Psalms 119:73-112
Psalms 119:73-112 New Century Version (NCV)
You made me and formed me with your hands. Give me understanding so I can learn your commands. Let those who respect you rejoice when they see me, because I put my hope in your word. LORD, I know that your laws are right and that it was right for you to punish me. Comfort me with your love, as you promised me, your servant. Have mercy on me so that I may live. I love your teachings. Make proud people ashamed because they lied about me. But I will think about your orders. Let those who respect you return to me, those who know your rules. Let me obey your demands perfectly so I will not be ashamed. I am weak from waiting for you to save me, but I hope in your word. My eyes are tired from looking for your promise. When will you comfort me? Even though I am like a wine bag going up in smoke, I do not forget your demands. How long will I live? When will you judge those who are hurting me? Proud people have dug pits to trap me. They have nothing to do with your teachings. All of your commands can be trusted. Liars are hurting me. Help me! They have almost put me in the grave, but I have not rejected your orders. Give me life by your love so I can obey your rules. LORD, your word is everlasting; it continues forever in heaven. Your loyalty will go on and on; you made the earth, and it still stands. All things continue to this day because of your laws, because all things serve you. If I had not loved your teachings, I would have died from my sufferings. I will never forget your orders, because you have given me life by them. I am yours. Save me. I want to obey your orders. Wicked people are waiting to destroy me, but I will think about your rules. Everything I see has its limits, but your commands have none. How I love your teachings! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, because they are mine forever. I am wiser than all my teachers, because I think about your rules. I have more understanding than the elders, because I follow your orders. I have avoided every evil way so I could obey your word. I haven’t walked away from your laws, because you yourself are my teacher. Your promises are sweet to me, sweeter than honey in my mouth! Your orders give me understanding, so I hate lying ways. Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. I will do what I have promised and obey your fair laws. I have suffered for a long time. LORD, give me life by your word. LORD, accept my willing praise and teach me your laws. My life is always in danger, but I haven’t forgotten your teachings. Wicked people have set a trap for me, but I haven’t strayed from your orders. I will follow your rules forever, because they make me happy. I will try to do what you demand forever, until the end.
Psalms 119:73-112 Amplified Bible (AMP)
¶Your hands have made me and established me; Give me understanding and a teachable heart, that I may learn Your commandments. May those who [reverently] fear You see me and be glad, Because I wait for Your word. I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are fair, And that in faithfulness You have disciplined me. [Heb 12:10] O may Your lovingkindness and graciousness comfort me, According to Your word (promise) to Your servant. Let Your compassion come to me that I may live, For Your law is my delight. Let the arrogant be ashamed and humiliated, for they sabotage me with a lie; But I will meditate on Your precepts. May those who fear You [with submissive wonder] turn to me, Even those who have known Your testimonies. May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, So that I will not be ashamed. ¶My soul languishes and grows weak for Your salvation; I wait for Your word. My eyes fail [with longing, watching] for [the fulfillment of] Your promise, Saying, “When will You comfort me?” For I have become like a wineskin [blackened and shriveled] in the smoke [in which it hangs], Yet I do not forget Your statutes. How many are the days of Your servant [which he must endure]? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? [Rev 6:10] The arrogant (godless) have dug pits for me, Men who do not conform to Your law. All Your commandments are faithful and trustworthy. They have persecuted me with a lie; help me [LORD]! They had almost destroyed me on earth, But as for me, I did not turn away from Your precepts. According to Your steadfast love refresh me and give me life, So that I may keep and obey the testimony of Your mouth. ¶Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven [standing firm and unchangeable]. [Ps 89:2; Matt 24:34, 35; 1 Pet 1:25] Your faithfulness continues from generation to generation; You have established the earth, and it stands [securely]. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all things [all parts of the universe] are Your servants. [Jer 33:25] If Your law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my time of trouble. I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me and given me life. I am Yours, save me [as Your own]; For I have [diligently] sought Your precepts and required them [as my greatest need]. [Ps 42:1] The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies. I have seen that all [human] perfection has its limits [no matter how grand and perfect and noble]; Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits [into eternity]. [Rom 3:10-19] ¶Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. [Ps 1:2] Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For Your words are always with me. I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers [because of Your word], For Your testimonies are my meditation. [2 Tim 3:15] I understand more than the aged [who have not observed Your precepts], Because I have observed and kept Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. [Prov 1:15] I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! [Ps 19:10; Prov 8:11] From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. ¶Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. [Prov 6:23] I have sworn [an oath] and have confirmed it, That I will keep Your righteous ordinances. [Neh 10:29] I am greatly afflicted; Renew and revive me [giving me life], O LORD, according to Your word. Accept and take pleasure in the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Your ordinances. [Hos 14:2; Heb 13:15] My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I do not wander from Your precepts. I have taken Your testimonies as a heritage forever, For they are the joy of my heart. [Deut 33:4] I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, even to the end.
