The Psalter  

Psalm 119  

1 Aleph

Refrain: Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.

1Blessed are those whose way is pure, •
who walk in the law of the Lord.

2Blessed are those who keep his testimonies •
and seek him with their whole heart,

3Those who do no wickedness, •
but walk in his ways.

4You, O Lord, have charged •
that we should diligently keep your commandments. R

5O that my ways were made so direct •
that I might keep your statutes.

6Then should I not be put to shame, •
because I have regard for all your commandments.

7I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, •
when I have learned your righteous judgements.

8I will keep your statutes; •
O forsake me not utterly. R

2 Beth

9How shall young people cleanse their way •
to keep themselves according to your word?

10With my whole heart have I sought you; •
O let me not go astray from your commandments.

11Your words have I hidden within my heart, •
that I should not sin against you.

12Blessed are you, O Lord; •
O teach me your statutes. R

13With my lips have I been telling •
of all the judgements of your mouth.

14I have taken greater delight in the way of your testimonies •
than in all manner of riches.

15I will meditate on your commandments •
and contemplate your ways.

16My delight shall be in your statutes •
and I will not forget your word. R

3 Gimel

17O do good to your servant that I may live, •
and so shall I keep your word.

18Open my eyes, that I may see •
the wonders of your law.

19I am a stranger upon earth; •
hide not your commandments from me.

20My soul is consumed at all times •
with fervent longing for your judgements. R

21You have rebuked the arrogant; •
cursed are those who stray from your commandments.

22Turn from me shame and rebuke, •
for I have kept your testimonies.

23Rulers also sit and speak against me, •
but your servant meditates on your statutes.

24For your testimonies are my delight; •
they are my faithful counsellors. R

4 Daleth

25My soul cleaves to the dust; •
O give me life according to your word.

26I have acknowledged my ways and you have answered me; •
O teach me your statutes.

27Make me understand the way of your commandments, •
and so shall I meditate on your wondrous works.

28My soul melts away in tears of sorrow; •
raise me up according to your word. R

29Take from me the way of falsehood; •
be gracious to me through your law.

30I have chosen the way of truth •
and your judgements have I laid before me.

31I hold fast to your testimonies; •
O Lord, let me not be put to shame.

32I will run the way of your commandments, •
when you have set my heart at liberty.

Refrain: Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes.

Faithful God,
let your word be the treasure of our hearts,
that we may delight in your truth
and walk in the glorious liberty of your
Son Jesus Christ.

5 He

Refrain: My delight shall be in your commandments.

33Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes •
and I shall keep it to the end.

34Give me understanding and I shall keep your law; •
I shall keep it with my whole heart.

35Lead me in the path of your commandments, •
for therein is my delight.

36Incline my heart to your testimonies •
and not to unjust gain. R

37Turn away my eyes lest they gaze on vanities; •
O give me life in your ways.

38Confirm to your servant your promise, •
which stands for all who fear you.

39Turn away the reproach which I dread, •
because your judgements are good.

40Behold, I long for your commandments; •
in your righteousness give me life. R

6 Waw

41Let your faithful love come unto me, O Lord, •
even your salvation, according to your promise.

42Then shall I answer those who taunt me, •
for my trust is in your word.

43O take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, •
for my hope is in your judgements.

44So shall I always keep your law; •
I shall keep it for ever and ever. R

45I will walk at liberty, •
because I study your commandments.

46I will tell of your testimonies, even before kings, •
and will not be ashamed.

47My delight shall be in your commandments, •
which I have greatly loved.

48My hands will I lift up to your commandments,
which I love, •
and I will meditate on your statutes. R

7 Zayin

49Remember your word to your servant, •
on which you have built my hope.

50This is my comfort in my trouble, •
that your promise gives me life.

51The proud have derided me cruelly, •
but I have not turned aside from your law.

52I have remembered your everlasting judgements, O Lord, •
and have been comforted. R

53I am seized with indignation at the wicked, •
for they have forsaken your law.

54Your statutes have been like songs to me •
in the house of my pilgrimage.

55I have thought on your name in the night, O Lord, •
and so have I kept your law.

56These blessings have been mine, •
for I have kept your commandments.

Refrain: My delight shall be in your commandments.

God of loving mercy,
in this place of our pilgrimage
turn your laws into songs,
that we may find your promises
fulfilled in Jesus Christ our Lord.

8 Heth

Refrain: I know, O Lord, that your judgements are right.

57You only are my portion, O Lord; •
I have promised to keep your words.

58I entreat you with all my heart, •
be merciful to me according to your promise.

59I have considered my ways •
and turned my feet back to your testimonies.

