Psalm 119

The Law of the Lord (v1-8)
Happy are those whose lives are faultless, who live according to the law of the Lord.
Happy are those who follow his commands, who obey him with all their heart.
Surely they do no wrong; they walk in the Lord's ways.
You have given us your laws, and told us to obey them faithfully.
How I hope that I shall be faithful in keeping your rules!
If I pay attention to all your commandments, then I will not be disappointed.
As I learn your righteous rulings, I will praise you with a pure heart.
I will obey your laws' don't ever abandon me!

Obedience to the Law of the Lord (v9-16)
How can a young man keep his life pure? By obeying your commands.
With all my heart I try to serve you; keep me from disobeying your commandments!
I keep you law in my heart, so that I will not sin against you.
I praise you, Lord: teach me your rules!
I will repeat aloud all the laws you have given.
I delight in following your commands, more than in having great wealth.
I study your instructions; I examine your teachings.
I take pleasure in your laws, I will not forget your commands.

Happiness in the Law of the Lord (v17-24)
Be good to me, your servant, so that I may live and obey your teachings.
Open my eyes, so that I may see the wonderful truths in your law.
I am here on earth for just a little while; do not hide your commandments from me!
My heart aches with longing; at all times I want to know your judgements.
You reprimand the proud; cursed are those who depart from your commands.
Free me from their insults and scorn, because I have kept your laws.
Even though the rulers meet and plot against me, I, your servant, will study your rules.
Your instructions give me pleasure; they are my advisers.

Determination to Obey the Law of the Lord (v25-32)
I lie defeated in the dust; revive me, as you have promised!
I confessed all I have done, and you answered me; teach me your rules!
Teach me how to obey your laws, and I will study your wonderful teachings.
I am overcome by sorrow; strengthen me, as you have promised.
Keep me from going the wrong way, and in your goodness teach me your law.
I have decided to be obedient; I have paid attention to your rules.
I have followed your instructions, Lord; don't let me be disappointed!
I will eagerly obey your commands, because you will give me more understanding.

A Prayer for Understanding (v33-40)
Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your laws, and I will obey them at all times.
Explain your law to me, and I will obey it; I will keep it with all my heart.
Lead me in the way of your commandments, because in them I find happiness.
Make me want to obey your rules, rather than to get rich.
Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless; be good to me, as you have promised.
Keep your promise to me, your servant, which you make to those who fear you.
Save me from the insults which I fear; how wonderful your rules are!
I want to obey your commands; because you are righteous, be good to me!

Trusting the Law of the Lord (v41-48)
Show me how much you love me, Lord, and save me according to your promise.
Then I can answer those who insult me, because I trust in your word.
Enable me to speak the true message at all times, because my hope is in your judgements.
I will always obey your law, forever and ever!
I will live in complete freedom, because I have tried to obey your rules.
I will announce your commands to kings, and I will not be ashamed.
I find pleasure in obeying your commandments, because I love them.
I respect and love your commandments; I will meditate on your instructions.

Confidence in the Law of the Lord (v49-56)
Remember your promise to me, your servant; it has given me hope.
Even in my suffering I was comforted, because your promise gave me life.
The proud have been scornful of me, but I have not departed from your law.
I remember the instructions you gave me in the past, and they bring me comfort, Lord.
I am filled with anger, when I see the wicked breaking your law.
Living far from my real home, I compose songs about your commands.
In the night I think of you, Lord, and I obey your law.
This is my happiness: I obey your commands.

Devotion to the Law of the Lord (v57-64)
You are all I want, Lord; I promise to obey your laws.
I ask you with all my heart: have mercy on me, as you have promised!
I have considered my conduct, and promise to follow your rules.
Without delay, I hurry to obey your commandments.
The wicked draw their ropes tight round me, but I do not forget your law.
In the middle of the night I wake up to praise you for your righteous judgements.
I am a friend of all who serve you, of all who obey your laws.
Lord, the earth is full of your constant love; teach me your commandments!

The Value of the Law of the Lord (v65-72)
You have kept your promise, Lord, and you are good to me, your servant.
Give me wisdom and knowledge, because I trust in your commands.
Before you punished me I used to go wrong, but now I obey your word.
How good you are, how kind; teach me your commands!
Proud men have told lies about me, but with all my heart I obey your rules.
These men have no understanding, but I find pleasure in your law.
My punishment was good for me, because it made me learn your commands.
The law that you give means more to me than all the money in the world.

The Justice of the Law of the Lord (v73-80)
You created me, and you keep me safe; give me understanding, so that I may learn your laws.
Those who fear you will be glad when they see me, because I trust in your promise.
I know that your rules are righteous, Lord, and that you punished me because you are faithful.
Let your constant love comfort me, as you have promised me, your servant.
Have mercy on me, and I will live, because I take pleasure in your law.
May the proud be ashamed for falsely accusing me; as for me, I will meditate on your rules.
May those who fear you come to me, and those who know your commands.
May I perfectly obey your commandments, and be spared the shame of defeat.

Prayer for Deliverance (v81-88)
I am worn out, Lord, waiting for you to save me; I place my trust in your word.
My eyes are tired from watching for what you promised, while I ask, "When will you help me?"
I am as useless as a discarded wineskin; yet I have not forgot your commands.
How much longer do I have to wait? When will you punish those who persecute me?
Proud men, who do not obey your law, have dug pits to catch me.
Your commandments are all trustworthy; men persecute me with lies; help me!
They have almost succeeded in killing me, but I have not neglected your rules.
Because of your constant love, be good to me, so that I may obey your laws.

