Open English Translation PSA Chapter 119

119 א (Alef)

119 Blessed are those whose behaviour is blameless—

who follow Yahweh’s instructions.

2 Blessed are they who keep the rules that he revealed—

who strive to sincerely obey him.

3 Surely they wouldn’t promote injustice.

They do what he shows them.

4 You’ve shown your principles through your instructions

so that we should carefully follow them.

5 If only I could be consistent

in keeping your rules,

6 then I wouldn’t be ashamed

when I consider all your commands.

7 I’ll give thanks to you because I want to do what’s right

when I learn about how you always judge fairly.

8 I’ll keep your regulations.

Don’t totally desert me.

ב (Beyt)

9 How can a young man keep his motives pure?

By obeying your message.

10 With my whole heart I search for you with all my being.

Don’t let me stray from what you commanded.

11 I’ve stored your message away in my memory

so that I’ll be less likely to sin against you.

12 You deserve praise, Yahweh.

Teach me your regulations.

13 With my lips I’ve proclaimed

all the judgements that you’ve pronounced.

14 I get happier about everything you’ve revealed

rather than any kind of riches.

15 I will meditate about your principles

and keep my eyes on your paths.

16 I take delight in your regulations—

I won’t forget what you’ve said.

ג (Gimel)

17 Deal kindly with your servant

so that I can continue to live and obey what you’ve told us.

18 Uncover my eyes so I can gaze

on the marvellous results from your instructions.

19 I’m a foreigner in the land—

don’t prevent me from hearing your commands.

20 My inner being is continually crushed

with longing for your regulations.

21 You rebuke the proud, who’re cursed—

who stray from your commands.

22 Spare me from disgrace and humiliation

because I’ve kept the requirements that you’ve revealed.

23 Even though rulers gather together against me and slander me,

your servant meditates about your regulations.

24 Also, your revealed messages are my pleasure.

They are my counsellors.

ד (Dalet)

25 My inner being clings to the dust.

Speak out and give me life.

26 I talked about my behaviour, and you answered me.

Teach me your regulations.

27 Grant me insight into your principles,

so I can meditate about your wonderful actions.

28 My inner being melts away from grief.

Speak out and strengthen me.

29 Keep me off the path of deceit.

Graciously give me your instructions.

30 I’ve chosen the way of faithfulness.

≈I have desired your regulations.

31 I cling to what you’ve revealed—

Yahweh, don’t let me be shamed.

32 I run along the path of your commands,

because you have expanded my mind.

ה (He)

33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your regulations,

and I’ll keep them to the end.

34 Give me understanding, and I’ll keep your teaching.

I’ll observe it with all my heart.

35 Guide me in the way of your commands,

because I delight in your way.

36 Help me to want to obey what you’ve revealed

and not just wanting unscrupulous gain.

37 Help me not to waste time looking at worthless things.

Encourage me to follow your ways.

38 Fulfill your promises to your servant

so that he will respect and obey you.

39 Help me to be able to avoid the disgrace that I dread,

because your judgements are good.

40 Listen, I long for your principles.

Encourage me to follow your ways that are right.

ו (Vav)

41 May I experience your loyal commitment, Yahweh—

your salvation, according to your promise,

42 then I’ll answer the one who mocks me with their words,

because I trust in what you’ve told us.

43 Don’t totally prevent me from talking about your message of truth,

because my hope is based on your judgements.

44 I’ll always obey what you taught,

forever and ever.

45 I’ll walk freely,

because I strive to know your principles.

46 I will tell kings what you’ve revealed,

and I won’t be ashamed.

47 I take pleasure in obeying your commands,

which I love.

48 I will respect your commands, which I love.

I will meditate on your regulations.

ז (Zayin)

49 Remember your promise to your servant

because you have given me hope.

50 That’s my comfort in my suffering.

Yes, your promise keeps me alive.

51 Arrogant people mock me terribly,

but I haven’t turned away from your instructions.

52 I remember your judgements from ancient times, Yahweh,

and I take comfort in that.

53 I’m seized by a hot anger

because of the wicked who reject your teaching.

54 Your regulations are songs for me

in the house where I’m staying.

55 I remember your name during the night, Yahweh,

and I follow your instruction.

56 This is for me

because I accept your principles.

ח (Het)

57 Yahweh is who I’ve chosen.

I promise to obey what you’ve said.

58 With my whole being, I ask for your favour.

Be merciful to me like you’ve promised you would be.

59 I carefully evaluate which paths I’ll follow

and keep myself following what you’ve revealed.

