Purpose: To entreat YHWH for life through discernment according to his word.
Content: You afflict me in faithfulness, but also promise to keep me alive. I love your word, so help me understand! Then I will obey you wholeheartedly and I will overcome my oppressors. You open my eyes and give me understanding. I praise you for your judgments: on myself and my enemies!
Message: To meditate on YHWH's word means wrestling with YHWH's purpose in both lament and praise.
2. The happiness of those keeping his testimonies!
They seek him with a whole heart.
3. Also, they have not done injustice.
They have walked in his ways.
4. You have commanded your precepts,
so that people might fully keep them.
5. I pray that my ways might be committed
so that I keep your purposes.
6. Then I will not be ashamed
when I consider all of your commands.
7. I will praise you with a sincere heart
when I learn your righteous rules.
8. I will keep your purposes.
Do not forsake me at all!
9. How will a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to your words.
10. I have sought you with all my heart.
Do not let me stray from your commands!
11. I have treasured your promise in my heart,
so that I might not sin against you.
12. You are blessed, YHWH.
Teach me your purposes.
13. With my lips I have proclaimed
all the rules that come from your mouth.
14. I rejoice in the way of your testimonies
as one rejoicing over all wealth!
15. Let me meditate on your precepts
and let me consider your ways.
16. I will delight in your purposes.
I will not forget your words.
17. Deal fairly with your servant, so that I will live
and I will keep your words.
18. Open my eyes, so that I will see
wonderful things from your teaching.
19. I am a sojourner in the land.
Do not hide your commands from me.
20. My soul is consumed with longing
for your judgments all the time.
21. You have rebuked the arrogant people, cursed ones,
those who abandon your commands.
22. Take insult and contempt away from me,
because I have kept your testimonies.
23. Also, leaders have been sitting and speaking together against me.
Your servant meditates on your purposes.
24. Indeed, your testimonies are my delight,
my advisers.
25. My life sticks to the dust.
Keep me alive according to your promise!
26. I declared my ways and you answered me.
Teach me your purposes.
27. Give me understanding of the way of your precepts,
so that I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28. I weep from grief.
Lift me up according to your promise.
29. Remove any disloyal ways from me
and be gracious to me with your teaching.
30. I have chosen a faithful way.
I have set your rules before me.
31. I cling to your testimonies.
YHWH, do not let me be shamed.
32. I run along the path of your commands,
because you broaden my understanding.
33. Teach me, YHWH, the way of your purposes,
so that I will keep it to the end.
34. Give me understanding so that I will keep your teaching
and I will observe it with a whole heart.
35. Guide me in the path of your commands,
for I delight in it.
36. Turn my heart to your testimonies
and not to unjust gain.
37. Turn my eyes away from seeing futile things.
Keep me alive according to your word.
38. Fulfill for your servant your promise,
which is designed for the fear of you.
39. Turn away insults directed towards me, which I fear,
because your judgments are good.
40. Look, I long for your precepts.
Keep me alive by your justice.
41. Now, let your loyal acts come to me, YHWH;
[let] your salvation [come to me] according to your promise,
42. so that I will answer a word to those insulting me,
because I trust in your words.
43. And do not take true words out of my mouth at all,
– because I hope in your judgments –
44. so that I will keep your teaching always,
forever and ever,
45. so that I will live at ease
– because I care about your precepts –
46. so that I will speak about your testimonies before kings
and I will not be ashamed,
47. so that I will delight in your commands,
which I love,
48. so that I will commit to your commands, which I love,
and I will meditate on your purposes.
49. Remember the promise for your servant
in which you have caused me to hope.
50. This is my consolation in my suffering:
that your word has kept me alive.
51. Arrogant people have completely derided me.
I have not turned from your teaching.
52. I remember your decisions which are from eternity, YHWH,
and I am comforted.
53. Rage has seized me because of wicked people,
those who reject your teaching.
54. Your decrees have become my songs
during my sojourning.
55. I remember your name in the night, YHWH,
and I keep your teaching.
56. This has become mine:
that I have kept your precepts.
57. My lot is YHWH. I commit
to keeping your words.
58. I have entreated your favor with a whole heart.
Be gracious to me according to your promise!
59. I considered my ways
and turned my feet to your testimonies.
