Psalms 119

Happy are the people whose way of life is pure, who walk according to the LORD's law.

1Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.

NoteIn Hebrew this psalm is an alphabet poem. It has twenty-two stanzas of eight verses each, one stanza for every letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and within a stanza every one of the eight verses begins with that letter. Older Bibles print the letter names (Aleph, Beth, Gimel, and so on) as headings. The form explains why the psalm is so long and so repetitive: it is a deliberate exercise in saying everything about one subject, from A to Z. "Blessed" here translates a Hebrew word closer to "happy" or "fortunate": it is a congratulation on someone's good position, not a blessing being pronounced over them.

2Happy are the people who keep the truths he has declared and look for him with their whole heart.

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

NoteAlmost every verse of this psalm uses one of eight near-synonyms for what God has made known: law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, word, and promise. They are not eight different things; the poet is turning one subject over and over. "Testimonies" translates a word for things solemnly declared and set down as binding, the terms a witness testifies to, or the terms of an agreement kept on record.

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

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

4You have commanded us to keep your instructions carefully.

4Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.

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

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

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

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

7I will praise you with an honest heart when I have learned your fair rulings.

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

Note"Judgments" translates a word meaning decisions handed down, both God's verdicts in particular cases and the body of case law given to Israel. It has the flavor of a courtroom ruling, not of a general principle.

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

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

9How can a young man keep his life pure? By watching over it, following your word.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

NoteLORD printed in capitals stands in for the personal name of Israel's God, written in Hebrew with four letters usually given as YHWH. Jewish readers avoided pronouncing it and said the ordinary word for "Lord" instead; English Bibles mark that substitution with capitals. Note also that "blessed" here is a different Hebrew word from the one in verse 1: this one means "praised," spoken toward God, while verse 1's meant "fortunate," spoken about a person.

13With my lips I have spoken out loud every ruling that came from your mouth.

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

14I have been glad to follow the truths you declared, as glad as if I owned great riches.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19I am a stranger passing through this earth. Do not hide your commands from me.

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

NoteA "stranger" here is a resident foreigner, someone living long-term in a country not his own, holding no inherited land and depending on the goodwill of the people around him. It was a recognized legal status in Israel, with its own protections.

20My soul is worn out from longing for your rulings all the time.

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

Note"Soul" throughout this psalm translates a Hebrew word meaning the life, the appetite, the whole living person, not an immaterial part housed inside a body. "My soul" is close to "I myself," with a hint of hunger or craving.

21You correct proud people sharply, the cursed ones who stray from your commands.

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

NoteTo be "cursed" is to be placed formally under a curse, the exact opposite of the congratulation "happy are they" in verses 1 and 2. The two words frame the psalm's two kinds of people.

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

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

23Even rulers sit and talk against me, but I, your servant, keep thinking about your rules.

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

Note"Princes" here means officials and nobles, the men who held power at court and in the courts. Being denounced by them was not gossip but a threat to a person's standing, property and safety.

24Your declarations make me glad; they are the advisers I listen to.

24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

NoteCounselors were the officials a ruler was expected to consult before acting; their advice carried formal weight. The psalmist is putting God's declarations in that official role.

25My soul lies flat in the dust. Give me life again, as your word promises.

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

Note"Quicken," used many times in this psalm, is old English for "make alive" or "revive", nothing to do with speed. To lie or cling to the dust is an idiom for being brought as low as a person can go: mourners sat in dust and ashes, and the dust is also where the dead lie.

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

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

27Help me understand the way your instructions work, and I will talk about the wonderful things you do.

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

28My soul melts with sorrow. Make me strong again, as your word promises.

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

29Keep me away from the road of lying, and kindly give me your law.

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

30I have chosen the road of truth. I have set your rulings in front of me.

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

31I hold tightly to your declarations. LORD, do not let me be put to shame.

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

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

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

Note"Heart" in Hebrew means the mind, will and inner self, the place where a person thinks and decides, rather than the feelings. To have it "enlarged" is to be given room, understanding, or courage; the phrase is open to all three senses.

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

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

Note"Unto the end" translates a Hebrew word whose sense is disputed. It can mean "to the very end," "always," or "as a reward", the same word and the same uncertainty recur in verse 112.

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

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

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

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

36Bend my heart toward your declarations, and away from wanting more and more.

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

Note"Covetousness" translates a word for gain got by grasping, profit, especially the dishonest or violent kind, rather than desire in general.

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

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

38Make your promise to me, your servant, stand firm, so that you will be held in awe.

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

Note"Fear" of God in this psalm means awe and reverence, the attitude owed to someone of overwhelming importance, not fright. The second half of the verse is ambiguous in Hebrew: it may mean "confirm your promise to your servant, who reveres you," or "confirm your promise, so that you may be revered."

