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   The Book of Psalms.
The Harvard Classics.  1909–14.
 
Book V
 
CXIX
 
Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God
 
 
[1]  
ALEPH

BLESSED are they that are perfect 1 in the way,
Who walk in the law of Jehovah.
[2]  Blessed are they that keep his testimonies,
That seek him with the whole heart.
[3]  Yea, they do no unrighteousness;
They walk in his ways.
[4]  Thou hast commanded us thy precepts,
That we should observe them diligently.
[5]  Oh that my ways were established
To observe thy statutes!
[6]  Then shall I not be put to shame,
When I have respect unto all thy commandments.
[7]  I will give thanks unto thee with uprightness of heart,
When I learn thy righteous judgments.
[8]  I will observe thy statutes:
Oh forsake me not utterly.
 
[9]  
BETH

Wherewith shall a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed thereto according to thy word.
[10]  With my whole heart have I sought thee:
Oh let me not wander from thy commandments.
[11]  Thy word have I laid up in my heart,
That I might not sin against thee.
[12]  Blessed art thou, O Jehovah:
Teach me thy statutes.
[13]  With my lips have I declared
All the ordinances of thy mouth.
[14]  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
[15]  I will meditate on thy precepts,
And have respect unto thy ways.
[16]  I will delight myself in thy statutes:
I will not forget thy word.
 
[17]  
GIMEL

Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live;
So will I observe thy word.
[18]  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold
Wondrous things out of thy law.
[19]  I am a sojourner in the earth:
Hide not thy commandments from me.
[20]  My soul breaketh for the longing
That it hath unto thine ordinances at all times.
[21]  Thou hast rebuked the proud that 2 are cursed,
That do wander from thy commandments.
[22]  Take away from me reproach and contempt;
For I have kept thy testimonies.
[23]  Princes also sat and talked against me;
But thy servant did meditate on thy statutes.
[24]  Thy testimonies also are my delight
And my 3 counsellors.
 
[25]  
DALETH

My soul cleaveth unto the dust:
Quicken thou me according to thy word.
[26]  I declared my ways, and thou answeredst me:
Teach me thy statutes.
[27]  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts:
So shall I meditate on thy wondrous works.
[28]  My soul melteth 4 for heaviness:
Strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
[29]  Remove from me the way of falsehood;
And grant me thy law graciously.
[30]  I have chosen the way of faithfulness:
Thine ordinances have I set before me.
[31]  I cleave unto thy testimonies:
O Jehovah, put me not to shame.
[32]  I will run the way of thy commandments,
When thou shalt enlarge my heart.
 
[33]  
HE

Teach me, O Jehovah, the way of thy statutes;
And I shall keep it unto the end.
[34]  Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law;
Yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
[35]  Make me to go in the path of thy commandments;
For therein do I delight.
[36]  Incline my heart unto thy testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
[37]  Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity,
And quicken me in thy ways.
[38]  Confirm unto thy servant thy word,
Which 5 is in order unto the fear of thee.
[39]  Turn away my reproach whereof I am afraid;
For thine ordinances are good.
[40]  Behold, I have longed after thy precepts:
Quicken me in thy righteousness.
 
[41]  
VAV

Let thy lovingkindnesses also come unto me, O Jehovah,
Even thy salvation, according to thy word.
[42]  So shall I have an answer for him that reproacheth me;
For I trust in thy word.
[43]  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;
For I have hoped in thine ordinances.
[44]  So shall I observe thy law continually
For ever and ever.
[45]  And I shall walk at liberty;
For I have sought thy precepts.
[46]  I will also speak of thy testimonies before kings,
And shall not be put to shame.
[47]  And I will delight myself in thy commandments,
Which I have loved.
[48]  I will lift up my hands also unto thy commandments, which I have loved;
And I will meditate on thy statutes.
 
[49]  
ZAYIN

Remember the word unto thy servant,
Because 6 thou hast made me to hope.
[50]  This is my comfort in my affliction;
For 7 thy word hath quickened me.
[51]  The proud have had me greatly in derision:
Yet have I not swerved from thy law.
[52]  I have remembered thine ordinances of old, O Jehovah,
And have comforted myself.
[53]  Hot 8 indignation hath taken hold upon me,
Because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
[54]  Thy statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
[55]  I have remembered thy name, O Jehovah, in the night,
And have observed thy law.
[56]  This I have had,
Because 9 I have kept thy precepts.
 
[57]  
HHETH

Jehovah 10 is my portion:
I have said that I would observe thy words.
[58]  I entreated thy favor with my whole heart:
Be merciful unto me according to thy word.
[59]  I thought on my ways,
And turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
[60]  I made haste, and delayed not,
To observe thy commandments.
[61]  The cords of the wicked have wrapped me round;
But I have not forgotten thy law.
[62]  At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee
Because of thy righteous ordinances.
[63]  I am a companion of all them that fear thee,
And of them that observe thy precepts.
[64]  The earth, O Jehovah, is full of thy lovingkindness:
Teach me thy statutes.
 
