Psalms 119:1-176
1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefileda in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!
6 Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.
8 I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.
17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.
18 Openb thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.
19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.
20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.
21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.
22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.
23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.
24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.c
25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.
26 I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.
28 My soul meltethd for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.
31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.
32 I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
33 HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.
38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.
39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
41 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.
42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.
44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty:e for I seek thy precepts.
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.
48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.
49 ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.
52 I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.
53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.
56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts.
57 CHETH. Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.
58 I intreated thy favourf with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.
59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
60 I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
61 The bandsg of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.
64 The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.
65 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.
68 Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.
69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.
73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.
74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.
75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right,h and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.
80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.
81 CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.
82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.
84 How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.
86 All thy commandments are faithful:i they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.
88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.
89 LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.
90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.
91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.
92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93 I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.
94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.
95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.
96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.
97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are everj with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.
102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105 NUN. Thy word is a lampk unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to performl thy statutes alway, even unto the end.
113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.
118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.
121 AIN. I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.
122 Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.
123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.
124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.
125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.
126 It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.
127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.
129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131 I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.
132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.
136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.
137 TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteousm and very faithful.
139 My zeal hath consumedn me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.
140 Thy word is very pure:o therefore thy servant loveth it.
141 I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.
144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.
145 KOPH. I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.
146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.
147 I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.
148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.
149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.
150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.
151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.
152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
153 RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.
154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.
156 Greatp are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.
157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.
158 I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.
159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.
160 Thy wordq is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.
161 SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
162 I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.
164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.
165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.
166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.
167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.
169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.
170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.
171 My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.
172 My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.
173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.
174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.
Gordon Churchyard
The Word of God
Psalms 119
Jesus said, "If you love me you will obey me" (John 14:15).
The Story of Psalms 119
Solomon was king of Israel nearly 1000 years Before Christ came to the earth (B.C.). Solomon built the house of God that was in Jerusalem. We call it "the *temple". About 600 B.C. a nation called Babylon fought the *Jews. A nation is a country with a government. Babylon was 800 kilometres east of Jerusalem. The Babylonians won the fight and they took many *Jews to Babylon. We call this "the *exile". The Babylonians also destroyed the *temple.After the *exile many *Jews went back to their own country. About 500 B.C. they built the *temple again. Then they made the Book of Psalms to sing in the new *temple. Some were old psalms by David, Moses and Isaiah. Other psalms were new like Psalms 1; Psalms 119 was probably one of these new psalms. It is a very special psalm. There are 176 verses (or parts) in it. Some people think that 176 different people wrote one verse each. Other people think that Ezra wrote all Psalms 119. Ezra was a *Jewish leader about 450 B.C.
There are 22 letters in the Hebrew alphabet. The *Jews spoke Hebrew, so they wrote Psalms 119 in the Hebrew language. The first letter of the Hebrew alphabet is aleph. Verses 1-8 all begin with aleph. Beth is the second letter. Verses 9-16 all begin with beth. Verses 17-24 all begin with the 3rd letter and so on. So, there are 22 times 8, or 176 verses in the psalm. We think that they did this to make it easier for them to remember the psalm. It was probably a psalm that *Jewish leaders had to remember. We have not made the verses start with the right letter in this translation. We have put the psalm into 22 groups with 8 verses in each group.
There are also 8 special words in the psalm. To the *Jews these 8 words were important. They described what God told them to do. They are also important for Christians, because they tell them the ways that God speaks to them. The most important way is through the Bible. Christians call the Bible "The Word of God". Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. You will probably find that you can study it more easily in groups of 8 verses.
Here are the 8 special words:
1. word (dabar in Hebrew): it means things like the 10 commandments in Exodus chapter 20. These were the 10 things that God told his people to do or not to do.
2. saying (imrah): this is another way to say word.
3. statutes (chuqqim): these are the rules that the *Jews made early in their history. We translate it *laws in Psalms 119. "History" means the story of what happened.
