Psalms 119 · Clearspring

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

א

ALEPH

¹Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh’s law.+ ²Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.+ ³Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.+ ⁴You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.+ ⁵Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!+ ⁶Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.+ ⁷I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.+ ⁸I will observe your statutes. Don’t utterly forsake me.+

ב

BETH

⁹How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.+ ¹⁰With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments.+ ¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.+ ¹²Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.+ ¹³With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.+ ¹⁴I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.+ ¹⁵I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.+ ¹⁶I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.+

ג

GIMEL

¹⁷Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.+ ¹⁸Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.+ ¹⁹I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me.+ ²⁰My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.+ ²¹You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.+ ²²Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.+ ²³Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.+ ²⁴Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.+

ד

DALETH

²⁵My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!+ ²⁶I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.+ ²⁷Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.+ ²⁸My soul is weary with sorrow: strengthen me according to your word.+ ²⁹Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!+ ³⁰I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.+ ³¹I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don’t let me be disappointed.+ ³²I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.+

ה

HE

³³Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.+ ³⁴Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.+ ³⁵Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.+ ³⁶Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.+ ³⁷Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.+ ³⁸Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.+ ³⁹Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.+ ⁴⁰Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.+

ו

WAW

⁴¹Let your loving kindness also come to me, Yahweh, your salvation, according to your word.+ ⁴²So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.+ ⁴³Don’t snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.+ ⁴⁴So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.+ ⁴⁵I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.+ ⁴⁶I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.+ ⁴⁷I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.+ ⁴⁸I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.+

ז

ZAYIN

⁴⁹Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.+ ⁵⁰This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.+ ⁵¹The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don’t swerve from your law.+ ⁵²I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself.+ ⁵³Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.+ ⁵⁴Your statutes have been my songs, in the house where I live.+ ⁵⁵I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and I obey your law.+ ⁵⁶This is my way, that I keep your precepts.+

ח

HETH

⁵⁷Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words.+ ⁵⁸I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.+ ⁵⁹I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.+ ⁶⁰I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.+ ⁶¹The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won’t forget your law.+ ⁶²At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.+ ⁶³I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.+ ⁶⁴The earth is full of your loving kindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.+

ט

TETH

⁶⁵Do good to your servant, according to your word, Yahweh.+ ⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.+ ⁶⁷Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.+ ⁶⁸You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.+ ⁶⁹The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.+ ⁷⁰Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.+ ⁷¹It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.+ ⁷²The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.+

י

YODH

⁷³Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.+ ⁷⁴Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.+ ⁷⁵Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.+ ⁷⁶Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.+ ⁷⁷Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.+ ⁷⁸Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.+ ⁷⁹Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.+ ⁸⁰Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.+

כ

KAPH

⁸¹My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.+ ⁸²My eyes fail for your word. I say, “When will you comfort me?”+ ⁸³For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don’t forget your statutes.+ ⁸⁴How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?+ ⁸⁵The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.+ ⁸⁶All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!+ ⁸⁷They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn’t forsake your precepts.+ ⁸⁸Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.+

ל

LAMEDH

⁸⁹Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.+ ⁹⁰Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.+ ⁹¹Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.+ ⁹²Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.+ ⁹³I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.+ ⁹⁴I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.+ ⁹⁵The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.+ ⁹⁶I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.+

מ

MEM

⁹⁷How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.+ ⁹⁸Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.+ ⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.+ ¹⁰⁰I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.+ ¹⁰¹I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.+ ¹⁰²I have not turned away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.+ ¹⁰³How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!+ ¹⁰⁴Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.+

נ

NUN

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.+ ¹⁰⁶I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.+ ¹⁰⁷I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word.+ ¹⁰⁸Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances.+ ¹⁰⁹My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won’t forget your law.+ ¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven’t gone astray from your precepts.+ ¹¹¹I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.+ ¹¹²I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.+

ס

SAMEKH

¹¹³I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.+ ¹¹⁴You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.+ ¹¹⁵Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.+ ¹¹⁶Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.+ ¹¹⁷Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.+ ¹¹⁸You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.+ ¹¹⁹You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.+ ¹²⁰My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.+

ע

AYIN

¹²¹I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors.+ ¹²²Ensure your servant’s well-being. Don’t let the proud oppress me.+ ¹²³My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.+ ¹²⁴Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.+ ¹²⁵I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.+ ¹²⁶It is time to act, Yahweh, for they break your law.+ ¹²⁷Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.+ ¹²⁸Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.+

פ

PE

¹²⁹Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.+ ¹³⁰The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.+ ¹³¹I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.+ ¹³²Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.+ ¹³³Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.+ ¹³⁴Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.+ ¹³⁵Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.+ ¹³⁶Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your law.+

צ

TZADE

¹³⁷You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright.+ ¹³⁸You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.+ ¹³⁹My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.+ ¹⁴⁰Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.+ ¹⁴¹I am small and despised. I don’t forget your precepts.+ ¹⁴²Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.+ ¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.+ ¹⁴⁴Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.+

ק

KOPH

¹⁴⁵I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes.+ ¹⁴⁶I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.+ ¹⁴⁷I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.+ ¹⁴⁸My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.+ ¹⁴⁹Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances.+ ¹⁵⁰They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.+ ¹⁵¹You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth.+ ¹⁵²Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.+

ר

RESH

¹⁵³Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don’t forget your law.+ ¹⁵⁴Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.+ ¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don’t seek your statutes.+ ¹⁵⁶Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances.+ ¹⁵⁷Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven’t swerved from your testimonies.+ ¹⁵⁸I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don’t observe your word.+ ¹⁵⁹Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness.+ ¹⁶⁰All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.+

ש

SIN and SHIN

¹⁶¹Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.+ ¹⁶²I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.+ ¹⁶³I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.+ ¹⁶⁴Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.+ ¹⁶⁵Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.+ ¹⁶⁶I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments.+ ¹⁶⁷My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.+ ¹⁶⁸I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.+

ת

TAW

¹⁶⁹Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word.+ ¹⁷⁰Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.+ ¹⁷¹Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.+ ¹⁷²Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.+ ¹⁷³Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.+ ¹⁷⁴I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.+ ¹⁷⁵Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.+ ¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments.+