Psalm - The Old Testament

¹ How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of Yahweh!

² Blessed are those who observe his instructions, who seek him with all their hearts,

³ and, doing no evil, who walk in his ways.

⁴ You lay down your precepts to be carefully kept.

⁵ May my ways be steady in doing your will.

⁶ Then I shall not be shamed, if my gaze is fixed on your commandments.

⁷ I thank you with a sincere heart for teaching me your upright judgements.

⁸ I shall do your will; do not ever abandon me wholly.

⁹ How can a young man keep his way spotless? By keeping your words.

¹⁰ With all my heart I seek you, do not let me stray from your commandments.

¹¹ In my heart I treasure your promises, to avoid sinning against you.

¹² Blessed are you, Yahweh, teach me your will!

¹³ With my lips I have repeated all the judgements you have given.

¹⁴ In the way of your instructions lies my joy, a joy beyond all wealth.

¹⁵ I will ponder your precepts and fix my gaze on your paths.

¹⁶ I find my delight in your will, I do not forget your words.

¹⁷ Be generous to your servant and I shall live, and shall keep your words.

¹⁸ Open my eyes and I shall fix my gaze on the wonders of your Law.

¹⁹ Wayfarer though I am on the earth, do not hide your commandments from me.

²⁰ My heart is pining away with longing at all times for your judgements.

²¹ You have rebuked the arrogant, the accursed, who stray from your commandments.

²² Set me free from taunts and contempt since I observe your instructions.

²³ Though princes sit plotting against me, your servant keeps pondering your will.

²⁴ Your instructions are my delight, your wishes my counsellors.

²⁵ Down in the dust I lie prostrate; true to your word, revive me.

²⁶ I tell you my ways and you answer me; teach me your wishes.

²⁷ Show me the way of your precepts, that I may reflect on your wonders.

²⁸ I am melting away for grief; true to your word, raise me up.

²⁹ Keep me far from the way of deceit, grant me the grace of your Law.

³⁰ I have chosen the way of constancy, I have moulded myself to your judgements.

³¹ I cling to your instructions, Yahweh, do not disappoint me.

³² I run the way of your commandments, for you have given me freedom of heart.

³³ Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your will, and I will observe it.

³⁴ Give me understanding and I will observe your Law, and keep it wholeheartedly.

³⁵ Guide me in the way of your commandments, for my delight is there.

³⁶ Bend my heart to your instructions, not to selfish gain.

³⁷ Avert my eyes from pointless images, by your word give me life.

³⁸ Keep your promise to your servant so that all may hold you in awe.

³⁹ Avert the taunts that I dread, for your judgements are generous.

⁴⁰ See how I yearn for your precepts; in your saving justice give me life.

⁴¹ Let your faithful love come to me, Yahweh, true to your promise, save me!

⁴² Give me an answer to the taunts against me, since I rely on your word.

⁴³ Do not deprive me of that faithful word, since my hope lies in your judgements.

⁴⁴ I shall keep your Law without fail for ever and ever.

⁴⁵ I shall live in all freedom because I have sought your precepts.

⁴⁶ I shall speak of your instructions before kings and will not be shamed.

⁴⁷ Your commandments fill me with delight, I love them dearly.

⁴⁸ I stretch out my hands to your commandments that I love, and I ponder your judgements.

⁴⁹ Keep in mind your promise to your servant on which I have built my hope.

⁵⁰ It is my comfort in distress, that your promise gives me life.

⁵¹ Endlessly the arrogant have jeered at me, but I have not swerved from your Law.

⁵² I have kept your age -- old judgements in mind, Yahweh, and I am comforted.

⁵³ Fury grips me when I see the wicked who abandon your Law.

⁵⁴ Your judgements are my song where I live in exile.

⁵⁵ All night, Yahweh, I hold your name in mind, I keep your Law.

⁵⁶ This is what it means to me, observing your precepts.

⁵⁷ My task, I have said, Yahweh, is to keep your word.

⁵⁸ Wholeheartedly I entreat your favour; true to your promise, take pity on me!

⁵⁹ I have reflected on my ways, and I turn my steps to your instructions.

⁶⁰ I hurry without delay to keep your commandments.

⁶¹ Though caught in the snares of the wicked, I do not forget your Law.

