Psalm 119 Story Behind
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Psalm 119/Story Behind
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Walking the way of YHWH's word
Psalm 119
Please note: Resources for Psalm 119 are in the process of being reformatted for visual consistency and improved functionality.
About the Story Behind Layer
The Story Behind the Psalm shows how each part of the psalm fits together into a single coherent whole. Whereas most semantic analysis focuses on discrete parts of a text such as the meaning of a word or phrase, Story Behind the Psalm considers the meaning of larger units of discourse, including the entire psalm.
The goal of this layer is to reconstruct and visualise a mental representation of the text as the earliest hearers/readers might have conceptualised it. We start by identifying the propositional content of each clause in the psalm, and then we identify relevant assumptions implied by each of the propositions. During this process, we also identify and analyse metaphorical language (“imagery”). Finally, we try to see how all of the propositions and assumptions fit together to form a coherent mental representation. The main tool we use for structuring the propositions and assumptions is a story triangle, which visualises the rise and fall of tension within a semantic unit. Although story triangles are traditionally used to analyse stories in the literary sense of the word, we use them at this layer to analyse “stories” in the cognitive sense of the word—i.e., a story as a sequence of propositions and assumptions that has tension.
Summary Triangle
The story triangle below summarises the story of the whole psalm. We use the same colour scheme as in Participant Analysis. The star icon along the edge of the story-triangle indicates the point of the story in which the psalm itself (as a speech event) takes place. We also include a theme at the bottom of the story. The theme is the main message conveyed by the story-behind.
| Story Triangles legend | |
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| Propositional content (verse number) | Propositional content, the base meaning of the clause, is indicated by bold black text. The verse number immediately follows the correlating proposition in black text inside parentheses. |
| Common-ground assumption | Common-ground assumptions[1] are indicated by gray text. |
| Local-ground assumption | Local-ground assumptions[2] are indicated by dark blue text. |
| Playground assumption | Playground assumptions[3] are indicated by light blue text. |
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The point of the story at which the psalm takes place (as a speech event) is indicated by a gray star. |
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If applicable, the point of the story at which the psalm BEGINS to take place (as a speech event) is indicated with a light gray star. A gray arrow will travel from this star to the point at which the psalm ends, indicated by the darker gray star. |
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A story that repeats is indicated by a circular arrow. This indicates a sequence of either habitual or iterative events. |
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A story or event that does not happen or the psalmist does not wish to happen is indicated with a red X over the story triangle. |
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Connections between propositions and/or assumptions are indicated by black arrows with small text indicating how the ideas are connected. |
| Note: In the Summary triangle, highlight color scheme follows the colors of participant analysis. | |
Background ideas
Following are the common-ground assumptionsCommon-ground assumptions include information shared by the speaker and hearers. In our analysis, we mainly use this category for Biblical/Ancient Near Eastern background. which are the most helpful for making sense of the psalm.
- YHWH disciplines those he loves (Deut 8:5; 2 Sam 7:14; Jer 30:11; 31:18-20; Prov 3:12; Ps 32:3-5; 94:12).
- The instrument of his discipline will not go unpunished (Jer 30:11, 16; Hab 3:1-16).
- The same authority expressed when YHWH established his creation is the authority expressed when YHWH established his word (Ps 24:1-2; 119:152).
- YHWH's enduring faithfulness to his creation implicates his enduring faithfulness to his people (Gen 8:22; Jer 31:36; Ps 96:10).
- As a metonymical extension, devotion to YHWH's word amounts to devotion to YHWH himself (Reynolds 2010, 34ff., Procházková 2021, 81; see also Isa 42:21, Ps 97:8).
- Obedience to YHWH's word is impossible without YHWH's help (Jer 32:39-40; Ezek 36:24-28).
- An ingathering of kings will seek and learn YHWH's word (Isa 2:1-4; 60:3; Ps 2:10-12; Ps 102:19-23; Ps 148:11 and especially Ps 138:1-5).
Background situation
The background situation is the series of events leading up to the time in which the psalm is spoken. These are taken from the story triangle – whatever lies to the left of the star icon.
Expanded Paraphrase
The expanded paraphrase seeks to capture the implicit information within the text and make it explicit for readers today. It is based on the CBC translation and uses italic text to provide the most salient background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences.
| Expanded paraphrase legend | |
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| Close but Clear (CBC) translation | The CBC, our close but clear translation of the Hebrew, is represented in bold text. |
| Assumptions | Assumptions which provide background information, presuppositions, entailments, and inferences are represented in italics. |
| Text (Hebrew) | Verse | Expanded Paraphrase |
|---|---|---|
| אַשְׁרֵ֥י תְמִֽימֵי־דָ֑רֶךְ הַֽ֝הֹלְכִ֗ים בְּתוֹרַ֥ת יְהוָֽה׃ | 1 | Let me put on display The happiness of those blameless in their way, of those walking in the teaching of YHWH, listening to his teaching and obeying it! |
