Psalms 119

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

1Happy are people who live clean lives. They walk in the LORD's teaching.

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

2Happy are people who keep God's rules. They look for him with their whole heart.

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

3They do nothing wrong. They walk in God's ways.

4Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

4God, you told us to keep your rules with care.

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

5I wish my ways were steady. Then I would keep your rules.

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

6Then I would not feel ashamed. I would look at all your commands with open eyes.

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

7I will thank you with an honest heart. I will learn your good and fair rules.

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

8I will keep your rules. Please do not leave me 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 away from your commands.

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

11I have kept your word deep inside me. That way I will not sin against you.

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

12You are good, LORD. Teach me your rules.

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

13I say out loud all the rules you have spoken.

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

14I am glad to follow your rules. It makes me as glad as being rich.

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

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

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

16Your rules make me happy. I will not forget your word.

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

17Be very good to me, your servant. Then I will live and keep your word.

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

18Open my eyes. Then I will see wonderful things in your teaching.

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

19I am like a visitor on the earth. Do not hide your commands from me.

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

20I want your rules so much that it hurts. I feel this way all the time.

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

21You tell proud people they are wrong. They walk away from your commands.

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

22Take away the mean words people say about me. I have kept your rules.

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

23Rulers sit and say bad things about me. But I, your servant, think about your rules.

24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

24Your rules make me happy. They are like wise friends who help me choose.

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

25I am lying flat in the dust. Give me new life, just as you promised.

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

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

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

27Help me understand your rules. Then I will talk about the wonderful things you do.

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

28I am so sad that I feel like I am melting. Make me strong, as you promised.

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

29Keep me away from lying. Be kind and teach me your law.

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

30I have picked the way of truth. I keep your rules in front of me.

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

31I hold on tight to your rules. LORD, do not let me be shamed.

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

32I will run in the path of your commands. You make my heart wide and free.

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

33LORD, teach me the way of your rules. I will keep them to the end.

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

34Help me understand, and I will obey your teaching. I will follow 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. That is where I am happy.

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

36Turn my heart toward your rules. Do not let me want more and more things.

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

37Turn my eyes away from things that are worth nothing. Give me life in your way.

Note"Vanity" here does not mean being proud of how you look. It means things that are empty and worth nothing.

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

38Keep your promise to me, your servant. Then I will honor you.

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

39Take away the shame I am afraid of. Your rules are good.

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

40Look, I really want your rules. You do what is right, so give me life.

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

41LORD, show me your kind love. Save me, 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 makes fun of me. 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 true words away from my mouth. I have put my hope in your rules.

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

44So I will keep your teaching all the time, forever and ever.

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

45I will walk about freely. I look for your rules.

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

46I will speak about your rules in front of kings. I will not feel ashamed.

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

47Your commands make me happy, 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 toward your commands, which I love. And I think hard about your rules.

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

49Remember what you promised 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 when 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 a lot. But I do not turn away from your teaching.

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

52LORD, I remember your rules from long ago. They comfort me.

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

53Anger fills me when I see bad people. They throw away your teaching.

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

54Your rules are like songs to me. I sing them wherever I stay.

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

55LORD, at night I remember your name. And I keep your teaching.

56This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

56This is how I live. I obey your rules.

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

57LORD, you are all I have. I promised to keep your words.

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

58I have 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. Then I turned my feet toward your rules.

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

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

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

61Bad people tied me up and took my things. But I did not forget your teaching.

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

62At midnight I get up to thank you. Your rules are good and fair.

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. I am a friend to people who keep your rules.

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

64LORD, the earth is full of your kind 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. You did just what you said.

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

66Teach me to choose well and to know things. I believe your commands.

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

67Before I was hurt, I wandered off. But now I keep your word.

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

68You are good, and you do good things. 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 told lies about me. But I keep your rules with my whole heart.

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

70Their hearts are hard, like cold grease. But your teaching makes me happy.

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

71It was good for me to be hurt. It helped me learn your rules.

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

72The teaching you speak is worth more to me than piles 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. Help me understand, 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 smile when they see me. I have put my hope in your word.

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

75LORD, I know your rules are right. You were faithful even when you let me hurt.

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

76Please let your kind love comfort me. That is what you promised me, your servant.

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

77Feel sorry for me and come help me, so I can live. Your teaching makes me happy.

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. They lied to trip me up. But I will think about your rules.

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

79Let people who honor you come to me. Let them be people who know your rules.

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

80Let my heart be true to your rules. Then 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 wait for your word.

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

82My eyes get tired looking 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 feel dried up, like a leather bag hung in smoke. Still, I do not forget your rules.

NoteA "bottle" back then was a bag made from animal skin. Hanging in smoke, it dried out and cracked.

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

84How long must I, your servant, wait? When will you judge the people who chase me?

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

85Proud people have dug holes to trap me. That is against your teaching.

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 rules.

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

88Give me life, because you love me. Then I will keep the rules you have spoken.

