Psalm 119
1 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, to be envied) are the undefiled (the upright, truly sincere, and blameless) in the way [of the revealed will of God], who walk (order their conduct and conversation) in the law of the Lord (the whole of God’s revealed will).2 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart.3 Yes, they do no unrighteousness [no willful wandering from His precepts]; they walk in His ways. 4 You have commanded us to keep Your precepts, that we should observe them diligently.5 Oh, that my ways were directed and established to observe Your statutes [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]!6 Then shall I not be put to shame [by failing to inherit Your promises] when I have respect to all Your commandments.7 I will praise and give thanks to You with uprightness of heart when I learn [by sanctified experiences] Your righteous judgments [Your decisions against and punishments for particular lines of thought and conduct].8 I will keep Your statutes; O forsake me not utterly.9 How shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed and keeping watch [on himself] according to Your word [conforming his life to it].10 With my whole heart have I sought You, inquiring for and of You and yearning for You; Oh, let me not wander or step aside [either in ignorance or willfully] from Your commandments. 11 Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.12 Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes.13 With my lips have I declared and recounted all the ordinances of Your mouth.14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches.15 I will meditate on Your precepts and have respect to Your ways [the paths of life marked out by Your law]. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.17 Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live; and I will observe Your word [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]. 18 Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Your law.19 I am a stranger and a temporary resident on the earth; hide not Your commandments from me. 20 My heart is breaking with the longing that it has for Your ordinances and judgments at all times.21 You rebuke the proud and arrogant, the accursed ones, who err and wander from Your commandments.22 Take away from me reproach and contempt, for I keep Your testimonies.23 Princes also sat and talked against me, but Your servant meditated on Your statutes.24 Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.25 My earthly life cleaves to the dust; revive and stimulate me according to Your word! 26 I have declared my ways and opened my griefs to You, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes.27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so shall I meditate on and talk of Your wondrous works. 28 My life dissolves and weeps itself away for heaviness; raise me up and strengthen me according to [the promises of] Your word.29 Remove from me the way of falsehood and unfaithfulness [to You], and graciously impart Your law to me.30 I have chosen the way of truth and faithfulness; Your ordinances have I set before me.31 I cleave to Your testimonies; O Lord, put me not to shame!32 I will [not merely walk, but] run the way of Your commandments, when You give me a heart that is willing.33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the end [steadfastly].34 Give me understanding, that I may keep Your law; yes, I will observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me go in the path of Your commandments, for in them do I delight.36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetousness (robbery, sensuality, unworthy riches). 37 Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity (idols and idolatry); and restore me to vigorous life and health in Your ways.38 Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant, which is for those who reverently fear and devotedly worship You. 39 Turn away my reproach which I fear and dread, for Your ordinances are good.40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; in Your righteousness give me renewed life.41 Let Your mercy and loving-kindness come also to me, O Lord, even Your salvation according to Your promise;42 Then shall I have an answer for those who taunt and reproach me, for I lean on, rely on, and trust in Your word.43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I hope in Your ordinances.44 I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].45 And I will walk at liberty and at ease, for I have sought and inquired for [and desperately required] Your precepts.46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings and will not be put to shame. 47 For I will delight myself in Your commandments, which I love.48 My hands also will I lift up [in fervent supplication] to Your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes.49 Remember [fervently] the word and promise to Your servant, in which You have caused me to hope.50 This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that Your word has revived me and given me life. 51 The proud have had me greatly in derision, yet have I not declined in my interest in or turned aside from Your law.52 When I have [earnestly] recalled Your ordinances from of old, O Lord, I have taken comfort.53 Burning indignation, terror, and sadness seize upon me because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.55 I have [earnestly] remembered Your name, O Lord, in the night, and I have observed Your law.56 This I have had [as the gift of Your grace and as my reward]: that I have kept Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].57 You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to keep Your words.58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart; be merciful and gracious to me according to Your promise.59 I considered my ways; I turned my feet to [obey] Your testimonies.60 I made haste and delayed not to keep Your commandments.61 Though the cords of the wicked have enclosed and ensnared me, I have not forgotten Your law.62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You