Psalms119
World English Bible · Public Domain
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh’s law.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.
3 Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
4 You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
5 Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
6 Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
7 I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.
8 I will observe your statutes. Don’t utterly forsake me.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments.
11 I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips, I have declared 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 consider your ways.
16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
17 Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me.
20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
21 You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
22 Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
23 Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24 Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.
25 My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
26 I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29 Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!
30 I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
31 I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don’t let me be disappointed.
32 I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.
33 Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
39 Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.
41 Let your loving kindness also come to me, Yahweh, your salvation, according to your word.
42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
43 Don’t snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
44 So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.
45 I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
47 I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
48 I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.
49 Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
51 The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don’t swerve from your law.
52 I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, and have comforted myself.
53 Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs in the house where I live.
55 I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, and I obey your law.
56 This is my way, that I keep your precepts.
57 Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
58 I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
59 I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
61 The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won’t forget your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
63 I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
64 The earth is full of your loving kindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.
65 You have treated your servant well, according to your word, Yahweh.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
68 You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
69 The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
70 Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
73 Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
75 Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.
77 Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
80 Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.
81 My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail for your word. I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don’t forget your statutes.
84 How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.
86 All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
87 They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn’t forsake your precepts.
88 Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
89 Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.
90 Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
91 Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.
92 Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
94 I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.
97 How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.
98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
102 I have not turned away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your promises to my taste, more 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 for my path.
106 I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.
107 I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word.
108 Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances.
109 My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won’t forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven’t gone astray from your precepts.
111 I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
112 I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.
113 I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.
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.
116 Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
118 You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
119 You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.
121 I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being. Don’t let the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
124 Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.
125 I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
126 It is time to act, Yahweh, for they break your law.
127 Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
128 Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
129 Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The entrance 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 have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
133 Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
136 Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your law.
137 You are righteous, Yahweh. Your judgments are upright.
138 You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
141 I am small and despised. I don’t forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
145 I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes.
146 I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
148 My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
149 Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.
151 You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth.
152 Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.
153 Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don’t forget your law.
154 Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don’t seek your statutes.
156 Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven’t swerved from your testimonies.
158 I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don’t observe your word.
159 Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness.
160 All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162 I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.
164 Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
165 Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
166 I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments.
167 My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
168 I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
169 Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word.
170 Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
171 Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.
172 Let my tongue sing of 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 have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t 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