Psalm 119

Aleph

How blessed are they without sin’s shames,
Who live as God’s own word proclaims.
How blessed are they who do obey
His law and seek His heart always.
Their hearts have no iniquity;
His paths they walk so faithfully.
Your precepts written I’ll regard;
Instructions etched I’ll keep unmarred.
Oh may my ways stay resolute
To hold Your statutes of repute.
Then I will live without disgrace;
Commands You give my eyes embrace.
Your praise I lift with upright heart.
I’ve learned the truth Your words impart.
As I embrace Your each decree –
I plead – do not abandon me!

Beth

How can a young man’s ways be pure?
To live the way Your word adjures.
For You I seek with my whole heart,
From Your commands forbid I part.
Within my heart Your words I hide;
No sin against You shall reside.
I praise and bless You, O my Lord.
Do teach me laws You did record.
And with my mouth I will recount
The words that Your mouth has pronounced.
Your testimonies give delight,
Much more than riches may excite.
Upon Your precepts and Your ways,
I meditate, not dare mislay.
For I rejoice in all Your laws;
Instructions merit my applause.

Gimel

Give kindly in this life I slave,
And I will live on words You gave.
Unmask my eyes for I’ll behold
The wonders that Your law unfolds.
A stranger on this earth am I.
Commands You give please do not hide.
And for Your teachings I desire,
My soul’s consumed, my heart’s afire.
The arrogant You will rebuke,
The ones who hate Your absolutes.
I beg You scorn their hateful sneers
As I still seek Your law in fear.
Though kings will speak to curse my name,
It’s Your good judgments I’ll acclaim.
Your statutes are my one delight!
My counselors that teach with might.

Daleth

Upon the dust I lay near death.
Your written words revive my breath.
I bare my life and You respond
With teachings that my mind must bond.
To know Your precepts I do plead!
I’ll meditate on Your great deeds!
My soul does weep with sorrow’s pain.
Your word restores and I’m sustained.
Protect me from this world’s deceit.
Bestow Your law with grace replete.
I choose the way of faithfulness,
Your judgments kept with carefulness.
I cling to Your decrees, O Lord,
Do not give shame as my reward.
I run the paths of Your commands.
Enable me to understand!

He

Do teach me what Your laws prescribe.
O Lord, I’ll follow all my life.
And as I learn and comprehend,
Decrees You give I will attend.
On paths of Your commands I’m led.
They give me joy each step I tread.
Incline my soul toward Your rules.
I dare not covet wealth like fools.
Thus turn my eyes from what fools crave;
Revive me with Your words that save.
Your promises You oft’ confirm.
I bow in awe, though I a worm.
Protect me from disgrace I dread.
Your teachings are my goodly stead.
Indeed, Your precepts do I long –
The righteous places I belong.

Waw

O Lord, Your love comes faithfully –
Salvation that You promised me.
I shall respond and shall contend
With trusted words when man offends.
Let not Your truth in me recede.
Your law is hope; from death I’m freed.
Forever is Your law observed.
Forever in my heart preserved.
I walk this life in liberty.
With precepts given I am free.
Before a king I shall proclaim
Your statutes and won’t speak ashamed.
For Your commands Your hand did write.
In them I love and thus delight!
I worship with uplifted hands,
With love I ponder Your commands.

Zayin

Remember long Your covenant!
My hope is in this testament!
The comfort given in distress
Are promises You do profess.
Conceited people oft’ deride
Your law, but I won’t turn aside.
Your judgments written long ago,
My Lord, I keep for they console.
I burn with rage at wickedness –
The turn from laws of righteousness.
Your statutes are the songs I’ve learned;
I’ll sing until my life’s adjourned.
Upon Your Name I dwell each night
And on Your words my heart recites.
My practice is to live this way:
Your precepts evermore obey.

Heth

O Lord, You’re my inheritance.
Your words I keep with vigilance.
With all my heart I do implore
The promises You gladly swore.
Regretting many steps in life,
With Your decrees I shall survive.
I’ll hasten, hurry – not delay –
To keep commands I’ve heard You say!
Within an evil cord I’m caught.
Your teachings, still, are not forgot.
When midnight darkness comes, I rise
To praise Your law – indeed it’s wise.
My friends are those who fear Your name,
Who keep You precepts with acclaim.
Creation sings Your love, O Lord.
Your statutes taught are those I’m moored.

