New King James Version

New International Version

Meditations on the Excellencies of the Word of God

? ALEPH

Blessed are the [a]undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the Lord!

1

Psalm 119^a

א Aleph

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
who walk according to the law of the Lord.

2

Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!

2

Blessed are those who keep his statutes
and seek him with all their heart —

3

They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.

3

they do no wrong
but follow his ways.

4

You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.

4

You have laid down precepts
that are to be fully obeyed.

5

Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!

5

Oh, that my ways were steadfast
in obeying your decrees!

6

Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments.

6

Then I would not be put to shame
when I consider all your commands.

7

I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.

7

I will praise you with an upright heart
as I learn your righteous laws.

8

I will keep Your statutes;
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

8

I will obey your decrees;
do not utterly forsake me.

9

? BETH

How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.

9

ב Beth

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.

10

With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

10

I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.

11

Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.

11

I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.

12

Blessed are You, O Lord!
Teach me Your statutes.

12

Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.

13

With my lips I have declared
All the judgments of Your mouth.

13

With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.

14

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.

14

I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.

15

I will meditate on Your precepts,
And [b]contemplate Your ways.

15

I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.

16

I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.

16

I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.

17

? GIMEL

Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.

17

ג Gimel

Be good to your servant while I live,
that I may obey your word.

18

Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.

18

Open my eyes that I may see
wonderful things in your law.

19

I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.

19

I am a stranger on earth;
do not hide your commands from me.

20

My soul [c]breaks with longing
For Your judgments at all times.

20

My soul is consumed with longing
for your laws at all times.

21

You rebuke the proud — the cursed,
Who stray from Your commandments.

21

You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed,
those who stray from your commands.

22

Remove from me reproach and contempt,
For I have kept Your testimonies.

22

Remove from me their scorn and contempt,
for I keep your statutes.

23

Princes also sit and speak against me,
But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

23

Though rulers sit together and slander me,
your servant will meditate on your decrees.

24

Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.

24

Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors.

25

? DALETH

My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.

25

ד Daleth

I am laid low in the dust;
preserve my life according to your word.

26

I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.

26

I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
teach me your decrees.

27

Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.

27

Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.

28

My soul [d]melts from [e]heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word.

28

My soul is weary with sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word.

29

Remove from me the way of lying,
And grant me Your law graciously.

29

Keep me from deceitful ways;
be gracious to me and teach me your law.

30

I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgments I have laid before me.

30

I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I have set my heart on your laws.

31

I cling to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!

31

I hold fast to your statutes, Lord;
do not let me be put to shame.

32

I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall enlarge my heart.

32

I run in the path of your commands,
for you have broadened my understanding.

33

? HE

Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.

33

ה He

Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees,
that I may follow it to the end.b

34

Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

34

Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law
and obey it with all my heart.

35

Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.

35

Direct me in the path of your commands,
for there I find delight.

36

[f]Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.

36

Turn my heart toward your statutes
and not toward selfish gain.

37

Turn[g] away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in [h]Your way.

37

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
preserve my life according to your word.c

38

Establish Your word to Your servant,
Who is devoted to fearing You.

38

Fulfill your promise to your servant,
so that you may be feared.

39

Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.

39

Take away the disgrace I dread,
for your laws are good.

40

Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness.

40

How I long for your precepts!
In your righteousness preserve my life.

41

? WAW

Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord —
Your salvation according to Your word.

41

ו Waw

May your unfailing love come to me, Lord,
your salvation, according to your promise;

42

So shall I have an answer for him who [i]reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.

42

then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.

43

And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I have hoped in Your ordinances.

43

Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
for I have put my hope in your laws.

44

So shall I keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.

44

I will always obey your law,
for ever and ever.

45

And I will walk [j]at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.

45

I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.

46

I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.

46

I will speak of your statutes before kings
and will not be put to shame,

47

And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.

47

for I delight in your commands
because I love them.

48

My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love,
And I will meditate on Your statutes.

48

I reach out for your commands, which I love,
that I may meditate on your decrees.

49

? ZAYIN

Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.

49

ז Zayin

Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.

50

This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.

50

My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.

51

The proud have me in great derision,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.

51

The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.

52

I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord,
And have comforted myself.

52

I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.

53

Indignation has taken hold of me
Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.

53

Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.

54

Your statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.

54

Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.

55

I remember Your name in the night, O Lord,
And I keep Your law.

55

In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.

56

This has become mine,
Because I kept Your precepts.

56

This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.

57

? HETH

You are my portion, O Lord;
I have said that I would keep Your words.

57

ח Heth

You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.

58

I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.

58

I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.

59

I thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.

59

I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.

60

I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.

60

I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.

61

The cords of the wicked have bound me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.

61

Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.

62

At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.

62

At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.

63

I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.

63

I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.

64

The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;
Teach me Your statutes.

64

The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.

65

? TETH

You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.

65

ט Teth

Do good to your servant
according to your word, Lord.

66

Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.

66

Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.

67

Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.

67

Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I obey your word.