Faith in the Law of the Lord (v97-104)
Your word, Lord, will last forever; it is firm in heaven.
Your faithfulness endures through all the ages; you have set the earth in place and it remains.
All things remain to this day because of your command, because the are all your servants.
If your law had not been the source of my joy, I would have died from my punishment>
I will never neglect your rules, because by them you have kept me alive.
I am yours — save me! I have tried to obey your commands.
Wicked men are waiting to kill me, but I will meditate on your laws.
I have learned that nothing is perfect; but your commandment has not limits.

Light from the Law of the Lord (v105-112)
Your word is a lamp to guide me, and a light for my path.
I will keep my solemn promise to obey your righteous instructions.
My sufferings, Lord, are terrible indeed; keep me alive, as you have promised!
Accept my prayer of thanks, Lord, and teach me your commands.
I am always ready to risk my life; I have not forgot your law.
Wicked men lay a trap for me, but I have not disobeyed your commands.
Your commandments are my eternal possession; they are the joy of my heart.
I have decided to obey your rules, until the day I die.

Safety in the Law of the Lord (v113-120)
I hate those who are not loyal to you, but I love your law.
You are my defender and protector; I hope in your promise.
Go away from me, you sinful people! I will obey the commandments of my God.
Give me strength, as you promised, and I shall live; don't let me be disappointed in my hope!
Hold me, and I will be safe, and I will always pay attention to your commands.
You reject all who disobey your laws; their deceitful schemes are useless.
You treat all the wicked like rubbish, and so I love your instructions.
Because of you, I am afraid; I am filled with fear because of your judgements.

Obedience to the Law of the Lord (v121-128)
I have done what is right and good; don't abandon me to my enemies!
Promise that you will help your servant; don't let proud men trouble me!
My eyes are tired from watching for your salvation, for the deliverance you promised.
Treat me according to your constant love, and teach me your commands.
I am your servant, so give me understanding that I may know your teachings.
Lord, it is time for you to act, because people are disobeying your law!
I love your commands more than gold, more than the finest gold.
And so I follow all your instructions; I hate all wrong ways.

Desire to Obey the Law of the Lord (v129-136)
Your teachings are wonderful; I obey them with all my heart.
The explanation of your teachings gives light, and brings wisdom to the inexperienced.
With open mouth I pant, in my desire for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me as you do on those who love you.
Keep me from falling, as you have promised; don't let me be overcome by evil.
Save me from those who oppress me, so that I may obey your commands.
Bless me with your presence, and teach me your laws.
My tears pour down like a river, because people do not obey your law.

The Justice of the Law of the Lord (v137-144)
You are righteous, Lord, and your laws are right.
The rules that you have given are completely fair and right.
My anger burns in me like a fire, because my enemies disregard your commands.
How certain your promise is! How much your servant loves it!
I am unimportant and despised, but I do not neglect your rules.
Your righteousness will last forever, and your law is always true.
I am filled with trouble and distress, but your commandments bring me joy.
Your instructions are righteous forever; give me understanding, and I shall live.

Prayer for Deliverance (v145-152)
With all my heart I call to you; answer me, Lord, and I will obey your commands!
I call to you; save me, and I will follow your rules!
Before sunrise I call to you for help: I place my hope in your promise.
All night long I lie awake, to meditate on your instructions.
Hear me, Lord, according to your constant love; preserve my life, according to your goodness!
My cruel persecutors are coming closer, people who never keep your law.
But you are near to me, Lord, and all your promises are true.
Long ago I learned about your instructions; you made them to last forever.

Plea for Salvation (v153-160)
Look at my suffering, and save me, because I have not neglected your law.
Defend my cause, and set me free; save me, as you have promised!
The wicked will not be saved, because they do not obey your laws;
but your compassion, Lord is great, so save me, according to your decision.
I have many enemies and oppressors, but I do not fail to obey your laws.
When I look at those traitors, I am filled with disgust, because they do not obey your command.
See how I love your instructions, Lord! Save me, according to your constant love.
The heart of your law is truth, and all your righteous rules are eternal.

Dedication to the Law of the Lord (v161-168)
Powerful men attack me unjustly, but it is your law that I respect.
How happy I am because of your promises, as happy as someone who finds rich treasure.
I hate and detest all lies, but I love your law.
Seven times each day I thank you for your righteous judgements.
Those who love your law have complete security, and there is nothing that can make them fall.
I wait for you to save me, Lord, and I do what you command.
I obey your rules; I love them with all my heart.
I obey your commands and your instructions; you see everything I do.

A Prayer for Help (V169-176)
Let my cry for help reach you, Lord! Give me understanding, as you have promised.
Let my prayer come before you, and save me, according to your promise!
I will always praise you, because you teach me your rules.
I will sing about your law, because your commands are just.
Be always ready to help me, because I follow your commands.
How I long for your salvation, Lord!
I find happiness in your law.
Give me life, so that I may praise you; may your instructions help me!
I wander about like a lost sheep; so come and look for me, your servant, because I have not neglected your laws.

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