Psalms 119:73-112 The Message (MSG)
With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you. When they see me waiting, expecting your Word, those who fear you will take heart and be glad. I can see now, GOD, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what’s true and right. Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight! just the way you promised. Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to. Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds; they tried to sell me a bill of goods, but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel. Let those who fear you turn to me for evidence of your wise guidance. And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high. * * * I’m homesick—longing for your salvation; I’m waiting for your word of hope. My eyes grow heavy watching for some sign of your promise; how long must I wait for your comfort? There’s smoke in my eyes—they burn and water, but I keep a steady gaze on the instructions you post. How long do I have to put up with all this? How long till you haul my tormentors into court? The arrogant godless try to throw me off track, ignorant as they are of God and his ways. Everything you command is a sure thing, but they harass me with lies. Help! They’ve pushed and pushed—they never let up— but I haven’t relaxed my grip on your counsel. In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word. * * * What you say goes, GOD, and stays, as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion; it’s as relevant as the earth when the sun comes up. Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that’s what you ordered—you set the earth going. If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came. But I’ll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words. Save me! I’m all yours. I look high and low for your words of wisdom. The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me, but I’m only concerned with your plans for me. I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can’t contain your commands! * * * Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long. Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete. I’ve even become smarter than my teachers since I’ve pondered and absorbed your counsel. I’ve become wiser than the wise old sages simply by doing what you tell me. I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil so I can spend all my time keeping your Word. I never make detours from the route you laid out; you gave me such good directions. Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking. With your instruction, I understand life; that’s why I hate false propaganda. * * * By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back from living by your righteous order. Everything’s falling apart on me, GOD; put me together again with your Word. Adorn me with your finest sayings, GOD; teach me your holy rules. My life is as close as my own hands, but I don’t forget what you have revealed. The wicked do their best to throw me off track, but I don’t swerve an inch from your course. I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever— what a gift! And how happy it makes me! I concentrate on doing exactly what you say— I always have and always will. * * *
Psalms 119:73-112 King James Version (KJV)
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; Because I have hoped in thy word. I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, And that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: For thy law is my delight. Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: But I will meditate in thy precepts. Let those that fear thee turn unto me, And those that have known thy testimonies. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; That I be not ashamed. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: But I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, Saying, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; Yet do I not forget thy statutes. How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, Which are not after thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. They had almost consumed me upon earth; But I forsook not thy precepts. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. For ever, O LORD, Thy word Is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: For all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: For with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me; For I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: But I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: But thy commandment is exceeding broad. O how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: For thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might keep thy word. I have not departed From thy judgments: For thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, That I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in my hand: Yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me: Yet I erred not from thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: For they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes Alway, even unto the end.
Psalms 119:73-112 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
Your hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. May those who fear You see me and be glad, Because I wait for Your word. I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. O may Your lovingkindness comfort me, According to Your word to Your servant. May Your compassion come to me that I may live, For Your law is my delight. May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie; But I shall meditate on Your precepts. May those who fear You turn to me, Even those who know Your testimonies. May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, So that I will not be ashamed. My soul languishes for Your salvation; I wait for Your word. My eyes fail with longing for Your word, While I say, “When will You comfort me?” Though I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget Your statutes. How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? The arrogant have dug pits for me, Men who are not in accord with Your law. All Your commandments are faithful; They have persecuted me with a lie; help me! They almost destroyed me on earth, But as for me, I did not forsake Your precepts. Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth. Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. They stand this day according to Your ordinances, For all things are Your servants. If Your law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me. I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts. The wicked wait for me to destroy me; I shall diligently consider Your testimonies. I have seen a limit to all perfection; Your commandment is exceedingly broad. O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, Because I have observed Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not turned aside from Your ordinances, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. I have sworn and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous ordinances. I am exceedingly afflicted; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Your ordinances. My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts. I have inherited Your testimonies forever, For they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, even to the end.
