Psalms

Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

1Happy are the people whose way of life is clean, who walk by the LORD's law.

NoteThe KJV uses many different words in this psalm for the same thing: God's word. "Law," "statutes," "precepts," "testimonies," "commandments," and "judgments" are all ways of naming what God has said and told his people to do.

2Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

2Happy are the people who keep his teachings and look for him with their whole heart.

3They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.

3They also do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.

4Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

4You have commanded us to follow your instructions carefully.

5O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

5How I wish my ways were steady, so that I would keep your rules!

6Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

6Then I would not be ashamed, because I would pay attention to all your commands.

7I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.

7I will praise you with an honest heart as I learn your fair decisions.

8I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.

8I will keep your rules. Please do not leave me completely alone.

9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

9How can a young man keep his life clean? By watching it and following your word.

10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

10I have looked for you with my whole heart. Do not let me wander from your commands.

11Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

11I have stored your word inside my heart, so that I would not sin against you.

12Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

12You are worthy of praise, LORD. Teach me your rules.

13With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.

13With my lips I have said out loud every decision that came from your mouth.

14I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

14I am as glad to follow your teachings as I would be to have great riches.

15I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

15I will think hard about your instructions and keep my eyes on your ways.

16I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

16I will take joy in your rules. I will not forget your word.

17Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

17Be generous to me, your servant, so that I may live and keep your word.

18Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

18Open my eyes so I can see the wonderful things in your law.

19I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.

19I am a stranger here on earth. Do not hide your commands from me.

20My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.

20My heart is worn out with longing for your decisions all the time.

21Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.

21You have scolded proud people, who are under a curse and stray from your commands.

22Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

22Take away the insults and scorn aimed at me, for I have kept your teachings.

23Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.

23Even when rulers sit and talk against me, I, your servant, think about your rules.

24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

24Your teachings make me glad. They are the advisers I listen to.

25My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

25I am lying flat in the dust. Give me life again, as your word promises.

Note"Quicken me" in the KJV does not mean "hurry me up." It means "make me alive" or "give me life again." The word shows up many times in this psalm.

26I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.

26I told you about my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your rules.

27Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

27Help me understand the way of your instructions, so I can talk about your wonderful works.

28My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

28My heart is melting with sadness. Make me strong, as your word promises.

29Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.

29Keep me away from the path of lies, and kindly give me your law.

30I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.

30I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your decisions in front of me.

31I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.

31I hold tightly to your teachings. LORD, do not let me be shamed.

32I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

32I will run the path of your commands, because you make my heart free and wide.

33Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.

33Teach me the way of your rules, LORD, and I will keep it to the end.

34Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

34Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with my whole heart.

35Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

35Lead me along the path of your commands, because that is where I find joy.

36Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

36Bend my heart toward your teachings, and not toward wanting more and more things.

37Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

37Turn my eyes away from worthless things. Give me life in your way.

38Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

38Keep your promise to me, your servant, so that I will always hold you in awe.

39Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

39Take away the disgrace I am afraid of, because your decisions are good.

40Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

40Look, I long for your instructions. Because you are good, give me life.

41Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

41LORD, let your faithful love come to me, and your saving help, just as you promised.

42So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

42Then I will have an answer for the person who mocks me, because I trust your word.

43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

43Do not take the true word out of my mouth, for I have hoped in your decisions.

44So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

44Then I will keep your law all the time, forever and ever.

45And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

45And I will walk about freely, because I look for your instructions.

46I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

46I will speak about your teachings in front of kings, and I will not be ashamed.

47And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

47I will take joy in your commands, because I love them.

48My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

48I lift my hands to your commands, which I love, and I think about your rules.

49Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

49Remember the promise you made to me, your servant. You gave me hope with it.

50This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

50This comforts me while I am hurting: your promise has given me life.

51The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

51Proud people laugh at me and mock me, but I do not turn away from your law.

52I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

52LORD, I remember your decisions from long ago, and they comfort me.

53Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

53Burning anger takes hold of me because wicked people turn their backs on your law.

54Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

54Your rules have been my songs wherever I have lived as a traveler.

55I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

55LORD, I remember your name at night, and I keep your law.

56This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

56This has been my practice: I keep your instructions.

57Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

57LORD, you are all I have. I have said that I will keep your words.

58I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.

58I begged for your kindness with my whole heart. Be good to me, as you promised.

59I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

59I thought about how I was living, and I turned my feet toward your teachings.