because of Your righteous ordinances.63 I am a companion of all those who fear, revere, and worship You, and of those who observe and give heed to Your precepts.64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy and loving-kindness; teach me Your statutes.65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O Lord, according to Your promise.66 Teach me good judgment, wise and right discernment, and knowledge, for I have believed (trusted, relied on, and clung to) Your commandments.67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now Your word do I keep [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].68 You are good and kind and do good; teach me Your statutes.69 The arrogant and godless have put together a lie against me, but I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.70 Their hearts are as fat as grease [their minds are dull and brutal], but I delight in Your law.71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.72 The law from Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.73 Your hands have made me, cunningly fashioned and established me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.74 Those who reverently and worshipfully fear You will see me and be glad, because I have hoped in Your word and tarried for it.75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right and righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76 Let, I pray You, Your merciful kindness and steadfast love be for my comfort, according to Your promise to Your servant.77 Let Your tender mercy and loving-kindness come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight!78 Let the proud be put to shame, for they dealt perversely with me without a cause; but I will meditate on Your precepts.79 Let those who reverently and worshipfully fear You turn to me, and those who have known Your testimonies.80 Let my heart be sound (sincere and wholehearted and blameless) in Your statutes, that I may not be put to shame.81 My soul languishes and grows faint for Your salvation, but I hope in Your word.82 My eyes fail, watching for [the fulfillment of] Your promise. I say, When will You comfort me?83 For I have become like a bottle [a wineskin blackened and shriveled] in the smoke [in which it hangs], yet do I not forget Your statutes.84 How many are the days of Your servant [which he must endure]? When will You judge those who pursue and persecute me? 85 The godless and arrogant have dug pitfalls for me, men who do not conform to Your law.86 All Your commandments are faithful and sure. [The godless] pursue and persecute me with falsehood; help me [Lord]!87 They had almost consumed me upon earth, but I forsook not Your precepts.88 According to Your steadfast love give life to me; then I will keep the testimony of Your mouth [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven [stands firm as the heavens]. 90 Your faithfulness is from generation to generation; You have established the earth, and it stands fast.91 All [the whole universe] are Your servants; therefore they continue this day according to Your ordinances. 92 Unless Your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.93 I will never forget Your precepts, [how can I?] for it is by them You have quickened me (granted me life).94 I am Yours, therefore save me [Your own]; for I have sought (inquired of and for) Your precepts and required them [as my urgent need]. 95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me, but I will consider Your testimonies.96 I have seen that everything [human] has its limits and end [no matter how extensive, noble, and excellent]; but Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]. 97 Oh, how love I Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies, for [Your words] are ever before me.99 I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers, because Your testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, because I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Your word [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it]. 102 I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.103 How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn [an oath] and have confirmed it, that I will keep Your righteous ordinances [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. 107 I am sorely afflicted; renew and quicken me [give me life], O Lord, according to Your word!108 Accept, I beseech You, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach me Your ordinances. 109 My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Your law.110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I do not stray from Your precepts.111 Your testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever, for they are the rejoicing of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end.113 I hate the thoughts of undecided [in religion], double-minded people, but Your law do I love.114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. 116 Uphold me according to Your promise, that I may live; and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for Your statutes continually!118 You spurn and set at nought all those who stray from Your statutes, for their own lying deceives them and their tricks are in vain.119 You put away and count as dross all the wicked of the earth [for there is no true metal in them]; therefore I love Your testimonies.120 My flesh trembles and shudders for fear and reverential, worshipful awe of You, and I am afraid and in dread of Your judgments.121 I have done justice and righteousness; leave me not to those who would oppress me.122 Be surety for Your servant for good [as Judah was surety for the safety of Benjamin]; let not the proud oppress me. 123 My eyes fail, watching for Your salvation and for the fulfillment of Your righteous promise.124 Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy and loving-kindness, and teach me Your statutes.125 I am Your servant; give me understanding (discernment and comprehension), that I may know (discern and be familiar with the character of) Your testimonies.126 It is time for the Lord to act; they have frustrated Your law.127 Therefore I love Your commandments more than [resplendent] gold, yes, more than [perfectly] refined gold.128 Therefore I esteem as right all, yes, all Your precepts; I hate every false way.129 Your testimonies are wonderful [far exceeding anything conceived by man]; therefore my [penitent] self keeps them [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].130 The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.131 I opened my mouth and panted [with eager desire], for I longed for Your commandments.132 Look upon me, be merciful unto me, and show me favor, as is Your way to those who love Your name.133 Establish my steps and direct them by [means of] Your word; let not any iniquity have dominion over me.134 Deliver me from the oppression of man; so will I keep Your precepts [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]. 