Psalm 119:1-176 AMPC

[1] Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are the undefiled (the upright, truly sincere, and blameless) in the way [of the revealed will of God], who walk (order their conduct and conversation) in the law of the Lord (the whole of God's revealed will). [2] Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart. [3] Yes, they do no unrighteousness [no willful wandering from His precepts]; they walk in His ways. [4] You have commanded us to keep Your precepts, that we should observe them diligently. [5] Oh, that my ways were directed and established to observe Your statutes [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]! [6] Then shall I not be put to shame [by failing to inherit Your promises] when I have respect to all Your commandments. [7] I will praise and give thanks to You with uprightness of heart when I learn [by sanctified experiences] Your righteous judgments [Your decisions against and punishments for particular lines of thought and conduct]. [8] I will keep Your statutes; O forsake me not utterly. [9] How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to it]. [10] With my whole heart have I sought You, inquiring for and of You and yearning for You; Oh, let me not wander or step aside [either in ignorance or willfully] from Your commandments. [11] Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You. [12] Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. [13] With my lips have I declared and recounted all the ordinances of Your mouth. [14] I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches. [15] I will meditate on Your precepts and have respect to Your ways [the paths of life marked out by Your law]. [16] I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. [17] Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live; and I will observe Your word [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]. [18] Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law. [19] I am a stranger and a temporary resident on the earth; hide not Your commandments from me. [20] My heart is breaking with the longing that it has for Your ordinances and judgments at all times. [21] You rebuke the proud and arrogant, the accursed ones, who err and wander from Your commandments. [22] Take away from me reproach and contempt, for I keep Your testimonies. [23] Princes also sat and talked against me, but Your servant meditated on Your statutes. [24] Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors. [25] My earthly life cleaves to the dust; revive and stimulate me according to Your word! [26] I have declared my ways and opened my griefs to You, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes. [27] Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on and talk of Your wondrous works. [28] My life dissolves and weeps itself away for heaviness; raise me up and strengthen me according to [the promises of] Your word. [29] Remove from me the way of falsehood and unfaithfulness [to You], and graciously impart Your law to me. [30] I have chosen the way of truth and faithfulness; Your ordinances have I set before me. [31] I cleave to Your testimonies; O Lord, put me not to shame! [32] I will [not merely walk, but] run the way of Your commandments, when You give me a heart that is willing. [33] Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the end [steadfastly]. [34] Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law; yes, I will observe it with my whole heart. [35] Make me go in the path of Your commandments, for in them do I delight. [36] Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness (robbery, sensuality, unworthy riches). [37] Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity (idols and idolatry); and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways. [38] Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant, which is for those who reverently fear and devotedly worship You. [39] Turn away my reproach which I fear and dread, for Your ordinances are good. [40] Behold, I long for Your precepts; in Your righteousness give me renewed life. [41] Let Your mercy and loving-kindness come also to me, O Lord, even Your salvation according to Your promise; [42] Then shall I have an answer for those who taunt and reproach me, for I lean on, rely on, and trust in Your word. [43] And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I hope in Your ordinances. [44] I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]. [45] And I will walk at liberty and at ease, for I have sought and inquired for [and desperately required] Your precepts. [46] I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings and will not be put to shame. [47] For I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love. [48] My hands also will I lift up [in fervent supplication] to Your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes. [49] Remember [fervently] the word and promise to Your servant, in which You have caused me to hope. [50] This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life. [51] The proud have had me greatly in derision, yet have I not declined in my interest in or turned aside from Your law. [52] When I have [earnestly] recalled Your ordinances from of old, O Lord, I have taken comfort. [53] Burning indignation, terror, and sadness seize upon me because of the wicked, who forsake Your law. [54] Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. [55] I have [earnestly] remembered Your name, O Lord, in the night, and I have observed Your law. [56] This I have had [as the gift of Your grace and as my reward]: that I have kept Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. [57] You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to keep Your words. [58] I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; be merciful and gracious to me according to Your promise. [59] I considered my ways; I turned my feet to [obey] Your testimonies. [60] I made haste and delayed not to keep Your commandments. [61] Though the cords of the wicked