New King James Version

New Living Translation

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

a Aleph

Joyful are people of integrity,
who follow the instructions of the LORD.

2

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

2

Joyful are those who obey his laws
and search for him with all their hearts.

3

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

3

They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.

4

You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.

4

You have charged us
to keep your commandments carefully.

5

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

5

Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your decrees!

6

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

6

Then I will not be ashamed
when I compare my life with your commands.

7

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

7

As I learn your righteous regulations,
I will thank you by living as I should!

8

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

8

I will obey your decrees.
Please don’t give up on me!

9

? BETH

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

9

Beth

How can a young person stay pure?
By obeying your word.

10

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

10

I have tried hard to find you —
don’t let me wander 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

I praise you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.

13

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

13

I have recited aloud
all the regulations you have given us.

14

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

14

I have rejoiced in your laws
as much as in riches.

15

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

15

I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.

16

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

16

I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word.

17

? GIMEL

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

17

Gimel

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

18

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

18

Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions.

19

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

19

I am only a foreigner in the land.
Don’t hide your commands from me!

20

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

20

I am always overwhelmed
with a desire for your regulations.

21

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

21

You rebuke the arrogant;
those who wander from your commands are cursed.

22

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

22

Don’t let them scorn and insult me,
for I have obeyed your laws.

23

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

23

Even princes sit and speak against me,
but I will meditate on your decrees.

24

Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.

24

Your laws please me;
they give me wise advice.

25

? DALETH

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

25

Daleth

I lie in the dust;
revive me by your word.

26

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

26

I told you my plans, and you answered.
Now teach me your decrees.

27

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

27

Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.

28

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

28

I weep with sorrow;
encourage me by your word.

29

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

29

Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.

30

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

30

I have chosen to be faithful;
I have determined to live by your regulations.

31

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

31

I cling to your laws.
LORD, don’t let me be put to shame!

32

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

32

I will pursue your commands,
for you expand my understanding.

33

? HE

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

33

He

Teach me your decrees, O LORD;
I will keep them to the end.

34

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

34

Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.

35

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

35

Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.

36

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

36

Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!

37

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

37

Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.b

38

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

38

Reassure me of your promise,
made to those who fear you.

39

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

39

Help me abandon my shameful ways;
for your regulations are good.

40

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

40

I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness.

41

? WAW

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

41

Waw

LORD, give me your unfailing love,
the salvation that you promised me.

42

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

42

Then I can answer those who taunt 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

Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
for your regulations are my only hope.

44

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

44

I will keep on obeying your instructions
forever and ever.

45

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

45

I will walk in freedom,
for I have devoted myself to your commandments.

46

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

46

I will speak to kings about your laws,
and I will not be ashamed.

47

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

47

How I delight in your commands!
How 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 honor and love your commands.
I meditate on your decrees.

49

? ZAYIN

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

49

Zayin

Remember your promise to me;
it is my only hope.

50

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

50

Your promise revives me;
it comforts me in all my troubles.

51

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

51

The proud hold me in utter contempt,
but I do not turn away from your instructions.

52

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

52

I meditate on your age-old regulations;
O LORD, they comfort me.

53

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

53

I become furious with the wicked,
because they reject your instructions.

54

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

54

Your decrees have been the theme of my songs
wherever I have lived.

55

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

55

I reflect at night on who you are, O LORD;
therefore, I obey your instructions.

56

This has become mine,
Because I kept Your precepts.

56

This is how I spend my life:
obeying your commandments.

57

? HETH

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

57

Heth

LORD, you are mine!
I promise to obey your words!

58

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

58

With all my heart I want your blessings.
Be merciful as you promised.

59

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

59

I pondered the direction of my life,
and I turned to follow your laws.

60

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

60

I will hurry, without delay,
to obey your commands.

61

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

61

Evil people try to drag me into sin,
but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.

62

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

62

I rise at midnight to thank you
for your just regulations.

63

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

63

I am a friend to anyone who fears you —
anyone who obeys your commandments.

64

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

64

O LORD, your unfailing love fills the earth;
teach me your decrees.

