Chapter 119

ALEPH.
Blessed [are] the undefiled in the way, who walk⁶ in the law of the LORD.

Blessed [are] they that keep⁶ his testimonies, [and that] seek⁴ him with the whole heart.

They also do¹ no iniquity: they walk¹ in his ways.

Thou hast commanded¹⁴ [us] to keep² thy precepts diligently.

O that my ways were directed¹¹ to keep² thy statutes!

Then shall I not be ashamed,⁴ when I have respect⁵³ unto all thy commandments.

I will praise⁵⁵ thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned² thy righteous judgments.

I will keep⁴ thy statutes: O forsake⁴ me not utterly.

BETH.
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse¹⁷ his way? by taking heed² [thereto] according to thy word.

With my whole heart have I sought¹ thee: O let me not wander⁵⁵ from thy commandments.

Thy word have I hid¹ in mine heart, that I might not sin⁴ against thee.

Blessed⁷ [art] thou, O LORD: teach¹⁶ me thy statutes.

With my lips have I declared¹⁴ all the judgments of thy mouth.

I have rejoiced¹ in the way of thy testimonies, as [much as] in all riches.

I will meditate⁴ in thy precepts, and have respect⁵⁵ unto thy ways.

I will delight¹¹⁸ myself in thy statutes: I will not forget⁴ thy word.

GIMEL.
Deal bountifully³ with thy servant, [that] I may live,⁴ and keep⁴ thy word.

Open¹⁶ thou mine eyes, that I may behold⁵⁵ wondrous things¹² out of thy law.

I [am] a stranger in the earth: hide⁵⁵ not thy commandments from me.

My soul breaketh¹ for the longing [that it hath] unto thy judgments at all times.

Thou hast rebuked¹ the proud [that are] cursed,⁷ which do err⁶ from thy commandments.

Remove³ from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept¹ thy testimonies.

Princes also did sit¹ [and] speak⁸ against me: [but] thy servant did meditate⁴ in thy statutes.

Thy testimonies also [are] my delight [and] my counsellors. ⁶⁰⁹⁸

DALETH.
My soul cleaveth¹ unto the dust: quicken¹⁶ thou me according to thy word.

I have declared¹⁴ my ways, and thou heardest⁴ me: teach¹⁶ me thy statutes.

Make me to understand⁵⁴ the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk⁴ of thy wondrous works.¹²

My soul melteth¹ for heaviness: strengthen¹⁶ thou me according unto thy word.

Remove⁵⁴ from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.³

I have chosen¹ the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid¹⁴ [before me].

I have stuck¹ unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.⁵⁵

I will run⁴ the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge⁵⁵ my heart.

HE.
Teach⁵⁴ me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep⁴ it [unto] the end.

Give me understanding,⁵⁴ and I shall keep⁴ thy law; yea, I shall observe⁴ it with [my] whole heart.

Make me to go⁵⁴ in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.¹

Incline⁵⁴ my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

Turn away⁵⁴ mine eyes from beholding² vanity; [and] quicken¹⁶ thou me in thy way.

Stablish⁵⁴ thy word unto thy servant, who [is devoted] to thy fear.

Turn away⁵⁴ my reproach which I fear:¹ for thy judgments [are] good.

Behold, I have longed¹ after thy precepts: quicken¹⁶ me in thy righteousness.

VAU.
Let thy mercies come⁴ also unto me, O LORD, [even] thy salvation, according to thy word.

So shall I have wherewith to answer⁴ him that reproacheth⁶ me: for I trust¹ in thy word.

And take⁵⁵ not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped¹⁴ in thy judgments.

So shall I keep⁴ thy law continually for ever and ever.

And I will walk¹⁰¹ at liberty: for I seek¹ thy precepts.

I will speak¹⁷ of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.⁴

And I will delight¹¹⁸ myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.¹

My hands also will I lift up⁴ unto thy commandments, which I have loved;¹ and I will meditate⁴ in thy statutes.

ZAIN.
Remember³ the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.¹⁴

This [is] my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened¹⁴ me.

The proud have had me greatly in derision:⁵² [yet] have I not declined¹ from thy law.

I remembered¹ thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted¹⁰¹ myself.

Horror hath taken hold upon me¹ because of the wicked that forsake⁶ thy law.

Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

I have remembered¹ thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept⁴ thy law.

This I had, because I kept¹ thy precepts.

CHETH.
[Thou art] my portion, O LORD: I have said¹ that I would keep² thy words.

I intreated¹⁴ thy favour with [my] whole heart: be merciful³ unto me according to thy word.

I thought¹⁴ on my ways, and turned⁵⁵ my feet unto thy testimonies.

I made haste,¹ and delayed¹¹⁵ not to keep² thy commandments.