| אַ֭שְׁרֵי נֹצְרֵ֥י עֵדֹתָ֗יו בְּכָל־לֵ֥ב יִדְרְשֽׁוּהוּ׃ | 2 | Let me put on display The happiness of those keeping his testimonies! They seek him with nothing less than a whole heart and, therefore, find him. |
| אַ֭ף לֹֽא־פָעֲל֣וּ עַוְלָ֑ה בִּדְרָכָ֥יו הָלָֽכוּ׃ | 3 | Also, they have not done injustice which would disqualify them from finding YHWH. But rather, They have walked in his ways. |
| אַ֭תָּה צִוִּ֥יתָה פִקֻּדֶ֗יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְאֹֽד׃ | 4 | You, YHWH, have commanded your precepts, so that people, including myself, fully keep them. |
| אַ֭חֲלַי יִכֹּ֥נוּ דְרָכָ֗י לִשְׁמֹ֥ר חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ | 5 | I pray that my ways might be committed like those blameless people so that I keep your purposes. |
| אָ֥ז לֹא־אֵב֑וֹשׁ בְּ֝הַבִּיטִ֗י אֶל־כָּל־מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃ | 6 | Then I will not be ashamed when I consider all of your commands and see myself fall short. |
| א֭וֹדְךָ בְּיֹ֣שֶׁר לֵבָ֑ב בְּ֝לָמְדִ֗י מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃ | 7 | But rather, I will praise you with a sincere heart when I learn your righteous rules and do them. |
| אֶת־חֻקֶּ֥יךָ אֶשְׁמֹ֑ר אַֽל־תַּעַזְבֵ֥נִי עַד־מְאֹֽד׃ | 8 | This is my commitment: I will keep your purposes. But Do not forsake me at all in this endeavor, or I will fail miserably! |
| בַּמֶּ֣ה יְזַכֶּה־נַּ֭עַר אֶת־אָרְח֑וֹ לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃ | 9 | Think about it: How will a young man keep his way pure? Only By keeping it according to your words. |
| בְּכָל־לִבִּ֥י דְרַשְׁתִּ֑יךָ אַל־תַּ֝שְׁגֵּ֗נִי מִמִּצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃ | 10 | That's why I have sought you with nothing less than all my heart. But I still need your help, so Do not let me stray from your commands! |
| בְּ֭לִבִּי צָפַ֣נְתִּי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ לְ֝מַ֗עַן לֹ֣א אֶֽחֱטָא־לָֽךְ׃ | 11 | I have treasured your promise in my heart and think about it all the time, so that I might not sin against you. |
| בָּר֖וּךְ אַתָּ֥ה יְהוָ֗ה לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ | 12 | You are blessed, YHWH; I praise you. Teach me your purposes, as I know you will eventually. |
| בִּשְׂפָתַ֥י סִפַּ֑רְתִּי כֹּ֝֗ל מִשְׁפְּטֵי־פִֽיךָ׃ | 13 | With my lips I have proclaimed all the rules that come from your mouth. |
| בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ עֵדְוֺתֶ֥יךָ שַׂ֗שְׂתִּי כְּעַ֣ל כָּל־הֽוֹן׃ | 14 | I rejoice in the way of your testimonies as one rejoicing over all wealth! |
| בְּפִקֻּדֶ֥יךָ אָשִׂ֑יחָה וְ֝אַבִּ֗יטָה אֹרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | 15 | That's why this is all I want to do: Let me meditate on your precepts and let me consider your ways and think about all you have done. |
| בְּחֻקֹּתֶ֥יךָ אֶֽשְׁתַּעֲשָׁ֑ע לֹ֭א אֶשְׁכַּ֣ח דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃ | 16 | Let me confirm my commitment: I will delight in your purposes. I will not forget your words. |
| גְּמֹ֖ל עַֽל־עַבְדְּךָ֥ אֶֽחְיֶ֗ה וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֥ה דְבָרֶֽךָ׃ | 17 | Deal fairly with your servant, who trusts you, according to your loyalty so that I will live and if I am alive I will surely keep your words. |
| גַּל־עֵינַ֥י וְאַבִּ֑יטָה נִ֝פְלָא֗וֹת מִתּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃ | 18 | Open my eyes, so that I will see wonderful things from your teaching, the same way you have made us remember your wonders on past occasions. |
| גֵּ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י בָאָ֑רֶץ אַל־תַּסְתֵּ֥ר מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃ | 19 | I am a sojourner in the land, traveling the path of your word. So Do not hide your commands from me as a sign of your displeasure. |
| גָּרְסָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֣י לְתַאֲבָ֑ה אֶֽל־מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ בְכָל־עֵֽת׃ | 20 | My soul is consumed with longing for your judgments – it's all I can think about – all the time. |
| גָּ֭עַרְתָּ זֵדִ֣ים אֲרוּרִ֑ים הַ֝שֹּׁגִים מִמִּצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃ | 21 | You have rebuked the presumptuous people, cursed ones, those who abandon your commands rather than longing for them. |
| *גֹּל* מֵֽ֭עָלַי חֶרְפָּ֣ה וָב֑וּז כִּ֖י עֵדֹתֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃ | 22 | They deserve your rebuke, but I do not. So Take insult and contempt away from me, because I have kept your testimonies. |
| גַּ֤ם יָֽשְׁב֣וּ שָׂ֭רִים בִּ֣י נִדְבָּ֑רוּ עַ֝בְדְּךָ֗ יָשִׂ֥יחַ בְּחֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ | 23 | Also, leaders have been sitting in their position of counsel and speaking together against me. Nevertheless, your lowly servant meditates on your purposes. |
| גַּֽם־עֵ֭דֹתֶיךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָ֗י אַנְשֵׁ֥י עֲצָתִֽי׃ | 24 | Indeed, your testimonies are my delight; they act as my advisers, not the leaders, even though that is their job! |
| דָּֽבְקָ֣ה לֶעָפָ֣ר נַפְשִׁ֑י חַ֝יֵּ֗נִי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃ | 25 | My life sticks to the dust and I would be dead without your help. Keep me alive according to your promise to your servants! |
| דְּרָכַ֣י סִ֭פַּרְתִּי וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֗נִי לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ | 26 | Previously, I declared my ways, calling for help so you would pay attention to my circumstances, and you took notice and answered me so that I came through them. Teach me your purposes, because I need to understand that you will do it again. |
| דֶּֽרֶךְ־פִּקּוּדֶ֥יךָ הֲבִינֵ֑נִי וְ֝אָשִׂ֗יחָה בְּנִפְלְאוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | 27 | Give me understanding of the way of your precepts, so that I will meditate on your wonderful deeds, in full trust. |