65

? TETH

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

65

Teth

You have done many good things for me, LORD,
just as you promised.

66

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

66

I believe in your commands;
now teach me good judgment and knowledge.

67

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

67

I used to wander off until you disciplined me;
but now I closely follow your word.

68

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

68

You are good and do only 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

Arrogant people smear me with lies,
but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.

70

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

70

Their hearts are dull and stupid,
but I delight in your instructions.

71

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

71

My suffering was good for me,
for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.

72

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

72

Your instructions are more valuable to me
than millions in gold and silver.

73

? YOD

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

73

Yodh

You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

74

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

74

May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
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, O LORD, that your regulations are fair;
you disciplined me because I needed it.

76

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

76

Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
just as you promised me, your servant.

77

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

77

Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
for your instructions are my delight.

78

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

78

Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.

79

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

79

Let me be united with all who fear you,
with those who know your laws.

80

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

80

May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
then I will never be ashamed.

81

? KAPH

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

81

Kaph

I am worn out waiting for your rescue,
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 are straining to see your promises come true.
When will you comfort me?

83

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

83

I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,
but I have not forgotten to obey 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 I wait?
When will you punish those who persecute me?

85

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

85

These arrogant people who hate your instructions
have dug deep pits to trap me.

86

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

86

All your commands are trustworthy.
Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.

87

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

87

They almost finished me off,
but I refused to abandon your commandments.

88

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

88

In your unfailing love, spare my life;
then I can continue to obey your laws.

89

? LAMED

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

89

Lamedh

Your eternal word, O LORD,
stands firm in heaven.

90

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

90

Your faithfulness extends to every generation,
as enduring as the earth you created.

91

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

91

Your regulations remain true to this day,
for everything serves your plans.

92

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

92

If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy,
I would have died in my misery.

93

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

93

I will never forget your commandments,
for by them you give me life.

94

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

94

I am yours; rescue me!
For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.

95

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

95

Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me,
I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.

96

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

96

Even perfection has its limits,
but your commands have no limit.

97

? MEM

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

97

Mem

Oh, how I love your instructions!
I think about them all day long.

98

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

98

Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are my constant guide.

99

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

99

Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,
for I am always thinking of your laws.

100

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

100

I am even wiser than my elders,
for I have kept your commandments.

101

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

101

I have refused to walk on any evil path,
so that I may remain obedient to your word.

102

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

102

I haven’t turned away from your regulations,
for you have taught me well.

103

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

103

How sweet your words taste to me;
they are sweeter than honey.

104

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

104

Your commandments give me understanding;
no wonder I hate every false way of life.

105

? NUN

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

105

Nun

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.

106

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

106

I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again:
I will obey your righteous regulations.

107

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

107

I have suffered much, O LORD;
restore my life again as you promised.

108

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

108

LORD, accept my offering of praise,
and teach me your regulations.

109

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

109

My life constantly hangs in the balance,
but I will not stop obeying your instructions.

110

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

110

The wicked have set their traps for me,
but I will not turn from your commandments.

111

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

111

Your laws are my treasure;
they are my heart’s delight.

112

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

112

I am determined to keep your decrees
to the very end.

113

? SAMEK

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

113

Samekh

I hate those with divided loyalties,
but I love your instructions.

114

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

114

You are my refuge and my shield;
your word is my source of hope.

115

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

115

Get out of my life, you evil-minded people,
for I intend to obey 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

LORD, sustain me as you promised, that I may live!
Do not let my hope be crushed.

117

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

117

Sustain me, and I will be rescued;
then I will meditate continually on your decrees.

118

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

118

But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees.
They are only fooling themselves.

119

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

119

You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum;
no wonder I love to obey your laws!

120

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

120

I tremble in fear of you;
I stand in awe of your regulations.

121

? AYIN

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

121

Ayin

Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies,
for I have done what is just and right.

122

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

122

Please guarantee a blessing for me.
Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!

123

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

123

My eyes strain to see your rescue,
to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.

124

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

124

I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love,
and teach me your decrees.