68

You are good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.

68

You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.

69

The proud have forged[k] a lie against me,
But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.

69

Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,
I keep your precepts with all my heart.

70

Their heart is [l]as fat as grease,
But I delight in Your law.

70

Their hearts are callous and unfeeling,
but I delight in your law.

71

It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.

71

It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.

72

The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

72

The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

73

? YOD

Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

73

י Yodh

Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.

74

Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,
Because I have hoped in Your word.

74

May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.

75

I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are [m]right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

75

I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76

Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant.

76

May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.

77

Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;
For Your law is my delight.

77

Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.

78

Let the proud be ashamed,
For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;
But I will meditate on Your precepts.

78

May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause;
but I will meditate on your precepts.

79

Let those who fear You turn to me,
Those who know Your testimonies.

79

May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.

80

Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes,
That I may not be ashamed.

80

May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.

81

? KAPH

My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.

81

כ Kaph

My soul faints with longing for your salvation,
but I have put my hope in your word.

82

My eyes fail from searching Your word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”

82

My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?”

83

For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.

83

Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees.

84

How many are the days of Your servant?
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?

84

How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?

85

The proud have dug pits for me,
Which is not according to Your law.

85

The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
contrary to your law.

86

All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me wrongfully;
Help me!

86

All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.

87

They almost made an end of me on earth,
But I did not forsake Your precepts.

87

They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88

Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

88

In your unfailing love preserve my life,
that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.

89

? LAMED

Forever, O Lord,
Your word [n]is settled in heaven.

89

ל Lamedh

Your word, Lord, is eternal;
it stands firm in the heavens.

90

Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You established the earth, and it [o]abides.

90

Your faithfulness continues through all generations;
you established the earth, and it endures.

91

They continue this day according to Your ordinances,
For all are Your servants.

91

Your laws endure to this day,
for all things serve you.

92

Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.

92

If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.

93

I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life.

93

I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have preserved my life.

94

I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.

94

Save me, for I am yours;
I have sought out your precepts.

95

The wicked wait for me to destroy me,
But I will [p]consider Your testimonies.

95

The wicked are waiting to destroy me,
but I will ponder your statutes.

96

I have seen the consummation of all perfection,
But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

96

To all perfection I see a limit,
but your commands are boundless.

97

? MEM

Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.

97

מ Mem

Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.

98

You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.

98

Your commands are always with me
and make me wiser than my enemies.

99

I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.

99

I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.

100

I understand more than the [q]ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.

100

I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.

101

I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.

101

I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.

102

I have not departed from Your judgments,
For You Yourself have taught me.

102

I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.

103

How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!

103

How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104

Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

104

I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.

105

? NUN

Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.

105

נ Nun

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.

106

I have sworn and confirmed
That I will keep Your righteous judgments.

106

I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
that I will follow your righteous laws.

107

I am afflicted very much;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.

107

I have suffered much;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.

108

Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your judgments.

108

Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
and teach me your laws.

109

My life is continually [r]in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.

109

Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
I will not forget your law.

110

The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.

110

The wicked have set a snare for me,
but I have not strayed from your precepts.

111

Your testimonies I have taken as a [s]heritage forever,
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.

111

Your statutes are my heritage forever;
they are the joy of my heart.

112

I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, to the very end.

112

My heart is set on keeping your decrees
to the very end.d

113

? SAMEK

I hate the [t]double-minded,
But I love Your law.

113

ס Samekh

I hate double-minded people,
but I love your law.

114

You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.

114

You are my refuge and my shield;
I have put my hope in your word.

115

Depart from me, you evildoers,
For I will keep the commandments of my God!

115

Away from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commands of my God!

116

Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live;
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

116

Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live;
do not let my hopes be dashed.

117

[u]Hold me up, and I shall be safe,
And I shall observe Your statutes continually.

117

Uphold me, and I will be delivered;
I will always have regard for your decrees.

118

You reject all those who stray from Your statutes,
For their deceit is falsehood.

118

You reject all who stray from your decrees,
for their delusions come to nothing.

119

You [v]put away all the wicked of the earth like [w]dross;
Therefore I love Your testimonies.

119

All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;
therefore I love your statutes.

120

My flesh trembles for fear of You,
And I am afraid of Your judgments.

120

My flesh trembles in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your laws.

121

? AYIN

I have done justice and righteousness;
Do not leave me to my oppressors.

121

ע Ayin

I have done what is righteous and just;
do not leave me to my oppressors.

122

Be surety[x] for Your servant for good;
Do not let the proud oppress me.

122

Ensure your servant’s well-being;
do not let the arrogant oppress me.

123

My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation
And Your righteous word.

123

My eyes fail, looking for your salvation,
looking for your righteous promise.

124

Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy,
And teach me Your statutes.

124

Deal with your servant according to your love
and teach me your decrees.

125

I am Your servant;
Give me understanding,
That I may know Your testimonies.

125

I am your servant; give me discernment
that I may understand your statutes.

126

It is time for You to act, O Lord,
For they have [y]regarded Your law as void.