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

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

40Look, I have longed for your instructions. Give me life through your righteousness.

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

41Let your acts of steady love reach me, LORD; let your saving help come, just as you promised.

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

Note"Mercies" translates the Hebrew word chesed, elsewhere rendered lovingkindness or steadfast love. It means loyal, committed kindness, the sort owed within a binding relationship and kept up over time, rather than a passing feeling of pity.

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

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

43Do not take the true word out of my mouth completely, because I have put my hope in your rulings.

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

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

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

45And I will walk about freely, because I have searched out your instructions.

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

NoteThe Hebrew reads "I will walk in a broad place." Wide open ground is the standard image for freedom and safety; being hemmed in or in a narrow place is the image for distress.

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

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

47And I will take delight in your commands, which I love.

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

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

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

NoteLifting the hands was the ordinary bodily posture for prayer, appeal, and swearing an oath. It is startling here because the hands are lifted toward the commandments rather than toward God.

49Remember the promise you made to me, your servant; you gave me hope through it.

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

50This is my comfort while I suffer: your promise has kept me alive.

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

NoteSeveral verses in this psalm (here, and 38, 41, 58, 76, 82, 116, 140, 162, 170) use a Hebrew word meaning "saying" or "utterance," which in context often carries the sense of a specific promise. The KJV renders it "word" throughout, which flattens the difference.

51Proud people make fun of me without stopping, but I have not turned away from your law.

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

52I remembered your rulings from long ago, LORD, and I found comfort in them.

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

53Burning anger grips me because of wicked people who abandon your law.

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

NoteThe Hebrew word here means a scorching or raging heat, and translators divide over which way it burns: some read horror or dread, others blazing indignation.

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

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

Note"The house of my pilgrimage" means the place where he is lodging as a temporary resident, living away from home, as a foreigner does, rather than traveling to a shrine. "Pilgrimage" in 1611 English meant a sojourn abroad.

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

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

56This is what I have had, because I kept your instructions.

56This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

NoteThe Hebrew is very compressed (literally "this has been mine") and it is not clear what "this" points to: the comfort just described, the whole way of life, or something the following verses will name.

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

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

NoteA "portion" was the share of land assigned to a family when Israel divided the country. The tribe of Levi received no such share and was told that the LORD himself was their portion instead. To say "you are my portion" is to name God as the inheritance one holds in place of property.

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

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

59I thought carefully about how I live, and I turned my feet toward your declarations.

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

60I hurried and did not put off keeping your commands.

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

61Gangs of wicked people have robbed me, but I have not forgotten your law.

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

NoteThe Hebrew word can mean either "cords", ropes that bind him, or "bands" in the sense of companies of men. Both readings are current; the KJV takes the second, most modern translations the first.

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

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

NoteGetting up at midnight to pray was not a normal practice; the point is the deliberate interruption of sleep.

63I am a friend to everyone who honors you with awe, and to those who keep your instructions.

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

Note"Them that fear thee" is a standard Hebrew phrase for the devout, people who take God seriously, with no implication of being frightened of him.

64The earth is full of your steady love, LORD. Teach me your rules.

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

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

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

66Teach me good sense and knowledge, because I have believed your commands.

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

67Before I was made to suffer, I wandered off, but now I keep your word.

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

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

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

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

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

70Their hearts are hard and unfeeling, like a slab of fat, but I take delight in your law.

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

Note"Fat as grease" is an idiom, not a comment on weight: a thick layer of fat makes flesh dull and insensible, so a fat heart is an unfeeling, unresponsive one.

71It was good for me to suffer, so that I would learn your rules.

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

72The law that came from your mouth is worth more to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

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

NoteCoined money did not yet exist. Gold and silver were weighed out in units, and "thousands" means thousands of those weights, an enormous fortune.

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

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

74People who honor you with awe will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in your word.

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

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

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

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

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

77Let your tender mercy come to me so that I may live, because your law is my delight.

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

78Let proud people be ashamed, because they wronged me with lies for no reason; but I will think deeply about your instructions.

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

Note"Without a cause" is a legal expression: accused or attacked with no ground for the charge, not merely for no reason.

79Let those who honor you with awe come back to me, those who know your declarations.

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

80Let my heart be blameless about your rules, so that I will not be put to shame.

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

81My soul grows weak waiting for you to save me, but I put my hope in your word.

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

82My eyes are worn out looking for your promise. I keep asking, "When will you comfort me?"

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

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

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

NoteThe "bottle" is a wineskin, a whole animal hide sewn up and used as a container. Houses were heated and lit by open fires with no chimney, so a skin left hanging in the smoke dried out, shrivelled and cracked, and was fit for nothing.

84How many days does your servant have? When will you judge the people who chase me down?