60. I hurried and did not delay
in keeping your commands.
61. The ropes of traps laid by wicked people have surrounded me.
I have not forgotten your teaching.
62. I get up at midnight to praise you
for your just rules.
63. I am a friend to all who fear you
and to those who keep your precepts.
64. YHWH, the earth is full of your faithfulness.
Teach me your purposes.
65. You have done good to your servant,
YHWH, according to your promise.
66. Teach me goodness, that is, discernment and knowledge,
because I believe in your commands.
67. Before I was afflicted, I was going astray,
but now I have kept your word.
68. You are good and one who does good.
Teach me your purposes.
69. Arrogant people have covered me in lies.
I keep your precepts with a whole heart.
70. Their heart is insensitive like animal fat.
I delight in your teaching.
71. It was good for me that I was afflicted,
so that I would learn your purposes.
72. The teaching which proceeds from your mouth is better for me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
73. Your hands made me and established me.
Give me understanding so that I learn your commands.
74. Those who fear you will see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
75. I know, YHWH, that your rules are absolutely just
and [that] you afflicted me in faithfulness.
76. Please let your loyalty comfort me
according to your promise which you gave to your servant.
77. Let your merciful acts come to me so that I will live,
because your teaching is my delight.
78. Let arrogant people be ashamed, because with a lie they have caused me to be seen as crooked.
I meditate on your precepts.
79. Let those who fear you turn to me,
and those who know your testimonies.
80. Let my heart be blameless in regard to your purposes,
so that I will not be ashamed.
81. My soul has wasted away for need of your salvation.
I have hoped in your word.
82. My eyes have started fading for need of your promise, saying,
“When will you comfort me?”
83. because I have become like a leather bottle in smoke.
I have not forgotten your purposes.
84. How many are the days of your servant?
When will you carry out judgment against those persecuting me?
85. Arrogant people have dug pits for me,
which is not [done] according to your teaching.
86. All of your commands are absolutely trustworthy.
They have persecuted me without cause. Help me!
87. They have almost finished with me in the land,
but I have not abandoned your precepts.
88. Keep me alive according to your loyalty,
so I will keep the testimony which proceeds from your mouth.
89. Forever, YHWH,
your word endures in heaven.
90. Your faithfulness endures throughout each generation.
You established the earth and it stands.
91. They stand today by your decisions,
because all things are your servants.
92. If your teaching were not my delight,
then I would have perished in my affliction.
93. I will never forget your precepts,
because you have kept me alive by them.
94. I am yours; save me,
because I care about your precepts.
95. Wicked people have waited for me to kill me.
I pay attention to your testimonies.
96. I have seen everything come to an end.
Your command extends even beyond.
97. How I love your teaching!
It is my meditation all day.
98. Your command makes me wiser than my enemies,
because it is mine forever.
99. I have gained more insight than all my teachers,
because your testimonies are my meditation.
100. I gain more understanding than elders,
because I have kept your precepts.
101. I have withheld my feet from every evil path
so that I might keep your words.
102. I have not turned away from your rules,
because you have instructed me.
103. How pleasing are your words to my palate!
[They are] more [pleasing] to my mouth than honey.
104. I gain understanding from your precepts.
Therefore, I hate every path of falsehood.
105. Your word is a lamp for my feet
and a light on my path.
106. I have solemnly sworn
to keep your righteous rules.
107. I am utterly afflicted,
YHWH, keep me alive according to your word.
108. Please accept with pleasure the offering coming from my mouth, YHWH,
and teach me your rules.
109. I am always in danger,
but I have not forgotten your teaching.
110. Wicked people have set a trap for me,
but I have not wandered from your precepts.
111. I have inherited your testimonies forever,
because they are the joy of my heart.
112. I have turned my heart to carry out your purposes
forever - to the end!
113. I hate double-minded people,
but I love your teaching.
114. You are my shelter and my shield.
I have hoped in your word.
115. Get away from me, evildoers,
so that I will keep the commands of my God!
116. Sustain me according to your promise, so that I will live;
and do not let me be put to shame because of my hope.
117. Uphold me so that I will be saved,
and I will always pay regard to your purposes.
118. You have rejected all those who go astray from your purposes,
because their betrayal is unprompted.
