In Praise of the Law of the Lord
1 Our Lord, you bless everyone
who lives right
and obeys your Law.
2 You bless all those
who follow your commands
from deep in their hearts
3 and who never do wrong
or turn from you.
4 You have ordered us always
to obey your teachings;
5 I don't ever want to stray
from your laws.
6 Thinking about your commands
will keep me from doing
some foolish thing.
7 I will do right and praise you
by learning to respect
your perfect laws.
8 I will obey all of them!
Don't turn your back on me.
9 Young people can live
a clean life
by obeying your word.
10 I worship you
with all my heart.
Don't let me walk away
from your commands.
11 I treasure your word
above all else;
it keeps me from sinning
against you.
12 I praise you, Lord!
Teach me your laws.
13 With my own mouth,
I tell others the laws
that you have spoken.
14 Obeying your instructions
brings as much happiness
as being rich.
15 I will study your teachings
and follow your footsteps.
16 I will take pleasure
in your laws
and remember your words.
17 Treat me with kindness, Lord,
so that I may live
and do what you say.
18 Open my mind
and let me discover
the wonders of your Law.
19 I live here as a stranger.
Don't keep me from knowing
your commands.
20 What I want most
and at all times
is to honor your laws.
21 You punish those boastful,
worthless nobodies who turn
from your commands.
22 Don't let them sneer
and insult me
for following you.
23 I keep thinking about
your teachings, Lord,
even if rulers plot
against me.
24 Your laws are my greatest joy!
I follow their advice.
25 I am at the point of death.
Let your teachings
breathe new life into me.
26 When I told you my troubles,
you answered my prayers.
Now teach me your laws.
27 Help me to understand
your teachings,
and I will think about
your marvelous deeds.
28 I am overcome with sorrow.
Encourage me,
as you have promised to do.
29 Keep me from being deceitful,
and be kind enough
to teach me your Law.
30 I am determined to be faithful
and to respect your laws.
31 I follow your rules, Lord.
Don't let me be ashamed.
32 I am eager to learn all
that you want me to do;
help me to understand more.
33 Point out your rules, Lord,
and I won't disobey
even one of them.
34 Help me to understand your Law;
I promise to obey it
with all my heart.
35 Direct me by your commands!
I love to do what you say.
36 Make me want to obey you,
rather than to be rich.
37 Take away my foolish desires,
and let me find life
by walking with you.
38 I am your servant!
Do for me what you promised
to those who worship you.
39 Your wonderful teachings
protect me from the insults
that I hate so much.
40 I long for your teachings.
Be true to yourself
and let me live.
41 Show me your love
and save me, Lord,
as you have promised.
42 Then I will have an answer
for everyone who insults me
for trusting your word.
43 I rely on your laws!
Don't take away my chance
to speak your truth.
44 I will keep obeying your Law
forever and ever.
45 I have gained perfect freedom
by following your teachings,
46 and I trust them so much
that I tell them to kings.
47 I love your commands!
They bring me happiness.
48 I love and respect them
and will keep them in mind.
49 Don't forget your promise
to me, your servant.
I depend on it.
50 When I am hurting,
I find comfort in your promise
that leads to life.
51 Conceited people sneer at me,
but I obey your Law.
52 I find true comfort, Lord,
because your laws have stood
the test of time.
53 I get furious when evil people
turn against your Law.
54 No matter where I am,
your teachings
fill me with songs.
55 Even in the night
I think about you, Lord,
and I obey your Law.
56 You have blessed me
because I have always followed
your teachings.
57 You, Lord, are my choice,
and I will obey you.
58 With all my heart
I beg you to be kind to me,
just as you have promised.
59 I pay careful attention
as you lead me,
and I follow closely.
60 As soon as you command,
I do what you say.
61 Evil people may set a trap,
but I obey your Law.
62 Your laws are so fair
that I wake up and praise you
in the middle of the night.
63 I choose as my friends
everyone who worships you
and follows your teachings.
64 Our Lord, your love is seen
all over the world.
Teach me your laws.
65 I am your servant, Lord,
and you have kept your promise
to treat me with kindness.
66 Give me wisdom and good sense.
I trust your commands.
67 Once you corrected me
for not obeying you,
but now I do obey.
68 You are kindhearted,
and you do good things,
so teach me your laws.
69 My reputation is being ruined
by conceited liars,
but with all my heart
I follow your teachings.
70 Those liars have no sense,
but I find happiness
in your Law.
71 When you corrected me,
it did me good
because it taught me
to study your laws.