135 Make Your face shine [with pleasure] upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. 136 Streams of water run down my eyes, because men do not keep Your law [they hear it not, nor receive it, love it, or obey it].137 [Rigidly] righteous are You, O Lord, and upright are Your judgments and all expressions of Your will.138 You have commanded and appointed Your testimonies in righteousness and in great faithfulness.139 My zeal has consumed me and cut me off, because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.140 Your word is very pure (tried and well refined); therefore Your servant loves it.141 I am small (insignificant) and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts.142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have found and taken hold on me, yet Your commandments are my delight.144 Your righteous testimonies are everlasting and Your decrees are binding to eternity; give me understanding and I shall live [give me discernment and comprehension and I shall not die].145 I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord; I will keep Your statutes [I will hear, receive, love, and obey them].146 I cried to You; save me, that I may keep Your testimonies [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them].147 I anticipated the dawning of the morning and cried [in childlike prayer]; I hoped in Your word.148 My eyes anticipate the night watches and I am awake before the cry of the watchman, that I may meditate on Your word.149 Hear my voice according to Your steadfast love; O Lord, quicken me and give me life according to Your [righteous] decrees.150 They draw near who follow after wrong thinking and persecute me with wickedness; they are far from Your law.151 You are near, O Lord [nearer to me than my foes], and all Your commandments are truth.152 Of old have I known Your testimonies, and for a long time, [therefore it is a thoroughly established conviction] that You have founded them forever. 153 Consider my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget Your law.154 Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me and give me life according to Your word.155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they seek not nor hunger for Your statutes.156 Great are Your tender mercy and loving-kindness, O Lord; give me life according to Your ordinances.157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not swerve from Your testimonies.158 I behold the treacherous and am grieved and loathe them, because they do not respect Your law [neither hearing, receiving, loving, nor obeying it].159 Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me and give life to me, O Lord, according to Your loving-kindness!160 The sum of Your word is truth [the total of the full meaning of all Your individual precepts]; and every one of Your righteous decrees endures forever.161 Princes pursue and persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your words [dreading violation of them far more than the force of prince or potentate]. 162 I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great spoil.163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but Your law do I love.164 Seven times a day and all day long do I praise You because of Your righteous decrees.165 Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them or make them stumble. 166 I am hoping and waiting [eagerly] for Your salvation, O Lord, and I do Your commandments. 167 Your testimonies have I kept [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them]; I love them exceedingly!168 I have observed Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are [fully known] before You.169 Let my mournful cry and supplication come [near] before You, O Lord; give me understanding (discernment and comprehension) according to Your word [of assurance and promise].170 Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your word!171 My lips shall pour forth praise [with thanksgiving and renewed trust] when You teach me Your statutes.172 My tongue shall sing [praise for the fulfillment] of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.173 Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.174 I have longed for Your salvation, O Lord, and Your law is my delight.175 Let me live that I may praise You, and let Your decrees help me.176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek, inquire for, and demand Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.
Psalm 119
1-8
You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right—you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel. I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways. I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.
9-16 How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word. I'm single-minded in pursuit of you; don't let me miss the road signs you've posted. I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt. Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living. I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth; I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches. I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it. I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it.
