Psalms 119

Psalm 119 ESV

This psalm containeth various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.

א Aleph

1 a Blessed are those whose 1way is blameless, who 2walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who 1keep his 2testimonies, who 3seek him with their whole heart,
3 who also 1do no wrong, but walk in his ways!
4 You have commanded your 1precepts to be kept diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may 1be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
6 1Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn 1your righteous rules.a
8 I will keep your statutes; 1do not utterly forsake me!

ב Beth

9 How can 1a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
10 1With my whole heart I seek you; let me not 2wander from your commandments!
11 I have 1stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord; 1teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I 1declare all the rulesa of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I 1delight as much as in all 2riches.
15 I will 1meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your 2ways.
16 I will 1delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

ג Gimel

17 1Deal bountifully with your servant, 2that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am 1a sojourner on the earth; 2hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with 1longing for your rulesa at all times.
21 You rebuke 1the insolent, 2accursed ones, who 3wander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me 1scorn and contempt, 2for I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though 1princes sit plotting against me, your servant will 2meditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my 1delight; they are my 2counselors.

ד Daleth

25 1My soul clings to the dust; 2give me life 3according to your word!
26 When 1I told of my ways, you answered me; 2teach me your statutes!
27 1Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will 2meditate on your wondrous works.
28 1My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me and graciously 1teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I 1set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord; 1let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments when you 1enlarge my heart!a

ה He

33 1Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it 2to the end.a
34 1Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.
35 1Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I 2delight in it.
36 1Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to 2selfish gain!
37 1Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and 2give me life in your ways.
38 1Confirm to your servant your promise, 2that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the 1reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I 1long for your precepts; 2in your righteousness give me life!

ו Vav

41 Let your 1steadfast love come to me, O Lord, your salvation 2according to your promise;
42 then 1shall I have an answer for him 2who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my 1hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually, forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk 1in a wide place, for I have 2sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies 1before kings and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I 1find my delight in your commandments, which I love.
48 I will 1lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will 2meditate on your statutes.

ז Zayin

49 Remember 1your word to your servant, in which you have made me 2hope.
50 This is 1my comfort in my affliction, that your promise 2gives me life.
51 1The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not 2turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O Lord.
53 1Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my 1sojourning.
55 I 1remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me, that 1I have kept your precepts.

ח Cheth

57 1The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words.
58 I 1entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me 2according to your promise.
59 When I 1think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.
61 Though 1the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not 2forget your law.
62 At 1midnight I rise to praise you, because of your 2righteous rules.
63 1I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.
64 1The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; 2teach me your statutes!

ט Teth

65 You have dealt well with your servant, O Lord, 1according to your word.
66 Teach me 1good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
67 1Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.
68 1You are good and do good; 2teach me your statutes.
69 1The insolent 2smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I 3keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling 1like fat, but I 2delight in your law.
71 It is 1good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.
72 1The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

י Yod

73 1Your hands have made and fashioned me; 2give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and 1rejoice, because I have 2hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are 1righteous, and that in 2faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your 1mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my 2delight.
78 Let 1the insolent be put to 2shame, because they have 3wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will 4meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you 1turn to me, that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be 1blameless in your statutes, 2that I may not be put to shame!

כ Kaph

81 My soul 1longs for your salvation; I 2hope in your word.
82 My 1eyes long for your promise; I ask, 2“When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have 1become like a 2wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 1How long must your servant endure?a 2When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 1The insolent have 2dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are 1sure; they persecute me 2with falsehood; 3help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love 1give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

ל Lamed

89 Forever, O Lord, your 1word is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your 1faithfulness endures to all generations; you have 2established the earth, and it 3stands fast.
91 By your 1appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my 1delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have 1given me life.
94 I am yours; save me, 1for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly 1broad.

מ Mem

97 Oh how 1I love your law! It is my 2meditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me 1wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for 1your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than 1the aged,a for I 2keep your precepts.
101 I 1hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.
103 How 1sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore 1I hate every false way.

נ Nun

105 1Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have 1sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your 2righteous rules.
107 I am severely 1afflicted; 2give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept 1my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and 2teach me your rules.
109 I hold my life 1in my hand continually, but I do not 2forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid 1a snare for me, but 2I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are 1my heritage forever, for they are 2the joy of my heart.
112 I 1incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, 2to the end.a

ס Samekh

113 I hate 1the double-minded, but I love 2your law.
114 You are my 1hiding place and my 2shield; I 3hope in your word.
115 1Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may 2keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me 1according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be 2put to shame in my 3hope!
117 1Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You 1spurn all who 2go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like 1dross, therefore 2I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh 1trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.

ע Ayin

121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant 1a pledge of good; let not 2the insolent oppress me.
123 My 1eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and 1teach me your statutes.
125 I am your 1servant; 2give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I 1love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every 1false way.

פ Pe

129 Your testimonies are 1wonderful; therefore my soul 2keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts 1understanding to the simple.
131 I 1open my mouth and 2pant, because I 3long for your commandments.
132 1Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.
133 1Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity 2get dominion over me.
134 1Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts.
135 1Make your face shine upon your servant, and 2teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes 1shed streams of tears, because people 2do not keep your law.

צ Tsade

137 1Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies in 1righteousness and in all 2faithfulness.
139 My 1zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well 1tried, and your servant 2loves it.
141 I am small and despised, yet I do not 1forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is 1true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my 1delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever; 1give me understanding that I may 2live.

ק Qoph

145 With my 1whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord! I will 2keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before 1dawn and cry for help; I 2hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before 1the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O Lord, 1according to your justice 2give me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law.
151 But 1you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are 2true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies that you have 1founded them forever.

ר Resh

153 Look on my 1affliction and deliver me, for 2I do not forget your law.
154 1Plead my cause and redeem me; 2give me life according to your promise!
155 1Salvation is far from the wicked, 2for they do not seek your statutes.
156 1Great is your mercy, O Lord; 2give me life according to your rules.
157 1Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, but I do not 2swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at 1the faithless with 2disgust, because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I 1love your precepts! 2Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 1The sum of your word is 2truth, and every one of your 3righteous rules endures forever.

ש Shin

161 1Princes persecute me 2without cause, but my heart 3stands in awe of your words.
162 I 1rejoice at your word like one who 2finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love 1your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your 1righteous rules.
165 Great 1peace have those who love your law; 2nothing can make them stumble.
166 I 1hope for your salvation, O Lord, and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies; I 1love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies, 1for all my ways are before you.

ת Tav

169 Let my 1cry come before you, O Lord; 2give me understanding 3according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you; 1deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will 1pour forth praise, for you 2teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word, for 1all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have 1chosen your precepts.
174 I 1long for your salvation, O Lord, and your law is my 2delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.
176 I have 1gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not 2forget your commandments.
Psalms 119

The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license.

The ESV may not be translated into any other language. Users may not copy or download more than 500 verses of the ESV Bible or more than one- half of any book of the ESV Bible.

English Standard Version, ESV, and the ESV logo are registered trademarks of Good News Publishers. Used by permission.

ESV Full Copyright Notice and Permissions Information
Permission Notice