¶Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light;
Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).
I opened my mouth and panted [with anticipation],
Because I longed for Your commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me and show me favor,
As is Your way to those who love Your name.
Establish my footsteps in [the way of] Your word;
Do not let any human weakness have power over me [causing me to be separated from You].
Redeem me from the oppression of man;
That I may keep Your precepts. [Luke 1:74]
Make Your face shine [with pleasure] upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes. [Ps 4:6]
My eyes weep streams of water
Because people do not keep Your law.
¶Righteous are You, O LORD,
And upright are Your judgments.
You have commanded Your testimonies in righteousness
And in great faithfulness.
My zeal has [completely] consumed me,
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
Your word is very pure (refined);
Therefore Your servant loves it.
I am small and despised,
But I do not forget Your precepts.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth. [Ps 19:9; John 17:17]
Trouble and anguish have found me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight and my joy.
Your righteous testimonies are everlasting;
Give me understanding [the ability to learn and a teachable heart] that I may live.
¶I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD!
I will observe Your statutes.
I cried to You; save me
And I will keep Your testimonies.
I rise before dawn and cry [in prayer] for help;
I wait for Your word.
My eyes anticipate the night watches and I awake before the call of the watchman,
That I may meditate on Your word.
Hear my voice according to Your [steadfast] lovingkindness;
O LORD, renew and refresh me according to Your ordinances.
Those who follow after wickedness approach;
They are far from Your law.
You are near, O LORD,
And all Your commandments are truth.
Of old I have known from Your testimonies
That You have founded them forever. [Luke 21:33]
¶Look upon my agony and rescue me,
For I do not forget Your law.
Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me and give me life according to [the promise of] Your word.
Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.
Great are Your tender mercies and steadfast love, O LORD;
Revive me and give me life according to Your ordinances.
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not turn away from Your testimonies.
I see the treacherous and loathe them,
Because they do not respect Your law.
Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me and give me life, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.
The sum of Your word is truth [the full meaning of all Your precepts],
And every one of Your righteous ordinances endures forever.
¶Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart stands in [reverent] awe of Your words [so I can expect You to help me]. [1 Sam 24:11, 14; 26:18]
I rejoice at Your word,
As one who finds great treasure.
I hate and detest falsehood,
But I love Your law.
Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous ordinances.
Those who love Your law have great peace;
Nothing makes them stumble. [Prov 3:2; Is 32:17]
I hope and wait [with complete confidence] for Your salvation, O LORD,
And I do Your commandments. [Gen 49:18]
My soul keeps Your testimonies [hearing and accepting and obeying them];
I love them greatly.
I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are [fully known] before You.
¶Let my [mournful] cry come before You, O LORD;
Give me understanding [the ability to learn and a teachable heart] according to Your word [of promise].
Let my supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.
Let my lips speak praise [with thanksgiving],
For You teach me Your statutes.
Let my tongue sing [praise for the fulfillment] of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteous.
Let Your hand be ready to help me,
For I have chosen Your precepts.
I long for Your salvation, O LORD,
And Your law is my delight.
Let my soul live that it may praise You,
And let Your ordinances help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments. [Is 53:6; Luke 15:4; 1 Pet 2:25]