17-24 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road. Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. I'm a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions. My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!— insatiable for your nourishing commands. And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it! Don't let them mock and humiliate me; I've been careful to do just what you said. While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel. Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!
25-32 I'm feeling terrible—I couldn't feel worse! Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember? When I told my story, you responded; train me well in your deep wisdom. Help me understand these things inside and out so I can ponder your miracle-wonders. My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn; build me up again by your Word. Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation. I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner. I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me; God, don't let me down! I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how.
33-40 God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course. Give me insight so I can do what you tell me— my whole life one long, obedient response. Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway! Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot. Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way. Affirm your promises to me— promises made to all who fear you. Deflect the harsh words of my critics— but what you say is always so good. See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways!
41-48 Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised; Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word. Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever— your commandments are what I depend on. Oh, I'll guard with my life what you've revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever; And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom; Then I'll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed. I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!— relishing every fragment of your counsel.
49-56 Remember what you said to me, your servant— I hang on to these words for dear life! These words hold me up in bad times; yes, your promises rejuvenate me. The insolent ridicule me without mercy, but I don't budge from your revelation. I watch for your ancient landmark words, and know I'm on the right track. But when I see the wicked ignore your directions, I'm beside myself with anger. I set your instructions to music and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way. I meditate on your name all night, God, treasuring your revelation, O God. Still, I walk through a rain of derision because I live by your Word and counsel.
57-64 Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise to do everything you say. I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile, be gracious to me just as you promised. When I took a long, careful look at your ways, I got my feet back on the trail you blazed. I was up at once, didn't drag my feet, was quick to follow your orders. The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out— but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me. I get up in the middle of the night to thank you; your decisions are so right, so true—I can't wait till morning! I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you, of those committed to living by your rules. Your love, God, fills the earth! Train me to live by your counsel.
65-72 Be good to your servant, God; be as good as your Word. Train me in good common sense; I'm thoroughly committed to living your way. Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place, but now I'm in step with your Word. You are good, and the source of good; train me in your goodness. The godless spread lies about me, but I focus my attention on what you are saying; They're bland as a bucket of lard, while I dance to the tune of your revelation. My troubles turned out all for the best— they forced me to learn from your textbook. Truth from your mouth means more to me than striking it rich in a gold mine.
73-80 With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you. When they see me waiting, expecting your Word, those who fear you will take heart and be glad. I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what's true and right. Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight! just the way you promised. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to. Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds; they tried to sell me a bill of goods, but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel. Let those who fear you turn to me for evidence of your wise guidance. And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high.
81-88 I'm homesick—longing for your salvation; I'm waiting for your word of hope. My eyes grow heavy watching for some sign of your promise; how long must I wait for your comfort? There's smoke in my eyes—they burn and water, but I keep a steady gaze on the instructions you post. How long do I have to put up with all this? How long till you haul my tormentors into court? The arrogant godless try to throw me off track, ignorant as they are of God and his ways. Everything you command is a sure thing, but they harass me with lies. Help! They've pushed and pushed—they never let up— but I haven't relaxed my grip on your counsel. In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word.
89-96 What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion; it's as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up. Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that's what you ordered—you set the earth going. If your revelation hadn't delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came. But I'll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words. Save me! I'm all yours. I look high and low for your words of wisdom. The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me, but I'm only concerned with your plans for me. I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can't contain your commands!
97-104 Oh, how I love all you've revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long. Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete. I've even become smarter than my teachers since I've pondered and absorbed your counsel. I've become wiser than the wise old sages simply by doing what you tell me. I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil so I can spend all my time keeping your Word. I never make detours from the route you laid out; you gave me such good directions. Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking. With your instruction, I understand life; that's why I hate false propaganda.
