Psalms 119:80-148

⁸⁰May I be innocent in the way I keep your rules so that I won't be ashamed.

⁸¹Kaph I'm exhausted waiting for you to save me, but my hope is in your word.

⁸²I strain my eyes looking for you to keep your promises, asking “When will you comfort me?”

⁸³I've become like a wineskin that's been shriveled up by smoke, but I have not forgotten to do as you say.

⁸⁴How long do I have to wait before you punish my persecutors?

⁸⁵These arrogant people have dug pits to trap me, these people who don't care anything about your law.

⁸⁶All your commands are trustworthy. Help me against these people who persecute me with their lies!

⁸⁷They have almost killed me, but I have not given up on what you say.

⁸⁸Since you love me with your trustworthy love, don't let me die, so I can go on following the instructions you have given.

⁸⁹Lamedh Your word, Lord, lasts forever. It stands firm in the heavens.

⁹⁰Your faithfulness lasts for all generations, as permanent as the earth you created.

⁹¹Your judgments stand—they are as true today as ever—for everything serves your will.

⁹²If I didn't love your teachings, my suffering would have killed me.

⁹³I will never forget your instructions, for through them you give me life.

⁹⁴I belong to you, so please save me! I am committed to following your rules.

⁹⁵Even though wicked people are waiting to ambush and kill me, I will focus my mind on what you say.

⁹⁶I recognize that human perfection has its limits, but your law is limitless.

⁹⁷Mem I really love your law! I meditate on it all day long.

⁹⁸Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for I'm always thinking about your instructions.

⁹⁹In fact I have a better insight than all of my teachers because I spend time concentrating on what you say.

¹⁰⁰I even understand more than the elders because I follow your directions.

¹⁰¹I avoid any course of action that leads to evil, because I want to remain faithful to your word.

¹⁰²I have not disregarded your instructions because you yourself taught me what to do.

¹⁰³Your words taste so sweet to me! They are sweeter than honey to my mouth.

¹⁰⁴I gain understanding from what you say, so I hate any way of life that's just a lie.

¹⁰⁵Nun Your word is a lamp that shows me where to walk, it's a light for my path.

¹⁰⁶I've made a promise, and I will keep it: I will keep your rules that are always right!

¹⁰⁷Lord, I'm really suffering! Please let me live, as you have promised.

¹⁰⁸Lord, please accept my offerings of praise that I freely give you. Teach me your rules.

¹⁰⁹My life is always at risk, but I will not forget your law.

¹¹⁰Wicked people have set a trap for me, but I will not stray from your commandments.

¹¹¹I will always hold on to what you say for your words make me really happy,

¹¹²I have made up my mind to follow your instructions to the very end.

¹¹³Samekh I hate people who are two-faced, but I love your law.

¹¹⁴You keep me safe and you defend me, your word gives me reason to hope.

¹¹⁵Leave me alone, you evil people, and let me keep the commandments of my God.

¹¹⁶Support me, Lord, as you promised, so I can live. Don't let my hope turn into discouragement.

¹¹⁷Support me, so I can be saved and always pay attention to your instructions.

¹¹⁸You reject all those who don't follow your instructions—they're fooling themselves by living a lie.

¹¹⁹You treat the wicked people on earth as something worthless to be discarded; therefore I love your laws.

¹²⁰I have goose bumps thinking of you—I'm in awe! I'm scared of your judgments!

¹²¹Ayin I have done what's fair and right, so please don't abandon me to my enemies.

¹²²Please promise you'll take care of me, your servant. Don't let these arrogant people mistreat me.

¹²³I strain my eyes looking for your salvation, watching for you to fulfill your promise to make everything good.

¹²⁴Please treat me, your servant, according to your trustworthy love. Teach me what you want me to do.

¹²⁵I am your servant. Please give me discernment so I can understand your instructions.

¹²⁶Lord, it's time for you to act, for these people have broken your laws.

¹²⁷This is why I love your commandments more than gold, more than the finest gold.

¹²⁸All of your rules are right in every way, and so I hate any way of life that's just a lie.

¹²⁹Pe Your laws are truly wonderful—that's why I keep them!

¹³⁰Studying your words brings light so that even the uneducated can understand.

¹³¹With keen desire I long for what you have to say.

¹³²Please pay attention to me and be kind to me, as you are with those who love you.

¹³³Tell me by your word the way I should go, and don't let any kind of evil control me.

¹³⁴Save me from cruel people so I can follow your instructions.

¹³⁵Please look favorably on me, your servant, teach me what I should do.

¹³⁶My tears stream down as I weep for those who don't keep your law.

¹³⁷Tsadhe Lord, you are right, and what you decide is just!

¹³⁸You have given your instructions which are fair and totally trustworthy.

¹³⁹My devotion is burning me up inside because my enemies ignore your words.

¹⁴⁰Your promises have been proved true, and that's why I, your servant, love them.

¹⁴¹I may be unimportant and looked down on, but I don't forget your commandments.

¹⁴²Your goodness and justice last forever; and your law is the truth.

¹⁴³When I have problems and sadness, your commands make me happy.

¹⁴⁴Your laws are always right; help me to understand what they mean so I can live.

¹⁴⁵Qoph My whole being is crying out! Lord, please answer me! I will follow your instructions.

¹⁴⁶I pray to you, asking, “Please save me!” so I can do what you say.

¹⁴⁷I get up before dawn, and call out to you for help and put my hope in your word.

¹⁴⁸During the night I stay awake, meditating on your word.