72 I would rather obey you
than to have a thousand pieces
of silver and gold.
73 You created me
and put me together.
Make me wise enough to learn
what you have commanded.
74 Your worshipers will see me,
and they will be glad
that I trust your word.
75 Your decisions are correct,
and you were right
to punish me.
76 I serve you, Lord.
Comfort me with your love,
just as you have promised.
77 I love to obey your Law!
Have mercy and let me live.
78 Put down those proud people
who hurt me with their lies,
because I have chosen
to study your teachings.
79 Let your worshipers come to me,
so they will learn
to obey your rules.
80 Let me truly respect your laws,
so I won't be ashamed.
81 I long for you to rescue me!
Your word is my only hope.
82 I am worn out from waiting
for you to keep your word.
When will you have mercy?
83 My life is wasting away
like a dried-up wineskin,
but I have not forgotten
your teachings.
84 I am your servant!
How long must I suffer?
When will you punish
those troublemakers?
85 Those proud people reject
your teachings,
and they dig pits
for me to fall in.
86 Your laws can be trusted!
Protect me from cruel liars.
87 They have almost killed me,
but I have been faithful
to your teachings.
88 Show that you love me
and let me live,
so that I may obey
your commands.
89 Our Lord, you are eternal!
Your word will last as long
as the heavens.
90 You remain faithful
in every generation,
and the earth you created
will keep standing firm.
91 All things are your servants,
and the laws you made
are still in effect today.
92 If I had not found happiness
in obeying your Law,
I would have died in misery.
93 I won't ever forget
your teachings,
because you give me new life
when I follow them.
94 I belong to you,
and I have respected your laws,
so keep me safe.
95 Brutal enemies are waiting
to ambush and destroy me,
but I obey your rules.
96 Nothing is completely perfect,
except your teachings.
97 I deeply love your Law!
I think about it all day.
98 Your laws never leave my mind,
and they make me much wiser
than my enemies.
99 Thinking about your teachings
gives me better understanding
than my teachers,
100 and obeying your laws
makes me wiser than those
who have lived a long time.
101 I obey your word
instead of following a way
that leads to trouble.
102 You have been my teacher,
and I won't reject
your instructions.
103 Your teachings are sweeter
than honey.
104 They give me understanding
and make me hate all lies.
105 Your word is a lamp
that gives light
wherever I walk.
106 Your laws are fair,
and I have given my word
to respect them all.
107 I am in terrible pain!
Save me, Lord,
as you have promised.
108 Accept my offerings of praise
and teach me your laws.
109 I never forget your teachings,
although my life is always
in danger.
110 Some merciless people
are trying to trap me,
but I never turn my back
on your teachings.
111 They will always be
my most prized possession
and my source of joy.
112 I have made up my mind
to obey your laws forever,
no matter what.
113 I hate anyone
whose loyalty is divided,
but I love your Law.
114 You are my place of safety
and my shield.
Your word is my only hope.
115 All you worthless people,
get away from me!
I am determined to obey
the commands of my God.
116 Be true to your word, Lord.
Keep me alive and strong;
don't let me be ashamed
because of my hope.
117 Keep me safe and secure,
so that I will always
respect your laws.
118 You reject all deceitful liars
because they refuse
your teachings.
119 As far as you are concerned,
evil people are garbage,
and so I follow your rules.
120 I tremble all over
when I think of you
and the way you judge.
121 I did what was fair and right!
Don't hand me over to those
who want to mistreat me.
122 Take good care of me,
your servant,
and don't let me be harmed
by those conceited people.
123 My eyes are weary from waiting
to see you keep your promise
to come and save me.
124 Show your love for me,
your servant,
and teach me your laws.
125 I serve you,
so let me understand
your teachings.
126 Do something, Lord!
They have broken your Law.
127 Your laws mean more to me
than the finest gold.
128 I follow all your commands,
but I hate anyone
who leads me astray.
129 Your teachings are wonderful,
and I respect them all.
130 Understanding your word
brings light to the minds
of ordinary people.
131 I honestly want to know
everything you teach.
132 Think about me and be kind,
just as you are to everyone
who loves your name.
133 Keep your promise
and don't let me stumble
or let sin control my life.
134 Protect me from abuse,
so I can obey your laws.
135 Smile on me, your servant,
and teach me your laws.
136 When anyone disobeys you,
my eyes overflow with tears.
137 Our Lord, you always do right,
and your decisions are fair.
138 All your teachings are true
and trustworthy.
139 It upsets me greatly
when my enemies neglect
your teachings.