4. judgments (mishpatim): a later word for statutes. We translate it "rules" in Psalms 119.
5. law (torah): this means the first 5 books of the Bible. Later it included other books like Isaiah and Jeremiah. We translate it "*teaching" in Psalms 119.
6. *commands (mitsvat): what someone with authority tells you to do.
7. precepts (piqqudim): these give us help when we want to know what to do. We translate it "*guidelines" in Psalms 119.
8. testimonies (eduth): these are the things that God tells us to do as *Jews or Christians. We translate it "*instructions" in Psalms 119.
There are other important words in Psalms 119. They include way and path; *heart and follow.
Way and path both mean the same thing in the psalm. They mean: what we do in our lives. Our way can be good or bad. If we obey Psalms 119, our way will be good. Jesus said, "I am the way" (John 14:6). If we obey Jesus, our way will be good. In Acts 9:2, "in the way" is another name for "being a Christian".
*heart does not mean the same thing each time it comes:
• "a clean *heart" means that God has forgiven us
• "in my *heart" means "in my mind"
• "all my/their *heart" means "all that I/they can do in the body or mind"
Your *heart in the psalms often means all of you! When God *forgives us, he gives our *sin to Jesus. He takes it away. Our *sin is the bad things that we do.
Follow in verses 4, 14, 15, 56, 63, 87, 100, 133, 168 and 173 means "obey".
Psalms 119
ALEPH
v1 The people that make no mistakes in the way are very happy.
They obey the *teaching of the *LORD.
v2 The people that keep to his *instructions are very happy.
They look for him with all their *heart.
v3 Also, they do nothing that is wrong.
They walk in his ways.
v4 You have made *guidelines for me.
I must follow them all.
v5 I want to make sure
that my ways obey your *laws.
v6 Then I will not be ashamed
when I remember all your *commands.
v7 I will *praise you with a clean *heart
when I learn your *righteous rules.
v8 I will obey your *laws.
Do not ever stop giving me help.
BETH
v9 How can a young man keep his path clean?
He must obey your words.
v10 I have looked for you with all my *heart.
Do not let me forget your *commands.
v11 I have hidden your *sayings in my *heart
so that I do not *sin against you.
v12 *LORD, you are *blessed!
Teach me your *laws.
v13 My lips repeat all the *commands of your mouth.
v14 I am happier following the way by your *instructions
than having a lot of money.
v15 I want to think about your *guidelines
and follow your paths.
v16 I am very happy with your *laws.
I will not forget your word.
GIMEL
v17 Be kind to your servant.
Then I will live and obey your word.
v18 Open my eyes
and I will see *wonderful things in your *teaching.
v19 I am a stranger in the earth.
Do not hide your *commands from me.
v20 I love to obey your rules so much
that I have no interest in other things.
v21 You are angry with the people who think that they are important.
Bad things will happen to them
when they walk away from your *commands.
v22 Some people say bad and *unkind things about me
because I keep to your *instructions.
Take me away from those people.
v23 *Princes sit down and make plans against me.
But your servant thinks only about your *laws.
v24 Yes! Your *instructions make me really happy.
They are like people that tell me what to do.
DALETH
v25 I am lying on the ground.
Give me the life that your word promises to me.
v26 I told you about my ways and you answered me.
Teach me your *laws.
v27 Make me to understand what your *guidelines mean.
Then I will always think about the *wonderful things that you do.
v28 My very great *sadness has made me tired.
Make me strong again as your word promises.
v29 Take the false way from me.
Be kind to me in your *teaching.
v30 I have chosen the right way.
I will not forget your rules.
v31 I will keep to your *instructions, *LORD.
Do not make me ashamed.
v32 I will run in the way of your *commands
because you give help to my *heart.
HE
v33 *LORD, give me help to understand your *laws,
then I will always obey them.
v34 Explain your *teaching to me, then I will always obey it.
I will do it with all my *heart.
v35 Make me to walk in the path where your *orders send me.