The bands of the wicked have robbed¹⁴ me: [but] I have not forgotten¹ thy law.

At midnight ³⁹¹⁵ I will rise⁴ to give thanks⁵³ unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

I [am] a companion of all [them] that fear¹ thee, and of them that keep⁶ thy precepts.

The earth, O LORD, is full¹ of thy mercy: teach¹⁶ me thy statutes.

TETH.
Thou hast dealt¹ well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Teach¹⁶ me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed⁵² thy commandments.

Before I was afflicted⁴ I went astray:⁶ but now have I kept¹ thy word.

Thou [art] good, and doest good;⁵⁶ teach¹⁶ me thy statutes.

The proud have forged¹ a lie against me: [but] I will keep⁴ thy precepts with [my] whole heart.

Their heart is as fat¹ as grease; [but] I delight⁴³ in thy law.

[It is] good for me that I have been afflicted;²⁷ that I might learn⁴ thy statutes.

The law of thy mouth [is] better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

JOD.
Thy hands have made¹ me and fashioned³⁴ me: give me understanding,⁵⁴ that I may learn⁴ thy commandments.

They that fear thee will be glad⁴ when they see⁴ me; because I have hoped¹⁴ in thy word.

I know,¹ O LORD, that thy judgments [are] right, and [that] thou in faithfulness hast afflicted¹⁴ me.

Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort,¹⁵ according to thy word unto thy servant.

Let thy tender mercies come⁴ unto me, that I may live:⁴ for thy law [is] my delight.

Let the proud be ashamed;⁴ for they dealt perversely¹⁴ with me without a cause: [but] I will meditate⁴ in thy precepts.

Let those that fear thee turn⁴ unto me, and those that have known^{6 3045 1} thy testimonies.

Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.⁴

CAPH.
My soul fainteth¹ for thy salvation: [but] I hope¹⁴ in thy word.

Mine eyes fail¹ for thy word, saying,² When wilt thou comfort¹⁷ me?

For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; [yet] do I not forget¹ thy statutes.

How many [are] the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute⁴ judgment on them that persecute⁶ me?

The proud have digged¹ pits for me, which [are] not after thy law.

All thy commandments [are] faithful: they persecute¹ me wrongfully; help³ thou me.

They had almost consumed¹⁴ me upon earth; but I forsook¹ not thy precepts.

Quicken¹⁶ me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep⁴ the testimony of thy mouth.

LAMED.
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled¹² in heaven.

Thy faithfulness [is] unto all generations: thou hast established³¹ the earth, and it abideth.⁴

They continue¹ this day according to thine ordinances: for all [are] thy servants.

Unless thy law [had been] my delights, I should then have perished¹ in mine affliction.

I will never ⁵⁷⁶⁹ forget⁴ thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened¹⁴ me.

I [am] thine, save⁵⁴ me; for I have sought¹ thy precepts.

The wicked have waited¹⁴ for me to destroy¹⁵ me: [but] I will consider¹¹³ thy testimonies.

I have seen¹ an end of all perfection: [but] thy commandment [is] exceeding broad.

MEM.
O how love I¹ thy law! it [is] my meditation all the day.

Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser¹⁷ than mine enemies:⁶ for they [are] ever with me.

I have more understanding⁵² than all my teachers:¹⁸ for thy testimonies [are] my meditation.

I understand¹¹³ more than the ancients, because I keep¹ thy precepts.

I have refrained¹ my feet from every evil way, that I might keep⁴ thy word.

I have not departed¹ from thy judgments: for thou hast taught⁵² me.

How sweet⁸ are thy words unto my taste! [yea, sweeter] than honey to my mouth!

Through thy precepts I get understanding:¹¹³ therefore I hate¹ every false way.

NUN.
Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

I have sworn,⁸ and I will perform¹⁷ [it], that I will keep² thy righteous judgments.

I am afflicted⁸ very much: quicken¹⁶ me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

Accept,³ I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach¹⁶ me thy judgments.

My soul [is] continually in my hand: yet do I not forget¹ thy law.

The wicked have laid¹ a snare for me: yet I erred¹ not from thy precepts.

Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage¹ for ever: for they [are] the rejoicing of my heart.

I have inclined¹ mine heart to perform² thy statutes alway, [even unto] the end.

SAMECH.
I hate¹ [vain] thoughts: but thy law do I love.¹

Thou [art] my hiding place and my shield: I hope¹⁴ in thy word.

Depart³ from me, ye evildoers:⁵⁶ for I will keep⁴ the commandments of my God.

Uphold³ me according unto thy word, that I may live:⁴ and let me not be ashamed⁵⁵ of my hope.

Hold thou me up,³ and I shall be safe:¹¹ and I will have respect⁴ unto thy statutes continually.