60I made haste and did not delay •
to keep your commandments. R

61Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, •
I do not forget your law.

62At midnight I will rise to give you thanks, •
because of your righteous judgements.

63I am a companion of all those who fear you, •
those who keep your commandments.

64The earth, O Lord, is full of your faithful love; •
instruct me in your statutes. R

9 Teth

65You have dealt graciously with your servant, •
according to your word, O Lord.

66O teach me true understanding and knowledge, •
for I have trusted in your commandments.

67Before I was afflicted I went astray, •
but now I keep your word.

68You are gracious and do good; •
O Lord, teach me your statutes. R

69The proud have smeared me with lies, •
but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.

70Their heart has become gross with fat, •
but my delight is in your law.

71It is good for me that I have been afflicted, •
that I may learn your statutes.

72The law of your mouth is dearer to me •
than a hoard of gold and silver. R

10 Yodh

73Your hands have made me and fashioned me; •
give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.

74Those who fear you will be glad when they see me, •
because I have hoped in your word.

75I know, O Lord, that your judgements are right, •
and that in very faithfulness you caused me to be troubled.

76Let your faithful love be my comfort, •
according to your promise to your servant. R

77Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live, •
for your law is my delight.

78Let the proud be put to shame, for they wrong me with lies; •
but I will meditate on your commandments.

79Let those who fear you turn to me, •
even those who know your testimonies.

80Let my heart be sound in your statutes, •
that I may not be put to shame.

Refrain: I know, O Lord, that your judgements are right.

God our comforter,
send your Holy Spirit
to reveal your hidden mercy
even in our failures and troubles;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

11 Kaph

Refrain: Give me life, O Lord, according to your word.

81My soul is pining for your salvation; •
I have hoped in your word.

82My eyes fail with watching for your word, •
while I say, 'O when will you comfort me?'

83I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, •
yet I do not forget your statutes.

84How many are the days of your servant?
When will you bring judgement on those who persecute me? R

85The proud have dug pits for me •
in defiance of your law.

86All your commandments are true; •
help me, for they persecute me with falsehood.

87They had almost made an end of me on earth, •
but I have not forsaken your commandments.

88Give me life according to your loving-kindness; •
so shall I keep the testimonies of your mouth. R

12 Lamedh

89O Lord, your word is everlasting; •
it ever stands firm in the heavens.

90Your faithfulness also remains from one generation to another; •
you have established the earth and it abides.

91So also your judgements stand firm this day, •
for all things are your servants.

92If your law had not been my delight, •
I should have perished in my trouble. R

93I will never forget your commandments, •
for by them you have given me life.

94I am yours, O save me! •
For I have sought your commandments.

95The wicked have waited for me to destroy me, •
but I will meditate on your testimonies.

96I have seen an end of all perfection, •
but your commandment knows no bounds.   R

13 Mem

97Lord, how I love your law! •
All the day long it is my study.

98Your commandments have made me wiser than my enemies, •
for they are ever with me.

99I have more understanding than all my teachers, •
for your testimonies are my meditation.

100I am wiser than the aged, •
because I keep your commandments. R

101I restrain my feet from every evil way, •
that I may keep your word.

102I have not turned aside from your judgements, •
for you have been my teacher.

103How sweet are your words on my tongue! •
They are sweeter than honey to my mouth.

104Through your commandments I get understanding; •
therefore I hate all lying ways.

Refrain: Give me life, O Lord, according to your word.

Lord Christ,
as we sit at your feet,
teach us your living way;
for you are our Word and Wisdom,
one God with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever.

14 Nun

Refrain: O deal with your servant according to your faithful love.

105Your word is a lantern to my feet •
and a light upon my path.

106I have sworn and will fulfil it, •
to keep your righteous judgements.

107I am troubled above measure; •
give me life, O Lord, according to your word.

108Accept the freewill offering of my mouth, O Lord, •
and teach me your judgements. R

109My soul is ever in my hand, •
yet I do not forget your law.

110The wicked have laid a snare for me, •
but I have not strayed from your commandments.

111Your testimonies have I claimed as my heritage for ever; •
for they are the very joy of my heart.

112I have applied my heart to fulfil your statutes: •
always, even to the end. R

15 Samekh

113I hate those who are double-minded, •
but your law do I love.

114You are my hiding place and my shield •
and my hope is in your word.

115Away from me, you wicked! •
I will keep the commandments of my God.

116Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, •
and let me not be disappointed in my hope. R

117Hold me up and I shall be saved, •
and my delight shall be ever in your statutes.

118You set at nought those who depart from your statutes, •
for their deceiving is in vain.

119You consider all the wicked as dross; •
therefore I love your testimonies.