| דָּלְפָ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִתּוּגָ֑ה קַ֝יְּמֵ֗נִי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃ | 28 | But, for now, I still weep from grief. So please take notice like last time and Lift me up according to your promise. |
| דֶּֽרֶךְ־שֶׁ֭קֶר הָסֵ֣ר מִמֶּ֑נִּי וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ חָנֵּֽנִי׃ | 29 | Also Remove any disloyal ways from me so something like that previous episode does not happen again and be gracious to me with your teaching. |
| דֶּֽרֶךְ־אֱמוּנָ֥ה בָחָ֑רְתִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ שִׁוִּֽיתִי׃ | 30 | Look, I have chosen a faithful way. I have set your rules before me. |
| דָּבַ֥קְתִּי בְעֵֽדְוֺתֶ֑יךָ יְ֝הוָ֗ה אַל־תְּבִישֵֽׁנִי׃ | 31 | I cling to your testimonies. What more can I do? YHWH, do not let me be shamed like those who abandon your word. |
| דֶּֽרֶךְ־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ אָר֑וּץ כִּ֖י תַרְחִ֣יב לִבִּֽי׃ | 32 | I run along the path of your commands, because you broaden my understanding; otherwise, I would be off the path. |
| הוֹרֵ֣נִי יְ֭הוָה דֶּ֥רֶךְ חֻקֶּ֗יךָ וְאֶצְּרֶ֥נָּה עֵֽקֶב׃ | 33 | Teach me, YHWH, the way of your purposes, so that I will keep it to the end. |
| הֲ֭בִינֵנִי וְאֶצְּרָ֥ה תֽוֹרָתֶ֗ךָ וְאֶשְׁמְרֶ֥נָּה בְכָל־לֵֽב׃ | 34 | Give me understanding so that I will keep your teaching and I will observe it with a whole heart. |
| הַ֭דְרִיכֵנִי בִּנְתִ֣יב מִצְוֺתֶ֑יךָ כִּי־ב֥וֹ חָפָֽצְתִּי׃ | 35 | Guide me in the path of your commands, for I delight in it. |
| הַט־לִ֭בִּי אֶל־עֵדְוֺתֶ֗יךָ וְאַ֣ל אֶל־בָּֽצַע׃ | 36 | Turn my heart to your testimonies and not to unjust gain, which I would be tempted to pursue if I abandoned your way. |
| הַעֲבֵ֣ר עֵ֭ינַי מֵרְא֣וֹת שָׁ֑וְא *כִּדְבָרְךָ* חַיֵּֽנִי׃ | 37 | Turn my eyes away from seeing futile things, which do not satisfy anyway, unlike the joy of your word. Keep me alive according to your word of both blessing and curse. |
| הָקֵ֣ם לְ֭עַבְדְּךָ אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לְיִרְאָתֶֽךָ׃ | 38 | Fulfill for your servant your promise of rejecting the wicked, which is designed for the fear of you. |
| הַעֲבֵ֣ר חֶ֭רְפָּתִי אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָגֹ֑רְתִּי כִּ֖י מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ טוֹבִֽים׃ | 39 | And when you do, also Turn away their insults directed towards me, which, if I am honest, I fear, because your judgments are actually good and we can trust that you will put them into effect so that there will be justice in the world. |
| הִ֭נֵּה תָּאַ֣בְתִּי לְפִקֻּדֶ֑יךָ בְּצִדְקָתְךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃ | 40 | Look, I long for your precepts. So Keep me alive by your justice, which carries out these good judgments. |
| וִֽיבֹאֻ֣נִי חֲסָדֶ֣ךָ יְהוָ֑ה תְּ֝שֽׁוּעָתְךָ֗ כְּאִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃ | 41 | Now, let your loyal acts come to me in order to deal with me fairly, YHWH; [let] your salvation [come to me] according to your promise of blessing and curse, |
| וְאֶֽעֱנֶ֣ה חֹרְפִ֣י דָבָ֑ר כִּֽי־בָ֝טַחְתִּי בִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃ | 42 | so that I will answer a word to those insulting me and will not shrink away in shame, because I trust in your words. |
| וְֽאַל־תַּצֵּ֬ל מִפִּ֣י דְבַר־אֱמֶ֣ת עַד־מְאֹ֑ד כִּ֖י לְמִשְׁפָּטֶ֣ךָ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃ | 43 | And do not take true words out of my mouth at all even if I am tempted to resort to lies, – because I hope in your judgments and know you will punish falsehood – |
| וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֖ה תוֹרָתְךָ֥ תָמִ֗יד לְעוֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד׃ | 44 | so that I will keep your teaching always, forever and ever, |
| וְאֶתְהַלְּכָ֥ה בָרְחָבָ֑ה כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃ | 45 | so that I will live at ease with a clean conscience and free from oppression – because I care about your precepts – |
| וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה בְ֭עֵדֹתֶיךָ נֶ֥גֶד מְלָכִ֗ים וְלֹ֣א אֵבֽוֹשׁ׃ | 46 | so that I will speak about your testimonies before kings, who come to learn your ways and walk in your paths and I will not be ashamed, |
| וְאֶשְׁתַּֽעֲשַׁ֥ע בְּמִצְוֺתֶ֗יךָ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָהָֽבְתִּי׃ | 47 | so that I will delight in your commands, which I love, |
| וְאֶשָּֽׂא־כַפַּ֗י אֶֽל־מִ֭צְוֺתֶיךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָהָ֗בְתִּי וְאָשִׂ֥יחָה בְחֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ | 48 | so that I will lift my hands to your commands, which I love, and vow to obey them, and I will meditate on your purposes. |
| זְכֹר־דָּבָ֥ר לְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ עַ֝֗ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִֽחַלְתָּֽנִי׃ | 49 | Remember the promise for your servant in which you have caused me to hope, your promise that you discipline me as a son, but will not finish me off. |
| זֹ֣את נֶחָמָתִ֣י בְעָנְיִ֑י כִּ֖י אִמְרָתְךָ֣ חִיָּֽתְנִי׃ | 50 | This is my consolation in my suffering: that your word has kept me alive. |
| זֵ֭דִים הֱלִיצֻ֣נִי עַד־מְאֹ֑ד מִ֝תּֽוֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א נָטִֽיתִי׃ | 51 | Even still, Presumptuous people have completely derided me. But I have not turned from your teaching. |
| זָ֘כַ֤רְתִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶ֖יךָ מֵעוֹלָ֥ם ׀ יְהוָ֗ה מֵעוֹלָ֥ם ׀ יְהוָ֗ה וָֽאֶתְנֶחָֽם׃ | 52 | Instead, I remember your decisions which are the same from eternity past, YHWH, and I am comforted. |
| זַלְעָפָ֣ה אֲ֭חָזַתְנִי מֵרְשָׁעִ֑ים עֹ֝זְבֵ֗י תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃ | 53 | In fact, Rage has seized me because of wicked people, those who reject your teaching. |
