Psalms119
New American Standard
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the Law of the Lord.
2 Blessed are those who comply with His testimonies, And seek Him with all their heart.
3 They also do no injustice; They walk in His ways.
4 You have ordained Your precepts, That we are to keep them diligently.
5 Oh that my ways may be established To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I will not be ashamed When I look at all Your commandments.
7 I will give thanks to You with uprightness of heart, When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I will keep Your statutes; Do not utterly abandon me!
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
11 I have treasured Your word in my heart, So that I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, Lord; Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have told of 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 regard Your ways.
16 I shall delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.
17 Deal generously with Your servant, That I may live and keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your Law.
19 I am a stranger on the earth; Do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 My soul is crushed with longing For Your ordinances at all times.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed, Who wander from Your commandments.
22 Take disgrace and contempt away from me, For I comply with Your testimonies.
23 Even though rulers sit and speak against me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24 Your testimonies also are my delight; They are my advisers.
25 My soul clings to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.
26 I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts, And I will meditate on Your wonders.
28 My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word.
29 Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Your Law.
30 I have chosen the faithful way; I have placed Your judgments before me.
31 I cling to Your testimonies; Lord, do not put me to shame!
32 I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart.
33 Teach me, the way of Your statutes, Lord, And I shall comply with it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, so that I may comply with Your Law And keep it with all my heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments, For I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to Your testimonies, And not to dishonest gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from looking at what is worthless, And revive me in Your ways.
38 Establish Your word to Your servant As that which produces reverence for You.
39 Take away my disgrace which I dread, For Your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for Your precepts; Revive me through Your righteousness.
41 May Your favor also come to me, Lord, Your salvation according to Your word;
42 So that I will have an answer for one who taunts me, For I trust in Your word.
43 And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I wait for Your judgments.
44 So I will keep Your Law continually, Forever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts.
46 I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings And shall not be ashamed.
47 I will delight in Your commandments, Which I love.
48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, Which I love; And I will meditate on Your statutes.
49 Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my misery, That Your word has revived me.
51 The arrogant utterly deride me, Yet I do not turn aside from Your Law.
52 I have remembered Your judgments from of old, Lord, And comfort myself.
53 Burning indignation has seized me because of the wicked, Who abandon Your Law.
54 Your statutes are my songs In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 Lord, I remember Your name in the night, And keep Your Law.
56 This has become mine, That I comply with Your precepts.
57 The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.
58 I sought Your favor with all my heart; Be gracious to me according to Your word.
59 I considered my ways And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I hurried and did not delay To keep Your commandments.
61 The snares of the wicked have surrounded me, But I have not forgotten Your Law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You Because of Your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion to all those who fear You, And to those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth is full of Your goodness, Lord; Teach me Your statutes.
65 You have treated Your servant well, Lord, according to Your word.
66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word.
68 You are good and You do good; Teach me Your statutes.
69 The arrogant have forged a lie against me; With all my heart I will comply with Your precepts.
70 Their heart is insensitive, like fat, But I delight in Your Law.
71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, So that I may learn Your statutes.
72 The Law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
73 Your hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, so that I may learn Your commandments.
74 May those who fear You see me and be glad, Because I wait for Your word.
75 I know, Lord, that Your judgments are righteous, And that You have afflicted me in faithfulness.
76 May Your favor comfort me, According to Your word to Your servant.
77 May Your compassion come to me so that I may live, For Your Law is my delight.
78 May the arrogant be put to shame, because they lead me astray with a lie; But I shall meditate on Your precepts.
79 May those who fear You turn to me, And those who know Your testimonies.
80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, So that I will not be ashamed.
81 My soul languishes for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.
82 My eyes fail with longing for Your word, While I say, “When will You comfort me?”
83 Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.
84 How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The arrogant have dug pits for me, People who are not in accord with Your Law.
86 All Your commandments are faithful; They have persecuted me with a lie; help me!
87 They almost destroyed me on earth, But as for me, I did not abandon Your precepts.
88 Revive me according to Your faithfulness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.
89 Forever, Lord, Your word stands in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness continues throughout generations; You established the earth, and it stands.
91 They stand this day by Your ordinances, For all things are Your servants.
92 If Your Law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my misery.
93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me.
94 I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts.
95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me; I will diligently consider Your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection; Your commandment is exceedingly broad.
97 How I love Your Law! It is my meditation all the day.
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than those who are old, Because I have complied with Your precepts.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, So that I may keep Your word.
102 I have not turned aside from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 From 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 and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, Lord, according to Your word.