Do that because it will give me much pleasure.
v36 Turn my *heart to your *instructions
and not to wanting *riches.
v37 Turn my eyes away from looking at things that have no value.
Give me the life that is in your word.
v38 Do for your servant the things that your *sayings promise.
This will make him be afraid of you.
v39 I am afraid of being ashamed.
Do not let it happen, because your rules are good.
v40 I really want your *guidelines.
Keep me alive as you are *righteous.
VAV
v41 *LORD, I want your kind love to come to me
and I want your *sayings to make me safe.
v42 Then I will have something to say to the people that laugh at me.
They laugh at me because I *trust in your word.
v43 Do not take a true word away from my mouth,
because I put my hope in your rules.
v44 I will always obey your *teaching,
I will never stop.
v45 I will be free to walk anywhere
because I look for your *guidelines.
v46 I will talk about your *instructions before kings.
I will not be ashamed.
v47 I love your *commands
and I am very happy with them.
v48 I lift up my hands to your *commands, which I love.
I am always thinking about your *laws.
ZAYIN
v49 Remember your word to your servant.
You made me put my hope in it.
v50 Your *sayings *comfort me when I am sad.
They comfort me because they give me life.
v51 *Proud people laugh at me all the time,
but I do not turn away from your *teaching.
v52 *LORD, I remember the rules that you made long ago.
They make me feel better.
v53 I get very angry
when *godless people turn away from your *teaching.
v54 Your *laws are my songs
in the house where I live.
v55 *LORD, in the night I will remember your name.
I will keep your *teaching.
v56 I do this
because I follow your *guidelines.
HETH
v57 *LORD, you are everything to me.
I promise to obey your words.
v58 I ask you, with all my *heart,
to *have *mercy on me as you have promised.
v59 I have thought about my ways,
and my feet are going back to follow your *instructions.
v60 I will hurry to obey your *commands
and I will not be slow.
v61 People who do not know God are all round me.
They tie me up but still I do not forget your *teaching.
v62 I get up in the middle of the night to *praise you
because your rules are *righteous.
v63 I am a friend of everyone that is afraid of you.
And I am a friend of those who follow your *guidelines.
v64 *LORD, the earth is full of your kind love.
Teach me your *laws.
TETH
v65 You do good things for your servant, *LORD,
as your word says.
v66 Teach me. Then I will choose and know what is right.
I will do that because I *trust your *commands.
v67 Before I was in trouble with you I made mistakes.
But now I keep to your *sayings.
v68 You are good and you do good things.
Teach me your *laws.
v69 *Proud men have told me lots of lies,
but your *guidelines are of great value to me.
v70 #Their *heart is fat and they are *stupid;
but I love your *teaching.
v71 My trouble was good for me.
It made me learn your *laws.
v72 *Teaching from your mouth is better for me
than a lot of *silver and gold.
#This is the *heart of the *proud men in verse 69. It means that they cannot think clearly.
JODH
v73 Your hands*created me. And they made me what I am.
Help me to understand and learn your *commands.
v74 The people that are afraid of you will be happy.
They will be happy when they see me.
This is because I am *trusting in your word.
v75 *LORD, I know that your rules are *righteous.
You were right when you sent me trouble.
v76 Now your kind love makes me feel better.
You promised this to your servant in your *sayings.
v77 Send your love to me and I will live!
Your *teaching makes me really happy.
v78 *Proud men will be ashamed
because they say lies about me without any reason.
v79 The people that are afraid of you will turn to me again.
They understand your *instructions.
v80 My *heart will make no mistakes about your *laws.
I will not be ashamed.
KAPH
v81 I feel weak while I wait for you to save me.
My hope is in your word.
v82 My eyes are closing while I look for your *sayings.
I say, "When will you *comfort me?"
v83 I am like #a *wineskin in smoke
but I will not forget your *guidelines.
v84 The life of your servant is not very long.
When will you make the people that *persecute me obey your rules?
v85 *Proud people have made *traps for me.