120My flesh trembles for fear of you •
and I am afraid of your judgements. R

16 Ayin

121I have done what is just and right; •
O give me not over to my oppressors.

122Stand surety for your servant's good; •
let not the proud oppress me.

123My eyes fail with watching for your salvation •
and for your righteous promise.

124O deal with your servant according to your faithful love •
and teach me your statutes. R

125I am your servant; O grant me understanding, •
that I may know your testimonies.

126It is time for you to act, O Lord, •
for they frustrate your law.

127Therefore I love your commandments •
above gold, even much fine gold.

128Therefore I direct my steps by all your precepts, •
and all false ways I utterly abhor.

Refrain: O deal with your servant according to your faithful love.

O God, save us from ourselves,
from double standards
and divided hearts,
and give us light and life
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

17 Pe

Refrain: The opening of your word gives light.

129Your testimonies are wonderful; •
therefore my soul keeps them.

130The opening of your word gives light; •
it gives understanding to the simple.

131I open my mouth and draw in my breath, •
as I long for your commandments.

132Turn to me and be gracious to me, •
as is your way with those who love your name. R

133Order my steps by your word, •
and let no wickedness have dominion over me.

134Redeem me from earthly oppressors •
so that I may keep your commandments.

135Show the light of your countenance upon your servant •
and teach me your statutes.

136My eyes run down with streams of water, •
because the wicked do not keep your law.

18 Tsadhe

137Righteous are you, O Lord, •
and true are your judgements.

138You have ordered your decrees in righteousness •
and in great faithfulness.

139My indignation destroys me, •
because my adversaries forget your word.

140Your word has been tried to the uttermost •
and so your servant loves it. R

141I am small and of no reputation, •
yet do I not forget your commandments.

142Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness •
and your law is the truth.

143Trouble and heaviness have taken hold upon me, •
yet my delight is in your commandments.

144The righteousness of your testimonies is everlasting; •
O grant me understanding and I shall live. R

19 Qoph

145I call with my whole heart; •
answer me, O Lord, that I may keep your statutes.

146To you I call, O save me! •
And I shall keep your testimonies.

147Early in the morning I cry to you, •
for in your word is my trust.

148My eyes are open before the night watches, •
that I may meditate on your word. R

149Hear my voice, O Lord, according to your faithful love; •
according to your judgement, give me life.

150They draw near that in malice persecute me, •
who are far from your law.

151You, O Lord, are near at hand, •
and all your commandments are true.

152Long have I known of your testimonies, •
that you have founded them for ever.

Refrain: The opening of your word gives light.

Lord, you are just
and your commandments are eternal;
teach us to love you with all our heart
and our neighbour as ourselves,
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.

20 Resh

Refrain: I have longed for your salvation, O Lord.

153O consider my affliction and deliver me, •
for I do not forget your law.

154Plead my cause and redeem me; •
according to your promise, give me life.

155Salvation is far from the wicked, •
for they do not seek your statutes.

156Great is your compassion, O Lord; •
give me life, according to your judgements. R

157Many there are that persecute and oppress me, •
yet do I not swerve from your testimonies.

158It grieves me when I see the treacherous, •
for they do not keep your word.

159Consider, O Lord, how I love your commandments; •
give me life according to your loving-kindness.

160The sum of your word is truth, •
and all your righteous judgements endure for evermore. R

21 Shin

161Princes have persecuted me without a cause, •
but my heart stands in awe of your word.

162I am as glad of your word •
as one who finds great spoils.

163As for lies, I hate and abhor them, •
but your law do I love.

164Seven times a day do I praise you, •
because of your righteous judgements. R

165Great peace have they who love your law; •
nothing shall make them stumble.

166Lord, I have looked for your salvation •
and I have fulfilled your commandments.

167My soul has kept your testimonies •
and greatly have I loved them.

168I have kept your commandments and testimonies, •
for all my ways are before you.

22 Taw

169Let my cry come before you, O Lord; •
give me understanding, according to your word.

170Let my supplication come before you; •
deliver me, according to your promise.

171My lips shall pour forth your praise, •
when you have taught me your statutes.

172My tongue shall sing of your word, •
for all your commandments are righteous. R

173Let your hand reach out to help me, •
for I have chosen your commandments.

174I have longed for your salvation, O Lord, •
and your law is my delight.

175Let my soul live and it shall praise you, •
and let your judgements be my help.

176I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; •
O seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

Refrain: I have longed for your salvation, O Lord.

God of mercy, swift to help us,
as our lips pour forth your praise,
fill our hearts with the peace you give
to those who wait for your salvation
in Jesus Christ our Lord.