[65]  
TETH

Thou hast dealt well with thy servant,
O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
[66]  Teach me good judgment and knowledge;
For I have believed in thy commandments.
[67]  Before I was afflicted I went astray;
But now I observe thy word.
[68]  Thou art good, and doest good;
Teach me thy statutes.
[69]  The proud have forged a lie against me:
With my whole heart will I keep thy precepts.
[70]  Their heart is as fat as grease;
But I delight in thy law.
[71]  It is good for me that I have been afflicted;
That I may learn thy statutes.
[72]  The law of thy mouth is better unto me
Than thousands of gold and silver.
 
[73]  
YODH

Thy hands have made me and fashioned 11 me:
Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
[74]  They that fear thee shall see me and be glad,
Because I have hoped in thy word.
[75]  I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous,
And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me.
[76]  Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort,
According to thy word unto thy servant.
[77]  Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live;
For thy law is my delight.
[78]  Let the proud be put to shame; for they have overthrown me wrongfully: 12
But I will meditate on thy precepts.
[79]  Let those that fear thee turn unto me;
And 13 they shall know thy testimonies.
[80]  Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes,
That I be not put to shame.
 
[81]  
KAPH

My soul fainteth for thy salvation;
But I hope in thy word.
[82]  Mine eyes fail for thy word,
While I say, When wilt thou comfort me?
[83]  For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke;
Yet do I not forget thy statutes.
[84]  How many are the days of thy servant?
When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
[85]  The proud have digged pits for me,
Who are not according to thy law.
[86]  All thy commandments are faithful:
They persecute me wrongfully;  14 help thou me.
[87]  They had almost consumed me upon earth;
But I forsook not thy precepts.
[88]  Quicken me after thy lovingkindness;
So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth.
 
[89]  
LAMEDH

For ever, O Jehovah,
Thy word is settled in heaven.
[90]  Thy faithfulness is unto all generations:
Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
[91]  They 15 abide this day according to thine ordinances;
For all things are thy servants.
[92]  Unless thy law had been my delight,
I should then have perished in mine affliction.
[93]  I will never forget thy precepts;
For with them thou hast quickened me.
[94]  I am thine, save me;
For I have sought thy precepts.
[95]  The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me;
But I will consider thy testimonies.
[96]  I have seen an end of all perfection;
But thy commandment is exceeding broad.
 
[97]  
MEM

Oh how love I thy law!
It is my meditation all the day.
[98]  Thy 16 commandments make me wiser than mine enemies;
For they are ever with me.
[99]  I have more understanding than all my teachers;
For thy testimonies are my meditation.
[100]  I understand more than the aged,
Because I have kept thy precepts.
[101]  I have refrained my feet from every evil way,
That I might observe thy word.
[102]  I have not turned aside from thine ordinances;
For thou hast taught me.
[103]  How sweet are thy words unto my taste! 17
Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
[104]  Through thy precepts I get understanding:
Therefore I hate every false way.
 
[105]  
NUN

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And light unto my path.
[106]  I have sworn, and have confirmed it,
That I will observe thy righteous ordinances.
[107]  I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word.
[108]  Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah,
And teach me thine ordinances.
[109]  My soul is continually in my hand;
Yet do I not forget thy law.
[110]  The wicked have laid a snare for me;
Yet have I not gone astray from thy precepts.
[111]  Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever;
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
[112]  I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes
For ever, even unto the end.
 
[113]  
SAMEKH

I hate them that are of a double mind;
But thy law do I love.
[114]  Thou art my hiding-place and my shield:
I hope in thy word.
[115]  Depart from me, ye evil-doers,
That I may keep the commandments of my God.
[116]  Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live;
And let me not be ashamed of my hope.
[117]  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe,
And shall have respect unto thy statutes continually.
[118]  Thou hast set at nought all them that err from thy statutes;
For their deceit is falsehood 18
[119]  Thou puttest 19 away all the wicked of the earth like dross:
Therefore I love thy testimonies.
[120]  My flesh trembleth for fear of thee;
And I am afraid of thy judgments.
 
[121]  
AYIN

I have done justice and righteousness:
Leave me not to mine oppressors.
[122]  Be surety for thy servant for good:
Let not the proud oppress me.
[123]  Mine eyes fail for thy salvation,
And for thy righteous word.
[124]  Deal with thy servant according unto thy lovingkindness,
And teach me thy statutes.
[125]  I am thy servant; give me understanding,
That I may know thy testimonies.
[126]  It is time for Jehovah to work;
For they have made void thy law.
[127]  Therefore I love thy commandments
Above gold, yea, above fine gold.
[128]  Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right;
And I hate every false way.
 