have enclosed and ensnared me, I have not forgotten Your law. [62] At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You because of Your righteous ordinances. [63] I am a companion of all those who fear, revere, and worship You, and of those who observe and give heed to Your precepts. [64] The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy and loving-kindness; teach me Your statutes. [65] You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your promise. [66] Teach me good judgment, wise and right discernment, and knowledge, for I have believed (trusted, relied on, and clung to) Your commandments. [67] Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now Your word do I keep [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]. [68] You are good and kind and do good; teach me Your statutes. [69] The arrogant and godless have put together a lie against me, but I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart. [70] Their hearts are as fat as grease [their minds are dull and brutal], but I delight in Your law. [71] It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes. [72] The law from Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces. [73] Your hands have made me, cunningly fashioned and established me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. [74] Those who reverently and worshipfully fear You will see me and be glad, because I have hoped in Your word and tarried for it. [75] I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right and righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. [76] Let, I pray You, Your merciful kindness and steadfast love be for my comfort, according to Your promise to Your servant. [77] Let Your tender mercy and loving-kindness come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight! [78] Let the proud be put to shame, for they dealt perversely with me without a cause; but I will meditate on Your precepts. [79] Let those who reverently and worshipfully fear You turn to me, and those who have known Your testimonies. [80] Let my heart be sound (sincere and wholehearted and blameless) in Your statutes, that I may not be put to shame. [81] My soul languishes and grows faint for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word. [82] My eyes fail, watching for [the fulfillment of] Your promise. I say, When will You comfort me? [83] For I have become like a bottle [a wineskin blackened and shriveled] in the smoke [in which it hangs], yet do I not forget Your statutes. [84] How many are the days of Your servant [which he must endure]? When will You judge those who pursue and persecute me? [85] The godless and arrogant have dug pitfalls for me, men who do not conform to Your law. [86] All Your commandments are faithful and sure. [The godless] pursue and persecute me with falsehood; help me [Lord]! [87] They had almost consumed me upon earth, but I forsook not Your precepts. [88] According to Your steadfast love give life to me; then I will keep the testimony of Your mouth [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]. [89] Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [stands firm as the heavens]. [90] Your faithfulness is from generation to generation; You have established the earth, and it stands fast. [91] All [the whole universe] are Your servants; therefore they continue this day according to Your ordinances. [92] Unless Your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. [93] I will never forget Your precepts, [how can I?] for it is by them You have quickened me (granted me life). [94] I am Yours, therefore save me [Your own]; for I have sought (inquired of and for) Your precepts and required them [as my urgent need]. [95] The wicked wait for me to destroy me, but I will consider Your testimonies. [96] I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent]; but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]. [97] Oh, how love I Your law! It is my meditation all the day. [98] You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies, for [Your words] are ever before me. [99] I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers, because Your testimonies are my meditation. [100] I understand more than the aged, because I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. [101] I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Your word [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]. [102] I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me. [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. [105] Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. [106] I have sworn [an oath] and have confirmed it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. [107] I am sorely afflicted; renew and quicken me [give me life], O Lord, according to Your word! [108] Accept, I beseech You, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your ordinances. [109] My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your law. [110] The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I do not stray from Your precepts. [111] Your testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. [112] I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end. [113] I hate the thoughts of undecided [in religion], double-minded people, but Your law do I love. [114] You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. [115] Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. [116] Uphold me according to Your promise, that I may live; and let me not be put to shame in my hope! [117] Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for Your statutes continually! [118] You spurn and set at nought all those who stray from Your statutes, for their own lying deceives them and their tricks are in vain. [119] You put away and count as dross all the wicked of the earth [for there is no true metal in them]; therefore I love Your testimonies. [120] My flesh trembles and shudders for fear and reverential, worshipful awe of You, and I am afraid and in dread of Your judgments. [121] I have done justice and