118 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
and his loyal love endures! 1
2 Let Israel say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures!”
3 Let the family 2 of Aaron say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures!”
4 Let the loyal followers of the Lord 3 say,
“Yes, his loyal love endures!”
5 In my distress 4 I cried out to the Lord.
The Lord answered me and put me in a wide open place. 5
6 The Lord is on my side, 6 I am not afraid!
What can people do to me? 7
7 The Lord is on my side 8 as my helper. 9
I look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take shelter 10 in the Lord
than to trust in people.
9 It is better to take shelter in the Lord
than to trust in princes.
10 All the nations surrounded me. 11
Indeed, in the name of the Lord 12 I pushed them away. 13
11 They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me.
Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.
12 They surrounded me like bees.
But they disappeared as quickly 14 as a fire among thorns. 15
Indeed, in the name of the Lord I pushed them away.
13 “You aggressively attacked me 16 and tried to knock me down, 17
but the Lord helped me.
14 The Lord gives me strength and protects me; 18
he has become my deliverer.” 19
15 They celebrate deliverance in the tents of the godly. 20
The Lord’s right hand conquers, 21
16 the Lord’s right hand gives victory, 22
the Lord’s right hand conquers.
17 I will not die, but live,
and I will proclaim what the Lord has done. 23
18 The Lord severely 24 punished me,
but he did not hand me over to death.
19 Open for me the gates of the just king’s temple! 25
I will enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.
20 This is the Lord’s gate –
the godly enter through it.
21 I will give you thanks, for you answered me,
and have become my deliverer.
22 The stone which the builders discarded 26
has become the cornerstone. 27
23 This is the Lord’s work.
We consider it amazing! 28
24 This is the day the Lord has brought about. 29
We will be happy and rejoice in it.
25 Please Lord, deliver!
Please Lord, grant us success! 30
26 May the one who comes in the name of the Lord 31 be blessed!
We will pronounce blessings on you 32 in the Lord’s temple. 33
27 The Lord is God and he has delivered us. 34
Tie the offering 35 with ropes
to the horns of the altar! 36
28 You are my 37 God and I will give you thanks!
You are my God and I will praise you!
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good
and his loyal love endures! 38
119 א (Alef)
How blessed are those whose actions are blameless, 1
who obey 2 the law of the Lord.
2 How blessed are those who observe his rules,
and seek him with all their heart,
3 who, moreover, do no wrong,
but follow in his footsteps. 3
4 You demand that your precepts
be carefully kept. 4
5 If only I were predisposed 5
to keep your statutes!
6 Then I would not be ashamed,
if 6 I were focused on 7 all your commands.
7 I will give you sincere thanks, 8
when I learn your just regulations.
8 I will keep your statutes.
Do not completely abandon me! 9
9 ב (Bet)
How can a young person 10 maintain a pure life? 11
By guarding it according to your instructions! 12
10 With all my heart I seek you.
Do not allow me to stray from your commands!
11 In my heart I store up 13 your words, 14
so I might not sin against you.
12 You deserve praise, 15 O Lord!
Teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I proclaim
all the regulations you have revealed. 16
14 I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules 17
as if 18 they were riches of all kinds. 19
15 I will meditate on 20 your precepts
and focus 21 on your behavior. 22
16 I find delight 23 in your statutes;
I do not forget your instructions. 24
17 ג (Gimel)
Be kind to your servant!
Then I will live 25 and keep 26 your instructions. 27
18 Open 28 my eyes so I can truly see 29
the marvelous things in your law!
19 I am like a foreigner in this land. 30
Do not hide your commands from me!
20 I desperately long to know 31
your regulations at all times.
21 You reprimand arrogant people.
Those who stray from your commands are doomed. 32
22 Spare me 33 shame and humiliation,
for I observe your rules.
23 Though rulers plot and slander me, 34
your servant meditates on your statutes.
24 Yes, I find delight in your rules;
they give me guidance. 35
25 ד (Dalet)
I collapse in the dirt. 36
Revive me with your word! 37
26 I told you about my ways 38 and you answered me.
Teach me your statutes!
27 Help me to understand what your precepts mean! 39
Then I can meditate 40 on your marvelous teachings. 41
28 I collapse 42 from grief.
Sustain me by your word! 43
29 Remove me from the path of deceit! 44
Graciously give me 45 your law!
30 I choose the path of faithfulness;
I am committed to 46 your regulations.
31 I hold fast 47 to your rules.
O Lord, do not let me be ashamed!
32 I run along the path of your commands,
for you enable me to do so. 48
33 ה (He)
Teach me, O Lord, the lifestyle prescribed by your statutes, 49
so that I might observe it continually. 50
34 Give me understanding so that I might observe your law,
and keep it with all my heart. 51
35 Guide me 52 in the path of your commands,
for I delight to walk in it. 53
36 Give me a desire for your rules, 54
rather than for wealth gained unjustly. 55
37 Turn my eyes away from what is worthless! 56
Revive me with your word! 57
38 Confirm to your servant your promise, 58
which you made to the one who honors you. 59
39 Take away the insults that I dread! 60
Indeed, 61 your regulations are good.