Teth

Your servant You have treated well,
Just as Your holy word foretells.
The knowledge You teach I receive;
In Your commands I do believe.
Reproof You gave when I once strayed;
Your teachings since I have obeyed.
For You are kind and You are good!
Instructions taught I’ve understood.
The haughty scorn me and spread lies,
But on Your precepts truth relies.
Their haughty hearts are decomposed.
I heard Your law; my joy arose!
O, it was just when You reproved.
My life Your teachings has improved.
Your word is precious to behold,
Far more than silver or pure gold.

Yodh

I’m molded with Your artful hands,
Now help me master Your commands.
Friends greet me and their hearts are stirred
Because I rest upon Your word.
How good Your judgments I revere!
Although You discipline severe!
Your comforting love never fails;
Forever shall Your word prevail.
Give mercy to my soul, O God.
With joy, Your law I will applaud!
The proud who scorned me be ashamed.
My mind Your precepts shall reclaim.
May all who fear You circle me,
Your children who keep Your decrees.
Perfection that I will pursue
Is in Your law; I shall not rue.

Kaph

For Your salvation my soul thirsts.
In Your word is my hope immersed.
My eyes are blurred; they are fatigued.
“Where is Your comfort that I need?”
A dried-up wineskin I’m beset.
Your statutes, though, I won’t forget.
How many days Your servant waits
Before You judge my mocker’s hate?
The haughty bait and trap my paths.
They hate the truth that Your law has.
Commands You give do reassure.
But help! I’m cursed with words impure.
My life the haughty sought to take.
Your precepts I did not forsake.
In Your great love, revive my soul!
I’ll keep the law Your voice extols!

Lamedh

O Lord, Your word is permanent,
Forever as the firmament.
Your faithfulness – without an end –
Endures like Earth as You intend.
And to this day Your law remains,
Yes, all things serve You as ordained.
O had your teachings lost delight,
I would have died in my sin’s plight.
I dare not lose commands You give,
For in them only shall I live.
Come rescue me for I am Yours.
Your precepts sought my heart adores.
Although the wicked seek my life,
I’ll face Your statutes, not what’s rife.
What’s perfect here will oft’ confound;
Commands Your wrote are without bounds.

Mem

O for Your law my love is great,
Thus daily shall I meditate.
Above my foes my wisdom stands.
Forever have I Your commands.
My teachers’ knowledge I exceed
From teachings that I daily feed.
The elders’ wisdom I’ve surpassed,
Since I have learned Your law that lasts.
The evil paths I have refrained –
Your word obeyed and not profaned.
Your teachings I won’t dare reject;
My Teacher, take me and perfect.
How sweet Your words my mouth has clung,
The taste of honey on my tongue.
I’ve studied all Your good decrees
To hate paths of mortality.

Nun

Your word’s a lamp on roads I tread.
On paths progressed, it’s light is shed.
I swore an oath and have confirmed:
“Your judgments my soul has affirmed!”
I live in pain; I cry aloud!
Revive my life, Lord, as You vowed!
O Lord accept my gift of praise
And teach me truths for all my days.
Though day by day I face distress,
Yet words You gave I’ll still profess.
Enticed with sins, my way’s ensnared –
To leave Your law, though, I’ve not dared.
My heritage is Your decrees.
My heart with joy is ever seized!
And thus my heart is long inclined:
To keep my life – Your word – entwined.

Samekh

The double-minded man I hate,
But for Your law my love is great.
You are my shelter, my defense.
Your law’s my hope each moment hence.
You evil, filthy man – depart!
I’ll choose the truths Your law imparts!
Without Your speech I’m not sustained.
Don’t trash my hope – else I’m disdained.
Please treasure me with Your embrace.
Your statutes I shall not displace.
Defiant stray and You rebuff.
They scheme in vain – a hopeless slough.
You rid the Earth of wickedness.
Your law I love, ‘tis obvious!
I quiver at Your voice I hear –
Your fearful judgments I revere.