108 Be pleased to accept the voluntary offerings of my mouth, Lord, And teach me Your judgments.
109 My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your Law.
110 The wicked have set a trap for me, Yet I have not wandered from Your precepts.
111 I have inherited Your testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, even to the end.
113 I hate those who are double-minded, But I love Your Law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Your word.
115 Leave me, you evildoers, So that I may comply with the commandments of my God.
116 Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
117 Sustain me so that I may be safe, That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.
118 You have rejected all those who stray from Your statutes, For their deceitfulness is useless.
119 You have removed all the wicked of the earth like impurities; Therefore I love Your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles from the fear of You, And I am afraid of Your judgments.
121 I have done justice and righteousness; Do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Be a guarantor for Your servant for good; Do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail with longing for Your salvation, And for Your righteous word.
124 Deal with Your servant according to Your graciousness, And teach me Your statutes.
125 I am Your servant; give me understanding, So that I may know Your testimonies.
126 It is time for the Lord to act, For they have broken Your Law.
127 Therefore I love Your commandments Above gold, yes, above pure gold.
128 Therefore I carefully follow all Your precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way.
129 Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul complies with them.
130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for Your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, As is right for those who love Your name.
133 Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any wrongdoing have power over me.
134 Redeem me from oppression by man, So that I may keep Your precepts.
135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes.
136 My eyes shed streams of water, Because they do not keep Your Law.
137 You are righteous, Lord, And Your judgments are right.
138 You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness And great faithfulness.
139 My zeal has consumed me, Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140 Your word is very pure, Therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised, Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your Law is truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me, Yet Your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever; Give me understanding that I may live.
145 I cried out with all my heart; answer me, Lord! I will comply with Your statutes.
146 I cried to You; save me And I shall keep Your testimonies.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words.
148 My eyes anticipate the night watches, So that I may meditate on Your word.
149 Hear my voice according to Your faithfulness; Revive me, Lord, according to Your judgments.
150 Those who follow after wickedness approach; They are far from Your Law.
151 You are near, Lord, And all Your commandments are truth.
152 From long ago I have known from Your testimonies That You have founded them forever.
153 Look at my affliction and rescue me, For I have not forgotten Your Law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, For they do not seek Your statutes.
156 Great are Your mercies, Lord; Revive me according to Your judgments.
157 Many are my persecutors and my enemies, Yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.
158 I see the treacherous and loathe them, Because they do not keep Your word.
159 Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, Lord, according to Your faithfulness.
160 The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments is everlasting.
161 Rulers persecute me without cause, But my heart stands in awe of Your words.
162 I rejoice at Your word, Like one who finds great plunder.
163 I hate and loathe falsehood, But I love Your Law.
164 Seven times a day I praise You Because of Your righteous judgments.
165 Those who love Your Law have great peace, And nothing causes them to stumble.
166 I hope for Your salvation, Lord, And do Your commandments.
167 My soul keeps Your testimonies, And I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You.
169 Let my cry come before You, Lord; Give me understanding according to Your word.
170 Let my pleading come before You; Save me according to Your word.
171 Let my lips pour out praise, For You teach me Your statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing about Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.
173 Let Your hand be ready to help me, For I have chosen Your precepts.
174 I long for Your salvation, Lord, And Your Law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live that it may praise You, And let Your ordinances help me.
176 I have wandered about like a lost sheep; search for Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.
Study
Psalms 119Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 119. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter:
vv1-8
This psalm may be considered as the statement of a believer's experience. As far as our views, desires, and affections agree with what is here expressed, they come from the influences of the Holy Spirit, and no further. The pardoning mercy of God in Christ, is the only source of a sinner's happiness. And those are most happy, who are preserved most free from the defilement of sin, who simply believe God's testimonies, and depend on his promises. If the heart be divided between him and the world, it is evil. But the saints carefully avoid all sin; they are conscious of much evil that clogs them in the ways of God, but not of that wickedness which draws them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at them out of those ways. The tempter would make men think they are at liberty to follow the word of God or not, as they please. But the desire and prayer of a good man agree with the will and command of God. If a man expects by obedience in one thing to purchase indulgence for disobedience in others, his hypocrisy will be detected; if he is not ashamed in this world, everlasting shame will be his portion. The psalmist coveted to learn the laws of God, to give God the glory. And believers see that if God forsakes them, the temper will be too hard for them.