40 Look, I long for your precepts.
Revive me with your deliverance! 62
41 ו (Vav)
May I experience your loyal love, 63 O Lord,
and your deliverance, 64 as you promised. 65
42 Then I will have a reply for the one who insults me, 66
for I trust in your word.
43 Do not completely deprive me of a truthful testimony, 67
for I await your justice.
44 Then I will keep 68 your law continually
now and for all time. 69
45 I will be secure, 70
for I seek your precepts.
46 I will speak 71 about your regulations before kings
and not be ashamed.
47 I will find delight in your commands,
which I love.
48 I will lift my hands to 72 your commands,
which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
49 ז (Zayin)
Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 This 73 is what comforts me in my trouble,
for your promise revives me. 74
51 Arrogant people do nothing but scoff at me. 75
Yet I do not turn aside from your law.
52 I remember your ancient regulations, 76
O Lord, and console myself. 77
53 Rage takes hold of me because of the wicked,
those who reject your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs 78
in the house where I live. 79
55 I remember your name during the night, O Lord,
and I will keep 80 your law.
56 This 81 has been my practice,
for I observe your precepts.
57 ח (Khet)
The Lord is my source of security. 82
I have determined 83 to follow your instructions. 84
58 I seek your favor 85 with all my heart.
Have mercy on me as you promised! 86
59 I consider my actions 87
and follow 88 your rules.
60 I keep your commands
eagerly and without delay. 89
61 The ropes of the wicked tighten around 90 me,
but I do not forget your law.
62 In the middle of the night I arise 91 to thank you
for your just regulations.
63 I am a friend to all your loyal followers, 92
and to those who keep your precepts.
64 O Lord, your loyal love fills the earth.
Teach me your statutes!
65 ט (Tet)
You are good 93 to your servant,
O Lord, just as you promised. 94
66 Teach me proper discernment 95 and understanding!
For I consider your commands to be reliable. 96
67 Before I was afflicted I used to stray off, 97
but now I keep your instructions. 98
68 You are good and you do good.
Teach me your statutes!
69 Arrogant people smear my reputation with lies, 99
but I observe your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are calloused, 100
but I find delight in your law.
71 It was good for me to suffer,
so that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law you have revealed is more important to me
than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. 101
73 י (Yod)
Your hands made me and formed me. 102
Give me understanding so that I might learn 103 your commands.
74 Your loyal followers will be glad when they see me, 104
for I find hope in your word.
75 I know, Lord, that your regulations 105 are just.
You disciplined me because of your faithful devotion to me. 106
76 May your loyal love console me,
as you promised your servant. 107
77 May I experience your compassion, 108 so I might live!
For I find delight in your law.
78 May the arrogant be humiliated, for they have slandered me! 109
But I meditate on your precepts.
79 May your loyal followers 110 turn to me,
those who know your rules.
80 May I be fully committed to your statutes, 111
so that I might not be ashamed.
81 כ (Kaf)
I desperately long for 112 your deliverance.
I find hope in your word.
82 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your promise to be fulfilled. 113
I say, 114 “When will you comfort me?”
83 For 115 I am like a wineskin 116 dried up in smoke. 117
I do not forget your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure this? 118
When will you judge those who pursue me?
85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me, 119
which violates your law. 120
86 All your commands are reliable.
I am pursued without reason. 121 Help me!
87 They have almost destroyed me here on the earth,
but I do not reject your precepts.
88 Revive me with 122 your loyal love,
that I might keep 123 the rules you have revealed. 124
89 ל (Lamed)
O Lord, your instructions endure;
they stand secure in heaven. 125
90 You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations. 126
You established the earth and it stood firm.
91 Today they stand firm by your decrees,
for all things are your servants.
92 If I had not found encouragement in your law, 127
I would have died in my sorrow. 128
93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have revived me.
94 I belong to you. Deliver me!
For I seek your precepts.
95 The wicked prepare to kill me, 129
yet I concentrate on your rules.
96 I realize that everything has its limits,
but your commands are beyond full comprehension. 130
97 מ (Mem)
O how I love your law!
All day long I meditate on it.
98 Your commandments 131 make me wiser than my enemies,
for I am always aware of them.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your rules.
100 I am more discerning than those older than I,
for I observe your precepts.
101 I stay away 132 from the evil path,
so that I might keep your instructions. 133
102 I do not turn aside from your regulations,
for you teach me.
103 Your words are sweeter
in my mouth than honey! 134
104 Your precepts give me discernment.
Therefore I hate all deceitful actions. 135
105 נ (Nun)
Your word 136 is a lamp to walk by,
and a light to illumine my path. 137
106 I have vowed and solemnly sworn
to keep your just regulations.
107 I am suffering terribly.
O Lord, revive me with your word! 138
108 O Lord, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise! 139
Teach me your regulations!
