This psalm, the longest in the Bible, repeats without tiring that to follow the word of God is life and happiness.
1Blessed are they whose ways are upright, who follow the law of the Lord.
2Blessed are they who treasure his word and seek him with all their heart.
3They do no wrong; they walk in his ways.
4You have laid down precepts to be obeyed. 5O, that my ways were steadfast in observing your statutes!
6Then I would not be put to disgrace, having paid attention to all your decrees.
7I will praise you with an upright spirit when I learn your just precepts by heart.
8I mean to observe your commandments. O, never abandon me.
9How can young people remain pure? By living according to your word.
10I seek you with my whole heart; let me not stray from your commands.
11In my heart I have kept your word, that I may not sin against my Lord.
12Praise to you, O Lord; instruct me in your statutes, 13that with my lips I may declare all your spoken decrees.
14I delight in following your laws, more so than in all riches.
15I will meditate on your precepts and concentrate on your ways.
16In your laws I will rejoice and will not neglect your words.
17Be kind to your servant, that I may live to follow your word.
18Open my eyes that I may see the marvelous truths in your law.
19Do not hide your commandments from me, a wanderer on earth.
20My soul is consumed with desire for your ordinances at all times.
21You reprove the accursed ones who stray arrogantly from your commands.
22Remove from me their scorn and contempt, since I have followed your precepts.
23Although princes conspire against me, your servant will ob serve your decrees.
24Your laws are my delight, my counselors who uphold me.
25In the dust I lie prostrate; lift me up, as promised by your word.
26When I explained my ways, you responded; instruct me then in your precepts.
27Explain to me all your ordinances, and I will meditate on your wondrous deeds.
28My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29Keep me away from deceitful paths; be gracious and teach me your law.
30I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart upon your laws.
31Since I cling to your decrees, O Lord, save me from disgrace.
32I will run in the way of your commands, for you have freed my heart.
33Explain to me, O Lord, your commandments, and I will be ever faithful to them.
34Give me understanding, that I may observe your law with all my heart.
35Guide me in obeying your instructions, for my pleasure lies in them.
36Incline my heart to follow your will and not my own selfish desire.
37Turn my eyes away from vanities and direct them to your life-giving word.
38Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that others may revere you.
39Ward off the reproach I fear, for your law is good.
40Oh, how I long for your precepts! Renew my life in your righteousness.
41Give me your unfailing love, O Lord, your salvation as you have promised.
42Strengthened by my trust in your word, I can answer my enemy’s reproach.
43Take not the word of truth from my mouth, for I would also lose my hope in your word.
44May I always keep your word for ever and ever; 45I shall walk in freedom, having sought out your laws.
46I will proclaim your word before kings, and I will not be confused or ashamed.
47For I delight in your word, which I fear. 48I will lift up my hands to you, and meditate on your commandments.
49Remember your word to your servant, your word which has given me hope.
50My consolation in suffering is this: that your promise renews my life.
51Although the arrogant mock me without end, I faithfully cling to your word.
52When I remember your ordinances of old, I find comfort in them, O Lord.
53I feel indignant at the wicked who have forsaken your law.
54Your decrees are the theme of my song, in this my place of exile.
55Each night I call on your name, O Lord, and renew my vow to keep your word.
56This has been my practice; I have kept your precepts.
57You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey your word.
58With all my heart I have sought your face; be gracious to me according to your promise.
59I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your paths.
60I hasten and no longer delay in keeping your commands.
61The wicked have me trapped in their snares, but I have not forgotten your laws.
62At midnight I rise to praise you for the justice of your ordinances.
63I am an ally for those who fear you, for those who keep your precepts.
64The earth is full of your love, O Lord! Teach me your decrees.
65You have been good to your servant, Lord, in accordance with your words.
66Give me knowledge and good judgment for I trust in your commands.
67Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
68You are good, and your works are good; teach me your decrees.
69I am slandered by the arrogant, but I keep your precepts within my heart.
70Their hearts have become dull, but I delight in your laws.
71It is good for me to have been afflicted, for I have deeply learned your statutes.
72Your law is more precious to me than heaps of silver and gold.
73Give me insight to know your commands, since I have been formed by your hands.
74Those who fear you will be glad, seeing that I hope in your word.
75I know, O Lord, that your laws are just, and there is justice in my affliction.
76Comfort me then with your unfailing love, as you promised your servant.
77Let your mercy come to give me life, for your law is my delight.
78Humble the arrogant who oppress me as I meditate on your precepts.
79Let those who fear you turn to me, they will understand your statutes.
80May my heart be blameless in your decrees, that I may not be ashamed.
81My soul longs for your protection; your word is my hope of salvation.
82I have kept watch for your promise. “When will you comfort me?” I ask.
83I have become as dry as a wineskin, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84How long must your servant endure? When will you judge my persecutors?
85The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me in defiance of your law.