Psalms 119:73-112 American Standard Version (ASV)
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: Give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. They that fear thee shall see me and be glad, Because I have hoped in thy word. I know, O Jehovah, that thy judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness thou hast afflicted me. Let, I pray thee, thy lovingkindness be for my comfort, According to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; For thy law is my delight. Let the proud be put to shame; for they have overthrown me wrongfully: But I will meditate on thy precepts. Let those that fear thee turn unto me; And they shall know thy testimonies. Let my heart be perfect in thy statutes, That I be not put to shame. כ KAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation; But I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, While I say, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke; Yet do I not forget thy statutes. How many are the days of thy servant? When wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, Who are not according to thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: They persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. They had almost consumed me upon earth; But I forsook not thy precepts. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; So shall I observe the testimony of thy mouth. ל LAMEDH. For ever, O Jehovah, Thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They abide this day according to thine ordinances; For all things are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts; For with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me; For I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me; But I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection; But thy commandment is exceeding broad. מ MEM. Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day. Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers; For thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, That I might observe thy word. I have not turned aside from thine ordinances; For thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. נ NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path. I have sworn, and have confirmed it, That I will observe thy righteous ordinances. I am afflicted very much: Quicken me, O Jehovah, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O Jehovah, And teach me thine ordinances. My soul is continually in my hand; Yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me; Yet have I not gone astray from thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; For they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes For ever, even unto the end. ס SAMEKH.
Psalms 119:73-112 New International Version (NIV)
Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame. My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word. My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, “When will you comfort me?” Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees. How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors? The arrogant dig pits to trap me, contrary to your law. All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for I am being persecuted without cause. They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth. Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts. The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes. To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless. Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word. Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law. The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts. Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
Psalms 119:73-112 New King James Version (NKJV)
Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. Those who fear You will be glad when they see me, Because I have hoped in Your word. I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are right, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, According to Your word to Your servant. Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For Your law is my delight. Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts. Let those who fear You turn to me, Those who know Your testimonies. Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes, That I may not be ashamed. KAPH My soul faints for Your salvation, But I hope in Your word. My eyes fail from searching Your word, Saying, “When will You comfort me?” For I have become like a wineskin in smoke, Yet I do not forget Your statutes. How many are the days of Your servant? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? The proud have dug pits for me, Which is not according to Your law. All Your commandments are faithful; They persecute me wrongfully; Help me! They almost made an end of me on earth, But I did not forsake Your precepts. Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth. LAMED Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants. Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have given me life. I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts. The wicked wait for me to destroy me, But I will consider Your testimonies. I have seen the consummation of all perfection, But Your commandment is exceedingly broad. MEM Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; For they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, Because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, That I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your judgments, For You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. NUN Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. I have sworn and confirmed That I will keep Your righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word. Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Your judgments. My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. Your testimonies I have taken as a heritage forever, For they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes Forever, to the very end.
Psalms 119:73-112 New Living Translation (NLT)
You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands. May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O LORD, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it. Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant. Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight. Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments. Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws. May I be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed. I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word. My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me? I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees. How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me? These arrogant people who hate your instructions have dug deep pits to trap me. All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause. They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments. In your unfailing love, spare my life; then I can continue to obey your laws. Your eternal word, O LORD, stands firm in heaven. Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans. If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery. I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life. I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments. Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws. Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit. Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments. I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well. How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations. I have suffered much, O LORD; restore my life again as you promised. LORD, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations. My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions. The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments. Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight. I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end.
Psalms 119:73-112 The Passion Translation (TPT)
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!
Psalms 119:73-112 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
Your hands have made and fashioned me; give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word. I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight. Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts. Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies. May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame! My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word. My eyes long for your promise; I ask, “When will you comfort me?” For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes. How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me? The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law. All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me! They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth. Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants. If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life. I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts. The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies. I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad. Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts. I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules. I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.