Ayin

I do what’s just, no sin transgressed.
Forsake me not when I’m oppressed.
O may my safety be ensured.
From haughty hate I am secured.
For Your salvation my eyes strain.
I long to hear Your words’ refrain!
Come, grasp me in Your loving hands.
As Your slave, teach me Your commands.
Bestow a gift: let me discern
Your statutes! This Your slave does yearn!
Today, O Lord, please rise and act –
Your law this world has attacked.
Decrees You give I do uphold
Beyond the value of pure gold;
Therefore, Your precepts I esteem.
I truly hate each evil scheme.

Pe

Your statutes, God, are wonder-filled.
Within my soul they are instilled.
You word gives light when You explain.
Such knowledge simple ones attain.
I linger, panting, mouth wide-jawed;
I thirst for Your commands, O God.
Return and bless me with Your grace,
Just as You bless the Godly race.
About my steps Your words are weaved.
Restrain all sin that has deceived.
Redeem me from this man-made weight.
Your law I keep to emulate.
O shine Your face, yes, my soul pleas!
And teach me all Your just decrees!
A stream of tears flow from my eyes
Because Your teachings are despised.

Tsadhe

How righteous are You, O my Lord.
Your judgments are in one accord.
Your statutes are pure righteousness,
Perfected with trustworthiness.
With anger is my soul consumed.
My foes do treat Your word as doom.
Your promises You’ve fully proved,
And I Your slave with love am moved.
Although I’m young, no one respects.
Your precepts, yet, I’ll not neglect.
Your justice, Lord, shall never end.
The law of truth from You descends.
Distress attacks and would destroy,
Your teachings, though, are my one joy.
Forever has Your laws endured.
Their goodness learned – my life’s assured.

Qoph

My whole heart cries out to Your ears!
Respond! I keep Your law with fear!
My voice still cries for You to save!
You wrote the words to rules I clave.
Before the dawn, I rise and cry,
“Your word’s the hope I testify.”
I lie awake until the dawn;
Your promises I dwell thereon.
O hear my cries, I plead with You!
As is Your love, so I’m renewed.
The wicked near me, schemes assayed,
Yet from Your law they’re far away.
But You, my Lord, are by my side.
Your true decrees are glorified.
From youth I’ve learned that Your commands
Are founded to forever stand!

Resh

Consider all this pain I feel.
I’ve not ignored Your law – please heal!
Defend my cause, redeem this man,
Restore my life, confirm Your plan.
Salvation’s far from wicked ones.
Your statutes they despise and shun.
Your mercies are magnificent.
Renew me with each ordinance.
There’s many foes that persecute,
But this Your law I’ll not refute.
These treacherous people I disgust –
They trash Your word as worthless dust.
Your precepts, though, I do adore.
Revive me with Your love, O Lord.
Your word is truth’s totality,
Supreme for all eternity.

Shin

I’m persecuted without cause.
But, I shall only fear Your laws.
I do rejoice in words You voiced,
As gold above our heads we’d hoist.
All lies and falsehoods I detest.
I love Your teachings; they are blessed.
I’ll praise You seven times a day.
For righteous laws You have displayed.
All those who love Your law have peace,
And danger of all stumblings cease.
I wait, my Lord, for You to save.
I’ll follow each command You gave.
Your statutes I shall long adhere,
For they I greatly love, revere.
Your precepts and Your rules I heed;
I am exposed with all my deeds.

Taw

I utter cries before Your throne
To learn the truth Your words make known.
Please tune Your ears as I implore.
Your word will save me evermore.
My lips declare Your wondrous praise,
For statutes taught are words ablaze!
My tongue does sing Your promises.
Commands You gave are righteousness.
Extend Your hand to rescue me.
I chose Your law explicitly.
I hunger for Your saving might!
This holy text is my delight!
As my soul lives, I’ll praise Your reign.
I’ll rest on teachings that sustain.
I’ve wandered far and gone astray
Like one lost sheep that wolves will prey.
  But come, descend, yes, search for me!
  I’ll not forget – not one decree!