| זְ֭מִרוֹת הָֽיוּ־לִ֥י חֻקֶּ֗יךָ בְּבֵ֣ית מְגוּרָֽי׃ | 54 | Your decrees have become my songs during my sojourning, as I seek to obey your word. They bring me joy and I think about them all the time. |
| זָ֘כַ֤רְתִּי בַלַּ֣יְלָה שִׁמְךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה וָֽ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃ | 55 | I remember your name all the time, even in the night, YHWH, that is, your character and what you have done, and it helps me obey, so I keep your teaching. |
| זֹ֥את הָֽיְתָה־לִּ֑י כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃ | 56 | This has become mine: that I have kept your precepts. I have nothing else to call mine. |
| חֶלְקִ֖י יְהוָ֥ה אָמַ֗רְתִּי לִשְׁמֹ֥ר דְּבָרֶֽיךָ׃ | 57 | My lot is nothing else than YHWH, rather than territory or possessions, so I can hope in him. I commit to keeping your words. |
| חִלִּ֣יתִי פָנֶ֣יךָ בְכָל־לֵ֑ב חָ֝נֵּ֗נִי כְּאִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃ | 58 | I have entreated your favor with a whole heart. So Be gracious to me according to your promise! |
| חִשַּׁ֥בְתִּי דְרָכָ֑י וָאָשִׁ֥יבָה רַ֝גְלַ֗י אֶל־עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | 59 | After you disciplined me, I considered my ways and immediately turned my feet to your path in order to obey your testimonies. |
| חַ֭שְׁתִּי וְלֹ֣א הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְתִּי לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃ | 60 | I hurried and did not delay in keeping your commands. |
| חֶבְלֵ֣י רְשָׁעִ֣ים עִוְּדֻ֑נִי תּֽ֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃ | 61 | Even though The ropes of traps laid by wicked people have surrounded me, Nevertheless, I have not forgotten your teaching. |
| חֲצֽוֹת־לַ֗יְלָה אָ֭קוּם לְהוֹד֣וֹת לָ֑ךְ עַ֝֗ל מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃ | 62 | I get up at midnight to praise you for your just rules because I know you will eventually come through. |
| חָבֵ֣ר אָ֭נִי לְכָל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְרֵא֑וּךָ וּ֝לְשֹׁמְרֵ֗י פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃ | 63 | I am a friend to all who fear you and to those who keep your precepts. I am not alone in this. |
| חַסְדְּךָ֣ יְ֭הוָה מָלְאָ֥ה הָאָ֗רֶץ חֻקֶּ֥יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃ | 64 | Indeed, YHWH, the earth is full of your faithfulness to those who have trusted in you for salvation. Teach me your purposes. Help me understand them! |
| ט֭וֹב עָשִׂ֣יתָ עִֽם־עַבְדְּךָ֑ יְ֝הוָ֗ה כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃ | 65 | I believe that You have done good to your servant, YHWH, according to your promise. |
| ט֤וּב טַ֣עַם וָדַ֣עַת לַמְּדֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י בְמִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ הֶאֱמָֽנְתִּי׃ | 66 | Teach me goodness, that is, discernment and knowledge to really understand it, because I believe in your commands. |
| טֶ֣רֶם אֶ֭עֱנֶה אֲנִ֣י שֹׁגֵ֑ג וְ֝עַתָּ֗ה אִמְרָתְךָ֥ שָׁמָֽרְתִּי׃ | 67 | This is what happened: Before I was afflicted, I was going astray, but now that you have chastened me, I have kept your word. |
| טוֹב־אַתָּ֥ה וּמֵטִ֗יב לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ | 68 | I know that You are good and you are one who does good. Teach me your purposes so that I will understand your treatment of me. |
| טָפְל֬וּ עָלַ֣י שֶׁ֣קֶר זֵדִ֑ים אֲ֝נִ֗י בְּכָל־לֵ֤ב ׀ אֱצֹּ֬ר פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃ | 69 | Arrogant people have covered me in lies since I was afflicted, looking down on me as if my faith was in vain and as if I had not responded to your discipline. But I keep your precepts with nothing less than a whole heart. |
| טָפַ֣שׁ כַּחֵ֣לֶב לִבָּ֑ם אֲ֝נִ֗י תּוֹרָתְךָ֥ שִֽׁעֲשָֽׁעְתִּי׃ | 70 | Their heart is insensitive like animal fat. In other words, they do not care that they do not obey your word; they do not react when you rebuke them. But as for me, I delight in your teaching and not their approval. |
| טֽוֹב־לִ֥י כִֽי־עֻנֵּ֑יתִי לְ֝מַ֗עַן אֶלְמַ֥ד חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ | 71 | It was good for me that I was afflicted, so that I would learn your purposes. |
| טֽוֹב־לִ֥י תֽוֹרַת־פִּ֑יךָ מֵ֝אַלְפֵ֗י זָהָ֥ב וָכָֽסֶף׃ | 72 | The teaching which proceeds from your mouth is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. I do not need anything the arrogant could offer me! |
| יָדֶ֣יךָ עָ֭שׂוּנִי וַֽיְכוֹנְנ֑וּנִי הֲ֝בִינֵ֗נִי וְאֶלְמְדָ֥ה מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃ | 73 | Your hands made me and established me. I am your loyal subject, so do not abandon me now! Give me understanding so that I learn your commands. And when I do, so that I learn your commands. |
| יְרֵאֶ֣יךָ יִרְא֣וּנִי וְיִשְׂמָ֑חוּ כִּ֖י לִדְבָרְךָ֥ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃ | 74 | And when I do, Those who fear you will see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. Those who fear you will see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. |
| יָ֭דַעְתִּי יְהוָ֗ה כִּֽי־צֶ֣דֶק מִשְׁפָּטֶ֑יךָ וֶ֝אֱמוּנָ֗ה עִנִּיתָֽנִי׃ | 75 | I know, YHWH, that your rules are absolutely just and [that] you afflicted me in faithfulness, not out of anger or spite. |
| יְֽהִי־נָ֣א חַסְדְּךָ֣ לְנַחֲמֵ֑נִי כְּאִמְרָתְךָ֥ לְעַבְדֶּֽךָ׃ | 76 | But Please let your loyalty keep comfort ing me according to your promise which you gave to your servant. |
| יְבֹא֣וּנִי רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ וְאֶחְיֶ֑ה כִּֽי־תוֹרָתְךָ֥ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃ | 77 | Let your merciful acts come to me so that I will live, because your teaching is my delight. |
| יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ זֵ֭דִים כִּי־שֶׁ֣קֶר עִוְּת֑וּנִי אֲ֝נִ֗י אָשִׂ֥יחַ בְּפִקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃ | 78 | On the other hand, Let arrogant people be ashamed, because with a lie they have caused me to be seen as crooked, as if I was all-talk but did not walk in integrity. I, on the other hand, am focused on one thing: I meditate on your precepts. |
| יָשׁ֣וּבוּ לִ֣י יְרֵאֶ֑יךָ וְ֝יֹדְעֵ֗י עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | 79 | Let those who fear you turn to me, and those who know your testimonies, since they might be going through something similar. |
| יְהִֽי־לִבִּ֣י תָמִ֣ים בְּחֻקֶּ֑יךָ לְ֝מַ֗עַן לֹ֣א אֵבֽוֹשׁ׃ | 80 | Let my heart be blameless in regard to your purposes, so that I will not be ashamed when I and others who fear you consider my life and obedience, no matter what the arrogant say. |
| כָּלְתָ֣ה לִתְשׁוּעָתְךָ֣ נַפְשִׁ֑י לִדְבָרְךָ֥ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃ | 81 | But do it now! My soul has wasted away for need of your salvation, even though I have hoped in your word. |
| כָּל֣וּ עֵ֭ינַי לְאִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ לֵ֝אמֹ֗ר מָתַ֣י תְּנַחֲמֵֽנִי׃ | 82 | My eyes have started fading in weeping and weariness for need of your promise, saying, "When will you comfort me?" |
| כִּי־הָיִ֣יתִי כְּנֹ֣אד בְּקִיט֑וֹר חֻ֝קֶּיךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃ | 83 | because I have become like a leather bottle in smoke, an unworthy sojourner in need of your discipline, but becoming increasingly brittle and at risk of not making it through this if it does on any longer! Look, I have not forgotten your purposes. |
| כַּ֭מָּה יְמֵ֣י עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ מָתַ֣י תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה בְרֹדְפַ֥י מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ | 84 | How many are the days of your servant? Am I going to have much life left to live after this ordeal? When will you carry out judgment against those persecuting me? |
| כָּרֽוּ־לִ֤י זֵדִ֣ים שִׁיח֣וֹת אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹ֣א כְתוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃ | 85 | Arrogant people have dug pits for me to catch me by any means possible, just like with their ropes and traps, which is not [done] according to your teaching. Are you going to do something about it? |
| כָּל־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ אֱמוּנָ֑ה שֶׁ֣קֶר רְדָפ֑וּנִי עָזְרֵֽנִי׃ | 86 | If All of your commands are absolutely trustworthy, why do they get away with it when They have persecuted me without cause? Help me before it is too late! |
| כִּ֭מְעַט כִּלּ֣וּנִי בָאָ֑רֶץ וַ֝אֲנִ֗י לֹא־עָזַ֥בְתִּי פִקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃ | 87 | They have almost finished with me in the land, but I have not abandoned your precepts since I am holding out hope in your salvation. |
| כְּחַסְדְּךָ֥ חַיֵּ֑נִי וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה עֵד֥וּת פִּֽיךָ׃ | 88 | Keep me alive according to your loyalty, so I will keep the testimony which proceeds from your mouth. If you do not save me how can I pursue obedience to your word? |
| לְעוֹלָ֣ם יְ֭הוָה דְּבָֽרְךָ֥ נִצָּ֥ב בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ | 89 | Let me get some perspective. No less than Forever, YHWH, your word endures in heaven. |
| לְדֹ֣ר וָ֭דֹר אֱמֽוּנָתֶ֑ךָ כּוֹנַ֥נְתָּ אֶ֝֗רֶץ וַתַּעֲמֹֽד׃ | 90 | Your faithfulness endures throughout each and every generation. Long before I was around, You established the earth and it stands. |
| לְֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ עָמְד֣וּ הַיּ֑וֹם כִּ֖י הַכֹּ֣ל עֲבָדֶֽיךָ׃ | 91 | They, that is both heaven and earth, are still stand ing today by no other force or power than your decisions, because all things are your servants, so you retain the prerogative to act as you, in your divine wisdom, see fit! |
| לוּלֵ֣י תוֹרָתְךָ֣ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָ֑י אָ֝בַ֗דְתִּי בְּעָנְיִֽי׃ | 92 | If your teaching were not my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. But you gave me the promises to hope in, so I came through it. |
| לְעוֹלָם֮ לֹא־אֶשְׁכַּ֪ח פִּקּוּדֶ֗יךָ כִּ֣י בָ֭ם חִיִּיתָֽנִי׃ | 93 | I will never ever forget your precepts, because you have kept me alive by them. |
| לְךָֽ־אֲ֭נִי הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃ | 94 | I am yours; so save me, as I know you will eventually because I, for one, care about your precepts. |
| לִ֤י קִוּ֣וּ רְשָׁעִ֣ים לְאַבְּדֵ֑נִי עֵדֹתֶ֥יךָ אֶתְבּוֹנָֽן׃ | 95 | Wicked people, on the other hand, have waited for me to kill me. I only pay attention to your testimonies. |
| לְכָל־תִּכְלָ֥ה רָאִ֣יתִי קֵ֑ץ רְחָבָ֖ה מִצְוָתְךָ֣ מְאֹֽד׃ | 96 | I have seen everything come to an end, that is, people come and go, including the wicked and their plans. Your command extends even beyond the passing nature of everything else. |
| מָה־אָהַ֥בְתִּי תוֹרָתֶ֑ךָ כָּל־הַ֝יּ֗וֹם הִ֣יא שִׂיחָתִֽי׃ | 97 | How I love your teaching! It is my meditation all day. |
| *מֵ֭אֹ֣יְבַי תְּחַכְּמֵ֣נִי *מִצְוָתֶךָ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם הִיא־לִֽי׃ | 98 | Your command makes me wiser than my enemies, because no one can take it away from me and it is mine forever. |
| מִכָּל־מְלַמְּדַ֥י הִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּי כִּ֤י עֵדְוֺתֶ֖יךָ שִׂ֣יחָה לִּֽי׃ | 99 | I have gained more insight than all my teachers, because it is your testimonies that are my meditation all day. |
| מִזְּקֵנִ֣ים אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃ | 100 | I gain more understanding than even elders, because I have not only meditated on, but have kept your precepts. |
| מִכָּל־אֹ֣רַח רָ֭ע כָּלִ֣אתִי רַגְלָ֑י לְמַ֥עַן אֶשְׁמֹ֥ר דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃ | 101 | To that end, I have withheld my feet from every evil path so that I might keep your words. |
| מִמִּשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ לֹא־נָטִ֑יתִי כִּֽי־אַתָּ֥ה הוֹרֵתָֽנִי׃ | 102 | I have not turned away from your rules, for one simple reason: because you have instructed me. |
| מַה־נִּמְלְצ֣וּ לְ֭חִכִּי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ מִ֝דְּבַ֗שׁ לְפִֽי׃ | 103 | How pleasing are your words to my palate! [They are] more [pleasing] to my mouth than honey, that is, they are both satisfying and invigorating. |
| מִפִּקּוּדֶ֣יךָ אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן עַל־כֵּ֓ן שָׂנֵ֥אתִי כָּל־אֹ֖רַח שָׁ֣קֶר׃ | 104 | I gain understanding from your precepts. Therefore, I hate every path of falsehood and do not go near them. |
| נֵר־לְרַגְלִ֣י דְבָרֶ֑ךָ וְ֝א֗וֹר לִנְתִיבָתִֽי׃ | 105 | I do not get lost, because Your word is even a lamp for my feet and a light on my path. |
| נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי וָאֲקַיֵּ֑מָה לִשְׁמֹ֬ר מִשְׁפְּטֵ֣י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃ | 106 | I have solemnly sworn to keep your righteous rules. |
| נַ֭עֲנֵיתִי עַד־מְאֹ֑ד יְ֝הוָ֗ה חַיֵּ֥נִי כִדְבָרֶֽךָ׃ | 107 | At the same time, I am utterly afflicted, YHWH, so keep me alive according to your word and both I and others will praise you for your salvation. |
| נִדְב֣וֹת פִּ֭י רְצֵה־נָ֣א יְהוָ֑ה וּמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃ | 108 | Please accept with pleasure the offering of this prayer coming from my mouth, YHWH, and fulfill my request of teach ing me your rules, so that I will learn to obey them fully. |
| נַפְשִׁ֣י בְכַפִּ֣י תָמִ֑יד וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ לֹא שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃ | 109 | I am always in danger, but I do not know why, since I have not forgotten your teaching. |
| נָֽתְנ֬וּ רְשָׁעִ֣ים פַּ֣ח לִ֑י וּ֝מִפִּקּוּדֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א תָעִֽיתִי׃ | 110 | Wicked people have set a trap for me, but I have not wandered from your precepts. What is going on? |
| נָחַ֣לְתִּי עֵדְוֺתֶ֣יךָ לְעוֹלָ֑ם כִּֽי־שְׂשׂ֖וֹן לִבִּ֣י הֵֽמָּה׃ | 111 | It seems I have nothing besides your word. I have inherited your testimonies forever, come what may, because they are nothing less than the joy of my heart. |
| נָטִ֣יתִי לִ֭בִּי לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת חֻקֶּ֑יךָ לְעוֹלָ֥ם עֵֽקֶב׃ | 112 | So I have turned my heart and decided to carry out your purposes forever - to the end! |
| סֵעֲפִ֣ים שָׂנֵ֑אתִי וְתוֹרָתְךָ֥ אָהָֽבְתִּי׃ | 113 | I hate double-minded people with split loyalties, but I love your teaching, because it tells me how to obey and trust you. |
| סִתְרִ֣י וּמָגִנִּ֣י אָ֑תָּה לִדְבָרְךָ֥ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃ | 114 | No matter what has happened, You are still my shelter and my shield. I have hoped in your word. |
| סֽוּרוּ־מִמֶּ֥נִּי מְרֵעִ֑ים וְ֝אֶצְּרָ֗ה מִצְוֺ֥ת אֱלֹהָֽי׃ | 115 | So, Get away from me, evildoers, so that I will keep the commands of my God without being distracted by your nonsense! |
| סָמְכֵ֣נִי כְאִמְרָתְךָ֣ וְאֶחְיֶ֑ה וְאַל־תְּבִישֵׁ֥נִי מִשִּׂבְרִֽי׃ | 116 | Sustain me according to your promise when I do not have strength, so that I will live; and do not let me be put to shame because of my hope, if it turned out to be misplaced. |
| סְעָדֵ֥נִי וְאִוָּשֵׁ֑עָה וְאֶשְׁעָ֖ה בְחֻקֶּ֣יךָ תָמִֽיד׃ | 117 | Uphold me when I am weak, so that I will be saved, and I will always pay regard to your purposes. |
| סָלִ֤יתָ כָּל־שׁוֹגִ֣ים מֵחֻקֶּ֑יךָ כִּי־שֶׁ֝֗קֶר תַּרְמִיתָֽם׃ | 118 | You have rejected all those who go astray from your purposes, because their betrayal of me is unprompted. I had done nothing to incite their rage. |
| סִגִ֗ים *חָשַׁבְתָּ* כָל־רִשְׁעֵי־אָ֑רֶץ עַל־כֵּ֓ן אָהַ֥בְתִּי עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | 119 | You consider all the wicked of the earth dross, that is, useless, to be burned off purified metal. Therefore I love all of your testimonies that I have heard about, because you judge rightly in your dealings with people. |
| סָמַ֣ר מִפַּחְדְּךָ֣ בְשָׂרִ֑י וּֽמִמִּשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ יָרֵֽאתִי׃ | 120 | My skin has goose bumps from my fear of you and your justice, and I am in awe of your rules. I want nothing else than to follow them as long as I live. |
| עָ֭שִׂיתִי מִשְׁפָּ֣ט וָצֶ֑דֶק בַּֽל־תַּ֝נִּיחֵ֗נִי לְעֹשְׁקָֽי׃ | 121 | That is why I have carried out justice and righteousness, just like you do. So Do not leave me to my oppressors! |
| עֲרֹ֣ב עַבְדְּךָ֣ לְט֑וֹב אַל־יַעַשְׁקֻ֥נִי זֵדִֽים׃ | 122 | Take responsibility for your servant so that it all turns out for my good; do not let arrogant people oppress me. |
| עֵינַ֣י כָּל֣וּ לִֽישׁוּעָתֶ֑ךָ וּלְאִמְרַ֖ת צִדְקֶּֽךָ׃ | 123 | My eyes have started fading in weeping and weariness for need of your salvation, for need of of your just promise. |
| עֲשֵֽׂה עִם־עַבְדְּךָ֣ כְחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝חֻקֶּ֗יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃ | 124 | Please, quickly Deal with your servant according to your loyalty and teach me your purposes. |
| עַבְדְּךָ֣ אָ֭נִי הֲבִינֵ֑נִי וְאֵדְעָ֥ה עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃ | 125 | I am your servant; give me understanding so that I will know your testimonies. |
| עֵ֭ת לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת לַיהוָ֑ה הֵפֵ֥רוּ תּ֝וֹרָתֶֽךָ׃ | 126 | It is time for YHWH to act – look, the arrogant people they have broken your instruction, after all! |
| עַל־כֵּ֓ן אָהַ֥בְתִּי מִצְוֺתֶ֗יךָ מִזָּהָ֥ב וּמִפָּֽז׃ | 127 | You have rejected them and consider them dross, so I know you will act. Therefore I love your commands more than gold, even more than pure gold. There is nothing I want more than to obey your word. There is nothing I need more than your justice. |
| עַל־כֵּ֤ן ׀ כָּל־*פִּקּוּדֶיךָ* יִשָּׁ֑רְתִּי כָּל־אֹ֖רַח שֶׁ֣קֶר שָׂנֵֽאתִי׃ | 128 | Therefore I have performed all your precepts correctly. I hate every path of falsehood, just like you do. |
