Psalm 119 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Psalm 119^[a]

Aleph

¹ Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the Lord.
² Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.
³ They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
⁴ You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.
⁵ Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!
⁶ Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.
⁷ As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!
⁸ I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!

Beth

⁹ How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.
¹⁰ I have tried hard to find you—
don’t let me wander from your commands.
¹¹ I have hidden your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
¹² I praise you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.
¹³ I have recited aloud
all the regulations you have given us.
¹⁴ I have rejoiced in your laws
as much as in riches.
¹⁵ I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.
¹⁶ I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word.

Gimel

¹⁷ Be good to your servant,
that I may live and obey your word.
¹⁸ Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions.
¹⁹ I am only a foreigner in the land.
Don’t hide your commands from me!
²⁰ I am always overwhelmed
with a desire for your regulations.
²¹ You rebuke the arrogant;
those who wander from your commands are cursed.
²² Don’t let them scorn and insult me,
for I have obeyed your laws.
²³ Even princes sit and speak against me,
but I will meditate on your decrees.
²⁴ Your laws please me;
they give me wise advice.

Daleth

²⁵ I lie in the dust;
revive me by your word.
²⁶ I told you my plans, and you answered.
Now teach me your decrees.
²⁷ Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
²⁸ I weep with sorrow;
encourage me by your word.
²⁹ Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
³⁰ I have chosen to be faithful;
I have determined to live by your regulations.
³¹ I cling to your laws.
Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!
³² I will pursue your commands,
for you expand my understanding.

He

³³ Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
I will keep them to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
³⁵ Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
³⁶ Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!
³⁷ Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.^[b]
38 Reassure me of your promise,
made to those who fear you.
³⁹ Help me abandon my shameful ways;
for your regulations are good.
⁴⁰ I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness.

Waw

⁴¹ Lord, give me your unfailing love,
the salvation that you promised me.
⁴² Then I can answer those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.
⁴³ Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
for your regulations are my only hope.
⁴⁴ I will keep on obeying your instructions
forever and ever.
⁴⁵ I will walk in freedom,
for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
⁴⁶ I will speak to kings about your laws,
and I will not be ashamed.
⁴⁷ How I delight in your commands!
How I love them!
⁴⁸ I honor and love your commands.
I meditate on your decrees.

Zayin

⁴⁹ Remember your promise to me;
it is my only hope.
⁵⁰ Your promise revives me;
it comforts me in all my troubles.
⁵¹ The proud hold me in utter contempt,
but I do not turn away from your instructions.
⁵² I meditate on your age-old regulations;
O Lord, they comfort me.
⁵³ I become furious with the wicked,
because they reject your instructions.
⁵⁴ Your decrees have been the theme of my songs
wherever I have lived.
⁵⁵ I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord;
therefore, I obey your instructions.
⁵⁶ This is how I spend my life:
obeying your commandments.

Heth

⁵⁷ Lord, you are mine!
I promise to obey your words!
⁵⁸ With all my heart I want your blessings.
Be merciful as you promised.
⁵⁹ I pondered the direction of my life,
and I turned to follow your laws.
⁶⁰ I will hurry, without delay,
to obey your commands.
⁶¹ Evil people try to drag me into sin,
but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
⁶² I rise at midnight to thank you
for your just regulations.
⁶³ I am a friend to anyone who fears you—
anyone who obeys your commandments.
⁶⁴ O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth;
teach me your decrees.

Teth

⁶⁵ You have done many good things for me, Lord,
just as you promised.
⁶⁶ I believe in your commands;
now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
⁶⁷ I used to wander off until you disciplined me;
but now I closely follow your word.
⁶⁸ You are good and do only good;
teach me your decrees.
⁶⁹ Arrogant people smear me with lies,
but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.
⁷⁰ Their hearts are dull and stupid,
but I delight in your instructions.
⁷¹ My suffering was good for me,
for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
⁷² Your instructions are more valuable to me
than millions in gold and silver.

Yodh

⁷³ You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
⁷⁴ May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
for I have put my hope in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;
you disciplined me because I needed it.
⁷⁶ Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
just as you promised me, your servant.
⁷⁷ Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
for your instructions are my delight.
⁷⁸ Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
⁷⁹ Let me be united with all who fear you,
with those who know your laws.
⁸⁰ May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
then I will never be ashamed.

Kaph

⁸¹ I am worn out waiting for your rescue,
but I have put my hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.
When will you comfort me?
⁸³ I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,
but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
⁸⁴ How long must I wait?
When will you punish those who persecute me?
⁸⁵ These arrogant people who hate your instructions
have dug deep pits to trap me.
⁸⁶ All your commands are trustworthy.
Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
⁸⁷ They almost finished me off,
but I refused to abandon your commandments.
⁸⁸ In your unfailing love, spare my life;
then I can continue to obey your laws.

Lamedh

⁸⁹ Your eternal word, O Lord,
stands firm in heaven.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
as enduring as the earth you created.
⁹¹ Your regulations remain true to this day,
for everything serves your plans.
⁹² If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy,
I would have died in my misery.
⁹³ I will never forget your commandments,
for by them you give me life.
⁹⁴ I am yours; rescue me!
For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.
⁹⁵ Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me,
I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.
⁹⁶ Even perfection has its limits,
but your commands have no limit.

Mem

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your instructions!
I think about them all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are my constant guide.
⁹⁹ Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,
for I am always thinking of your laws.
¹⁰⁰ I am even wiser than my elders,
for I have kept your commandments.
¹⁰¹ I have refused to walk on any evil path,
so that I may remain obedient to your word.
¹⁰² I haven’t turned away from your regulations,
for you have taught me well.
¹⁰³ How sweet your words taste to me;
they are sweeter than honey.
¹⁰⁴ Your commandments give me understanding;
no wonder I hate every false way of life.