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

89LORD, your word lasts forever. It is fixed firm in the heavens.

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

90You keep your promises to every family, one after another. You set the earth in place, and it stays.

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

91Your rules still stand today. Everything serves you.

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

92If your teaching had not made me happy, my troubles would have ended me.

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

93I will never forget your rules. You used them to give me life.

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

94I belong to you. Save me! I have looked for your rules.

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

95Bad people wait to destroy me. But I will think about your rules.

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

96Everything perfect I have seen comes to an end. But your command has no end.

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

97Oh, how I love your teaching! 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. Your commands 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. I think about your rules.

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

100I understand more than old, wise people. That is because I obey your rules.

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

101I have kept my feet off every bad path. I want to keep your word.

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

102I have not turned away from your rules. You yourself have taught me.

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

103Your words taste so sweet to me. They are sweeter than honey in my mouth!

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

104Your rules help me understand. So I hate every false path.

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

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

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

106I made a promise, and I will keep it. I will obey your good and fair rules.

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

107I am hurting very much. LORD, give me life, just as you promised.

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

108LORD, please take the thanks I freely give you. And teach me your rules.

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

109My life is in danger all the time. Still, I do not forget your teaching.

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

110Bad people have set a trap for me. But I have not wandered from your rules.

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

111Your rules are the gift I keep forever. 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 doing your rules. I will do them right to the end.

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

113I do not like people who cannot pick a side. But I love your teaching.

Note"Vain thoughts" in the old wording means people who are split in two and cannot decide whose side they are on.

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.

115Go away from me, you people who do wrong. I want to obey 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 can 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. 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 leaves your rules. 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 bad people on earth, like junk left after melting metal. So I love your rules.

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

120My body shakes because I stand in awe of you. I take your rules seriously.

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 people who hurt me.

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 push me down.

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

123My eyes get tired looking for you to save me. I look for the good thing you promised.

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

124Treat me, your servant, with your kind love. And teach me your rules.

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

125I am your servant. Help me understand, so I can know your rules.

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

126LORD, it is time for you to act. People have broken your teaching.

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

127I love your commands more than gold. I love them 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 say all your rules are right. And I hate every false path.

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

129Your rules are wonderful. That is why I keep them.

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

130When your words are opened up, they give light. They help simple people understand.

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

131I open my mouth wide, breathing hard. I want your commands that much.

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. That is what you do for 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.

134Save me from people who treat me badly. Then I will keep your rules.

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

135Smile on me, your servant. And teach me your rules.

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

136My eyes pour out tears like rivers. People do not keep your teaching.

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

137LORD, you do what is right. And your rules are fair.

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

138The rules you have given are right. They can always be trusted.

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

139I care so much that it wears me out. My enemies forget your words.

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

140Your promise is clean and true. That is why I, your servant, love it.

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

141I am small, and people look down on me. Still, I do not forget your rules.

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

142You will always do what is right. And your teaching is true.

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

143Trouble and worry have found me. But your commands make me happy.

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

144Your rules are always right. Help me understand, so I can live.

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

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

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

146I called to you. Save me, so I can keep your rules.

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

147I get up before the sun rises and call for help. I put my hope in your word.

Note"Prevented" in old English meant "came before," not "stopped." He wakes up before dawn to pray.

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

148My eyes are open before the night watch begins. I want to think about your word.

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

149Hear my voice, because you love me. LORD, give me life, as your rules say.

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

150People who plan bad things are coming close. They are far from your teaching.

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

151LORD, you are near. And all your commands are true.

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

152I learned long ago from your rules. You made them to last forever.

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

153Look at how I am hurting, and save me. I have not forgotten your teaching.

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

154Speak up for me, and set me free. Give me life, just as you promised.

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

155Bad people are far from being saved. They do not look for your rules.

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

156LORD, you are very kind. Give me life, as your rules say.

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

157Many people chase me and hate me. Still, I do not turn from your rules.

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

158I look at people who break faith, and it makes me sick. They do not keep your word.

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

159See how much I love your rules. LORD, give me life, because you love me.

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

160All of your word is true. Every one of your fair rules lasts forever.

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

161Rulers chase me for no reason. But my heart is in awe of your word.

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

162I am glad about your promise. I feel like someone who found a great treasure.

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

163I hate lying, and it disgusts me. But I love your teaching.

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

164Seven times a day I praise you. Your rules are good and fair.

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

165People who love your teaching have deep peace. Nothing can trip them up.

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

166LORD, I wait for you to save me. And I do what you command.

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

167I keep your rules. I love them very much.

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

168I keep your rules and your teachings. 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. Help me understand, just as you promised.

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

170Let my begging reach you. Save me, just as you promised.

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

171My lips will pour out praise. 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. All your commands are right.

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

173Let your hand be ready to help me. I have chosen your rules.

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

174LORD, I long for you to save me. Your teaching makes me happy.

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

175Let me live, so I can praise you. Let your rules 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 me, your servant. I have not forgotten your commands.