⁶² At midnight I rise to praise you for your upright judgements.

⁶³ I am a friend to all who fear you and keep your precepts.

⁶⁴ Your faithful love fills the earth, Yahweh, teach me your judgements.

⁶⁵ You have been generous to your servant, Yahweh, true to your promise.

⁶⁶ Teach me judgement and knowledge, for I rely on your commandments.

⁶⁷ Before I was punished I used to go astray, but now I keep to your promise.

⁶⁸ You are generous and act generously, teach me your will.

⁶⁹ The arrogant blacken me with lies though I wholeheartedly observe your precepts.

⁷⁰ Their hearts are gross like rich fat, but my delight is in your Law.

⁷¹ It was good for me that I had to suffer, the better to learn your judgements.

⁷² The Law you have uttered is more precious to me than all the wealth in the world.

⁷³ Your hands have made me and held me firm, give me understanding and I shall learn your commandments.

⁷⁴ Those who fear you rejoice at the sight of me since I put my hope in your word.

⁷⁵ I know, Yahweh, that your judgements are upright, and in punishing me you show your constancy.

⁷⁶ Your faithful love must be my consolation, as you have promised your servant.

⁷⁷ Treat me with tenderness and I shall live, for your Law is my delight.

⁷⁸ Let the arrogant who tell lies against me be shamed, while I ponder your precepts.

⁷⁹ Let those who fear you rally to me, those who understand your instructions.

⁸⁰ My heart shall be faultless towards your will; then I shall not be ashamed.

⁸¹ I shall wear myself out for your salvation, for your word is my hope.

⁸² My eyes, too, are worn out waiting for your promise, when will you have pity on me?

⁸³ For I am like a smoked wineskin, but I do not forget your will.

⁸⁴ How long has your servant to live? When will you bring my persecutors to judgement?

⁸⁵ The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me in defiance of your Law.

⁸⁶ All your commandments show constancy. Help me when they pursue me dishonestly.

⁸⁷ They have almost annihilated me on earth, but I have not deserted your precepts.

⁸⁸ True to your faithful love, give me life, and I shall keep the instructions you have laid down.

⁸⁹ For ever, Yahweh, your word is planted firm in heaven.

⁹⁰ Your constancy endures from age to age; you established the earth and it stands firm.

⁹¹ Through your judgements all stands firm to this day, for all creation is your servant.

⁹² Had your Law not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery.

⁹³ I shall never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

⁹⁴ I am yours, save me, for I seek your precepts.

⁹⁵ The wicked may hope to destroy me, but all my thought is of your instructions.

⁹⁶ I have seen that all perfection is finite, but your commandment has no limit.

⁹⁷ How I love your Law! I ponder it all day long.

⁹⁸ You make me wiser than my enemies by your commandment which is mine for ever.

⁹⁹ I am wiser than all my teachers because I ponder your instructions.

¹⁰⁰ I have more understanding than the aged because I keep your precepts.

¹⁰¹ I restrain my foot from evil paths to keep your word.

¹⁰² I do not turn aside from your judgements, because you yourself have instructed me.

¹⁰³ How pleasant your promise to my palate, sweeter than honey in my mouth!

¹⁰⁴ From your precepts I learn wisdom, so I hate all deceptive ways.

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

¹⁰⁶ I have sworn -- and shall maintain it -- to keep your upright judgements.

¹⁰⁷ I am utterly wretched, Yahweh; true to your promise, give me life.

¹⁰⁸ Accept, Yahweh, the tribute from my mouth, and teach me your judgements.

¹⁰⁹ My life is in your hands perpetually, I do not forget your Law.

¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid out a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

¹¹¹ Your instructions are my eternal heritage, they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹² I devote myself to obeying your statutes, their recompense is eternal.

¹¹³ I hate a divided heart, I love your Law.

¹¹⁴ You are my refuge and shield, I put my hope in your word.

¹¹⁵ Leave me alone, you wicked, I shall observe the commandments of my God.

¹¹⁶ True to your word, support me and I shall live; do not disappoint me of my hope.

¹¹⁷ Uphold me and I shall be saved, my gaze fixed on your will.

¹¹⁸ You shake off all who stray from your will; deceit fills their horizon.

¹¹⁹ In your sight all the wicked of the earth are like rust, so I love your instructions.