109 My life is in continual danger, 140
but I do not forget your law.
110 The wicked lay a trap for me,
but I do not wander from your precepts.
111 I claim your rules as my permanent possession,
for they give me joy. 141
112 I am determined to obey 142 your statutes
at all times, to the very end.
113 ס (Samek)
I hate people with divided loyalties, 143
but I love your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield.
I find hope in your word.
115 Turn away from me, you evil men,
so that I can observe 144 the commands of my God. 145
116 Sustain me as you promised, 146 so that I will live. 147
Do not disappoint me! 148
117 Support me, so that I will be delivered.
Then I will focus 149 on your statutes continually.
118 You despise 150 all who stray from your statutes,
for they are deceptive and unreliable. 151
119 You remove all the wicked of the earth like slag. 152
Therefore I love your rules. 153
120 My body 154 trembles 155 because I fear you; 156
I am afraid of your judgments.
121 ע (Ayin)
I do what is fair and right. 157
Do not abandon me to my oppressors!
122 Guarantee the welfare of your servant! 158
Do not let the arrogant oppress me!
123 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your deliverance, 159
for your reliable promise to be fulfilled. 160
124 Show your servant your loyal love! 161
Teach me your statutes!
125 I am your servant. Give me insight,
so that I can understand 162 your rules.
126 It is time for the Lord to act –
they break your law!
127 For this reason 163 I love your commands
more than gold, even purest gold.
128 For this reason I carefully follow all your precepts. 164
I hate all deceitful actions. 165
129 פ (Pe)
Your rules are marvelous.
Therefore I observe them.
130 Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines. 166
They give 167 insight to the untrained. 168
131 I open my mouth and pant,
because I long 169 for your commands.
132 Turn toward me and extend mercy to me,
as you typically do to your loyal followers. 170
133 Direct my steps by your word! 171
Do not let any sin dominate me!
134 Deliver me 172 from oppressive men,
so that I can keep 173 your precepts.
135 Smile 174 on your servant!
Teach me your statutes!
136 Tears stream down from my eyes, 175
because people 176 do not keep your law.
137 צ (Tsade)
You are just, O Lord,
and your judgments are fair.
138 The rules you impose are just, 177
and absolutely reliable.
139 My zeal 178 consumes 179 me,
for my enemies forget your instructions. 180
140 Your word is absolutely pure,
and your servant loves it!
141 I am insignificant and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
142 Your justice endures, 181
and your law is reliable. 182
143 Distress and hardship confront 183 me,
yet I find delight in your commands.
144 Your rules remain just. 184
Give me insight so that I can live. 185
145 ק (Qof)
I cried out with all my heart, “Answer me, O Lord!
I will observe your statutes.”
146 I cried out to you, “Deliver me,
so that I can keep 186 your rules.”
147 I am up before dawn crying for help.
I find hope in your word.
148 My eyes anticipate the nighttime hours,
so that I can meditate on your word.
149 Listen to me 187 because of 188 your loyal love!
O Lord, revive me, as you typically do! 189
150 Those who are eager to do 190 wrong draw near;
they are far from your law.
151 You are near, O Lord,
and all your commands are reliable. 191
152 I learned long ago that
you ordained your rules to last. 192
153 ר (Resh)
See my pain and rescue me!
For I do not forget your law.
154 Fight for me 193 and defend me! 194
Revive me with your word!
155 The wicked have no chance for deliverance, 195
for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Your compassion is great, O Lord.
Revive me, as you typically do! 196
157 The enemies who chase me are numerous. 197
Yet I do not turn aside from your rules.
158 I take note of the treacherous and despise them,
because they do not keep your instructions. 198
159 See how I love your precepts!
O Lord, revive me with your loyal love!
160 Your instructions are totally reliable;
all your just regulations endure. 199
161 שׂ/שׁ (Sin/Shin)
Rulers pursue me for no reason,
yet I am more afraid of disobeying your instructions. 200
162 I rejoice in your instructions,
like one who finds much plunder. 201
163 I hate and despise deceit;
I love your law.
164 Seven 202 times a day I praise you
because of your just regulations.
165 Those who love your law are completely secure; 203
nothing causes them to stumble. 204
166 I hope for your deliverance, O Lord,
and I obey 205 your commands.
167 I keep your rules;
I love them greatly.
168 I keep your precepts and rules,
for you are aware of everything I do. 206
169 ת (Tav)
Listen to my cry for help, 207 O Lord!
Give me insight by your word!
170 Listen to my appeal for mercy! 208
Deliver me, as you promised. 209
171 May praise flow freely from my lips,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 May my tongue sing about your instructions, 210
for all your commands are just.
173 May your hand help me,
for I choose to obey 211 your precepts.
174 I long for your deliverance, O Lord;
I find delight in your law.
175 May I 212 live and praise you!
May your regulations help me! 213
176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep. 214
Come looking for your servant,
for I do not forget your commands.
