Psalms 119:97-165

97 How I love your law! I think about it all day long.

98 Your commandment is with me all the time and makes me wiser than my enemies.

99 I understand more than all my teachers, because I meditate on your instructions.

100 I have greater wisdom than those who are old, because I obey your commands.

101 I have avoided all evil conduct, because I want to obey your word.

102 I have not neglected your instructions, because you yourself are my teacher.

103 How sweet is the taste of your instructions - sweeter even than honey!

104 I gain wisdom from your laws, and so I hate all bad conduct.

105 Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.

106 I will keep my solemn promise to obey your just instructions.

107 My sufferings, Lord, are terrible indeed; keep me alive, as you have promised.

108 Accept my prayer of thanks, O Lord, and teach me your commands.

109 I am always ready to risk my life; I have not forgotten your law.

110 The wicked lay a trap for me, but I have not disobeyed your commands.

111 Your commandments are my eternal possession; they are the joy of my heart.

112 I have decided to obey your laws until the day I die.

113 I hate those who are not completely loyal to you, but I love your law.

114 You are my defender and protector; I put my hope in your promise.

115 Go away from me, you sinful people. I will obey the commands of my God.

116 Give me strength, as you promised, and I shall live; don't let me be disappointed in my hope!

117 Hold me, and I will be safe, and I will always pay attention to your commands.

118 You reject everyone who disobeys your laws; their deceitful schemes are useless.

119 You treat all the wicked like rubbish, and so I love your instructions.

120 Because of you I am afraid; I am filled with fear because of your judgments.

121 I have done what is right and good; don't abandon me to my enemies!

122 Promise that you will help your servant; don't let the arrogant oppress me!

123 My eyes are tired from watching for your saving help, for the deliverance you promised.

124 Treat me according to your constant love, and teach me your commands.

125 I am your servant; give me understanding, so that I may know your teachings.

126 Lord, it is time for you to act, because people are disobeying your law.

127 I love your commands more than gold, more than the finest gold.

128 And so I follow all your instructions; I hate all wrong ways.

129 Your teachings are wonderful; I obey them with all my heart.

130 The explanation of your teachings gives light and brings wisdom to the ignorant.

131 In my desire for your commands I pant with open mouth.

132 Turn to me and have mercy on me as you do on all those who love you.

133 As you have promised, keep me from falling; don't let me be overcome by evil.

134 Save me from those who oppress me, so that I may obey your commands.

135 Bless me with your presence and teach me your laws.

136 My tears pour down like a river, because people do not obey your law.

137 You are righteous, Lord, and your laws are just.

138 The rules that you have given are completely fair and right.

139 My anger burns in me like a fire, because my enemies disregard your commands.

140 How certain your promise is! How I love it!

141 I am unimportant and despised, but I do not neglect your teachings.

142 Your righteousness will last forever, and your law is always true.

143 I am filled with trouble and anxiety, but your commandments bring me joy.

144 Your instructions are always just; give me understanding, and I shall live.

145 With all my heart I call to you; answer me, Lord, and I will obey your commands!

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

147 Before sunrise I call to you for help; I place my hope in your promise.

148 All night long I lie awake, to meditate on your instructions.

149 Because your love is constant, hear me, O Lord; show your mercy, and preserve my life!

150 My cruel persecutors are coming closer, people who never keep your law.

151 But you are near to me, Lord, and all your commands are permanent.

152 Long ago I learned about your instructions; you made them to last forever.

153 Look at my suffering, and save me, because I have not neglected your law.

154 Defend my cause, and set me free; save me, as you have promised.

155 The wicked will not be saved, for they do not obey your laws.

156 But your compassion, Lord, is great; show your mercy and save me!

157 I have many enemies and oppressors, but I do not fail to obey your laws.

158 When I look at those traitors, I am filled with disgust, because they do not keep your commands.

159 See how I love your instructions, Lord. Your love never changes, so save me!

160 The heart of your law is truth, and all your righteous judgments are eternal.

161 Powerful people attack me unjustly, but I respect your law.

162 How happy I am because of your promises - as happy as someone who finds rich treasure.

163 I hate and detest all lies, but I love your law.

164 Seven times each day I thank you for your righteous judgments.

165 Those who love your law have perfect security, and there is nothing that can make them fall.

Psalms 119:97-165 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 119

This psalm is generally thought to be written by David, but when is uncertain; very probably towards the decline of life; and, as some think, for the sake or his son Solomon. It seems to be a collection of observations on the word of God and its precepts, the usefulness and excellency of it, he had made in the course of his life; interspersed with various petitions for the grace of God, to enable him to observe it. The psalm is a very extraordinary one; partly on account of the unusual length of it, it being more than double the length of the longest psalm in the whole book; and partly on account of its curious composition. It consists of twenty two parts, according to the number of the letters in the Hebrew alphabet; the names of which letters stand between each part; and every part consists of eight verses, all of which begin with the same letter: thus, for instance, the first eight verses begin with the letter a, "aleph", and the second eight verses begin with the letter b, "beth", and so on throughout; hence the Masorah calls this psalm the Great Alphabet. This the psalmist did, perhaps to excite attention to what he said, and also to help the memory. And it is observable that there are very few verses in the whole, not more than one or two, but what has something in it concerning the word of God, and its precepts and ordinances; there are nine or ten different words used relative to it, which signify much one and the same thing; as laws, statutes, judgments, testimonies Luther {m} observes, that neither Cicero, nor Virgil, nor Demosthenes, are to be compared with David for eloquence, as we see in the hundred nineteenth Psalm, where he divideth one sense and meaning into twenty two sorts. And it may also be remarked, that there is nothing in it concerning the tabernacle worship, or the rites and ceremonies of the legal dispensation; so that it seems to be calculated for, and is suited to, the word of God, and the ordinances of it, as we now have them in their full perfection: and the design of the whole is to show the fervent affection the psalmist had for the word of God, and to stir up the same in others.

{m} Mensal. Colloqu. c. 32. p. 365.

a, \\ALEPH.--The First Part\\.

Footnotes

• [a]. I am always ready to risk my life; I; [or] My life is in constant danger, but I.
• [b]. [Some ancient translations] all your instructions; [Hebrew unclear.]