vv9-16
To original corruption all have added actual sin. The ruin of the young is either living by no rule at all, or choosing false rules: let them walk by Scripture rules. To doubt of our own wisdom and strength, and to depend upon God, proves the purpose of holiness is sincere. God's word is treasure worth laying up, and there is no laying it up safe but in our hearts, that we may oppose God's precepts to the dominion of sin, his promises to its allurements, and his threatenings to its violence. Let this be our plea with Him to teach us his statutes, that, being partakers of his holiness, we may also partake of his blessedness. And those whose hearts are fed with the bread of life, should with their lips feed many. In the way of God's commandments there is the unsearchable riches of Christ. But we do not meditate on God's precepts to good purpose, unless our good thoughts produce good works. I will not only think of thy statutes, but do them with delight. And it will be well to try the sincerity of our obedience by tracing the spring of it; the reality of our love by cheerfulness in appointed duties.
vv17-24
If God deals in strict justice with us, we all perish. We ought to spend our lives in his service; we shall find true life in keeping his word. Those that would see the wondrous things of God's law and gospel, must beg him to give them understanding, by the light of his Spirit. Believers feel themselves strangers on earth; they fear missing their way, and losing comfort by erring from God's commandments. Every sanctified soul hungers after the word of God, as food which there is no living without. There is something of pride at the bottom of every wilful sin. God can silence lying lips; reproach and contempt may humble and do us good, and then they shall be removed. Do we find the weight of the cross is above that we are able to bear? He that bore it for us will enable us to bear it; upheld by him we cannot sink. It is sad when those who should protect the innocent, are their betrayers. The psalmist went on in duty, and he found comfort in the word of God. The comforts of the word of God are most pleasant to a gracious soul, when other comforts are made bitter; and those that would have God's testimonies to be their delight, must be advised by them. May the Lord direct us in exercising repentance of sin, and faith in Christ.
Key Words
אֶשֶׁר: happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!
דֶּרֶךְ: a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
תָּמִים: entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
הָלַךְ: to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
תּוֹרָה: a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
נָצַר: to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
עֵדָה: testimony
דָּרַשׁ: properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לֵב: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
Cross References
Psalms 119Both open with a beatitude regarding those who walk in the law of the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Direct thematic parallel: the commandment is a lamp and the law is light.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Jesus exemplifies being consumed by zeal for God's house/word, fulfilling the pattern in v139.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Contrast of transient physical creation with God's everlasting salvation and righteousness, aligning with verse 142.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct New Testament echo of going astray like sheep and returning to the Shepherd.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Exhortation for believers as strangers and pilgrims on the earth to abstain from fleshly lusts.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Explicitly echoes the confession of being a stranger and a sojourner in the earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct linguistic parallel to "my soul cleaveth unto the dust" describing intense physical and spiritual depression.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Illustrates the key theological concept of an "enlarged heart" as a work of divine grace.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Illuminates 'the house of my pilgrimage' with the NT hope of heavenly strangers.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct verbal echo of the phrase 'The Lord is my portion' expressing satisfaction in Him.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Paul and Silas singing praises to God at midnight, demonstrating the practice in action.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Description of the wicked whose hearts are closed, fat, and unresponsive to God.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Affliction yielding the peaceable fruit of righteousness, reflecting the goodness of the Psalmist's trials.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Poole notes the failing of the eyes from intense waiting, matching David's distress in Psalm 69.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Direct parallel showing that the word of the Lord, settled in heaven, endures forever.
Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin
Parallels the description of God's judgments being sweeter than honey.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The prophetic word is a light shining in a dark place.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Identical Hebrew idiom: taking one's life/soul in one's hand amid danger.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Jesus is the ultimate surety of a better covenant, fulfilling the cry in v122.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
Hezekiah cries out with similar phrasing, 'O Lord, I am oppressed; undertake [be surety] for me.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
Direct theological parallel declaring God's word and law as absolute, objective truth.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Internal echo emphasizing that God's testimonies and righteous judgments are established and endure forever.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole
The peace promised to those who love God's law matches Christ's bequest of peace.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The classic Old Testament prophetic confession of all people going astray like lost sheep.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Zacharias and Elizabeth walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Sanctification and cleansing through God's word, which is absolute truth.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels hiding or treasuring up God's commandments deep within one's heart.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Exhorts believers to let the word of Christ dwell in them richly.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Cross-reference within the psalm linking the prayer for spiritual revival ("quicken thou me") with seeking God's way.
Supported by JFB
Jesus' warning against covetousness aligns with the prayer to incline the heart to God's testimonies instead.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels the petition "quicken thou me" within the immediate alphabetical stanzas (Beth/Daleth/He).
Supported by JFB
The NT parallel of setting one's mind on things above, rather than earthly vanity.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Connects walking at liberty with the perfect law of liberty and diligent searching.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Parallels spiritual freedom ('walk at liberty') through knowing and seeking God's truth.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Parallels not being ashamed of God's truth before worldly authorities and kings.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB