1Blessed are the undefiled in the way , who walk in the law of the LORD . 2Blessed are they that keep his testimonies , and that seek him with the whole heart . 3They also do no iniquity : they walk in his ways . 4Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently . 5O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes ! 6Then shall I not be ashamed , when I have respect unto all thy commandments . 7I will praise thee with uprightness of heart , when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments . 8I will keep thy statutes : O forsake me not utterly . ב BETH.
Affliction and Dependence on God's Law
9Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? by taking heed thereto according to thy word . 10With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments . 11Thy word have I hid in mine heart , that I might not sin against thee. 12Blessed art thou, O LORD : teach me thy statutes . 13With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth . 14I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies , as much as in all riches . 15I will meditate in thy precepts , and have respect unto thy ways . 16I will delight myself in thy statutes : I will not forget thy word . ג GIMEL.
Delight in God's Statutes
17Deal bountifully with thy servant , that I may live , and keep thy word . 18Open thou mine eyes , that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law . 19I am a stranger in the earth : hide not thy commandments from me. 20My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times . 21Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed , which do err from thy commandments . 22Remove from me reproach and contempt ; for I have kept thy testimonies . 23Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes . 24Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors . ד DALETH.
Prayers for Understanding and Help
25My soul cleaveth unto the dust : quicken thou me according to thy word . 26I have declared my ways , and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes . 27Make me to understand the way of thy precepts : so shall I talk of thy wondrous works . 28My soul melteth for heaviness : strengthen thou me according unto thy word . 29Remove from me the way of lying : and grant me thy law graciously . 30I have chosen the way of truth : thy judgments have I laid before me . 31I have stuck unto thy testimonies : O LORD , put me not to shame . 32I will run the way of thy commandments , when thou shalt enlarge my heart . ה HE.
God's Word as a Source of Hope
33Teach me, O LORD , the way of thy statutes ; and I shall keep it unto the end . 34Give me understanding , and I shall keep thy law ; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart . 35Make me to go in the path of thy commandments ; for therein do I delight . 36Incline my heart unto thy testimonies , and not to covetousness . 37Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity ; and quicken thou me in thy way . 38Stablish thy word unto thy servant , who is devoted to thy fear . 39Turn away my reproach which I fear : for thy judgments are good . 40Behold, I have longed after thy precepts : quicken me in thy righteousness . ו VAU.
Commitment to Obedience
41Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD , even thy salvation , according to thy word . 42So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word . 43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth ; for I have hoped in thy judgments . 44So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever . 45And I will walk at liberty : for I seek thy precepts . 46I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings , and will not be ashamed . 47And I will delight myself in thy commandments , which I have loved . 48My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments , which I have loved ; and I will meditate in thy statutes . ז ZAIN.
The Joy and Certainty of God's Word
49Remember the word unto thy servant , upon which thou hast caused me to hope . 50This is my comfort in my affliction : for thy word hath quickened me. 51The proud have had me greatly in derision : yet have I not declined from thy law . 52I remembered thy judgments of old , O LORD ; and have comforted myself. 53Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law . 54Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage . 55I have remembered thy name , O LORD , in the night , and have kept thy law . 56This I had, because I kept thy precepts . ח CHETH. 57Thou art my portion , O LORD : I have said that I would keep thy words . 58I intreated thy favour with my whole heart : be merciful unto me according to thy word . 59I thought on my ways , and turned my feet unto thy testimonies . 60I made haste , and delayed not to keep thy commandments . 61The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law . 62At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments . 63I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts . 64The earth , O LORD , is full of thy mercy : teach me thy statutes . ט TETH. 65Thou hast dealt well with thy servant , O LORD , according unto thy word . 66Teach me good judgment and knowledge : for I have believed thy commandments . 67Before I was afflicted I went astray : but now have I kept thy word . 68Thou art good , and doest good ; teach me thy statutes . 69The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart . 70Their heart is as fat as grease ; but I delight in thy law . 71It is good for me that I have been afflicted ; that I might learn thy statutes . 72The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver . י JOD. 73Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding , that I may learn thy commandments . 74They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word . 75I know , O LORD , that thy judgments are right , and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. 76Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort , according to thy word unto thy servant . 77Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live : for thy law is my delight . 78Let the proud be ashamed ; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause : but I will meditate in thy precepts . 79Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies . 80Let my heart be sound in thy statutes ; that I be not ashamed . כ CAPH. 81My soul fainteth for thy salvation : but I hope in thy word . 82Mine eyes fail for thy word , saying , When wilt thou comfort me? 83For I am become like a bottle in the smoke ; yet do I not forget thy statutes . 84How many are the days of thy servant ? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? 85The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law . 86All thy commandments are faithful : they persecute me wrongfully ; help thou me. 87They had almost consumed me upon earth ; but I forsook not thy precepts . 88Quicken me after thy lovingkindness ; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth . ל LAMED. 