126

It is time for you to act, Lord;
your law is being broken.

127

Therefore I love Your commandments
More than gold, yes, than fine gold!

127

Because I love your commands
more than gold, more than pure gold,

128

Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things
I consider to be right;
I hate every false way.

128

and because I consider all your precepts right,
I hate every wrong path.

129

? PE

Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.

129

פ Pe

Your statutes are wonderful;
therefore I obey them.

130

The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.

130

The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.

131

I opened my mouth and panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.

131

I open my mouth and pant,
longing for your commands.

132

Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.

132

Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.

133

Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.

133

Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.

134

Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts.

134

Redeem me from human oppression,
that I may obey your precepts.

135

Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.

135

Make your face shine on your servant
and teach me your decrees.

136

Rivers of water run down from my eyes,
Because men do not keep Your law.

136

Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
for your law is not obeyed.

137

? TSADDE

Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.

137

צ Tsadhe

You are righteous, Lord,
and your laws are right.

138

Your testimonies, which You have commanded,
Are righteous and very faithful.

138

The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.

139

My zeal has [z]consumed me,
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.

139

My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.

140

Your word is very [aa]pure;
Therefore Your servant loves it.

140

Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.

141

I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.

141

Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.

142

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.

142

Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.

143

Trouble and anguish have [ab]overtaken me,
Yet Your commandments are my delights.

143

Trouble and distress have come upon me,
but your commands give me delight.

144

The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;
Give me understanding, and I shall live.

144

Your statutes are always righteous;
give me understanding that I may live.

145

? QOPH

I cry out with my whole heart;
Hear me, O Lord!
I will keep Your statutes.

145

ק Qoph

I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord,
and I will obey your decrees.

146

I cry out to You;
Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.

146

I call out to you; save me
and I will keep your statutes.

147

I rise before the dawning of the morning,
And cry for help;
I hope in Your word.

147

I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I have put my hope in your word.

148

My eyes are awake through the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.

148

My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promises.

149

Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.

149

Hear my voice in accordance with your love;
preserve my life, Lord, according to your laws.

150

They draw near who follow after wickedness;
They are far from Your law.

150

Those who devise wicked schemes are near,
but they are far from your law.

151

You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.

151

Yet you are near, Lord,
and all your commands are true.

152

Concerning Your testimonies,
I have known of old that You have founded them forever.

152

Long ago I learned from your statutes
that you established them to last forever.

153

? RESH

Consider my affliction and deliver me,
For I do not forget Your law.

153

ר Resh

Look on my suffering and deliver me,
for I have not forgotten your law.

154

Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.

154

Defend my cause and redeem me;
preserve my life according to your promise.

155

Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.

155

Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek out your decrees.

156

[ac]Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord;
Revive me according to Your judgments.

156

Your compassion, Lord, is great;
preserve my life according to your laws.

157

Many are my persecutors and my enemies,
Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.

157

Many are the foes who persecute me,
but I have not turned from your statutes.

158

I see the treacherous, and am disgusted,
Because they do not keep Your word.

158

I look on the faithless with loathing,
for they do not obey your word.

159

Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.

159

See how I love your precepts;
preserve my life, Lord, in accordance with your love.

160

The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

160

All your words are true;
all your righteous laws are eternal.

161

? SHIN

Princes persecute me without a cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your word.

161

ש Sin and Shin

Rulers persecute me without cause,
but my heart trembles at your word.

162

I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.

162

I rejoice in your promise
like one who finds great spoil.

163

I hate and abhor lying,
But I love Your law.

163

I hate and detest falsehood
but I love your law.

164

Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.

164

Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous laws.

165

Great peace have those who love Your law,
And [ad]nothing causes them to stumble.

165

Great peace have those who love your law,
and nothing can make them stumble.

166

Lord, I hope for Your salvation,
And I do Your commandments.

166

I wait for your salvation, Lord,
and I follow your commands.

167

My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.

167

I obey your statutes,
for I love them greatly.

168

I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are before You.

168

I obey your precepts and your statutes,
for all my ways are known to you.

169

? TAU

Let my cry come before You, O Lord;
Give me understanding according to Your word.

169

ת Taw

May my cry come before you, Lord;
give me understanding according to your word.

170

Let my [ae]supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.

170

May my supplication come before you;
deliver me according to your promise.

171

My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.

171

May my lips overflow with praise,
for you teach me your decrees.

172

My tongue shall speak of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.

172

May my tongue sing of your word,
for all your commands are righteous.

173

Let Your hand become my help,
For I have chosen Your precepts.

173

May your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.

174

I long for Your salvation, O Lord,
And Your law is my delight.

174

I long for your salvation, Lord,
and your law gives me delight.

175

Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;
And let Your judgments help me.

175

Let me live that I may praise you,
and may your laws sustain me.

176

I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.

176

I have strayed like a lost sheep.
Seek your servant,
for I have not forgotten your commands.

Parallel

New King James Version

New International Version

Psalms 119

Psalms 119