| פְּלָא֤וֹת ׀ עֵדְוֺתֶ֗יךָ עַל־כֵּ֬ן נְצָרָ֬תַּם נַפְשִֽׁי׃ | 129 | Your testimonies are wonderful things! I have trusted them, Therefore I have kept them. |
| פֵּ֤תַח דְּבָרֶ֥יךָ יָאִ֗יר מֵבִ֥ין פְּתָיִֽם׃ | 130 | The explanation of your words illuminates, giving simple people like me understanding. |
| פִּֽי־פָ֭עַרְתִּי וָאֶשְׁאָ֑פָה כִּ֖י לְמִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ יָאָֽבְתִּי׃ | 131 | I opened my mouth wide and panted because I long for your commands. I am desperate. |
| פְּנֵה־אֵלַ֥י וְחָנֵּ֑נִי כְּמִשְׁפָּ֖ט לְאֹהֲבֵ֣י שְׁמֶֽךָ׃ | 132 | Turn to me and be gracious to me according to the custom which is for those who love your name. |
| פְּמֵיכֶ֥נִי בְאִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ וְֽאַל־תַּשְׁלֶט־בִּ֖י כָּל־אָֽוֶן׃ | 133 | By your grace, Direct my steps by your word and do not let any evil gain control over me, which would undoubtedly happen without your protection. |
| פְּדֵ֣נִי מֵעֹ֣שֶׁק אָדָ֑ם וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֥ה פִקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃ | 134 | Save me from the oppression of man so that I may keep your precepts. If they have their way with me, I will not be around to follow your word. |
| פָּנֶ֤יךָ הָאֵ֣ר בְּעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ וְלַמְּדֵ֖נִי אֶת־חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ | 135 | Stay close to me and Make your face shine upon your servant with your perpetual blessing for your people, and teach me your purposes to help me understand why you promise to bless us and keep us, yet many of your people do not even care about your word. |
| פַּלְגֵי־מַ֭יִם יָרְד֣וּ עֵינָ֑י עַ֝֗ל לֹא־שָׁמְר֥וּ תוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃ | 136 | Streams of water have been flowing down from my eyes, because your teaching has not been kept! This is not how it should be. You will not put up with it. |
| צַדִּ֣יק אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֑ה וְ֝יָשָׁ֗ר *מִשְׁפָּטֶךָ*׃ | 137 | You are just, YHWH, and your justice is right. |
| צִוִּ֤יתָ צֶ֨דֶק ׀ עֵדֹתֶ֗יךָ וֶאֱמוּנָ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃ | 138 | You have commanded your righteous testimonies
and great faithfulness. Why do people not listen? |
| צִמְּתַ֥תְנִי קִנְאָתִ֑י כִּֽי־שָׁכְח֖וּ דְבָרֶ֣יךָ צָרָֽי׃ | 139 | My zeal has consumed me because my adversaries have forgotten your words. |
| צְרוּפָ֖ה אִמְרָתְךָ֥ מְאֹ֗ד וְעַבְדְּךָ֥ אֲהֵבָֽהּ׃ | 140 | Yet Your word is absolutely pure and your servant loves it. |
| צָעִ֣יר אָנֹכִ֣י וְנִבְזֶ֑ה פִּ֝קֻּדֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃ | 141 | I am totally dependent on you but I am considered, insignificant and unworthy by others, as if you did not care about me; But I have not forgotten your precepts. |
| צִדְקָתְךָ֣ צֶ֣דֶק לְעוֹלָ֑ם וְתֽוֹרָתְךָ֥ אֱמֶֽת׃ | 142 | Just as your sovereignty over creation is eternal, so Your justice is an eternal justice and your teaching is truth. You are not double-minded and deceitful like my arrogant enemies. |
| צַר־וּמָצ֥וֹק מְצָא֑וּנִי מִ֝צְוֺתֶ֗יךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃ | 143 | But at the same time, Distress and affliction have found me. Even still, Your commands are my delight. |
| צֶ֖דֶק עֵדְוֺתֶ֥יךָ לְעוֹלָ֗ם הֲבִינֵ֥נִי וְאֶחְיֶֽה׃ | 144 | I want to believe that Your just testimonies are eternal. Give me understanding of your eternal dealings so that I will live. |
| קָרָ֣אתִי בְכָל־לֵ֣ב עֲנֵ֑נִי יְ֝הוָ֗ה חֻקֶּ֥יךָ אֶשְׁמֹֽרָה׃ | 145 | Since I have called out with a whole heart; answer me, YHWH, let me keep your purposes, since only with your gracious salvation is that going to happen. |
| קָרָאתִ֣יךָ הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֖ה עֵדֹתֶ֣יךָ׃ | 146 | I have called out to you; save me, so that I will observe your testimonies. |
| קִדַּ֖מְתִּי בַנֶּ֣שֶׁף וָאֲשַׁוֵּ֑עָה לִדְבָרֶ֖יךָ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃ | 147 | I have gone ahead before sunrise and called out for help. It is the first thing I do in my day, since I have hoped in your word. |
| קִדְּמ֣וּ עֵ֭ינַי אַשְׁמֻר֑וֹת לָשִׂ֥יחַ בְּ֝אִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃ | 148 | I know you will give me understanding through it, so I have been alert since before dawn to meditate on your word. |
| קוֹלִ֣י שִׁמְעָ֣ה כְחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ יְ֝הוָ֗ה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃ | 149 | When I call out to you, Listen to my voice according to your loyalty; YHWH, keep me alive according to your justice, which is my only hope. |
| קָרְב֣וּ רֹדְפֵ֣י זִמָּ֑ה מִתּֽוֹרָתְךָ֥ רָחָֽקוּ׃ | 150 | Those pursuing a wicked scheme against me are near; but they are far from your teaching. |
| קָר֣וֹב אַתָּ֣ה יְהוָ֑ה וְֽכָל־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ אֱמֶֽת׃ | 151 | At the same time, the reality is that You are near, YHWH, and all your commands are truth. |
| קֶ֣דֶם יָ֭דַעְתִּי מֵעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם יְסַדְתָּֽם׃ | 152 | This is nothing new. From long ago I have known from your testimonies that you established them forever. They do not change and they are still worthy of my trust. |
| רְאֵֽה־עָנְיִ֥י וְחַלְּצֵ֑נִי כִּֽי־ת֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃ | 153 | Look at my affliction and rescue me, because I have not forgotten your teaching. |
| רִיבָ֣ה רִ֭יבִי וּגְאָלֵ֑נִי לְאִמְרָתְךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃ | 154 | Defend my case against those who oppress me and want to shame me and redeem me. Keep me alive by your word, which guides me on the right path and offers life-giving promises. |
| רָח֣וֹק מֵרְשָׁעִ֣ים יְשׁוּעָ֑ה כִּ֖י חֻקֶּ֥יךָ לֹא דָרָֽשׁוּ׃ | 155 | Success is far from wicked people. They are not going to get away with their schemes, because they do not care about your purposes. |