60 I hurry and don’t put off

obeying your commands.

61 The ropes of the wicked people entangle me.

I don’t forget your instructions.

62 I get up in the middle of the night to bring praise to you

because your judgements are always right and fair.

63 I’m a companion to all who strive to obey you

and apply your principles.

64 The world is full of your loyal commitment, Yahweh.

Teach me your regulations.

ט (Tet)

65 You do good to your servant, Yahweh,

as you’ve said you would.

66 Teach me good discernment and understanding,

because I trust in the wisdom of your commands.

67 Before my troubles came, I went astray,

but now I observe your promises.

68 You are good, and you do good.

Teach me your regulations.

69 The arrogant smear me with lies,

but I myself keep your principles with sincerity.

70 Their hearts are unfeeling like fat,

but I myself delight in your instructions.

71 It is good for me that I’ve suffered

so that I’d learn your regulations.

72 The instructions that comes from mouth are good for me—

more than thousands of gold and silver coins.

י (Yod)

73 Your hands created and formed me.

Give me understanding so that I can learn your commands.

74 May those who respect you see me and be happy

because I put my hope in what you’ve said.

75 Yahweh, I know that your judgements are fair and right,

and that it’s in faithfulness that you make me suffer.

76 Let your loyal commitment be my comfort,

as per your promise to your servant.

77 May your grace come to me so that I may live,

because your instructions are my delight.

78 Let the proud be put to shame,

because they’ve falsely accused me,

but as for me, I’ll meditate on your principles.

79 May those who respect you turn to me,

and get to know what you’ve revealed.

80 May my conscience be blameless with respect to your regulations,

so that I won’t be put to shame.

כ (Kaf)

81 My inner being faints with longing for your salvation.

I put my hope in what you’ve said.

82 My eyes are exhausted with longing for your promise,

saying, "When will you comfort me?"

83 because I’ve become brittle like a wineskin in the smoke.

I don’t forget your regulations.

84 How long must your servant wait—

when will you punish those who persecute me?

85 The proud have dug pits to trap me,

which is not according to your instructions.

86 All your commands are sensible.

Those pround people pursue me with false accusations—help me.

87 They have almost finished me off here,

but as for me, I don’t reject your principles.

88 It’s your loyal commitment that keeps me alive,

so that I can obey what you’ve revealed.

ל (Lamed)

89 Yahweh, your message stands firm in the heavens.

90 Your faithfulness lasts from generation to generation.

You’ve established the earth and it endures.

91 The heavens and the earth implement your regulations

because all things are your servants.

92 If your instructions hadn’t been my delight

then I would have died as a result of my suffering.

93 I’ll never forget your principles,

because through them, you’ve preserved my life.

94 I’m yours—save me because I strive to follow your principles.

95 The wicked wait for me in order to kill me,

but I strive to understand what you’ve revealed.

96 I’ve seen a limit to all perfection,

but your commands are very wide-ranging.

מ (Mem)

97 I really love your instructions—

I spend all day meditating on them.

98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,

because I’m always aware of them.

99 I understand more than my teachers do

because I meditate on what you’ve revealed.

100 I understand more than the elders do

because I’ve followed your principles.

101 I’ve avoided all evil behaviour

so that I can obey what you’ve said.

102 I haven’t deviated from your regulations,

because you yourself have taught me.

103 Your promises are sweet to my taste,

yes, even sweeter than honey on my tongue.

104 I gain understanding through your principles

so I hate all the different ways that people deceive others.

נ (Nun)

105 Your message is a lamp so I can see where I’m stepping

and a light to illuminate my path.

106 I have promised and have confirmed

that I will honour your judgements that are fair and right.

107 I’m suffering badly.

Keep me alive, Yahweh, as you’ve said you would.

108 Yahweh, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise,

and teach me your regulations.

109 My life is in continual danger,

yet I don’t forget your instructions.

110 The wicked have set a trap for me,

but I haven’t strayed from your principles.

111 I what you’ve revealed as my heritage forever,

because it gives me great happiness.

112 I make your regulations my priority forever—to the end.

ס (Samek)

113 I hate people who say one thing and do another,

but I love your instructions.

114 You are my safe place and my protection—

I’ve set my hopes on what you’ve said.

115 Get away from me, all you who choose to do evil,

so that I can keep my God’s commands.

116 Sustain me like you promised you would, so that I may live

and don’t make me ashamed of my expectation.

117 Support me, and I’ll be saved,

and then I’ll continually be paying attention to your regulations.