86Your law indeed is trustworthy, when they persecute me, help me.
87They have almost put an end to me on earth, and yet I have not forsaken your precepts.
88In your kindness give me life, that I may keep your commands.
89O Lord, your word stands forever, firmly fixed in the heavens.
90Your faithfulness lasts throughout the ages – as long as the earth you created.
91Your ordinances last to this day for all things are made to serve you.
92If your law had not been my pleasure, I would have perished in affliction.
93Never will I forget your precepts, for with them you give me life.
94Save me for I am yours, since I seek your statutes.
95The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I look to your word for salvation.
96I saw that all perfection is limited but your command is boundless.
97How I love your law, meditating on it all day!
98Your command – mine forever – has made me wiser than my enemy.
99I have more insight than my teachers for I meditate on your decrees.
100I have more understanding than the elders for I abide by your precepts.
101I turn my feet from evil paths, that I may keep step with your word.
102I have not departed from your decrees for you yourself have instructed me.
103How sweet are your promises to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104Your precepts have given me knowledge, and I hate all that is false.
105Your word is a lamp to my feet, a light for my path.
106I have taken an oath to keep your just commands.
107I have suffered much, O Lord; renew my life according to your word.
108Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your decrees.
109I am ready to sacrifice my life for your Law that is always in my heart.
110Though the wicked have laid a snare for me, I do not stray from your precepts.
111Your statutes are my heritage forever, they are the joy of my heart.
112From age to age, I am determined to fulfill your decrees until the end.
113I detest double-dealing people, but I treasure your law.
114You are my shield, my refuge; my hope is in your word.
115Leave me, you evildoers; let me keep the commandments of my God.
116May your promise uphold me that I may live; let me not hope in vain.
117Support me and I shall be safe, and faithfully keep your decrees.
118You spurn all who stray from your decrees, for vain is their deceit.
119You discard all the wicked as dross; that is why I love your statutes.
120My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe before your laws.
121I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
122Guarantee the well-being of your servant; let not the arrogant oppress me.
123I strain my eyes searching your saving help, watching for the fulfillment of your just promise.
124Treat your servant with compassion, and instruct me in your decrees.
125Give me knowledge; I am your servant who desires to understand your statutes.
126It is time for you, O Lord, to act, for they have broken your law.
127I love your commandments more than gold – the finest gold.
128Because my steps are guided by your precepts, I hate all false ways.
129Wonderful are your decrees; my soul cannot but keep them.
130As your words unfold, light is shed, and the simple-hearted understand.
131I gasp in ardent yearning for your commandments that I love.
132Turn to me then and be gracious as to those who love your name.
133You promised to direct my steps; free my path from evil.
134Rescue me from human oppression, and help me keep your precepts.
135Favor me with your smile and teach me your statutes.
136My eyes shed streams of tears for those who disobey your law.
137O Lord, you are just, and your judgments right.
138You have pronounced your decrees in justice and faithfulness.
139I burn with zeal, seeing how my foes ignore your words.
140Your promises have been tested; therefore our servant loves them.
141Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.
142Your justice is eternal and your Law is true.
143In calamity and in anguish, your ordinances are my delight.
144Your statutes are just forever; give me understanding, that I may live.
145I call with all my heart; answer me, O Lord: help me keep your statutes.
146I call upon you, save me and I will do your will.
147Before dawn I rise and cry for help; all my hope is in your word.
148I lie awake through the night to ponder on your promises.
149Hear my voice, in your unfailing love; in your justice, O Lord, preserve my life.
150My persecutors close in with evil intent; they are far from your Law.
151But you, O Lord, are near, and all your commandments are true.
152Long have I known that your decrees were founded to last forever.
153Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your Law.
154Plead my cause and redeem me; and, as you promised, give me life.
155Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.
156Great is your compassion, O Lord; renew my life according to your word.
157Many foes persecute me, but I have not turned away from your law.
158I look upon the faithless with loathing, because they do not obey your ruling.
159See how I love your precepts; give me life, O Lord, in your kindness.
160The essence of your word is truth, everlasting are your just ordinances.
161Rulers persecute me for no cause, yet my heart stands in awe of your words.
162Your word filled me with joy: I found there great riches.
163I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.
164Seven times a day I praise you for your just ordinances.
165Lovers of your Law have found great peace; nothing can make them stumble, not even distress.
166O Lord, I wait for your salvation, and I keep your commands in faith.
167My soul clings to your words for I truly cherish them.
168I obey your precepts and your decrees; my ways are always before you.
169Let my cry come to you, O Lord; give me understanding according to your word.
170May my prayer come before you; rescue me as you have promised.
171Let my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
172Let my tongue sing of your good news, for all you say is true.
173Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174I long for your salvation, O Lord; I delight in your law.
175Long may I live to sing your praise, may your ordinances always be my help!
176Like a stray sheep I wandered about – come and look for your lost servant. See that I have not forgotten your commands.