| רַחֲמֶ֖יךָ רַבִּ֥ים יְהוָ֑ה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃ | 156 | YHWH, your merciful acts are numerous. I have read about them and even seen them in my own life. Keep me alive according to your judgments against those who oppress me and for those who trust in you, |
| רַבִּ֣ים רֹ֭דְפַי וְצָרָ֑י מֵ֝עֵדְוֺתֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א נָטִֽיתִי׃ | 157 | Because My persecutors and my adversaries are also numerous! Even still, I have not turned away from your testimonies. |
| רָאִ֣יתִי בֹגְדִ֣ים וָאֶתְקֹטָ֑ט אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִ֝מְרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁמָֽרוּ׃ | 158 | I have seen unfaithful people and felt disgusted by those who have not kept your word. |
| רְאֵ֤ה ׀ כִּֽי־פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ אָהָ֑בְתִּי יְ֝הוָ֗ה בְּחַסְדְּךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃ | 159 | See that I love your precepts. YHWH, keep me alive according to your loyalty, the same loyalty I have shown you. |
| רֹאשׁ־דְּבָרְךָ֥ אֱמֶ֑ת וּ֝לְעוֹלָ֗ם כָּל־מִשְׁפַּ֥ט צִדְקֶֽךָ׃ | 160 | I know you will do it, because The sum of your word is truth through and through and all of your just judgment is eternal and unchanging. |
| שָׂ֭רִים רְדָפ֣וּנִי חִנָּ֑ם וּ֝מִדְּבָרְךָ֗ פָּחַ֣ד לִבִּֽי׃ | 161 | Leaders have persecuted me without cause, but my heart fears your word. |
| שָׂ֣שׂ אָנֹכִ֣י עַל־אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ כְּמוֹצֵ֖א שָׁלָ֥ל רָֽב׃ | 162 | I rejoice over your word like one who finds great spoils of war. |
| שֶׁ֣קֶר שָׂ֭נֵאתִי וָאֲתַעֵ֑בָה תּוֹרָתְךָ֥ אָהָֽבְתִּי׃ | 163 | That is why I really hate falsehood; but I love your teaching. |
| שֶׁ֣בַע בַּ֭יּוֹם הִלַּלְתִּ֑יךָ עַ֝֗ל מִשְׁפְּטֵ֣י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃ | 164 | I have been praising you non-stop, as much as seven times throughout the day
for your just judgments. |
| שָׁל֣וֹם רָ֭ב לְאֹהֲבֵ֣י תוֹרָתֶ֑ךָ וְאֵֽין־לָ֥מוֹ מִכְשֽׁוֹל׃ | 165 | Also Those who love your teaching have great peace when they see your work in the world, and there is no stumbling block against them since they keep their way pure. |
| שִׂבַּ֣רְתִּי לִֽישׁוּעָתְךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה וּ֝מִצְוֺתֶ֗יךָ עָשִֽׂיתִי׃ | 166 | I, too, have hoped in your salvation, YHWH, and have carried out your commands. |
| שָֽׁמְרָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֣י עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וָאֹהֲבֵ֥ם מְאֹֽד׃ | 167 | I have observed your testimonies and, what is more, I completely love them! |
| שָׁמַרְתִּי֮ פִּקּוּדֶ֪יךָ וְעֵדֹתֶ֗יךָ כִּ֣י כָל־דְּרָכַ֥י נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃ | 168 | I have kept your precepts and your testimonies because all of my ways are before you and I fear you. You also see when I stray and you set me back on the path of obedience. |
| תִּקְרַ֤ב רִנָּתִ֣י לְפָנֶ֣יךָ יְהוָ֑ה כִּדְבָרְךָ֥ הֲבִינֵֽנִי׃ | 169 | Let my cry come near to you, YHWH, so that you pay attention. Give me understanding according to your word, even when I have to wait, so I can trust in your faithfulness in dealing with me. |
| תָּב֣וֹא תְחִנָּתִ֣י לְפָנֶ֑יךָ כְּאִמְרָתְךָ֥ הַצִּילֵֽנִי׃ | 170 | Let my plea come to you so that you will rescue me according to your promise. |
| תִּבַּ֥עְנָה שְׂפָתַ֣י תְּהִלָּ֑ה כִּ֣י תְלַמְּדֵ֖נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃ | 171 | Nevertheless, in the meantime, My lips already pour out praise because you do teach me your purposes. |
| תַּ֤עַן לְשׁוֹנִ֨י ׀ אִמְרָתֶ֗ךָ כִּ֖י כָל־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ צֶֽדֶק׃ | 172 | Whether you answer quickly or slowly, Let my tongue sing your word because all of your commands are absolutely righteous. |
| תְּהִֽי־יָדְךָ֥ לְעָזְרֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ בָחָֽרְתִּי׃ | 173 | Even still, May your hand help me because I have chosen your precepts. |
| תָּאַ֣בְתִּי לִֽישׁוּעָתְךָ֣ יְהוָ֑ה וְ֝תוֹרָתְךָ֗ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃ | 174 | I long for your salvation, YHWH, and your teaching is my delight. |
| תְּחִֽי־נַפְשִׁ֥י וּתְהַלְלֶ֑ךָּ וּמִשְׁפָּטֶ֖ךָ יַעַזְרֻֽנִי׃ | 175 | Let my soul live, so that it will praise you, and let your judgments help me against those who persecute me. |
| תָּ֘עִ֤יתִי כְּשֶׂ֣ה אֹבֵ֣ד בַּקֵּ֣שׁ עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ כִּ֖י מִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃ | 176 | I went astray like a lost sheep, which will happen, since there is no one who does not sin and I may very well need your correction again, search out your servant, because I have not forgotten your commands! |
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Bibliography
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Footnotes
- ↑ Common-ground assumptions include information shared by the speaker and hearers. In our analysis, we mainly use this category for Biblical/ANE background - beliefs and practices that were widespread at this time and place. This is the background information necessary for understanding propositions that do not readily make sense to those who are so far removed from the culture in which the proposition was originally expressed.
- ↑ Local-ground assumptions are those propositions which are necessarily true if the text is true. They include both presuppositions and entailments. Presuppositions are those implicit propositions which are assumed to be true by an explicit proposition. Entailments are those propositions which are necessarily true if a proposition is true.
- ↑ Whereas local-ground assumptions are inferences which are necessarily true if the text is true, play-ground assumptions are those inferences which might be true if the text is true.