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

NoteThe question is deliberately double-edged: it can mean "how long do I have left to live?" and "how much longer must I wait?" The Hebrew allows both.

85Proud people have dug pits to trap me, which goes against your law.

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

NotePits were dug and covered over to trap large animals. The image carries over into legal language for laying a trap for a person.

86All your commands can be trusted. People hunt me down for no reason, help me!

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

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

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

88Give me life again because of your steady love, and I will keep the declarations from your mouth.

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

89Forever, LORD, your word stands firm in the heavens.

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

Note"Settled" here means fixed and standing firm, like a post driven in or a building set on its foundation, not "decided" or "paid off."

90Your faithfulness lasts for all generations. You set the earth in place, and it stays.

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

91Everything still stands today because of your rules, since all things serve you.

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

92If your law had not been my delight, I would have died in my suffering.

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

93I will never forget your instructions, because through them you have kept me alive.

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

94I belong to you. Save me, because I have searched out your instructions.

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

95Wicked people have been waiting to destroy me, but I will think about your declarations.

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

96I have seen that everything perfect comes to an end, but your command has no limit at all.

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

NoteThis verse is famously difficult in Hebrew and every translation is a guess. The general sense is that everything complete or perfect has a boundary he has been able to see to the edge of, while the commandment has none.

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

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

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

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

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

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

100I understand more than the old men do, because I keep your instructions.

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

Note"The ancients" means the elders, the old men whose years of experience gave their opinion authority in disputes and public decisions.

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

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

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

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

103How sweet your words are when I taste them, sweeter than honey in my mouth!

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

NoteHoney was the strongest sweetener available and the standard comparison for the most desirable thing imaginable.

104I gain understanding from your instructions; that is why I hate every false path.

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

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

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

NoteThe lamp is a small clay dish of oil with a floating wick, carried in the hand. It does not light up the road ahead; it lights the ground immediately at your feet, enough for the next step.

106I have made a promise under oath, and I will carry it out: I will keep your fair rulings.

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

NoteAn oath called God as witness against the person swearing it, and breaking one carried real consequences. It is a formal, binding act, not a strong statement of intent.

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

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

108Please accept the praise I offer freely from my mouth, LORD, and teach me your rulings.

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

NoteA freewill offering was a voluntary sacrifice, over and above anything the law required, brought simply because the worshiper wanted to bring it. He is offering spoken praise in place of the animal.

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

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

Note"My life is in my hand" is a fixed Hebrew idiom for running a constant risk of death, carrying your life out in the open palm where anything might knock it away.

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

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

111I have taken your declarations as mine forever, the way land is handed down in a family; they make my heart glad.

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

Note"Heritage" translates the word for a family's allotted land, inherited from ancestors and meant to stay in the family permanently rather than being sold off. It is a legal term for a permanent, inalienable holding.

112I have set my heart on doing what your rules say, always, right to the end.

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

113I hate people whose loyalty is split in two, but I love your law.

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

NoteThe Hebrew word occurs nowhere else, and its meaning is uncertain. Most take it to mean divided or half-hearted, either people of two minds or thoughts pulled two ways, but the sense of "vain, empty thoughts" is also defended.

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

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

115Get away from me, you who do evil, so that I can keep the commands of my God.

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

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

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

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

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

118You reject everyone who strays from your rules, because their lying gets them nowhere.

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

NoteThe last clause is obscure in Hebrew. It may mean that their deceit is itself a lie, or that their deceiving comes to nothing in the end.

119You throw away all the wicked of the earth like the waste left over from melted metal; that is why I love your declarations.

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

NoteDross is the crust of worthless impurities that rises to the top when metal is melted for refining; it is skimmed off and thrown away.

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

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

Note"Flesh" here means the body, and by extension the whole physical, mortal self, the same use as in "flesh and blood."

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

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

122Guarantee that things go well for me, your servant. Do not let proud people crush me.

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

Note"Be surety" is a commercial and legal term: to stand as guarantor for another person's debt, becoming liable yourself if they cannot pay. He is asking God to underwrite him.

123My eyes are worn out looking for you to save me, and for your righteous promise.

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

124Treat me, your servant, according to your steady love, and teach me your rules.

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

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

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

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

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

Note"Made void" means annulled or canceled, as one voids a contract. The Hebrew of the first half can also be read "it is time to act for the LORD," leaving it slightly open whether God or the psalmist is the one who should act.

127That is why I love your commands more than gold, more than the purest gold.

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

128That is why I count all your instructions about everything to be right, and I hate every false path.

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

129Your declarations are wonderful; that is why I keep them with all my soul.

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

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

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

Note"The entrance of thy words" translates a word meaning an opening or unfolding, the words being disclosed rather than a doorway. "The simple" means the untaught and inexperienced, easily led either way; it is a description of a stage of life, not an insult about intelligence.

