Psalm 119
Psalm 119 joins love for God’s enduring word with a servant’s constant need for God’s help to obey it.
A servant of YHWH prays under the pressure of slander, persecution, and sorrow, holding fast to God’s commands while asking for help. The speaker’s name and circumstances are unknown. Across twenty-two alphabetic sections, the psalm moves between delight in God’s instruction and cries for understanding, mercy, and life. Claims of faithful obedience stand alongside admissions of wandering. Its final line leaves the servant asking God to seek him like a lost sheep.
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1ALEPH Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the LORD’s law.
2Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.
3Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
4You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
5Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
6Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
7I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.
8I will observe your statutes. Don’t utterly forsake me. BETH
9How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
10With my whole heart I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments.
11I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12Blessed are you, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
13With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
14I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
16I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. GIMEL
17Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.
18Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
19I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me.
20My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
21You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
22Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
23Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors. DALETH
25My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
26I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
27Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!
30I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
31I cling to your statutes, LORD. Don’t let me be disappointed.
32I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free. HE
33Teach me, LORD, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.
34Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
35Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
36Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.
37Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
38Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
39Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
40Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness. VAV
41Let your loving kindness also come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your word.
42So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
43Don’t snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
44So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.
45I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
46I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
47I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
48I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes. ZAYIN
49Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
50This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
51The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don’t swerve from your law.
52I remember your ordinances of old, LORD, and have comforted myself.
53Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.
54Your statutes have been my songs in the house where I live.
55I have remembered your name, LORD, in the night, and I obey your law.
56This is my way, that I keep your precepts. HETH
57The LORD is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
58I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
59I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
60I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
61The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won’t forget your law.
62At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
63I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
64The earth is full of your loving kindness, LORD. Teach me your statutes. TETH
65You have treated your servant well, according to your word, LORD.
66Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
67Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
68You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
69The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
70Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.
71It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
72The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YODH
73Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.
74Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
75LORD, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.
77Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
78Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
79Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
80Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed. KAPF
81My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
83For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don’t forget your statutes.
84How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.
86All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
87They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn’t forsake your precepts.
88Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth. LAMEDH
89LORD, your word is settled in heaven forever.
90Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
91Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.
92Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
94I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
95The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
96I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless. MEM
97How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.
98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
99I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
100I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
101I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
102I have not turned away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
103How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!
104Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. NUN
105Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
106I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.
107I am afflicted very much. Revive me, LORD, according to your word.
108Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. LORD, teach me your ordinances.
109My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won’t forget your law.
110The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven’t gone astray from your precepts.
111I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
112I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end. SAMEKH
113I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.
114You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
115Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
118You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
119You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
120My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. AYIN
121I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors.
122Ensure your servant’s well-being. Don’t let the proud oppress me.
123My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
124Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.
125I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
126It is time to act, LORD, for they break your law.
127Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
128Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way. PE
129Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
130The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
131I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
132Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
133Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.
134Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
135Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
136Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your law. TZADHE
137You are righteous, LORD. Your judgments are upright.
138You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
139My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
140Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
141I am small and despised. I don’t forget your precepts.
142Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.
143Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
144Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. QOPH
145I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, LORD! I will keep your statutes.
146I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.
147I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
148My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
149Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, LORD, according to your ordinances.
150They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.
151You are near, LORD. All your commandments are truth.
152Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever. RESH
153Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don’t forget your law.
154Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.
155Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don’t seek your statutes.
156Great are your tender mercies, LORD. Revive me according to your ordinances.
157Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven’t swerved from your testimonies.
158I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don’t observe your word.
159Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, LORD, according to your loving kindness.
160All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. SIN AND SHIN
161Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.
163I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.
164Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
165Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
166I have hoped for your salvation, LORD. I have done your commandments.
167My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
168I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you. TAV
169Let my cry come before you, LORD. Give me understanding according to your word.
170Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
171Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.
172Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
173Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174I have longed for your salvation, LORD. Your law is my delight.
175Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
176I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected. Tap a number for its page.
Key versesWhere this chapter reaches
Psalm 119:11Keeping God’s word in the heart serves the psalm’s longing for a life free from sin against him.
Psalm 119:97Love for God’s law sustains the servant’s meditation, linking delight in God’s instruction with the wisdom described next.
Psalm 119:1The opening blessing establishes the psalm’s concern with a whole life shaped by obedience to YHWH.
Joshua shares the link between meditation on God’s instruction and obedience, while Proverbs shares the imagery of instruction as light and wisdom as greater wealth than silver or gold. Jeremiah and Hebrews share the theme of God’s law within the heart, which Psalm 119 connects with resisting sin.
Psalm 119's chapter linksAll strongest linksHover or tap a book
Notice
After reading the whole chapter
Which plea for help stands out beside the psalm’s declarations of love for God’s law, and why?
Write on thisHow does the final request to be sought shape your reading of the opening blessing?
Write on thisQuestions people ask about Psalm 119
Who wrote Psalm 119?
Psalm 119 does not name its author. The speaker calls himself God’s servant and describes persecution, affliction, and devotion to God’s instruction. These details do not establish a particular identity or date. Proposals about authorship remain uncertain because the psalm supplies no identifying heading.
Why does Psalm 119 have Hebrew letters?
Psalm 119 is an alphabetic acrostic with twenty-two sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each section contains eight verses, and each verse within that section begins with the same Hebrew letter. The English headings mark this structure, though the matching initial letters do not carry over into translation.
Why does Psalm 119 end with a lost sheep?
Verse 176 joins an admission of wandering with a plea for God to seek his servant. The speaker still remembers God’s commandments. This ending fits the repeated requests for teaching, mercy, and help throughout the psalm: devotion to God’s law coexists with dependence on God to preserve and restore the servant.
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Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).