Psalm 119 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Psalm 119

The Glories of God’s Law

¹ Happy are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the Lord.
² Happy are those who keep his decrees,
who seek him with their whole heart,
³ who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways.
⁴ You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
⁵ O that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
⁶ Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous ordinances.
⁸ I will observe your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me.

⁹ How can young people keep their way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
¹⁰ With my whole heart I seek you;
do not let me stray from your commandments.
¹¹ I treasure your word in my heart,
so that I may not sin against you.
¹² Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes.
¹³ With my lips I declare
all the ordinances of your mouth.
¹⁴ I delight in the way of your decrees
as much as in all riches.
¹⁵ I will meditate on your precepts,
and fix my eyes on your ways.
¹⁶ I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.

¹⁷ Deal bountifully with your servant,
so that I may live and observe your word.
¹⁸ Open my eyes, so that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
¹⁹ I live as an alien in the land;
do not hide your commandments from me.
²⁰ My soul is consumed with longing
for your ordinances at all times.
²¹ You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments;
²² take away from me their scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your decrees.
²³ Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
²⁴ Your decrees are my delight,
they are my counsellors.

²⁵ My soul clings to the dust;
revive me according to your word.
²⁶ When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes.
²⁷ Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
²⁸ My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.
²⁹ Put false ways far from me;
and graciously teach me your law.
³⁰ I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your ordinances before me.
³¹ I cling to your decrees, O Lord;
let me not be put to shame.
³² I run the way of your commandments,
for you enlarge my understanding.

³³ Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes,
and I will observe it to the end.
³⁴ Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
³⁵ Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
³⁶ Turn my heart to your decrees,
and not to selfish gain.
³⁷ Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;
give me life in your ways.
³⁸ Confirm to your servant your promise,
which is for those who fear you.
³⁹ Turn away the disgrace that I dread,
for your ordinances are good.
⁴⁰ See, I have longed for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life.

⁴¹ Let your steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation according to your promise.
⁴² Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.
⁴³ Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your ordinances.
⁴⁴ I will keep your law continually,
for ever and ever.
⁴⁵ I shall walk at liberty,
for I have sought your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will also speak of your decrees before kings,
and shall not be put to shame;
⁴⁷ I find my delight in your commandments,
because I love them.
⁴⁸ I revere your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.

⁴⁹ Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
⁵⁰ This is my comfort in my distress,
that your promise gives me life.
⁵¹ The arrogant utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
⁵² When I think of your ordinances from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
⁵³ Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
those who forsake your law.
⁵⁴ Your statutes have been my songs
wherever I make my home.
⁵⁵ I remember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
⁵⁶ This blessing has fallen to me,
for I have kept your precepts.

⁵⁷ The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
⁵⁸ I implore your favour with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
⁵⁹ When I think of your ways,
I turn my feet to your decrees;
⁶⁰ I hurry and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
⁶¹ Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
⁶² At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous ordinances.
⁶³ I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
⁶⁴ The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes.

⁶⁵ You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, according to your word.
⁶⁶ Teach me good judgement and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
⁶⁷ Before I was humbled I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
⁶⁸ You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
⁶⁹ The arrogant smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts.
⁷⁰ Their hearts are fat and gross,
but I delight in your law.
⁷¹ It is good for me that I was humbled,
so that I might learn your statutes.
⁷² The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

⁷³ Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
⁷⁴ Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, O Lord, that your judgements are right,
and that in faithfulness you have humbled me.
⁷⁶ Let your steadfast love become my comfort
according to your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷ Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
⁷⁸ Let the arrogant be put to shame,
because they have subverted me with guile;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹ Let those who fear you turn to me,
so that they may know your decrees.
⁸⁰ May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
so that I may not be put to shame.

⁸¹ My soul languishes for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
⁸² My eyes fail with watching for your promise;
I ask, ‘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 long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
⁸⁵ The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me;
they flout your law.
⁸⁶ All your commandments are enduring;
I am persecuted without cause; help me!
⁸⁷ They have almost made an end of me on earth;
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸ In your steadfast love spare my life,
so that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.