131I opened my mouth wide and panted, because I longed for your commands.

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

132Turn toward me and be kind to me, as you always are with those who love your name.

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

Note"As thou usest to do" is 1611 English for "as is your habit" or "as you customarily do." A person's "name" in Hebrew stands for the person himself and his reputation, so loving God's name means loving him as he has made himself known.

133Steady my steps by your word, and do not let any sin rule over me.

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

134Rescue me from people who push me down, and then I will keep your instructions.

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

135Let your face shine on me, your servant, and teach me your rules.

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

Note"Make thy face to shine upon" comes from the priestly blessing given in Numbers 6. A face turned toward you and lit up means attention and favor; the opposite image, a face hidden or turned away, means rejection.

136Streams of tears run down from my eyes, because people do not keep your law.

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

137You are righteous, LORD, and your rulings are honest.

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

138The declarations you have commanded are righteous and completely trustworthy.

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

139My strong feeling for you has worn me out, because my enemies have forgotten your words.

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

Note"Zeal" translates a word for burning heat, the fierce, jealous energy of someone who cannot bear to see what he loves slighted. "Consumed me" means it has eaten him up, exhausted him.

140Your promise has been tested and is completely pure; that is why I, your servant, love it.

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

Note"Pure" here is a metalworking term: refined in the fire and proved free of any impurity. The image is of a promise that has been tested rather than merely clean.

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

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

Note"Small" means low in standing (young, insignificant, of no account in other people's eyes), rather than small in size.

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

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

143Trouble and pain have caught hold of me, yet your commands are my delight.

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

144The righteousness of your declarations lasts forever. Give me understanding so that I may live.

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

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

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

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

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

147I got up before the sky grew light and cried out for help. I put my hope in your word.

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

Note"Prevent" in 1611 English means to go before or get there first, with none of the modern sense of stopping something. He is up and praying before daylight.

148My eyes are open before each watch of the night begins, so that I can think deeply about your word.

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

NoteThe night was divided into watches, fixed shifts for those standing guard, three in older Israelite practice, later four under the Romans. To be awake ahead of the watches means lying awake before each new shift even begins.

149Hear my voice, because of your steady love. LORD, give me life again, as your justice provides.

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

150People who chase after evil plans are getting close; they are far from your law.

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

Note"Mischief" in 1611 English means deliberate harm or wickedness, serious injury done on purpose, not petty trouble-making.

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

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

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

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

153Look at how much I suffer, and rescue me, because I do not forget your law.

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

154Argue my case and set me free. Give me life again, as your word promises.

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

NoteBoth verbs are legal. "Plead my cause" means to argue someone's case for them as their advocate in court. "Deliver" translates the verb used of the kinsman-redeemer, the nearest relative obliged to buy a family member out of debt or slavery, recover sold family land, or pursue their killer.

155Being saved is far away from wicked people, because they do not look for your rules.

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

156Your tender mercies are great, LORD. Give me life again, as your rulings provide.

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

157Many people hunt me down and hate me, yet I have not turned away from your declarations.

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

158I looked at people who break your law, and I was sickened, because they do not keep your word.

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

Note"Transgressors" translates a word for those who break faith, people who betray an agreement or deal treacherously, rather than lawbreakers in general.

159See how much I love your instructions. Give me life again, LORD, because of your steady love.

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

160Everything you say is true from the very first word, and every one of your fair rulings lasts forever.

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

NoteThe Hebrew reads "the head of your word is truth," and "head" can mean either the beginning or the sum total. So the line may mean "your word has been true from the first" or "the whole of your word is truth"; both readings are defensible.

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

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

162I am as happy about your promise as someone who finds a great pile of treasure.

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

Note"Spoil" means plunder taken in war and divided among the victors, a sudden windfall far beyond what a soldier could earn.

163I hate lying and cannot stand it, but I love your law.

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

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

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

NoteSeven regularly functions in Hebrew as the number of completeness. The line may describe a fixed pattern of daily prayer, or may simply mean "continually."

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

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

Note"Offend" here has its older sense of "cause to stumble"; the underlying image is an obstacle in the road that trips a walker up.

166LORD, I have hoped for you to save me, and I have done what your commands say.

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

167I have kept your declarations with all my soul, and I love them very much.

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

168I have kept your instructions and your declarations, because everything I do is right there in front of you.

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

169Let my cry come close to you, LORD. Give me understanding, as your word promises.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

174I have longed for you to save me, LORD, and your law is my delight.

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

175Let me live so that I can praise you, and let your rulings help me.

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

176I have wandered off like a lost sheep. Come looking for me, your servant, because I have not forgotten your commands.

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