[129]  
PE

Thy testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore doth my soul keep them.
[130]  The opening of thy words giveth light;
It giveth understanding unto the simple.
[131]  I opened wide my mouth, and panted;
For I longed for thy commandments.
[132]  Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me,
As thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
[133]  Establish my footsteps in thy word;
And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
[134]  Redeem me from the oppression of man:
So will I observe thy precepts
[135]  Make thy face to shine upon thy servant;
And teach me thy statutes.
[136]  Streams of water run down mine eyes,
Because they observe not thy law.
 
[137]  
TSADHE

Righteous art thou, O Jehovah,
And upright are 20 thy judgments.
[138]  Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness
And very faithfulness.
[139]  My zeal hath consumed 21 me,
Because mine adversaries have forgotten thy words.
[140]  Thy word is very pure; 22
Therefore thy servant loveth it.
[141]  I am small and despised;
Yet do I not forget thy precepts.
[142]  Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And thy law is truth.
[143]  Trouble and anguish have taken 23 hold on me;
Yet thy commandments are my delight.
[144]  Thy testimonies are righteous for ever:
Give me understanding, and I shall live.
 
[145]  
QOPH

I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O Jehovah:
I will keep thy statutes.
[146]  I have called unto thee; save me,
And I shall observe thy testimonies.
[147]  I anticipated the dawning of the morning, and cried:
I hoped in thy words.
[148]  Mine eyes anticipated the night-watches,
That I might meditate on thy word.
[149]  Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness:
Quicken me, O Jehovah, according 24 to thine ordinances.
[150]  They draw nigh that 25 follow after wickedness;
They are far from thy law.
[151]  Thou art nigh, O Jehovah;
And all thy commandments are truth.
[152]  Of old have I known from thy testimonies,
That thou hast founded them for ever.
 
[153]  
RESH

Consider mine affliction, and deliver me;
For I do not forget thy law.
[154]  Plead thou my cause, and redeem me:
Quicken me according to thy word.
[155]  Salvation is far from the wicked;
For they seek not thy statutes.
[156]  Great are thy tender mercies, O Jehovah:
Quicken me according to thine ordinances.
[157]  Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries;
Yet have I not swerved from thy testimonies.
[158]  I beheld the treacherous, and was 26 grieved,
Because they observe not thy word.
[159]  Consider how I love thy precepts:
Quicken me, O Jehovah, according to thy lovingkindness.
[160]  The sum of thy word is truth;
And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.
 
[161]  
SHIN

Princes have persecuted me without a cause;
But my heart standeth in awe of thy words.
[162]  I rejoice at thy word,
As one that findeth great spoil.
[163]  I hate and abhor falsehood;
But thy law do I love.
[164]  Seven times a day do I praise thee,
Because of thy righteous ordinances.
[165]  Great peace have they that love thy law;
And they have no occasion of stumbling.
[166]  I have hoped for thy salvation, O Jehovah,
And have done thy commandments.
[167]  My soul hath observed thy testimonies;
And I love them exceedingly.
[168]  I have observed thy precepts and thy testimonies;
For all my ways are before thee.
 
[169]  
TAV

Let my cry come near before thee, O Jehovah:
Give me understanding according to thy word.
[170]  Let my supplication come before thee:
Deliver me according to thy word.
[171]  Let my lips utter praise;
For thou teachest me thy statutes.
[172]  Let my tongue sing of thy word;
For all thy commandments are righteousness.
[173]  Let thy hand be ready to help me;
For I have chosen thy precepts.
[174]  I have longed for thy salvation, O Jehovah;
And thy law is my delight.
[175]  Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee;
And let thine ordinances help me.
[176]  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant;
For I do not forget thy commandments.
 
Note 1. Or, upright in way. [back]
Note 2. Or, Cursed are they that &c. [back]
Note 3. Heb. the men of my counsel. [back]
Note 4. Heb. droppeth. [back]
Note 5. Or, Who is devoted to. [back]
Note 6. Or, Wherein. [back]
Note 7. Or, That. [back]
Note 8. Or, Horror. [back]
Note 9. Or, That. [back]
Note 10. Or, Jehovah is my portion, have I said: That I may observe &c. [back]
Note 11. Or, established. [back]
Note 12. Or, with falsehood. [back]
Note 13. Another reading is, Even they that know. [back]
Note 14. Or, with falsehood. [back]
Note 15. Or, As for thine ordinances, they abide this day. [back]
Note 16. Or, Thou through thy commandments makest. [back]
Note 17. Heb. palate. [back]
Note 18. Or, vain. [back]
Note 19. Heb. causest to cease. [back]
Note 20. Or, in thy judgments. [back]
Note 21. Heb. cut me off. [back]
Note 22. Heb. triedOr, refined. [back]
Note 23. Or, found me. [back]
Note 24. Or, as thou art wont. [back]
Note 25. Or, that persecute me with wickedness. [back]
Note 26. Or, loathed them. [back]
 

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