Walking the way of YHWH's word

Introduction

Overview

The purpose was the psalmist's probable intent or reason for writing this psalm. The Content is a concise summary of the whole psalm's content. The Message is the main idea the psalmist probably wanted the audience to remember upon or after hearing the psalm.

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.

Background Ideas

Cultural, historical, and contextual information that is important to know to understand this 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

A brief explanation of the "story behind" the psalm--what was going on in the psalmist's life, and/or Israel's history, that prompted the psalmist to pen this psalm? The colors in the boxes correspond to the participants in the psalm (see Participant Analysis).

Sections

These sections divide the content of the psalm into digestible pieces , and are determined based on information from many of our layers, including Semantics, Poetics, and Discourse. The columns, left to right, contain: the verse numbers; the main title of the section; a brief summary of the content of that section (quote marks indicate the text is taken directly from the English text of the psalm (as per our Close-but-Clear translation)); and an icon to visually represent and remember the content.

Videos

The Overview video is a brief, concise explanation of the psalm, pulling all the most important information specific to this psalm from each of our analytical layers. The video begins with a high-level, birds-eye view of the content of the psalm, then explores and explains the psalm verse by verse. Relevant contextual information is also included. No Hebrew knowledge required--this video serves as an entry point for all users to all our other information about the psalm.

Translation Aids

Recommended steps for translating the psalms

To translate poetry accurately and beautifully, a knowledge of both the source language's poetry and the target language's poetry is needed. So, here are the steps we recommend to follow when setting out to translate the psalms:

GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE TARGET LANGUAGE'S POETRY/ARTS. Research and analyze many examples from numerous genres of poetry, storytelling, and music in the target language and culture, and document findings. See our for help.
GAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOURCE LANGUAGE'S (HEBREW) MEANING AND POETRY. The aim of all our materials is to provide exactly this for the translator, poet/musician/artist, and consultant: an understanding of what the psalm means, as well as its poetics.
TRANSLATE THE PSALM IN THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL ART/POETRY GENRE.

Translation and Performance Notes

TPNs are an at-a-glance reference for anyone involved with translating or checking a translation of the psalm. Specific words, phrases, and images that could be difficult to understand or to translate are highlighted, and then briefly discussed. Each note is intended to help the reader understand the meaning of the Hebrew word or phrase in its context, as well as provide a few translation options or suggestions, often pulling from existing translations. Where pertinent, our preferred translation option is given. NOTE: These notes are intended to supplement a robust internalization of the psalm, not replace it. Translation Challenges for Psalm 119 not available yet.

Close-but-Clear Translation

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.

1. The happiness of those blameless in their way,

of those walking in the teaching of YHWH!

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!

Explore the Layers

Exegetical Issues

The Hebrew of the psalms can be difficult to understand at times. In this section, you can explore (in either video or text format) what we've deemed to be the three most important difficulties in the Hebrew, and follow our reasoning as we do a deep dive in scholarly work and explain our conclusions.

The Meaning of תּוֹרָה in Ps 119

The Grammar and Meaning of Ps. 119:126

The Cohesion of Ps. 119:41-48

Grammar

A full, detailed diagram showing the grammatical function of each word/morpheme in the Hebrew text, along with accompanying notes.

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Semantics

Lexical and Phrase-level Semantics

Lexical semantics is the study of word meanings. It examines semantic range (=possible meanings of a word), the relationship between words (e.g. synonymy, hyponymy), as well as the relationship between words and larger concepts (conceptual domains). One component of our approach involves not only the study of the Hebrew word meaning, but also of our own assumptions about word meaning in modern languages. Because the researcher necessarily starts with their own cultural assumptions (in our case, those of Western-trained scholars), this part of the analysis should ideally be done afresh for every culture. Phrase-level semantics analyses the meaning of syntactic units which are larger than the level of the word and smaller than the level of the clause. Specifically, this layer analyses the meaning of prepositional phrases , construct phrases (a special type of construction in Hebrew), phrases formed by a coordinating waw conjunction, and noun phrases which consist of a noun plus a determiner (such as "the") or a quantifier (such as "all").

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Verbal Semantics

Verbal Semantics focuses on the relationship between verbs, time and modality, and gives details about each verb in the psalm. This is important for interpretation and translation, and how one analyses a verb can have a significant effect on how it is rendered.

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Story Behind the Psalm (Unit-level Semantics)

The Story Behind triangle tells the "story" (reading from left to right, beginning at the bottom left corner) of what might have prompted the psalmist to write this psalm. The events and ideas on the triangle are taken from the Propositions and Assumptions table below. Propositional content is the part of the meaning of a clause or sentence that is constant, despite changes in such things as voice, illocutionary force, tense/aspect/mode, person/gender/number, etc. It refers to “the kind of situation or event described by the underlying proposition.” Once we have identified the propositional content, we ask, “what would the world have to be like for this [proposition] to be true?” That is, what does this proposition presuppose about the world? What does it entail? What might be implied? In what kind of situation does this make sense? In other words, what assumptions are bound up with this proposition? We distinguish three kinds of assumptions:

Common-ground assumptions
Local-ground assumptions
Playground assumptions

See the Legend accompanying the chart for more details on the types of assumptions.

Understanding the assumptions involved will help translators understand the implicit information present in the text, so that they can decide which of these to make explicit in the translation or biblical helps for their audience to understand the text's larger meaning.

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Discourse

Participant Analysis

This layer examines each participant in the psalm, whether they have speaking roles in the psalm, or are just referenced in the poem. Often, the relationships and interactions among participants sheds much light on the understanding and translation of a psalm. The summary visuals give a view of the participants in the psalm as a whole, while the tables list the participant information for each clause.