Psalm 119 - Lexham English Bible (LEB)

Aleph^[a]

119 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of Yahweh.
² Blessed are those who keep his testimonies;
they seek him with a whole heart.
³ They also do no wrong;
they walk in his ways.
⁴ You have commanded^[b] your precepts,
that we should keep them diligently.
⁵ Oh that my ways were steadfast,
to keep your statutes!
⁶ Then I would not be ashamed
when I look to all your commands.
⁷ I will give you thanks with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous laws.
⁸ I will heed your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.

Beth

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure?
By taking heed according to your word.
¹⁰ With my whole heart I have sought you;
do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹ In my heart I have hidden your word,^[c]
so that I may not sin against you.
¹² Blessed are you, O Yahweh.
Teach me your statutes.
¹³ With my lips I have told of
all the ordinances of your mouth.
¹⁴ In the way of your testimonies I have rejoiced
as I would over all riches.
¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts
and look at^[d] your ways.
¹⁶ I will take delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.

Gimel

¹⁷ Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live
and heed your word.
¹⁸ Uncover my eyes, that I may look at^[e]
wonderful things from your law.
¹⁹ I am a sojourner on the earth;^[f]
do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰ My soul is crushed with longing
for your ordinances at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the arrogant, the accursed,
who stray from your commands.
²² Remove from^[g] me scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
²³ Even though princes sit and speak against me,
your servant meditates on your statutes.
²⁴ Your testimonies are my delight,
my counselors.^[h]

Daleth

²⁵ My soul clings to the dust;
revive me according to your word.
²⁶ I told of my ways, and you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
²⁷ Make me understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful things.
²⁸ My soul weeps^[i] because of grief;
strengthen me according to your word.
²⁹ Remove from me the deceptive way,
and graciously give me your law.
³⁰ I have chosen the faithful way;
I have set your ordinances before me.
³¹ I cling to your testimonies;
O Yahweh, do not let me be put to shame.
³² I will run the way of your commands,
for you will enlarge my heart.^[j]

Heʼ

³³ Teach me, O Yahweh, the way of your statutes,
and I will keep it to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and heed it with my whole heart.
³⁵ Cause me to walk in the path of your commands,
for I delight in it.
³⁶ Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to dishonest gain.
³⁷ Turn away my eyes from looking at what is worthless;
revive me in your ways.
³⁸ Fulfill your word^[k] to your servant,
which is to bring about a reverence for you.
³⁹ Turn away my disgrace that I dread,
for your ordinances are good.
⁴⁰ Look, I have longed for your precepts;
revive me in your righteousness.

Waw

⁴¹ Let your acts of loyal love also come to me, O Yahweh,
your salvation according to your word.^[l]
42 Then I will have an answer for the one who taunts me,
for I trust your word.
⁴³ And do not snatch the word of truth utterly from my mouth,
for I hope in your ordinances.
⁴⁴ So I will heed your law continually,
forever and ever.
⁴⁵ And I will go about freely,^[m]
for I have sought your precepts.
⁴⁶ And I will speak of your testimonies before kings,
and will not be ashamed.
⁴⁷ And I will take delight in your commands,
which I love.
⁴⁸ And I will lift up my hands^[n] to your commands, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.

Zayin

⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant,
upon which you have caused me to hope.
⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my misery:
that your word^[o] preserves my life.
⁵¹ The arrogant utterly deride me;
I have not turned aside from your law.
⁵² I remember your ordinances of old, O Yahweh,
and I take comfort.
⁵³ Rage seizes me because of the wicked,
those who forsake your law.
⁵⁴ Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
⁵⁵ I remember your name in the night, O Yahweh,
and I heed your law.
⁵⁶ This has been mine,
that I have kept your precepts.

Heth

⁵⁷ Yahweh is my portion;
I intend to heed your words.
⁵⁸ I seek your favor^[p] with my whole heart;
be gracious to me according to your word.^[q]
59 I think about my ways,
and turn my feet to your testimonies.
⁶⁰ I hurry and do not delay
to heed your commands.
⁶¹ The cords of the wicked surround me,
but I do not forget your law.
⁶² In the middle of the night I rise to give you thanks,
because of your righteous ordinances.
⁶³ I am a companion of all who fear you
and heed your precepts.
⁶⁴ The earth, O Yahweh, is full of your loyal love.
Teach me your statutes.

Teth

⁶⁵ You have dealt well with your servant,
O Yahweh, according to your word.
⁶⁶ Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
for I believe your commands.
⁶⁷ Before I was afflicted, I was going astray,
but now I heed your word.
⁶⁸ You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
⁶⁹ The arrogant smear me with lies;^[r]
I keep your precepts with my whole heart.
⁷⁰ Their heart is insensitive like fat;^[s]
As for me, I take delight in your law.
⁷¹ It is good for me that I was afflicted,
so that I might learn your statutes.
⁷² The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver coins.

