The Glories of God's Law

1Happy are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the LORD.

2Happy are those who keep his decrees,

who seek him with their whole heart,

3who also do no wrong,

but walk in his ways.

4You have commanded your precepts

to be kept diligently.

5O that my ways may be steadfast

in keeping your statutes!

6Then I shall not be put to shame,

having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

7I will praise you with an upright heart,

when I learn your righteous ordinances.

8I will observe your statutes;

do not utterly forsake me.

9How can young people keep their way pure?

By guarding it according to your word.

10With my whole heart I seek you;

do not let me stray from your commandments.

11I treasure your word in my heart,

so that I may not sin against you.

12Blessed are you, O LORD;

teach me your statutes.

13With my lips I declare

all the ordinances of your mouth.

14I delight in the way of your decrees

as much as in all riches.

15I will meditate on your precepts,

and fix my eyes on your ways.

16I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

17Deal bountifully with your servant,

so that I may live and observe your word.

18Open my eyes, so that I may behold

wondrous things out of your law.

19I live as an alien in the land;

do not hide your commandments from me.

20My soul is consumed with longing

for your ordinances at all times.

21You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,

who wander from your commandments;

22take away from me their scorn and contempt,

for I have kept your decrees.

23Even though princes sit plotting against me,

your servant will meditate on your statutes.

24Your decrees are my delight,

they are my counsellors.

25My soul clings to the dust;

revive me according to your word.

26When I told of my ways, you answered me;

teach me your statutes.

27Make me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

28My soul melts away for sorrow;

strengthen me according to your word.

29Put false ways far from me;

and graciously teach me your law.

30I have chosen the way of faithfulness;

I set your ordinances before me.

31I cling to your decrees, O LORD;

let me not be put to shame.

32I run the way of your commandments,

for you enlarge my understanding.

33Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes,

and I will observe it to the end.

34Give me understanding, that I may keep your law

and observe it with my whole heart.

35Lead me in the path of your commandments,

for I delight in it.

36Turn my heart to your decrees,

and not to selfish gain.

37Turn my eyes from looking at vanities;

give me life in your ways.

38Confirm to your servant your promise,

which is for those who fear you.

39Turn away the disgrace that I dread,

for your ordinances are good.

40See, I have longed for your precepts;

in your righteousness give me life.

41Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,

your salvation according to your promise.

42Then I shall have an answer for those who taunt me,

for I trust in your word.

43Do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,

for my hope is in your ordinances.

44I will keep your law continually,

for ever and ever.

45I shall walk at liberty,

for I have sought your precepts.

46I will also speak of your decrees before kings,

and shall not be put to shame;

47I find my delight in your commandments,

because I love them.

48I revere your commandments, which I love,

and I will meditate on your statutes.

49Remember your word to your servant,

in which you have made me hope.

50This is my comfort in my distress,

that your promise gives me life.

51The arrogant utterly deride me,

but I do not turn away from your law.

52When I think of your ordinances from of old,

I take comfort, O LORD.

53Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,

those who forsake your law.

54Your statutes have been my songs

wherever I make my home.

55I remember your name in the night, O LORD,

and keep your law.

56This blessing has fallen to me,

for I have kept your precepts.

57The LORD is my portion;

I promise to keep your words.

58I implore your favour with all my heart;

be gracious to me according to your promise.

59When I think of your ways,

I turn my feet to your decrees;

60I hurry and do not delay

to keep your commandments.

61Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,

I do not forget your law.

62At midnight I rise to praise you,

because of your righteous ordinances.

63I am a companion of all who fear you,

of those who keep your precepts.

64The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;

teach me your statutes.

65You have dealt well with your servant,

O LORD, according to your word.

66Teach me good judgement and knowledge,

for I believe in your commandments.

67Before I was humbled I went astray,

but now I keep your word.

68You are good and do good;

teach me your statutes.

69The arrogant smear me with lies,

but with my whole heart I keep your precepts.

70Their hearts are fat and gross,

but I delight in your law.

71It is good for me that I was humbled,

so that I might learn your statutes.

72The law of your mouth is better to me

than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

73Your hands have made and fashioned me;

give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

74Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,

because I have hoped in your word.

75I know, O LORD, that your judgements are right,

and that in faithfulness you have humbled me.

76Let your steadfast love become my comfort

according to your promise to your servant.

77Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;

for your law is my delight.

78Let the arrogant be put to shame,

because they have subverted me with guile;

as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

79Let those who fear you turn to me,

so that they may know your decrees.

80May my heart be blameless in your statutes,

so that I may not be put to shame.

81My soul languishes for your salvation;

I hope in your word.

82My eyes fail with watching for your promise;

I ask, ‘When will you comfort me?’

83For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,

yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

84How long must your servant endure?

When will you judge those who persecute me?

85The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me;

they flout your law.

86All your commandments are enduring;

I am persecuted without cause; help me!

87They have almost made an end of me on earth;

but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88In your steadfast love spare my life,

so that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.