105-112 By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. I've committed myself and I'll never turn back from living by your righteous order. Everything's falling apart on me, God; put me together again with your Word. Festoon me with your finest sayings, God; teach me your holy rules. My life is as close as my own hands, but I don't forget what you have revealed. The wicked do their best to throw me off track, but I don't swerve an inch from your course. I inherited your book on living; it's mine forever— what a gift! And how happy it makes me! I concentrate on doing exactly what you say— I always have and always will.
113-120 I hate the two-faced, but I love your clear-cut revelation. You're my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me. Get out of my life, evildoers, so I can keep my God's commands. Take my side as you promised; I'll live then for sure. Don't disappoint all my grand hopes. Stick with me and I'll be all right; I'll give total allegiance to your definitions of life. Expose all who drift away from your sayings; their casual idolatry is lethal. You reject earth's wicked as so much rubbish; therefore I lovingly embrace everything you say. I shiver in awe before you; your decisions leave me speechless with reverence.
121-128 I stood up for justice and the right; don't leave me to the mercy of my oppressors. Take the side of your servant, good God; don't let the godless take advantage of me. I can't keep my eyes open any longer, waiting for you to keep your promise to set everything right. Let your love dictate how you deal with me; teach me from your textbook on life. I'm your servant—help me understand what that means, the inner meaning of your instructions. It's time to act, God; they've made a shambles of your revelation! Yea-Saying God, I love what you command, I love it better than gold and gemstones; Yea-Saying God, I honor everything you tell me, I despise every deceitful detour.
129-136 Every word you give me is a miracle word— how could I help but obey? Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning. Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything. Turn my way, look kindly on me, as you always do to those who personally love you. Steady my steps with your Word of promise so nothing malign gets the better of me. Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women so I can live life your way. Smile on me, your servant; teach me the right way to live. I cry rivers of tears because nobody's living by your book!
137-144 You are right and you do right, God; your decisions are right on target. You rightly instruct us in how to live ever faithful to you. My rivals nearly did me in, they persistently ignored your commandments. Your promise has been tested through and through, and I, your servant, love it dearly. I'm too young to be important, but I don't forget what you tell me. Your righteousness is eternally right, your revelation is the only truth. Even though troubles came down on me hard, your commands always gave me delight. The way you tell me to live is always right; help me understand it so I can live to the fullest.
145-152 I call out at the top of my lungs, "God! Answer! I'll do whatever you say." I called to you, "Save me so I can carry out all your instructions." I was up before sunrise, crying for help, hoping for a word from you. I stayed awake all night, prayerfully pondering your promise. In your love, listen to me; in your justice, God, keep me alive. As those out to get me come closer and closer, they go farther and farther from the truth you reveal; But you're the closest of all to me, God, and all your judgments true. I've known all along from the evidence of your words that you meant them to last forever.
153-160 Take a good look at my trouble, and help me— I haven't forgotten your revelation. Take my side and get me out of this; give me back my life, just as you promised. "Salvation" is only gibberish to the wicked because they've never looked it up in your dictionary. Your mercies, God, run into the billions; following your guidelines, revive me. My antagonists are too many to count, but I don't swerve from the directions you gave. I took one look at the quitters and was filled with loathing; they walked away from your promises so casually! Take note of how I love what you tell me; out of your life of love, prolong my life. Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth. Your righteous decisions are eternal.
161-168 I've been slandered unmercifully by the politicians, but my awe at your words keeps me stable. I'm ecstatic over what you say, like one who strikes it rich. I hate lies—can't stand them!— but I love what you have revealed. Seven times each day I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right. For those who love what you reveal, everything fits— no stumbling around in the dark for them. I wait expectantly for your salvation; God, I do what you tell me. My soul guards and keeps all your instructions— oh, how much I love them! I follow your directions, abide by your counsel; my life's an open book before you.
169-176 Let my cry come right into your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word. Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise. Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, you've taught me the truth about life! And let your promises ring from my tongue; every order you've given is right. Put your hand out and steady me since I've chosen to live by your counsel. I'm homesick, God, for your salvation; I love it when you show yourself! Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul. And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me! I'll recognize the sound of your voice.