Your *teaching says that they must not do this.
v86 All your *commands are true.
But people still *persecute me with lies. Give me help!
v87 People on earth almost destroyed me,
but I did not stop following your *guidelines.
v88 Your kind love gives me life.
I will obey your *instructions.
# We are not sure what this means.
LAMED
v89 *LORD, your word will always rule in the *heavens.
v90 Your *truth will continue from one century to the next.
You have fixed the earth and it will remain.
v91 #They remain today as your rules say they must.
They are all your servants.
v92 If your *teaching had not made me happy
then my great *sadness would have destroyed me.
v93 I will never forget your *guidelines
because in them you give me life.
v94 I am yours, save me!
Do it because I have looked for your *guidelines.
v95 The *godless wait to destroy me,
but I am studying your *instructions.
v96 I see that all that is good on earth will finish.
But your *commands have no end.
#"they" probably means the earth and the stars in the *heavens (skies).
MEM
v97 I love your *teaching very much.
I think about it all day long.
v98 Your *commands teach me more than my enemies.
Your *commands are always with me.
v99 I understand more than all my teachers
because I think about your *commands.
v100 I understand more than the old people
because I follow your *guidelines.
v101 I do not let my feet walk in any *evil path
because I obey your word.
v102 I do not turn away from your rules,
because you teach me.
v103 Your *sayings are like *honey to me.
They are like something that tastes good.
v104 Your *guidelines give me help to understand things,
so I hate every wrong path.
NUN
v105 Your word is a *lamp to my foot
and a light to my path.
v106 I have really promised to keep your *righteous rules
and I will do it.
v107 People have hurt me very much.
Give me the life that your word promises.
v108 *LORD, I pray that you will be happy with what I say.
And I pray that you will teach me your rules.
v109 I am always in danger,
but I never forget your *teaching.
v110 *Wicked people have made a *trap for me,
but I do not go away from your *guidelines.
v111 Your *instructions will always be with me
and they make my *heart very happy.
v112 I will make my *heart obey your *instructions always, to the end.
SAMEKH
v113 I hate the people that do not believe you.
But I love your *teaching.
v114 You are my secret place where I can hide.
I put my hope in your word.
v115 Go away from me, you bad people!
I will obey my God's *commands.
v116 Give me help and life, as your word promises.
And do not make me ashamed, because I hope in you.
v117 Give me help and I will be safe.
I will always obey your *laws.
v118 You turn away from people that do not follow your *laws.
This is because they speak lies.
And they are not honest.
v119 You destroy all the bad people in the world as *rubbish.
For this reason I love your *instructions.
v120 Am afraid of you and it makes my body *shiver.
I am afraid of your rules.
AYIN
v121 I was *righteous and I obeyed the rules.
Do not give me to my *oppressors.
v122 Make sure that good things happen to your servant.
Do not let *proud people become my *oppressors.
v123 My eyes have stopped seeing that you are saving me.
They do not see your *righteous *sayings.
v124 Do with your servant what your kind love suggests.
Teach me your *laws.
v125 I am your servant. Explain your *instructions to me
so that I understand them.
v126 It is time for the *LORD to do something.
People have not obeyed your *teaching.
v127-128 I hate every wrong path because:
• I love your *commands more than gold, *pure gold
• I think that all your *guidelines are right
PE
v129 I obey your *instructions
because they are *wonderful.
v130 When I read your words they bring light.
They help people that do not know enough to understand things.
v131 My mouth is wide open as I *breathe.
This is because I am so *eager for your *commands.
v132 Turn to me and have *mercy on me.
Your rules say that you will do this.
You will do this to people that love your name.
v133 Make my feet follow your *sayings.
Do not let *sin rule over me.
v134 Make me free from *oppressors
and I will follow your *guidelines.
v135 Show a kind face to your servant
and teach me your *laws.
v136 Streams of water come from my eyes
because people do not obey your *teaching.
TSADHE
v137 *LORD, you are *righteous
and your rules are good.
v138 The *instructions that you gave are very fair.