Yod

⁷³ Your hands have made me and established me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commands.
⁷⁴ Those who fear you will see me and be glad,
because I hope in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, O Yahweh, that your judgments are right,
and that in faithfulness you afflicted me.
⁷⁶ Please let your loyal love comfort me,
according to your word^[t] to your servant.
⁷⁷ Let your mercies come to me, that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
⁷⁸ Let the arrogant be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with lies.^[u]
As for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹ Let those who fear you turn to me,
even those who know^[v] your testimonies.
⁸⁰ May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
so that I may not be ashamed.

Kaph

⁸¹ My soul languishes for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes long for^[w] your word,^[x]
saying, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³ For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
⁸⁴ How many are the days of your servant?
When will you execute justice against those who persecute me?
⁸⁵ The arrogant have dug pits^[y] for me,
which is not according to^[z] your law.
⁸⁶ All your commands are faithful.
They persecute me deceitfully; help me!
⁸⁷ They have almost destroyed me on the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸ According to your loyal love preserve me alive,
so that I may heed the testimony from your mouth.

Lamed

⁸⁹ Forever, O Yahweh,
your word is settled^[aa] in heaven.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness endures throughout all generations.^[ab]
You have established the earth and it stands.
⁹¹ By your ordinances they stand today,
for all are your servants.
⁹² Unless your law had been my delight,
then I would have perished in my misery.
⁹³ I will not ever forget your precepts,
for by them you revive me.^[ac]
94 I am yours. Save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
⁹⁵ For me the wicked lie in wait to destroy me.
I give attention to your testimonies.
⁹⁶ I have seen a limit to every perfection;^[ad]
your command is very broad.

Mem

⁹⁷ How I love your law!
The whole day it is my meditation.
⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
because they^[ae] are ever with me.
⁹⁹ I have more insight than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the elders,
for I keep your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
so that I may heed your word.
¹⁰² I have not turned aside from your ordinances,
for you have taught me.
¹⁰³ How smooth^[af] are your words^[ag] to my palate,
more than honey in my mouth.
¹⁰⁴ From your precepts I get understanding,
therefore I hate every false way.

Nun

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to heed your righteous ordinances.^[ah]
107 I am very much afflicted;
O Yahweh, revive me according to your word.
¹⁰⁸ Please accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Yahweh,
and teach me your ordinances.
¹⁰⁹ My life is in danger^[ai] continually,
yet I do not forget your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me,
yet I do not wander from your precepts.
¹¹¹ I have taken as my own your testimonies forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² I have inclined my heart to do your statutes
forever, to the end.

Samek

¹¹³ I hate the double-minded,^[aj]
but I love your law.
¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
¹¹⁵ Turn aside from me, you evildoers,
for I will keep the commands of my God.
¹¹⁶ Sustain me according to your word,^[ak] that I may live,
and do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
¹¹⁷ Uphold me, that I may be delivered,
and have regard for your statutes continually.
¹¹⁸ You reject all who stray from your statutes,
for their deceit is a breach of faith.
¹¹⁹ You remove all the wicked of the earth like dross,
therefore I love your testimonies.
¹²⁰ My flesh trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.

ʽAyin

¹²¹ I have done justice and righteousness;^[al]
do not leave me to my oppressors.
¹²² Pledge good for your servant;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.
¹²³ My eyes long for^[am] your salvation,
and your righteous word.^[an]
124 Deal with your servant according to your loyal love,
and teach me your statutes.
¹²⁵ I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your statutes.
¹²⁶ It is time for Yahweh to act,^[ao]
for they have broken your law.
¹²⁷ Therefore I love your commands
more than gold, even fine gold.
¹²⁸ Therefore all your precepts of everything I regard as right;
I hate every false way.

Pe

¹²⁹ Your testimonies are miracles,
therefore my soul keeps them.
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light,
giving understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commands.
¹³² Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is proper for those who love your name.
¹³³ Direct my steps in your word,^[ap]
and do not let any iniquity gain power over me.
¹³⁴ Redeem me from the oppression of humankind,
that I may heed your precepts.
¹³⁵ Shine your face on your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
¹³⁶ Streams of water flow down from my eyes,
because people do not heed your law.

Tsade

¹³⁷ You are righteous, O Yahweh,
and your ordinances are upright.
¹³⁸ You have ordained your testimonies in righteousness,
and in exceeding faithfulness.
¹³⁹ My zeal consumes me,
because my enemies have forgotten your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your word is very pure,
and your servant loves it.
¹⁴¹ I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
¹⁴² Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
and your law is truth.
¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have found me;
your commands delight me.
¹⁴⁴ The righteousness of your testimonies is forever;
give me understanding that I may live.