righteousness; leave me not to those who would oppress me. [122] Be surety for Your servant for good [as Judah was surety for the safety of Benjamin]; let not the proud oppress me. [123] My eyes fail, watching for Your salvation and for the fulfillment of Your righteous promise. [124] Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy and loving-kindness, and teach me Your statutes. [125] I am Your servant; give me understanding (discernment and comprehension), that I may know (discern and be familiar with the character of) Your testimonies. [126] It is time for the Lord to act; they have frustrated Your law. [127] Therefore I love Your commandments more than [resplendent] gold, yes, more than [perfectly] refined gold. [128] Therefore I esteem as right all, yes, all Your precepts; I hate every false way. [129] Your testimonies are wonderful [far exceeding anything conceived by man]; therefore my [penitent] self keeps them [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. [130] The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple. [131] I opened my mouth and panted [with eager desire], for I longed for Your commandments. [132] Look upon me, be merciful unto me, and show me favor, as is Your way to those who love Your name. [133] Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your word; let not any iniquity have dominion over me. [134] Deliver me from the oppression of man; so will I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. [135] Make Your face shine [with pleasure] upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. [136] Streams of water run down my eyes, because men do not keep Your law [they hear it not, nor receive it, love it, or obey it]. [137] [Rigidly] righteous are You, O Lord, and upright are Your judgments and all expressions of Your will. [138] You have commanded and appointed Your testimonies in righteousness and in great faithfulness. [139] My zeal has consumed me and cut me off, because my adversaries have forgotten Your words. [140] Your word is very pure (tried and well refined); therefore Your servant loves it. [141] I am small (insignificant) and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts. [142] Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth. [143] Trouble and anguish have found and taken hold on me, yet Your commandments are my delight. [144] Your righteous testimonies are everlasting and Your decrees are binding to eternity; give me understanding and I shall live [give me discernment and comprehension and I shall not die]. [145] I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord; I will keep Your statutes [I will hear, receive, love, and obey them]. [146] I cried to You; save me, that I may keep Your testimonies [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. [147] I anticipated the dawning of the morning and cried [in childlike prayer]; I hoped in Your word. [148] My eyes anticipate the night watches and I am awake before the cry of the watchman, that I may meditate on Your word. [149] Hear my voice according to Your steadfast love; O Lord, quicken me and give me life according to Your [righteous] decrees. [150] They draw near who follow after wrong thinking and persecute me with wickedness; they are far from Your law. [151] You are near, O Lord [nearer to me than my foes], and all Your commandments are truth. [152] Of old have I known Your testimonies, and for a long time, [therefore it is a thoroughly established conviction] that You have founded them forever. [153] Consider my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Your law. [154] Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me and give me life according to Your word. [155] Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not nor hunger for Your statutes. [156] Great are Your tender mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord; give me life according to Your ordinances. [157] Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not swerve from Your testimonies. [158] I behold the treacherous and am grieved and loathe them, because they do not respect Your law [neither hearing, receiving, loving, nor obeying it]. [159] Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me and give life to me, O Lord, according to Your loving-kindness! [160] The sum of Your word is truth [the total of the full meaning of all Your individual precepts]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever. [161] Princes pursue and persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your words [dreading violation of them far more than the force of prince or potentate]. [162] I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great spoil. [163] I hate and abhor falsehood, but Your law do I love. [164] Seven times a day and all day long do I praise You because of Your righteous decrees. [165] Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble. [166] I am hoping and waiting [eagerly] for Your salvation, O Lord, and I do Your commandments. [167] Your testimonies have I kept [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]; I love them exceedingly! [168] I have observed Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are [fully known] before You. [169] Let my mournful cry and supplication come [near] before You, O Lord; give me understanding (discernment and comprehension) according to Your word [of assurance and promise]. [170] Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your word! [171] My lips shall pour forth praise [with thanksgiving and renewed trust] when You teach me Your statutes. [172] My tongue shall sing [praise for the fulfillment] of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous. [173] Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. [174] I have longed for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight. [175] Let me live that I may praise You, and let Your decrees help me. [176] I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek, inquire for, and demand Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.