And we can *trust in them.
v139 I am so *eager that it makes me feel weak.
But my enemies do not listen to your words.
v140 We have found that your *sayings are true.
Your servant loves them.
v141 I am not important and people do not like me.
But I will not forget your *guidelines.
v142 You are always *righteous and fair.
Your *teachings are true.
v143 An enemy brought me trouble,
but your *commands make me happy.
v144 Your *instructions are always fair.
Make me understand them and find life.
KOPH
v145 I cried with all my *heart. "Answer me, *LORD".
"I will obey your *laws", I cried.
v146 "Save me
and I will keep to your *instructions."
v147 I woke up before dawn and cried to you for help.
I want all that you promised in your word.
v148 I stayed up all night
and thought about your *sayings.
v149 Listen to my voice, because you are loving and kind.
*LORD, keep me alive as your rules promise me.
v150 The people that *persecute me are coming near.
They want to do something very bad to me.
They are far away from your *teaching.
v151 *LORD, you are near to me.
All your *commands are true.
v152 I have known about your *instructions for a long time.
And I have known that you made them to continue always.
RESH
v153 Look at my trouble!
Save me because I do not forget your *teaching.
v154 Fight my fight for me and *redeem me.
Keep me alive as your *sayings promise me.
v155 *Godless people are far away from being safe.
They do not look for your *laws.
v156 *LORD, your love is great,
because your rules keep me alive.
v157 Many enemies *persecute me
but I do not go away from your *instructions.
v158 I see people doing such bad things that I hate them.
But, I do not stop obeying your *sayings.
v159 See how I love your *guidelines, *LORD.
Keep me alive through your kind love.
v160 All your words are true.
All your *righteous rules will continue always.
SHIN
v161 *Princes *persecute me for no good reason.
But it is your word that really makes my *heart afraid.
v162 I am very happy with your *sayings.
I am like someone that finds great riches.
v163 I do not like *lies, I hate them.
Your *teaching is what I love.
v164 I *praise you 7 times every day
because of your *righteous rules.
v165 People that love your *teaching have a lot of *peace.
Nothing will make them fall down.
v166 *LORD, I am waiting for you to save me
while I obey your *commands.
v167 I will keep to your *instructions
because I love them so much.
v168 I follow your *guidelines and *instructions
because you see all that I do.
TAV
v169 I am calling to you for help, *LORD.
I want to understand your word.
v170 Hear what I pray and have *mercy on me.
Save me, as your *sayings promise me.
v171 My lips will pour out *praise
because you are *teaching me your *laws.
v172 My *tongue will sing your *sayings
because all your *commands are *righteous.
v173 I want your hand to come to my help
because I chose to follow your *guidelines.
v174 *LORD, I want you to save me.
Your *teaching makes me very happy.
v175 Give me life so that I can *praise you.
May your rules give me help.
v176 I have become like a lost sheep.
Look for your servant,
because I have not forgotten your *commands.
Something to do
1. Find which 8 verse groups have all 8 special words in them. (See The Story of Psalms 119.)2. Learn to say some of the verses without looking at the words. Try verses 11, 33, 97, 105 and any other verses that you like.
3. Find the verses that talk about
(a) being very happy;
(b) what the *psalmist did in the night;
(c) *comfort;
(d) people that *persecute me.
4. Find all the verses with "*heart" in them and decide what each means. Look in The Story of Psalms 119 for help.
Hebrew ~ the language that the Jews spoke; they wrote the Psalms in Hebrew.
temple ~ a place where people meet to worship God.
Jew ~ a person who is born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children; a person who has the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; in the Psalms, belief in God.
exile ~ away from your own country.
Jewish ~ a word that describes a Jew or anything to do with a Jew.