Qoph

¹⁴⁵ I call with my whole heart; answer me, O Yahweh.
I will keep your statutes.
¹⁴⁶ I call to you. Save me,
and I will heed your testimonies.
¹⁴⁷ I rise early in the dawn and cry for help;
I hope in your word.^[aq]
148 My eyes anticipate the night watches,
that I may meditate on your word.
¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice according to your loyal love;
O Yahweh, preserve my life according to your justice.
¹⁵⁰ Those who pursue a wicked purpose draw near;
they are far from your law.
¹⁵¹ You are near, O Yahweh,
and all your commands are truth.
¹⁵² Concerning your testimonies, I knew long ago
that you have established them forever.

Resh

¹⁵³ See my misery and rescue me,
for I do not forget your law.
¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your word.^[ar]
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
¹⁵⁶ Your mercies are great, O Yahweh;
preserve my life according to your ordinances.
¹⁵⁷ My persecutors and enemies are many,
yet I do not turn aside from your testimonies.
¹⁵⁸ I see the treacherous and I feel disgust,
because they do not heed your word.
¹⁵⁹ Consider^[as] that I love your precepts;
O Yahweh, according to your loyal love preserve my life.
¹⁶⁰ The whole^[at] of your word is truth,
and your every righteous judgment endures forever.

Sin/Shin

¹⁶¹ Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles because of your word.^[au]
162 I am rejoicing over your word,
like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood;
I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ I praise you seven times in the day
for your righteous ordinances.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace is for those who love your law,
and they do not have a cause for stumbling.
¹⁶⁶ I hope for your salvation, O Yahweh,
and do your commands.
¹⁶⁷ My soul heeds your testimonies,
and I love them exceedingly.
¹⁶⁸ I heed your precepts and testimonies,
because all my ways are before you.

Taw

¹⁶⁹ Let my cry come before you, O Yahweh;
give me understanding according to your word.
¹⁷⁰ Let my plea come before you;
Deliver me according to your word.^[av]
171 Let my lips pour out praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
¹⁷² Let my tongue sing of your word,^[aw]
because all your commands are right.
¹⁷³ Let your hand be my help,^[ax]
because I have chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, O Yahweh,
and your law is my delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let my soul^[ay] live that it may praise you,
and let your ordinances help me.
¹⁷⁶ I have wandered like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
because I do not forget your commands.

Footnotes

1. Psalm 119:1 Psalm 119 is an acrostic psalm, with twenty-two stanzas corresponding to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet
2. Psalm 119:4 Perhaps emphatic; Hebrew “you, you have commanded”
3. Psalm 119:11 Or “promise”
4. Psalm 119:15 That is, “examine”
5. Psalm 119:18 That is, “examine”
6. Psalm 119:19 That is, “here for a short time”
7. Psalm 119:22 Literally “Roll off of”
8. Psalm 119:24 Literally “the men of my counsel”
9. Psalm 119:28 Or “is sleepless”
10. Psalm 119:32 That is, “give greater understanding”
11. Psalm 119:38 Or “your promise”
12. Psalm 119:41 Or “your promise”
13. Psalm 119:45 Literally “in the wide place”
14. Psalm 119:48 Hebrew “palms”
15. Psalm 119:50 Or “your promise”
16. Psalm 119:58 Literally “entreat your face”
17. Psalm 119:58 Or “your promise”
18. Psalm 119:69 Hebrew “lie”
19. Psalm 119:70 See Isa 6:10 for a similar idea, but a different word for “fat”
20. Psalm 119:76 Or “your promise”
21. Psalm 119:78 Hebrew “lie”
22. Psalm 119:79 According to the reading tradition (Qere)
23. Psalm 119:82 Or “long to see”
24. Psalm 119:82 Or “your promise”
25. Psalm 119:85 That is, traps
26. Psalm 119:85 Or “who are not in accord with”
27. Psalm 119:89 Literally “stands firm”
28. Psalm 119:90 Literally “for a generation and a generation”
29. Psalm 119:93 Or “give me life”
30. Psalm 119:96 The meaning of this line is uncertain.
31. Psalm 119:98 Hebrew “it is”
32. Psalm 119:103 Or “sweet”
33. Psalm 119:103 Hebrew “word”
34. Psalm 119:106 Literally “the ordinances of your righteousness”
35. Psalm 119:109 Literally “in my hand”
36. Psalm 119:113 Literally “the divided”
37. Psalm 119:116 Or “promise”
38. Psalm 119:121 Or “done what is proper and right”
39. Psalm 119:123 Or “long to see”
40. Psalm 119:123 Or “promise”
41. Psalm 119:126 Or “time to act, O Yahweh”
42. Psalm 119:133 Or “through your promise”
43. Psalm 119:147 According to the reading tradition (Qere)
44. Psalm 119:154 Or “promise”
45. Psalm 119:159 Hebrew “See”
46. Psalm 119:160 Literally “head”
47. Psalm 119:161 According to the reading tradition (Qere)
48. Psalm 119:170 Or “promise”
49. Psalm 119:172 Or “promise”
50. Psalm 119:173 Hebrew “to help me”
51. Psalm 119:175 Or “my life”