¹²⁰ My whole body trembles before you, your judgements fill me with fear.

¹²¹ All my conduct has been just and upright, do not hand me over to my oppressors.

¹²² Guarantee the well-being of your servant, do not let the proud oppress me.

¹²³ My eyes are languishing for your salvation and for the saving justice you have promised.

¹²⁴ Show your faithful love to your servant, teach me your judgements.

¹²⁵ Your servant am I; give me understanding and I shall know your instructions.

¹²⁶ It is time to take action, Yahweh, your Law is being broken.

¹²⁷ So I love your commandments more than gold, purest gold.

¹²⁸ So I rule my life by your precepts, I hate all deceptive paths.

¹²⁹ Wonderful are your instructions, so I observe them.

¹³⁰ As your word unfolds it gives light, and even the simple understand.

¹³¹ I open wide my mouth, panting eagerly for your commandments.

¹³² Turn to me, pity me; those who love your name deserve it.

¹³³ Keep my steps firm in your promise; that no evil may triumph over me.

¹³⁴ Rescue me from human oppression, and I will observe your precepts.

¹³⁵ Let your face shine on your servant, teach me your will.

¹³⁶ My eyes stream with tears because your Law is disregarded.

¹³⁷ You are upright, Yahweh, and your judgements are honest.

¹³⁸ You impose uprightness as a witness to yourself, it is constancy itself.

¹³⁹ My zeal is burning me up because my oppressors forget your word.

¹⁴⁰ Your promise is well tested, your servant holds it dear.

¹⁴¹ Puny and despised as I am, I do not forget your precepts.

¹⁴² Your saving justice is for ever just, and your Law is trustworthy.

¹⁴³ Though anguish and distress grip me your commandments are my delight.

¹⁴⁴ Your instructions are upright for ever, give me understanding and I shall live.

¹⁴⁵ I call with all my heart; answer me, Yahweh, and I will observe your judgements.

¹⁴⁶ I call to you; save me, and I will keep your instructions.

¹⁴⁷ I am awake before dawn to cry for help, I put my hope in your word.

¹⁴⁸ My eyes are awake before each watch of the night, to ponder your promise.

¹⁴⁹ In your faithful love, Yahweh, listen to my voice, let your judgements give me life.

¹⁵⁰ My pursuers are coming closer to their wicked designs, and further from your Law.

¹⁵¹ You are close to me, Yahweh, and all your commandments are true.

¹⁵² Long have I known that your instructions were laid down to last for ever.

¹⁵³ Look at my suffering and rescue me, for I do not forget your Law.

¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause and defend me; as you promised, give me life.

¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your will.

¹⁵⁶ Your kindnesses to me are countless, Yahweh; true to your judgements, give me life.

¹⁵⁷ Though my enemies and oppressors are countless, I do not turn aside from your instructions.

¹⁵⁸ The sight of these renegades appals me; they do not observe your promise.

¹⁵⁹ See how I love your precepts; true to your faithful love, give me life.

¹⁶⁰ Faithfulness is the essence of your word, your upright judgements hold good for ever.

¹⁶¹ Though princes hound me unprovoked, what fills me with awe is your word.

¹⁶² I rejoice in your promise like one who finds a vast treasure.

¹⁶³ Falsehood I hate and detest, my love is for your Law.

¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you for your upright judgements.

¹⁶⁵ Great peace for those who love your Law; no stumbling-blocks for them!

¹⁶⁶ I am waiting for your salvation, Yahweh, I fulfil your commandments.

¹⁶⁷ I observe your instructions, I love them dearly.

¹⁶⁸ I observe your precepts, your judgements, for all my ways are before you.

¹⁶⁹ May my cry approach your presence, Yahweh; by your word give me understanding.

¹⁷⁰ May my prayer come into your presence, rescue me as you have promised.

¹⁷¹ May my lips proclaim your praise, for you teach me your will.

¹⁷² May my tongue recite your promise, for all your commandments are upright.

¹⁷³ May your hand be there to help me, since I have chosen your precepts.

¹⁷⁴ I long for your salvation, Yahweh, your Law is my delight.

¹⁷⁵ May I live only to praise you, may your judgements be my help.

¹⁷⁶ I am wandering like a lost sheep, come and look for your servant, for I have not forgotten your commandments.