⁸⁹ The Lord exists for ever;
your word is firmly fixed in heaven.
⁹⁰ Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
⁹¹ By your appointment they stand today,
for all things are your servants.
⁹² If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my misery.
⁹³ I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
⁹⁴ I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your decrees.
⁹⁶ I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

⁹⁷ Oh, how I love your law!
It is my meditation all day long.
⁹⁸ Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is always with me.
⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your decrees are my meditation.
¹⁰⁰ I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
¹⁰² I do not turn away from your ordinances,
for you have taught me.
¹⁰³ How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.

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 observe your righteous ordinances.
¹⁰⁷ I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
¹⁰⁸ Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord,
and teach me your ordinances.
¹⁰⁹ I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
¹¹¹ Your decrees are my heritage for ever;
they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² I incline my heart to perform your statutes
for ever, to the end.

¹¹³ I hate the double-minded,
but I love your law.
¹¹⁴ You are my hiding-place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
¹¹⁵ Go away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
¹¹⁶ Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope.
¹¹⁷ Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually.
¹¹⁸ You spurn all who go astray from your statutes;
for their cunning is in vain.
¹¹⁹ All the wicked of the earth you count as dross;
therefore I love your decrees.
¹²⁰ My flesh trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgements.

¹²¹ I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
¹²² Guarantee your servant’s well-being;
do not let the godless oppress me.
¹²³ My eyes fail from watching for your salvation,
and for the fulfilment of your righteous promise.
¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
¹²⁵ I am your servant; give me understanding,
so that I may know your decrees.
¹²⁶ It is time for the Lord to act,
for your law has been broken.
¹²⁷ Truly I love your commandments
more than gold, more than fine gold.
¹²⁸ Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts;^[a]
I hate every false way.

¹²⁹ Your decrees are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ With open mouth I pant,
because I long for your commandments.
¹³² Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your custom towards those who love your name.
¹³³ Keep my steps steady according to your promise,
and never let iniquity have dominion over me.
¹³⁴ Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
¹³⁵ Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
¹³⁶ My eyes shed streams of tears
because your law is not kept.

¹³⁷ You are righteous, O Lord,
and your judgements are right.
¹³⁸ You have appointed your decrees in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
¹³⁹ My zeal consumes me
because my foes forget your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your promise is well tried,
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 the truth.
¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
but your commandments are my delight.
¹⁴⁴ Your decrees are righteous for ever;
give me understanding that I may live.

¹⁴⁵ With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord.
I will keep your statutes.
¹⁴⁶ I cry to you; save me,
that I may observe your decrees.
¹⁴⁷ I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I put my hope in your words.
¹⁴⁸ My eyes are awake before each watch of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
¹⁴⁹ In your steadfast love hear my voice;
O Lord, in your justice preserve my life.
¹⁵⁰ Those who persecute me with evil purpose draw near;
they are far from your law.
¹⁵¹ Yet you are near, O Lord,
and all your commandments are true.
¹⁵² Long ago I learned from your decrees
that you have established them for ever.

¹⁵³ Look on my misery and rescue me,
for I do not forget your law.
¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise.
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
¹⁵⁶ Great is your mercy, O Lord;
give me life according to your justice.
¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
yet I do not swerve from your decrees.
¹⁵⁸ I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love your precepts;
preserve my life according to your steadfast love.
¹⁶⁰ The sum of your word is truth;
and every one of your righteous ordinances endures for ever.

¹⁶¹ Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
¹⁶² I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous ordinances.
¹⁶⁵ Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I hope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I fulfil your commandments.
¹⁶⁷ My soul keeps your decrees;
I love them exceedingly.
¹⁶⁸ I keep your precepts and decrees,
for all my ways are before you.

¹⁶⁹ Let my cry come before you, O Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.
¹⁷⁰ Let my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.
¹⁷¹ My lips will pour forth praise,
because you teach me your statutes.
¹⁷² My tongue will sing of your promise,
for all your commandments are right.
¹⁷³ Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let me live that I may praise you,
and let your ordinances help me.
¹⁷⁶ I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.

Footnotes

1. Psalm 119:128 Gk Jerome: Meaning of Heb uncertain