Nun

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
¹⁰⁶ I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again:
I will obey your righteous regulations.
¹⁰⁷ I have suffered much, O Lord;
restore my life again as you promised.
¹⁰⁸ Lord, accept my offering of praise,
and teach me your regulations.
¹⁰⁹ My life constantly hangs in the balance,
but I will not stop obeying your instructions.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have set their traps for me,
but I will not turn from your commandments.
¹¹¹ Your laws are my treasure;
they are my heart’s delight.
¹¹² I am determined to keep your decrees
to the very end.

Samekh

¹¹³ I hate those with divided loyalties,
but I love your instructions.
¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and my shield;
your word is my source of hope.
¹¹⁵ Get out of my life, you evil-minded people,
for I intend to obey the commands of my God.
¹¹⁶ Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live!
Do not let my hope be crushed.
¹¹⁷ Sustain me, and I will be rescued;
then I will meditate continually on your decrees.
¹¹⁸ But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees.
They are only fooling themselves.
¹¹⁹ You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum;
no wonder I love to obey your laws!
¹²⁰ I tremble in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your regulations.

Ayin

¹²¹ Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies,
for I have done what is just and right.
¹²² Please guarantee a blessing for me.
Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!
¹²³ My eyes strain to see your rescue,
to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
¹²⁴ I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love,
and teach me your decrees.
¹²⁵ Give discernment to me, your servant;
then I will understand your laws.
¹²⁶ Lord, it is time for you to act,
for these evil people have violated your instructions.
¹²⁷ Truly, I love your commands
more than gold, even the finest gold.
¹²⁸ Each of your commandments is right.
That is why I hate every false way.

Pe

¹²⁹ Your laws are wonderful.
No wonder I obey them!
¹³⁰ The teaching of your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.
¹³¹ I pant with expectation,
longing for your commands.
¹³² Come and show me your mercy,
as you do for all who love your name.
¹³³ Guide my steps by your word,
so I will not be overcome by evil.
¹³⁴ Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;
then I can obey your commandments.
¹³⁵ Look upon me with love;
teach me your decrees.
¹³⁶ Rivers of tears gush from my eyes
because people disobey your instructions.

Tsadhe

¹³⁷ O Lord, you are righteous,
and your regulations are fair.
¹³⁸ Your laws are perfect
and completely trustworthy.
¹³⁹ I am overwhelmed with indignation,
for my enemies have disregarded your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your promises have been thoroughly tested;
that is why I love them so much.
¹⁴¹ I am insignificant and despised,
but I don’t forget your commandments.
¹⁴² Your justice is eternal,
and your instructions are perfectly true.
¹⁴³ As pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands.
¹⁴⁴ Your laws are always right;
help me to understand them so I may live.

Qoph

¹⁴⁵ I pray with all my heart; answer me, Lord!
I will obey your decrees.
¹⁴⁶ I cry out to you; rescue me,
that I may obey your laws.
¹⁴⁷ I rise early, before the sun is up;
I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.
¹⁴⁸ I stay awake through the night,
thinking about your promise.
¹⁴⁹ In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry;
let me be revived by following your regulations.
¹⁵⁰ Lawless people are coming to attack me;
they live far from your instructions.
¹⁵¹ But you are near, O Lord,
and all your commands are true.
¹⁵² I have known from my earliest days
that your laws will last forever.

Resh

¹⁵³ Look upon my suffering and rescue me,
for I have not forgotten your instructions.
¹⁵⁴ Argue my case; take my side!
Protect my life as you promised.
¹⁵⁵ The wicked are far from rescue,
for they do not bother with your decrees.
¹⁵⁶ Lord, how great is your mercy;
let me be revived by following your regulations.
¹⁵⁷ Many persecute and trouble me,
yet I have not swerved from your laws.
¹⁵⁸ Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart,
because they care nothing for your word.
¹⁵⁹ See how I love your commandments, Lord.
Give back my life because of your unfailing love.
¹⁶⁰ The very essence of your words is truth;
all your just regulations will stand forever.

Shin

¹⁶¹ Powerful people harass me without cause,
but my heart trembles only at your word.
¹⁶² I rejoice in your word
like one who discovers a great treasure.
¹⁶³ I hate and abhor all falsehood,
but I love your instructions.
¹⁶⁴ I will praise you seven times a day
because all your regulations are just.
¹⁶⁵ Those who love your instructions have great peace
and do not stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I long for your rescue, Lord,
so I have obeyed your commands.
¹⁶⁷ I have obeyed your laws,
for I love them very much.
¹⁶⁸ Yes, I obey your commandments and laws
because you know everything I do.

Taw

¹⁶⁹ O Lord, listen to my cry;
give me the discerning mind you promised.
¹⁷⁰ Listen to my prayer;
rescue me as you promised.
¹⁷¹ Let praise flow from my lips,
for you have taught me your decrees.
¹⁷² Let my tongue sing about your word,
for all your commands are right.
¹⁷³ Give me a helping hand,
for I have chosen to follow your commandments.
¹⁷⁴ O Lord, I have longed for your rescue,
and your instructions are my delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live so I can praise you,
and may your regulations help me.
¹⁷⁶ I have wandered away like a lost sheep;
come and find me,
for I have not forgotten your commands.

Footnotes

1. 119 This psalm is a Hebrew acrostic poem; there are twenty-two stanzas, one for each successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the eight verses within each stanza begins with the Hebrew letter named in its heading.
2. 119:37 Some manuscripts read in your ways.