;
their deceitful schemes are useless.
¹¹⁹ You treat all the wicked like rubbish,
and so I love your instructions.
¹²⁰ Because of you I am afraid;
I am filled with fear because of your judgments.

Obedience to the Law of the Lord

¹²¹ I have done what is right and good;
don't abandon me to my enemies!
¹²² Promise that you will help your servant;
don't let the arrogant oppress me!
¹²³ My eyes are tired from watching for your saving help,
for the deliverance you promised.
¹²⁴ Treat me according to your constant love,
and teach me your commands.
¹²⁵ I am your servant; give me understanding,
so that I may know your teachings.
¹²⁶ Lord, it is time for you to act,
because people are disobeying your law.
¹²⁷ I love your commands more than gold,
more than the finest gold.
¹²⁸ And so I follow all your instructions;^[c]
I hate all wrong ways.

Desire to Obey the Law of the Lord

¹²⁹ Your teachings are wonderful;
I obey them with all my heart.
¹³⁰ The explanation of your teachings gives light
and brings wisdom to the ignorant.
¹³¹ In my desire for your commands
I pant with open mouth.
¹³² Turn to me and have mercy on me
as you do on all those who love you.
¹³³ As you have promised, keep me from falling;
don't let me be overcome by evil.
¹³⁴ Save me from those who oppress me,
so that I may obey your commands.
¹³⁵ Bless me with your presence
and teach me your laws.
¹³⁶ My tears pour down like a river,
because people do not obey your law.

The Justice of the Law of the Lord

¹³⁷ You are righteous, Lord,
and your laws are just.
¹³⁸ The rules that you have given
are completely fair and right.
¹³⁹ My anger burns in me like a fire,
because my enemies disregard your commands.
¹⁴⁰ How certain your promise is!
How I love it!
¹⁴¹ I am unimportant and despised,
but I do not neglect your teachings.
¹⁴² Your righteousness will last forever,
and your law is always true.
¹⁴³ I am filled with trouble and anxiety,
but your commandments bring me joy.
¹⁴⁴ Your instructions are always just;
give me understanding, and I shall live.

A Prayer for Deliverance

¹⁴⁵ With all my heart I call to you;
answer me, Lord, and I will obey your commands!
¹⁴⁶ I call to you;
save me, and I will keep your laws.
¹⁴⁷ Before sunrise I call to you for help;
I place my hope in your promise.
¹⁴⁸ All night long I lie awake,
to meditate on your instructions.
¹⁴⁹ Because your love is constant, hear me, O Lord;
show your mercy, and preserve my life!
¹⁵⁰ My cruel persecutors are coming closer,
people who never keep your law.
¹⁵¹ But you are near to me, Lord,
and all your commands are permanent.
¹⁵² Long ago I learned about your instructions;
you made them to last forever.

A Plea for Help

¹⁵³ Look at my suffering, and save me,
because I have not neglected your law.
¹⁵⁴ Defend my cause, and set me free;
save me, as you have promised.
¹⁵⁵ The wicked will not be saved,
for they do not obey your laws.
¹⁵⁶ But your compassion, Lord, is great;
show your mercy and save me!
¹⁵⁷ I have many enemies and oppressors,
but I do not fail to obey your laws.
¹⁵⁸ When I look at those traitors, I am filled with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
¹⁵⁹ See how I love your instructions, Lord.
Your love never changes, so save me!
¹⁶⁰ The heart of your law is truth,
and all your righteous judgments are eternal.

Dedication to the Law of the Lord

¹⁶¹ Powerful people attack me unjustly,
but I respect your law.
¹⁶² How happy I am because of your promises—
as happy as someone who finds rich treasure.
¹⁶³ I hate and detest all lies,
but I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times each day I thank you
for your righteous judgments.
¹⁶⁵ Those who love your law have perfect security,
and there is nothing that can make them fall.
¹⁶⁶ I wait for you to save me, Lord,
and I do what you command.
¹⁶⁷ I obey your teachings;
I love them with all my heart.
¹⁶⁸ I obey your commands and your instructions;
you see everything I do.

A Prayer for Help

¹⁶⁹ Let my cry for help reach you, Lord!
Give me understanding, as you have promised.
¹⁷⁰ Listen to my prayer,
and save me according to your promise!
¹⁷¹ I will always praise you,
because you teach me your laws.
¹⁷² I will sing about your law,
because your commands are just.
¹⁷³ Always be ready to help me,
because I follow your commands.
¹⁷⁴ How I long for your saving help, O Lord!
I find happiness in your law.
¹⁷⁵ Give me life, so that I may praise you;
may your instructions help me.
¹⁷⁶ I wander about like a lost sheep;
so come and look for me, your servant,
because I have not neglected your laws.

Footnotes

1. Psalm 119:27 teachings; or deeds.
2. Psalm 119:109 I am always ready to risk my life; I; or My life is in constant danger, but I.
3. Psalm 119:128 Some ancient translations all your instructions; Hebrew unclear.