125

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

125

Give discernment to me, your servant;
then I will understand your laws.

126

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

126

LORD, it is time for you to act,
for these evil people have violated your instructions.

127

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

127

Truly, I love your commands
more than gold, even the finest gold.

128

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

128

Each of your commandments is right.
That is why I hate every false way.

129

? PE

Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.

129

Pe

Your laws are wonderful.
No wonder I obey them!

130

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

130

The teaching of your word gives light,
so even the simple can understand.

131

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

131

I pant with expectation,
longing for your commands.

132

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

132

Come and show me your mercy,
as you do for all who love your name.

133

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

133

Guide my steps by your word,
so I will not be overcome by evil.

134

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

134

Ransom me from the oppression of evil people;
then I can obey your commandments.

135

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

135

Look upon me with love;
teach me your decrees.

136

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

136

Rivers of tears gush from my eyes
because people disobey your instructions.

137

? TSADDE

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

137

Tsadhe

O LORD, you are righteous,
and your regulations are fair.

138

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

138

Your laws are perfect
and completely trustworthy.

139

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

139

I am overwhelmed with indignation,
for my enemies have disregarded your words.

140

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

140

Your promises have been thoroughly tested;
that is why I love them so much.

141

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

141

I am insignificant and despised,
but I don’t forget your commandments.

142

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

142

Your justice is eternal,
and your instructions are perfectly true.

143

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

143

As pressure and stress bear down on me,
I find joy in your commands.

144

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

144

Your laws are always right;
help me to understand them so I may live.

145

? QOPH

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

145

Qoph

I pray with all my heart; answer me, LORD!
I will obey your decrees.

146

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

146

I cry out to you; rescue me,
that I may obey your laws.

147

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

147

I rise early, before the sun is up;
I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.

148

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

148

I stay awake through the night,
thinking about your promise.

149

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

149

In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry;
let me be revived by following your regulations.

150

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

150

Lawless people are coming to attack me;
they live far from your instructions.

151

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

151

But you are near, O LORD,
and all your commands are true.

152

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

152

I have known from my earliest days
that your laws will last forever.

153

? RESH

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

153

Resh

Look upon my suffering and rescue me,
for I have not forgotten your instructions.

154

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

154

Argue my case; take my side!
Protect my life as you promised.

155

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

155

The wicked are far from rescue,
for they do not bother with your decrees.

156

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

156

LORD, how great is your mercy;
let me be revived by following your regulations.

157

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

157

Many persecute and trouble me,
yet I have not swerved from your laws.

158

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

158

Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart,
because they care nothing for your word.

159

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

159

See how I love your commandments, LORD.
Give back my life because of your unfailing love.

160

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

160

The very essence of your words is truth;
all your just regulations will stand forever.

161

? SHIN

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

161

Shin

Powerful people harass me without cause,
but my heart trembles only at your word.

162

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

162

I rejoice in your word
like one who discovers a great treasure.

163

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

163

I hate and abhor all falsehood,
but I love your instructions.

164

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

164

I will praise you seven times a day
because all your regulations are just.

165

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

165

Those who love your instructions have great peace
and do not stumble.

166

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

166

I long for your rescue, LORD,
so I have obeyed your commands.

167

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

167

I have obeyed your laws,
for I love them very much.

168

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

168

Yes, I obey your commandments and laws
because you know everything I do.

169

? TAU

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

169

Taw

O LORD, listen to my cry;
give me the discerning mind you promised.

170

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

170

Listen to my prayer;
rescue me as you promised.

171

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

171

Let praise flow from my lips,
for you have taught me your decrees.

172

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

172

Let my tongue sing about your word,
for all your commands are right.

173

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

173

Give me a helping hand,
for I have chosen to follow your commandments.

174

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

174

O LORD, I have longed for your rescue,
and your instructions are my delight.

175

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

175

Let me live so I can praise you,
and may your regulations help me.

176

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

176

I have wandered away like a lost sheep;
come and find me,
for I have not forgotten your commands.

Parallel

New King James Version

New Living Translation

Psalms 119

Psalms 119