60I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

60I hurried and did not wait around to obey your commands.

61The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

61Wicked people banded together and robbed me, but I have not forgotten your law.

62At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.

62At midnight I get up to thank you for your fair decisions.

63I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.

63I am a friend to everyone who honors you and keeps your instructions.

64The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.

64LORD, the earth is full of your faithful love. Teach me your rules.

65Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.

65LORD, you have been good to me, your servant, just as you said.

66Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.

66Teach me to think well and to know what is right, for I believe your commands.

67Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

67Before I was hurt I went the wrong way, but now I keep your word.

68Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.

68You are good, and you do good. Teach me your rules.

69The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.

69Proud people have made up lies about me, but I keep your instructions with my whole heart.

70Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

70Their hearts are thick and unfeeling, but I take joy in your law.

71It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

71It was good for me to suffer, because it taught me your rules.

72The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

72The law you spoke is worth more to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

73Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.

73Your hands made me and shaped me. Give me understanding so I can learn your commands.

74They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.

74People who honor you will be glad to see me, because I have hoped in your word.

75I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.

75LORD, I know your decisions are right, and you were faithful when you let me suffer.

76Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

76Please let your loving kindness comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.

77Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.

77Let your tender care come to me so I may live, because your law makes me glad.

78Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

78Let proud people be ashamed, for they wronged me for no reason. I will think about your instructions.

79Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.

79Let people who honor you and know your teachings come over to my side.

80Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

80Let my heart be whole in keeping your rules, so that I will not be ashamed.

81My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

81I am worn out waiting for you to save me, but I hope in your word.

82Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

82My eyes grow tired watching for your promise. I ask, "When will you comfort me?"

83For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

83I have become like a wineskin left hanging in the smoke, but I do not forget your rules.

NoteThe KJV says "a bottle in the smoke." Bottles then were made of animal skin. One hung near a fire would dry out, shrink, and crack. The writer feels used up like that.

84How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

84How many days does your servant have left? When will you punish the people chasing me?

85The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.

85Proud people have dug pits to trap me. What they do is against your law.

86All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

86All your commands can be trusted. People chase me for no reason. Help me!

87They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

87They almost wiped me off the earth, but I did not leave your instructions.

88Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

88Give me life again because of your faithful love, and I will keep the teaching you spoke.

89For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

89LORD, your word lasts forever. It stands firm in heaven.

90Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

90You stay faithful to every generation. You set the earth in place, and it holds.

91They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.

91Everything still stands today because you ordered it, for all things serve you.

92Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

92If your law had not made me glad, I would have died in my suffering.

93I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.

93I will never forget your instructions, because you gave me life through them.

94I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.

94I belong to you. Save me, for I have looked for your instructions.

95The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.

95Wicked people are waiting to destroy me, but I will think about your teachings.

96I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.

96I have seen that everything perfect has its limit, but your command reaches far beyond.

97O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

97Oh, how I love your law! I think about it all day long.

98Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

98Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, because they are always with me.

99I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.

99I understand more than all my teachers, because I think about your teachings.

100I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

100I understand more than people much older than me, because I keep your instructions.

101I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

101I have kept my feet off every evil path so that I could keep your word.

102I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

102I have not turned away from your decisions, because you yourself have taught me.

103How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

103How sweet your words taste! They are sweeter than honey in my mouth.

104Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

104Your instructions give me understanding, so I hate every false way.

105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

105Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

106I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.

106I have made a promise, and I will keep it: I will obey your fair decisions.

107I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

107I am suffering very much. LORD, give me life again, as your word promises.

108Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

108LORD, please accept the praise I freely offer you, and teach me your decisions.

109My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

109My life is always in danger, but I do not forget your law.

110The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

110Wicked people have set a trap for me, but I have not strayed from your instructions.

111Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

111Your teachings are mine forever, like land passed down in a family. They make my heart glad.

112I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.

112I have set my heart on keeping your rules always, right to the very end.

113I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

113I hate divided, half-hearted thinking, but I love your law.

114Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

114You are my hiding place and my shield. I put my hope in your word.

115Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

115Get away from me, you who do evil, so I can keep my God's commands.

116Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.

116Hold me up, as you promised, so I may live. Do not let my hope end in shame.

117Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.

117Hold me up and I will be safe, and I will always pay attention to your rules.

118Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.

118You turn away everyone who strays from your rules, because their tricks come to nothing.

119Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

119You throw out all the wicked of the earth like scrap left over when metal is melted. So I love your teachings.

120My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

120My body shakes with fear of you, and I am afraid of your decisions.

121I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

121I have done what is fair and right. Do not leave me to the people who push me down.

122Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

122Promise to take care of me, your servant. Do not let proud people crush me.

123Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

123My eyes grow tired watching for you to save me and to keep your good promise.

124Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.

124Treat me, your servant, with your faithful love, and teach me your rules.

125I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.

125I am your servant. Give me understanding so that I may know your teachings.

126It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.

126LORD, it is time for you to act, because people have broken your law.

127Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

127So I love your commands more than gold, even more than the purest gold.

128Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.

128So I count all your instructions about everything as right, and I hate every false way.

129Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

129Your teachings are wonderful. That is why I keep them with all my heart.

130The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

130When your words are opened up, they bring light. They give understanding to people who know little.

131I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.

131I opened my mouth and gasped, because I longed so much for your commands.

132Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

132Turn to me and be kind to me, the way you always are with people who love your name.

133Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

133Guide my steps by your word. Do not let any sin rule over me.

134Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

134Rescue me from people who treat me badly, and I will keep your instructions.

135Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

135Look on me, your servant, with kindness, and teach me your rules.

136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

136Tears run down from my eyes like rivers, because people do not keep your law.

137Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.

137LORD, you are right in all you do, and your decisions are fair.

138Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

138The teachings you have given are right and completely trustworthy.

139My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

139My strong feelings wear me out, because my enemies have forgotten your words.

140Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.

140Your word is completely pure, and that is why I, your servant, love it.

141I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.

141I am small and looked down on, but I do not forget your instructions.

142Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

142Your goodness lasts forever, and your law is the truth.

143Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.

143Trouble and pain have found me, but your commands make me glad.

144The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.

144Your teachings are right forever. Give me understanding so that I may live.

145I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.

145I called out with my whole heart. Answer me, LORD! I will keep your rules.

146I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.

146I called to you. Save me, and I will keep your teachings.

147I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

147I was up before the sun rose, and I cried for help. I hoped in your word.

Note"Prevented" in the KJV means "came before," not "stopped." In verse 147 he is awake before sunrise; in verse 148 he is awake before the night watchmen begin their shifts.

148Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.

148I am awake before the night hours are called out, so I can think about your word.

149Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.

149Hear my voice, because your love is faithful. LORD, give me life, as your just ways promise.

150They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.

150People who plan evil are coming close. They are far from your law.

151Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

151But you are near, LORD, and all your commands are true.

152Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.

152Long ago I learned from your teachings that you set them up to last forever.

153Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

153Look at how much I am suffering, and rescue me, for I do not forget your law.

154Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

154Take my side and set me free. Give me life again, as your word promises.

155Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

155Saving help is far from wicked people, because they do not look for your rules.

156Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.

156LORD, your tender care is great. Give me life, as your fair decisions promise.

157Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.

157Many people chase me and hate me, but I do not turn away from your teachings.

158I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.

158I look at people who break your word, and it fills me with sadness.

159Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.

159See how much I love your instructions. LORD, give me life, because your love is faithful.

160Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

160Your word has been true from the start, and every fair decision you make lasts forever.

161Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.

161Rulers have chased me for no reason, but my heart stands in awe of your word.

162I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

162I am as happy about your word as someone who finds a huge treasure.

163I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.

163I hate lies and cannot stand them, but I love your law.

164Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

164Seven times a day I praise you for your fair decisions.

165Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

165People who love your law have deep peace, and nothing makes them trip and fall.

166LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

166LORD, I have hoped for you to save me, and I have obeyed your commands.

167My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

167I have kept your teachings with all my heart, and I love them very much.

168I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.

168I have kept your instructions and your teachings, because you see everything I do.

169Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

169LORD, let my cry reach you. Give me understanding, as your word promises.

170Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.

170Let my prayer come to you. Rescue me, just as you promised.

171My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

171My lips will pour out praise, because you teach me your rules.

172My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

172My tongue will sing about your word, because all your commands are right.

173Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

173Let your hand be ready to help me, because I have chosen your instructions.

174I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

174LORD, I long for you to save me, and your law makes me glad.

175Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

175Let me live so I can praise you, and let your decisions hold me up.

176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

176I have wandered off like a lost sheep. Come find your servant, for I do not forget your commands.