The punishment you brought me through was the best thing
that could have happened to me, for it taught me your ways.
The words you speak to me are worth more
than all the riches and wealth in the whole world!
Your very hands have held me and made me who I am;
give me more revelation-light so I may learn to please you more.
May all your devoted lovers see how you treat me and be glad,
for your words are entwined with my heart.
Lord, I know that your judgments are always right.
Even when it’s me you judge, you’re still faithful and true.
Send your kind mercy-kiss to comfort me, your servant,
just like you promised you would.
Love me tenderly so I can go on,
for I delight in your life-giving truth.
Shame upon the proud liars! See how they oppress me,
all because of my passion for your precepts!
May all your devoted lovers follow me
as I follow the path of your instruction.
Make me passionate and wholehearted to fulfill your every wish,
so that I’ll never have to be ashamed of myself.
I’m lovesick with yearnings for more of your salvation,
for my heart is entwined with your Word.
I’m consumed with longings for your promises,
so I ask, “When will they all come true?”
My soul feels dry and shriveled, useless and forgotten,
but I will never forget your living truth.
How much longer must I wait until you punish my persecutors?
For I am your loving servant.
Arrogant men who hate your truth and never obey your laws
have laid a trap for my life.
They don’t know that everything you say is true,
so they harass me with their lies. Help me, Lord!
They’ve nearly destroyed my life, but I refuse to yield;
I still live according to your Word.
Revive me with your tender love and
spare my life by your kindness, and I will continue to obey you.
Standing firm in the heavens and fastened to eternity
is the Word of God.
Your faithfulness flows from one generation to the next;
all that you created sits firmly in place to testify of you.
By your decree everything stands at attention,
for all that you have made serves you.
Because your words are my deepest delight,
I didn’t give up when all else was lost.
I can never forget the profound revelations you’ve taught me,
for they have kept me alive more than once.
Lord, I’m all yours, and you are my Savior;
I have sought to live my life pleasing to you.
Even though evil men wait in ambush to kill me,
I will set my heart before you to understand more of your ways.
I’ve learned that there is nothing perfect
in this imperfect world except your words,
for they bring such fantastic freedom into my life!
O how I love and treasure your law;
throughout the day I fill my heart with its light!
By considering your commands I have an edge over my enemies,
for I take seriously everything you say.
You have given me more understanding than those who teach me,
for I’ve absorbed your eye-opening revelation.
You have graced me with more insight than the old sages
because I have not failed to walk in the light of your ways.
I refused to bend my morals when temptation was before me
so that I could become obedient to your Word.
I refuse to turn away from difficult truths,
for you yourself have taught me to love your words.
How sweet are your living promises to me;
sweeter than honey is your revelation-light.
For your truth is the source of my understanding,
not the falsehoods of those who don’t know you, which I despise.
Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions;
the revelation of your Word makes my pathway clear.
To live my life by your righteous rules
has been my holy and lifelong commitment.
I’m bruised and broken, overwhelmed by it all;
breathe life into me again by your living word.
Lord, receive my grateful thanks
and teach me more of how to please you.
Even though my life hangs in the balance,
I’ll keep following what you’ve taught me, no matter what.
The ungodly have done their best to throw me off track,
but I’ll not deviate from what you’ve told me to do.
Everything you speak to me is like joyous treasure,
filling my life with gladness.
I have determined in my heart to obey whatever you say,
fully and forever!
I despise those who can’t keep commitments,
for I passionately love your revelation-light!
You’re my place of quiet retreat, and your wraparound presence
becomes my shield as I wrap myself in your Word!
Go away! Leave me, all you workers of wickedness,
for you can’t stop me from following every command of my God.
Lord, strengthen my inner being by the promises of your Word
so that I may live faithful and unashamed for you.
Lift me up and I will be safe.
Empower me to live every moment in the light of your ways.
Lord, you reject those who reject your laws,
for they fool no one but themselves!
The wicked are thrown away, discarded and valueless.
That’s why I will keep loving all of your laws!
My body trembles in holy awe of you, leaving me speechless,
for I’m frightened of your righteous judgments.
Don’t leave me to the mercies of those who hate me,
for I live to do what is just and fair.
Let me hear your promise of blessing over my life,
breaking me free from the proud oppressors.
As a lovesick lover, I yearn for more of your salvation
and for your virtuous promises.
Let me feel your tender love, for I am yours.
Give me more understanding of your wonderful ways.
I need more revelation from your Word
to know more about you, for I’m in love with you!
Lord, the time has come for you to break through,
for evil men keep breaking your laws.