89For ever , O LORD , thy word is settled in heaven . 90Thy faithfulness is unto all generations : thou hast established the earth , and it abideth . 91They continue this day according to thine ordinances : for all are thy servants . 92Unless thy law had been my delights , I should then have perished in mine affliction . 93I will never forget thy precepts : for with them thou hast quickened me. 94I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts . 95The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies . 96I have seen an end of all perfection : but thy commandment is exceeding broad . מ MEM. 97O how love I thy law ! it is my meditation all the day . 98Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies : for they are ever with me. 99I have more understanding than all my teachers : for thy testimonies are my meditation . 100I understand more than the ancients , because I keep thy precepts . 101I have refrained my feet from every evil way , that I might keep thy word . 102I have not departed from thy judgments : for thou hast taught me. 103How sweet are thy words unto my taste ! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth ! 104Through thy precepts I get understanding : therefore I hate every false way . נ NUN. 105Thy word is a lamp unto my feet , and a light unto my path . 106I have sworn , and I will perform it , that I will keep thy righteous judgments . 107I am afflicted very much : quicken me, O LORD , according unto thy word . 108Accept , I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth , O LORD , and teach me thy judgments . 109My soul is continually in my hand : yet do I not forget thy law . 110The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts . 111Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever : for they are the rejoicing of my heart . 112I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway , even unto the end . ס SAMECH. 113I hate vain thoughts : but thy law do I love . 114Thou art my hiding place and my shield : I hope in thy word . 115Depart from me, ye evildoers : for I will keep the commandments of my God . 116Uphold me according unto thy word , that I may live : and let me not be ashamed of my hope . 117Hold thou me up , and I shall be safe : and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually . 118Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes : for their deceit is falsehood . 119Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross : therefore I love thy testimonies . 120My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments . ע AIN. 121I have done judgment and justice : leave me not to mine oppressors . 122Be surety for thy servant for good : let not the proud oppress me. 123Mine eyes fail for thy salvation , and for the word of thy righteousness . 124Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy , and teach me thy statutes . 125I am thy servant ; give me understanding , that I may know thy testimonies . 126It is time for thee , LORD , to work : for they have made void thy law . 127Therefore I love thy commandments above gold ; yea, above fine gold . 128Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right ; and I hate every false way . פ PE. 129Thy testimonies are wonderful : therefore doth my soul keep them. 130The entrance of thy words giveth light ; it giveth understanding unto the simple . 131I opened my mouth , and panted : for I longed for thy commandments . 132Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name . 133Order my steps in thy word : and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. 134Deliver me from the oppression of man : so will I keep thy precepts . 135Make thy face to shine upon thy servant ; and teach me thy statutes . 136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes , because they keep not thy law . צ TZADDI. 137Righteous art thou, O LORD , and upright are thy judgments . 138Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful . 139My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words . 140Thy word is very pure : therefore thy servant loveth it. 141I am small and despised : yet do not I forget thy precepts . 142Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness , and thy law is the truth . 143Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights . 144The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting : give me understanding , and I shall live . ק KOPH. 145I cried with my whole heart ; hear me, O LORD : I will keep thy statutes . 146I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies . 147I prevented the dawning of the morning , and cried : I hoped in thy word . 148Mine eyes prevent the night watches , that I might meditate in thy word . 149Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness : O LORD , quicken me according to thy judgment . 150They draw nigh that follow after mischief : they are far from thy law . 151Thou art near , O LORD ; and all thy commandments are truth . 152Concerning thy testimonies , I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever . ר RESH. 153Consider mine affliction , and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law . 154Plead my cause , and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word . 155Salvation is far from the wicked : for they seek not thy statutes . 156Great are thy tender mercies , O LORD : quicken me according to thy judgments . 157Many are my persecutors and mine enemies ; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies . 158I beheld the transgressors , and was grieved ; because they kept not thy word . 159Consider how I love thy precepts : quicken me, O LORD , according to thy lovingkindness . 160Thy word is true from the beginning : and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever . ש SCHIN. 161Princes have persecuted me without a cause : but my heart standeth in awe of thy word . 162I rejoice at thy word , as one that findeth great spoil . 163I hate and abhor lying : but thy law do I love . 164Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments . 165Great peace have they which love thy law : and nothing shall offend them. 166LORD , I have hoped for thy salvation , and done thy commandments . 167My soul hath kept thy testimonies ; and I love them exceedingly . 168I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies : for all my ways are before thee. ת TAU. 169Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD : give me understanding according to thy word . 170Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word . 171My lips shall utter praise , when thou hast taught me thy statutes . 172My tongue shall speak of thy word : for all thy commandments are righteousness . 173Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts . 174I have longed for thy salvation , O LORD ; and thy law is my delight . 175Let my soul live , and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. 176I have gone astray like a lost sheep ; seek thy servant ; for I do not forget thy commandments .