Thou hast trodden down¹ all them that err⁶ from thy statutes: for their deceit [is] falsehood.

Thou puttest away⁵² all the wicked of the earth [like] dross: therefore I love¹ thy testimonies.

My flesh trembleth¹ for fear of thee; and I am afraid¹ of thy judgments.

AIN.
I have done¹ judgment and justice: leave⁵⁵ me not to mine oppressors.⁶

Be surety³ for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress⁴ me.

Mine eyes fail¹ for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

Deal³ with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach¹⁶ me thy statutes.

I [am] thy servant; give me understanding,⁵⁴ that I may know⁴ thy testimonies.

[It is] time for [thee], LORD, to work:² [for] they have made void⁵² thy law.

Therefore I love¹ thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

Therefore I esteem all [thy] precepts [concerning] all [things to be] right;¹⁴ [and] I hate¹ every false way.

PE.
Thy testimonies [are] wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep¹ them.

The entrance of thy words giveth light;⁵⁵ it giveth understanding⁵⁶ unto the simple.

I opened¹ my mouth, and panted:⁴ for I longed¹ for thy commandments.

Look³ thou upon me, and be merciful³ unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love⁶ thy name.

Order⁵⁴ my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion⁵⁵ over me.

Deliver³ me from the oppression of man: so will I keep⁴ thy precepts.

Make thy face to shine⁵⁴ upon thy servant; and teach¹⁶ me thy statutes.

Rivers of waters run down¹ mine eyes, because they keep¹ not thy law.

TZADDI.
Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, and upright [are] thy judgments.

Thy testimonies [that] thou hast commanded¹⁴ [are] righteous and very faithful.

My zeal hath consumed¹⁴ me, because mine enemies have forgotten¹ thy words.

Thy word [is] very pure:⁷ therefore thy servant loveth¹ it.

I [am] small and despised:¹² [yet] do not I forget¹ thy precepts.

Thy righteousness [is] an everlasting righteousness, and thy law [is] the truth.

Trouble and anguish have taken hold¹ on me: [yet] thy commandments [are] my delights.

The righteousness of thy testimonies [is] everlasting: give me understanding,⁵⁴ and I shall live.⁴

KOPH.
I cried¹ with [my] whole heart; hear³ me, O LORD: I will keep⁴ thy statutes.

I cried¹ unto thee; save⁵⁴ me, and I shall keep⁴ thy testimonies.

I prevented¹⁴ the dawning of the morning, and cried:¹⁷ I hoped¹⁴ in thy word.

Mine eyes prevent¹⁴ the [night] watches, that I might meditate² in thy word.

Hear³ my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken¹⁶ me according to thy judgment.

They draw nigh¹ that follow⁶ after mischief: they are far¹ from thy law.

Thou [art] near, O LORD; and all thy commandments [are] truth.

Concerning thy testimonies, I have known¹ of old that thou hast founded¹ them for ever.

RESH.
Consider³ mine affliction, and deliver¹⁶ me: for I do not forget¹ thy law.

Plead³ my cause, and deliver³ me: quicken¹⁶ me according to thy word.

Salvation [is] far from the wicked: for they seek¹ not thy statutes.

Great [are] thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken¹⁶ me according to thy judgments.

Many [are] my persecutors⁶ and mine enemies; [yet] do I not decline¹ from thy testimonies.

I beheld¹ the transgressors,⁶ and was grieved;¹¹³ because they kept¹ not thy word.

Consider³ how I love¹ thy precepts: quicken¹⁶ me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

Thy word [is] true [from] the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever.

SCHIN.
Princes have persecuted¹ me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe¹ of thy word.

I rejoice⁵ at thy word, as one that findeth⁶ great spoil.

I hate¹ and abhor¹⁷ lying: [but] thy law do I love.¹

Seven times a day do I praise¹⁴ thee because of thy righteous judgments.

Great peace have they which love⁶ thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

LORD, I have hoped¹⁴ for thy salvation, and done¹ thy commandments.

My soul hath kept¹ thy testimonies; and I love⁴ them exceedingly.

I have kept¹ thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways [are] before thee.

TAU.
Let my cry come near⁴ before thee, O LORD: give me understanding⁵⁴ according to thy word.

Let my supplication come⁴ before thee: deliver⁵⁴ me according to thy word.

My lips shall utter⁵⁵ praise, when thou hast taught¹⁷ me thy statutes.

My tongue shall speak⁴ of thy word: for all thy commandments [are] righteousness.

Let thine hand help² me; for I have chosen¹ thy precepts.

I have longed¹ for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law [is] my delight.

Let my soul live,⁴ and it shall praise¹⁷ thee; and let thy judgments help⁴ me.

I have gone astray¹ like a lost⁶ sheep; seek¹⁶ thy servant; for I do not forget¹ thy commandments.