89The LORD exists for ever;

your word is firmly fixed in heaven.

90Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

91By your appointment they stand today,

for all things are your servants.

92If your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my misery.

93I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have given me life.

94I am yours; save me,

for I have sought your precepts.

95The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,

but I consider your decrees.

96I have seen a limit to all perfection,

but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

97Oh, how I love your law!

It is my meditation all day long.

98Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

for it is always with me.

99I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for your decrees are my meditation.

100I understand more than the aged,

for I keep your precepts.

101I hold back my feet from every evil way,

in order to keep your word.

102I do not turn away from your ordinances,

for you have taught me.

103How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104Through your precepts I get understanding;

therefore I hate every false way.

105Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

106I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,

to observe your righteous ordinances.

107I am severely afflicted;

give me life, O LORD, according to your word.

108Accept my offerings of praise, O LORD,

and teach me your ordinances.

109I hold my life in my hand continually,

but I do not forget your law.

110The wicked have laid a snare for me,

but I do not stray from your precepts.

111Your decrees are my heritage for ever;

they are the joy of my heart.

112I incline my heart to perform your statutes

for ever, to the end.

113I hate the double-minded,

but I love your law.

114You are my hiding-place and my shield;

I hope in your word.

115Go away from me, you evildoers,

that I may keep the commandments of my God.

116Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

and let me not be put to shame in my hope.

117Hold me up, that I may be safe

and have regard for your statutes continually.

118You spurn all who go astray from your statutes;

for their cunning is in vain.

119All the wicked of the earth you count as dross;

therefore I love your decrees.

120My flesh trembles for fear of you,

and I am afraid of your judgements.

121I have done what is just and right;

do not leave me to my oppressors.

122Guarantee your servant's well-being;

do not let the godless oppress me.

123My eyes fail from watching for your salvation,

and for the fulfilment of your righteous promise.

124Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,

and teach me your statutes.

125I am your servant; give me understanding,

so that I may know your decrees.

126It is time for the LORD to act,

for your law has been broken.

127Truly I love your commandments

more than gold, more than fine gold.

128Truly I direct my steps by all your precepts;119.128 Gk Jerome: Meaning of Heb uncertain

I hate every false way.

129Your decrees are wonderful;

therefore my soul keeps them.

130The unfolding of your words gives light;

it imparts understanding to the simple.

131With open mouth I pant,

because I long for your commandments.

132Turn to me and be gracious to me,

as is your custom towards those who love your name.

133Keep my steps steady according to your promise,

and never let iniquity have dominion over me.

134Redeem me from human oppression,

that I may keep your precepts.

135Make your face shine upon your servant,

and teach me your statutes.

136My eyes shed streams of tears

because your law is not kept.

137You are righteous, O LORD,

and your judgements are right.

138You have appointed your decrees in righteousness

and in all faithfulness.

139My zeal consumes me

because my foes forget your words.

140Your promise is well tried,

and your servant loves it.

141I am small and despised,

yet I do not forget your precepts.

142Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

and your law is the truth.

143Trouble and anguish have come upon me,

but your commandments are my delight.

144Your decrees are righteous for ever;

give me understanding that I may live.

145With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD.

I will keep your statutes.

146I cry to you; save me,

that I may observe your decrees.

147I rise before dawn and cry for help;

I put my hope in your words.

148My eyes are awake before each watch of the night,

that I may meditate on your promise.

149In your steadfast love hear my voice;

O LORD, in your justice preserve my life.

150Those who persecute me with evil purpose draw near;

they are far from your law.

151Yet you are near, O LORD,

and all your commandments are true.

152Long ago I learned from your decrees

that you have established them for ever.

153Look on my misery and rescue me,

for I do not forget your law.

154Plead my cause and redeem me;

give me life according to your promise.

155Salvation is far from the wicked,

for they do not seek your statutes.

156Great is your mercy, O LORD;

give me life according to your justice.

157Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

yet I do not swerve from your decrees.

158I look at the faithless with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands.

159Consider how I love your precepts;

preserve my life according to your steadfast love.

160The sum of your word is truth;

and every one of your righteous ordinances endures for ever.

161Princes persecute me without cause,

but my heart stands in awe of your words.

162I rejoice at your word

like one who finds great spoil.

163I hate and abhor falsehood,

but I love your law.

164Seven times a day I praise you

for your righteous ordinances.

165Great peace have those who love your law;

nothing can make them stumble.

166I hope for your salvation, O LORD,

and I fulfil your commandments.

167My soul keeps your decrees;

I love them exceedingly.

168I keep your precepts and decrees,

for all my ways are before you.

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 will pour forth praise,

because you teach me your statutes.

172My tongue will sing of your promise,

for all your commandments are right.

173Let your hand be ready to help me,

for I have chosen your precepts.

174I long for your salvation, O LORD,

and your law is my delight.

175Let me live that I may praise you,

and let your ordinances help me.

176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek out your servant,

for I do not forget your commandments.