Jew ~ a person who is born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children; a person who has the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; in the Psalms, belief in God.
laws ~ the rules in a country. In Psalm 78 the rules in the first 5 books of the Bible.
teaching ~ (in Psalm 119) part of the first 5 books of the bible.
command ~ tell someone to do something.
guideline ~ rules; they help us when we do not know what to do.
instruction ~ something that God or someone else tells us to do.
heart ~ (in Hebrew poems), "heart" means "mind", the part of us that thinks.
heart ~ part of the body. Jews believed that you thought in your heart.
poem ~ using words in a special (often very beautiful) way.
Jew ~ a person who is born from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their children; a person who has the faith of the Jews, called Judaism.
faith ~ belief in someone or something; in the Psalms, belief in God.
forgive ~ take away the results of sin. (But look in the notes on Psalm 85:2.)
sin ~ not obeying God; or what you do when you do not obey God.
sin ~ not obeying God; or what you do when you do not obey God.
Lord ~ a name for God; it means he has authority, or "master"; It is the word "Adonai" in Hebrew. Look also at LORD below.
LORD ~ a special name for God that his people use. It is the covenant name of God. In Hebrew it is Yahweh or Jehovah. Look after Psalm 25 in Book 1 of the Psalms of David for more about the names of God.
lord ~ someone with authority.
LORD ~ the covenant name for God (in a covenant you agree with someone).
Hebrew ~ the language that the Jews spoke; they wrote the Psalms in Hebrew.
covenant ~ two people have agreed what each should do (here, God and his people). Look in Psalm 120 about the covenant.
Yahweh ~ the covenant name for God. Most Bibles translate it LORD with 4 capital letters. It means something like "I am" or "always alive".
Jehovah ~ how some languages say Yahweh, one of the names of God in Hebrew.
praise ~ to say how great someone is; or, words that say how great someone is.
righteous ~ very good (only God is really righteous). God says that the people who love and obey him are righteous. Sometimes we say they are "the righteous", meaning "righteous people". Look after Psalm 5 in Book 1 of the Psalms of David for more about the word "righteous".
sayings ~ words that God has said.
blessed ~ someone that God has said or done good things to.
wonderful ~ great and surprising.
unkind ~ the opposite of kind.
prince ~ son of a king.
sadness ~ to feel very sad.
order ~ these words tell someone what they must do.
riches ~ a lot of money and other things of value.
trust ~ believe that someone (usually God in the psalms) will be kind to you.'comfort me ~ make me strong and/or happier; say kind things to me and give me help.'proud people ~ proud people think that they are good and clever. But they may not be.
godless ~ people that do not obey God, and that fight against him.
mercy ~ being kind when you do not have to be kind.
stupid ~ opposite of clever.
teaching ~ (in Psalm 119) part of the first 5 books of the bible.
silver ~a metal of great value, like gold.
create ~ make.
wineskin ~ a wineskin is like a bottle. People made them from animal skins. People store wine in wineskins.
wine ~ a drink with alcohol in it. People make it from grapes.
grapes ~ the fruit of a plant called the vine. People use them to make drink that has alcohol in it. The drink is wine.'persecute me ~ do bad things to me because of what I believe.
trap ~ thing that you catch animals or birds in.
heavens ~ the skies (with sun, moon and stars) or the home of God.
truth ~ words that are true.
evil ~ very, very bad.
honey ~ a special sugar made by insects called bees.
lamp ~ light that you can carry with you.
wicked ~ very, very bad.
rubbish ~ what people throw away.
shiver ~ feel very, very cold.
oppressors ~ people that hurt me. They can hurt me because they are stronger than me.'proud people ~ proud people think that they are good and clever. But they may not be.
pure ~ very, very clean.
breathe ~ air going through our mouths.
eager ~ want very much for something to happen; wanting to do something very much.'redeem me ~ buy me back from the enemy.
godless ~ people that do not obey God, and that fight against him.
lies ~ words that are not true.
peace ~ when we are friends with God and with other people; or when we have no trouble in our minds; when there is no war and everybody is happy.
tongue ~ the part of our mouth that we talk with.
psalmist ~ the person that wrote a psalm (or psalms).