THE *BOOK OF
PSALMS.

Psalm 119 ©

This psalm is divided into twenty-two parts or pauses. In every one of which there are eight verses, and each of them begins in the Hebrew with that letter whereby each part is called. So namely, that all the verses of the first part begin with an Aleph, or A. The verses of the second, everyone with Beth, as B, and so forth in order, according to the Hebrew alphabet, or A B, which is the reason that some among the learned have called this psalm, The A B of Piety or Godliness. Every verse of this psalm contains either a special praise and commendation of the Word of God by reason of its excellence, or an attestation of David’s unfeigned love unto it, or else a prayer for grace to carry himself according to it. For unto one of these three, namely, praise, prayer, attestation, every verse of the entire psalm is applicable. And observe, that in every verse of this psalm David makes mention either of God’s law, institutions, ordinances, commandments, testimonies, precepts, word, promises, ways, judgments, Name, righteousness, truth or the like, except only verse 122, wherein he calls upon God for help and assistance.

ALEPH
1

BLESSED are 1the undefiled in the way, whoa walk in the law of the LORD.

2

Blessed are they that keep his 2testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.

3

They also do 3no iniquity: they walk 4in his ways.

4

Thou hast commanded us 5to keep thy precepts diligently.

5

O that 6my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!

6

Then shall I 7not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.

7

I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned 8thy righteous judgments.

8

I will keep thy statutes: O 9forsake me not utterly.

BETH
9

10Wherewithal shall 11a young man cleanse his way? 12by 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

13Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.

13

With my lips have I declared all the judgments 14of thy mouth.

14

I have rejoiced 15in the way of thy testimonies, 16as much as in all riches.

15

I will meditate in 17thy precepts, and have respect unto 18thy ways.

16

I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget 19thy word.

GIMEL
17

Dealb bountifully with 20thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.

18

Open thou 21mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

19

22I am ac 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 23err from thy commandments.

22

24Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.

23

Princes also did sit and speak 25against me: but 26thy servant did 27meditate in thy statutes.

24

Thyd testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.

DALETH
25

28My soul cleaveth unto the dust: 29quicken thou me according to thy word.

26

30I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teache me thy statutes.

27

Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.

28

My soul melteth for heaviness: 31strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

29

Remove from me 32the way of lying: and 33grant me thy law graciously.

30

I have chosen 34the 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 com-mandments, 35when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

HE
33

Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it 36unto 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 37covetousness.

37

38Turn away mine eyes from beholding 39vanity; and 40quicken thou me 41in thy way.

38

Stablish thy word unto thy servant, 42who is devoted to thy fear.

39

43Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are 44good.

40

Behold, 45I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

VAU
41

Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even 46thy salvation, according to thy word.

42

47So shall I have 48wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

43

And take not 49the 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 50at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

46

I will speak of thy testimonies also 51before 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 52lift up unto thy commandments, which 53I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

ZAIN
49

Remember 54the 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 55thy judgments 56of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

53

57Horror hath taken hold upon me 58because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

54

Thy statutes have been my 59songs 60in the house of my pilgrimage.

55

I have remembered thy name, O LORD,f in the night, and have kept thy law.

56

61This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

CHETH
57

Thou art 62my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.

58

I intreated thy favour 63with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy 64word.

59

I thought on 65my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

60

I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

61

The 66bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.

62

67At 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.

TETH
65

Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, 68according unto thy word.

66

Teach me 69good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy 70commandments.

67

Before I was 71afflicted I 72went astray: but now have I kept 73thy 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 74is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.

71

It is good for me that I have been 75afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

72

The law of thy mouth is better unto me than 76thousandsg of gold and silver.

JOD
73

Thyh77hands 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 78see me; 79because I have hoped in thy word.

75

I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are 80right, 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 81my delight.

78

Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.

79

82Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have 83known 84thy testimonies.

80

Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

CAPH
81

85My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope 86in thy word.

82

Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort 87me?

83

For 88I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.

84

How many are 89the days of thy servant? when wilt thou 90execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85

The proud 91have digged pits for me, 92which are not after thy law.

86

All thy commandments are 93faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.

87

They had almost consumed me 94upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.

88

Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep 95the testimony of thy mouth.

LAMED
89

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

90

Thyi faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

91

96They continue this day 97according to thine ordinances: for all are 98thy servants.

92

Unless thy law had been my delights, I should 99then 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 100all perfection: but thy 101commandment is exceeding broad.

MEM
97

O how love I thy law! it is 102my meditation all the day.

98

103Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for 104they are ever with me.

99

I have 105more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my 106meditation.

100

I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

101

I have 107refrained my feet from every evil 108way, that I might keep thy word.

102

I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

103

How sweetj are thy 109words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104

Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate 110every false way.

NUN
105

Thy word is a 111lamp unto my 112feet, and a light unto my path.

106

Ik have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous 113judgments.

107

I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.

108

Accept, I beseech thee, the 114freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.

109

115My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.

110

The wicked have 116laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.

111

Thy testimonies have I taken 117as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112

I have inclined mine heart 118to perform thy statutes alway, 119even unto the end.

SAMECH
113

I hate 120vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

114

121Thou art my hiding place and 122my shield: I hope in thy word.

115

Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.

116

Uphold me 123according 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 124respect unto thy statutes continually.

118

Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is 125falsehood.

119

126Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like 127dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.

120

128My flesh trembleth 129for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

AIN
121

I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.

122

130Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.

123

Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and 131for 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 132for thee, LORD, to work: for 133they have made 134void thy law.

127

Therefore 135I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.

128

Therefore I esteem 136all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate 137every false way.

PE
129

Thy testimonies 138are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

130

Thel139entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

131

140I opened my mouth, and panted: for I 141longed for thy commandments.

132

Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, 142as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.

133

143Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

134

Deliver me from the 144oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.

135

145Makem thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

136

146Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because 147they keep not thy law.

TZADDI
137

Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.

138

148Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and 149very faithful.

139

My zeal 150hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

140

Thyn word is 151very pure: 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 152thy law is the truth.

143

Trouble and anguish 153have 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.

KOPH
145

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

Io prevented 154the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

148

Minep155eyes 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 156judgment.

150

They 157draw nigh that follow after 158mischief: they are far from thy law.

151

Thou art 159near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.

152

Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that 160thou hast founded them for ever.

RESH
153

Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.

154

161Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.

155

Salvation 162is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

156

163Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me 164according to thy judgments.

157

Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not declineq from thy testimonies.

158

I beheld the 165transgressors, 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 word is true from 166the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

SCHIN
161

Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but 167my 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

168Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.

165

Great peace have they which love thy law: and 169nothing 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 170all my ways are before thee.

TAU
169

Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

170

Let my supplication come before thee: 171deliver me according to thy word.

171

My lips shall 172utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.

172

My tongue shall speak 173of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

173

Let thine hand 174help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

174

I have longed 175for thy salvation, O LORD; and 176thy law is my delight.

175

Let 177my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and 178let thy judgments help me.

176

Ir179have gone astray 180like a lost sheep; 181seek 182thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.