118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes,

because their deceit is a form of lying.

119 You remove all the wicked from the earth like slag is scimmed off—

that’s why I love what you’ve revealed.

120 My body trembles in fear of you,

and I’m afraid of your judgements.

ע (Ayin)

121 I’ve done what’s fair and right.

Don’t abandon me to my oppressors.

122 Guarantee your servant’s well-being—

don’t let the proud oppress me.

123 My eyes are exhausted waiting for you to rescue me

and for your promise to free me of guilt.

124 Deal with your servant according to your loyal commitment,

and teach me your regulations.

125 I’m your servant—give me understanding

so that I can understand what you’ve revealed.

126 It’s time for Yahweh to take action—

they disobey your instructions.

127 That’s why I love your commands more than gold—

more than fine gold.

128 That’s why I consider all your principles to be right in everything.

I hate every path that leads to lies.

פ (Pe)

129 What you’ve revealed is wonderful,

therefore I obey it.

130 The unfolding of your messages gives light—

it gives insight to the untrained.

131 I open my mouth wide and pant

because I long for your commands.

132 Turn to me and be gracious to me as usual—

to those who love your name.

133 Guide me as you promised

and don’t let wickedness gain power over me.

134 Pay the ransom to free me from oppression by others

so that I may keep your principles.

135 Look favourably on your servant,

and teach me your regulations.

136 Tears stream down from my eyes

because others don’t follow your instructions.

צ (Tsade)

137 You always do what is right, Yahweh,

and your regulations are fair.

138 What you’ve revealed demands obedience

and much faithfulness.

139 My zeal has consumed me

because my enemies forget your messages.

140 What you said is totally pure

and your servant loves it.

141 I’m unimportant, and despised.

I don’t forget your principles.

142 You do right and it’s right forever,

and your instructions are true.

143 Distress and anguish have found me.

Your commands are my only delight.

144 What you’ve revealed is right forever.

Give me understanding that I may live.

ק (Qof)

145 I cried out with my whole being, “Answer me, Yahweh,

I will keep your regulations.

146 I call out to you—save me,

so that I can keep what you’ve revealed to us.

147 I rise before the dawn and cry out for help.

I put my hope in your words.

148 I stay awake through the night hours

in order to meditate on what you’ve said.

149 Apply your loyal commitment to listening to my voice.

Yahweh, preserve my life according to your justice.

150 Those pursuing wickedness are coming near.

They wander far from your instructions.

151 You are near, Yahweh,

and all your commands are reliable.

152 Long ago I learned from the things that you revealed

that you had established them forever.

ר (Resh)

153 Take note of on my suffering and rescue me

because I don’t forget your instructions.

154 Plead my cause and buy me back.

Give me life as as you promised.

155 The wicked have no chance of getting rescued,

because they have no interest in your regulations.

156 Your mercies are many, Yahweh.

Preserve me by means of your judgements.

157 My pursuers and my adversaries are many

but I haven’t turned from what you’ve revealed.

158 I see the treacherous and despise them

because they don’t take notice of what you’ve said.

159 See how I love your princicples.

Yahweh, preserve me according to your loyal commitment.

160 The essence of your message is truth,

and all your righteous judgements last forever.

ש (Sin/Shin)

161 Officials pursue me without cause,

but my heart trembles with what you’ve said.

162 I’m happy because of what you’ve promised,

like someone who discovers a large jackpot.

163 I hate deceit, in fact I loathe it—

^it’s your instructions that I love.

164 I praise you seven times a day

on account of your righteous judgements.

165 Those who love your instructions find extensive peace—

nothing causes them to stumble.

166 I put my hope in you, Yahweh, to rescue me,

and I do what you commanded.

167 I sincerely follow all the things that you’ve revealed,

and I love them a lot.

168 I keep your principles and everything you’ve revealed,

because you see everything I do.

ת (Tav)

169 Let my cry for help approach you, Yahweh.

Speak to me to give me understanding.

170 May my request reach your ears.

Rescue me as you promised you would.

171 May my lips pour out praise,

because you teach me your regulations.

172 Let my tongue sing about your promise,

because all your commands are right and fair.

173 Let your hand be ready to help me,

because I’ve chosen to follow your principles.

174 I long for when you’ll rescue me, Yahweh,

and I enjoy your instructions.

175 May I live and praise you,

and may your regulations help me.

176 I’ve wandered off like a lost sheep.

Come and find your servant because I haven’t forgotten your commands.