119. You consider all the wicked of the earth dross.
Therefore I love your testimonies.
120. My skin has goose bumps from fear of you,
and I am in awe of your rules.
121. I have carried out justice and righteousness.
Do not leave me to my oppressors!
122. Take responsibility for your servant for my good;
do not let arrogant people oppress me.
123. My eyes have started fading for need of your salvation,
of your just promise.
124. Deal with your servant according to your loyalty
and teach me your purposes.
125. I am your servant; give me understanding
so that I will know your testimonies.
126. It’s time for YHWH to act –
they have broken your law!
127. Therefore I love your commands
more than gold, even more than pure gold.
128. Therefore I have performed all your precepts correctly.
I hate every path of falsehood.
129. Your testimonies are wonderful things!
Therefore I have kept them.
130. The explanation of your words illuminates,
giving simple people understanding.
131. I opened my mouth wide and panted
because I long for your commands.
132. Turn to me and be gracious to me
according to the custom which is for those who love your name.
133. Direct my steps by your word
and do not let any evil gain control over me.
134. Save me from the oppression of man
so that I may keep your precepts.
135. Make your face shine upon your servant
and teach me your purposes.
136. Streams of water have been flowing down from my eyes,
because your teaching has not been kept.
137. You are just, YHWH,
and your justice is right.
138. You have commanded your righteous testimonies
and great faithfulness.
139. My zeal has consumed me
because my adversaries have forgotten your words.
140. Your word is absolutely pure
and your servant loves it.
141. I am insignificant and unworthy;
I have not forgotten your precepts.
142. Your justice is an eternal justice
and your teaching is truth.
143. Distress and affliction have found me.
Your commands are my delight.
144. Your just testimonies are eternal.
Give me understanding so that I will live.
145. I have called out with a whole heart; answer me, YHWH,
let me keep your purposes.
146. I have called out to you; save me,
so that I will observe your testimonies.
147. I have gone ahead before sunrise and called out for help.
I have hoped in your word.
148. I have been alert since before dawn
to meditate on your word.
149. Listen to my voice according to your loyalty;
YHWH, keep me alive according to your justice.
150. Those pursuing a wicked scheme are near;
they are far from your teaching.
151. You are near, YHWH,
and all your commands are truth.
152. From long ago I have known from your testimonies
that you established them forever.
153. Look at my affliction and rescue me,
because I have not forgotten your teaching.
154. Defend my case and redeem me.
Keep me alive by your word.
155. Success is far from wicked people,
because they do not care about your purposes.
156. YHWH, your merciful acts are numerous.
Keep me alive according to your judgments.
157. My persecutors and my adversaries are numerous!
I have not turned away from your testimonies.
158. I have seen unfaithful people and felt disgusted
by those who have not kept your word.
159. See that I love your precepts.
YHWH, keep me alive according to your loyalty.
160. The sum of your word is truth
and all of your just judgment is eternal.
161. Leaders have persecuted me without cause,
but my heart fears your word.
162. I rejoice over your word
like one who finds great spoils of war.
163. I really hate falsehood;
I love your teaching.
164. I have been praising you seven times throughout the day
for your just judgments.
165. Those who love your teaching have great peace
and there is no stumbling block against them.
166. I have hoped in your salvation, YHWH,
and have carried out your commands.
167. I have observed your testimonies
and I completely love them!
168. I have kept your precepts and your testimonies
because all of my ways are before you.
169. Let my cry come near to you, YHWH,
give me understanding according to your word.
170. Let my plea come to you;
rescue me according to your promise.
171. My lips pour out praise
because you teach me your purposes.
172. Let my tongue sing your word
because all of your commands are absolutely righteous.
173. May your hand help me
because I have chosen your precepts.
174. I long for your salvation, YHWH,
and your teaching is my delight.
175. Let my soul live, so that it will praise you,
and let your judgments help me.
176. When I go astray like a lost sheep, search out your servant,
because I have not forgotten your commands!
The Close-but-clear translation (CBC) exists to provide a window into the Hebrew text according to how we understand its syntax and word-to-phrase-level semantics. It is not intended to be used as a stand-alone translation or base text, but as a supplement to Layer-by-Layer materials to help users make full use of these resources.
For links to other translations of Psalm 119, click here.