140 Your word to me, your servant,
is like pure gold;
I treasure what you say.
141 Everyone calls me a nobody,
but I remember your laws.
142 You will always do right,
and your teachings are true.
143 I am in deep distress,
but I love your teachings.
144 Your rules are always fair.
Help me to understand them
and live.
145 I pray to you, Lord!
Please answer me.
I promise to obey your laws.
146 I beg you to save me,
so I can follow your rules.
147 Even before sunrise,
I pray for your help,
and I put my hope
in what you have said.
148 I lie awake at night,
thinking of your promises.
149 Show that you love me, Lord,
and answer my prayer.
Please do the right thing
and save my life.
150 People who disobey your Law
have made evil plans
and want to hurt me,
151 but you are with me,
and all your commands
can be trusted.
152 From studying your laws,
I found out long ago
you made them to last forever.
153 I have not forgotten your Law!
Look at the trouble I am in,
and rescue me.
154 Be my defender and protector!
Remember your promise
and save my life.
155 Evil people won't obey you,
and so they have no hope
of being saved.
156 You are merciful, Lord!
Please do the right thing
and save my life.
157 I have a lot of brutal enemies,
but still I never turn
from your laws.
158 Those unfaithful people
who refuse to obey you
are disgusting to me.
159 Remember how I love your laws,
and show your love for me
by keeping me safe.
160 All you say can be trusted;
your teachings are true
and will last forever.
161 Rulers are cruel to me
for no reason.
But with all my heart
I respect your words,
162 because they bring happiness
like treasures taken in war.
163 I can't stand liars,
but I love your Law.
164 I praise you seven times a day
because your laws are fair.
165 You give peace of mind
to all who love your Law.
Nothing can make them fall.
166 You are my only hope
for being saved, Lord,
and I do all you command.
167 I love and obey your laws
with all my heart.
168 You know everything I do.
You know I respect every law
you have given.
169 Please, Lord, hear my prayer
and give me the understanding
that comes from your word.
170 Listen to my concerns
and keep me safe,
just as you have promised.
171 If you will teach me your laws,
I will praise you 172 and sing
about your promise,
because all your teachings
are what they ought to be.
173 Be ready to protect me
because I have chosen
to obey your laws.
174 I am waiting for you
to save me, Lord.
Your Law makes me happy.
175 Keep me alive,
so I can praise you,
and let me find help
in your teachings.
176 I am your servant,
but I have wandered away
like a lost sheep.
Please come after me,
because I have not forgotten
your teachings.
1 ALEPH. Blessed are those that are vpright in their way, and walke in the Lawe of the Lord. 2 Blessed are they that keepe his testimonies, and seeke him with their whole heart. 3 Surely they woorke none iniquitie, but walke in his waies. 4 Thou hast commanded to keepe thy precepts diligently. 5 Oh that my waies were directed to keepe thy statutes! 6 Then should I not be confounded, when I haue respect vnto all thy commandements. 7 I will praise thee with an vpright heart, when I shall learne the iudgements of thy righteousnesse. 8 I will keepe thy statutes: forsake mee not ouerlong. 9 BETH. Wherewith shall a yong man redresse his waie? in taking heede thereto according to thy woorde. 10 With my whole heart haue I sought thee: let me not wander from thy commandements. 11 I haue hid thy promise in mine heart, that I might not sinne against thee. 12 Blessed art thou, O Lord: teache mee thy statutes. 13 With my lippes haue I declared all the iudgements of thy mouth. 14 I haue had as great delight in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches. 15 I will meditate in thy precepts, and consider thy waies. 16 I will delite in thy statutes, and I will not forget thy worde. 17 GIMEL. Be beneficiall vnto thy seruant, that I may liue and keepe thy woorde. 18 Open mine eies, that I may see the wonders of thy Lawe. 19 I am a stranger vpon earth: hide not thy commandements from me. 20 Mine heart breaketh for the desire to thy iudgements alway. 21 Thou hast destroied the proud: cursed are they that doe erre from thy commandements. 22 Remoue from mee shame and contempt: for I haue kept thy testimonies. 23 Princes also did sit, and speake against me: but thy seruant did meditate in thy statutes. 24 Also thy testimonies are my delite, and my counsellers. 25 DALETH. My soule cleaueth to the dust: quicken me according to thy worde. 26 I haue declared my waies, and thou heardest me: teache me thy statutes. 27 Make me to vnderstand ye way of thy precepts, and I will meditate in thy wondrous workes. 28 My soule melteth for heauinesse: raise mee vp according vnto thy worde. 29 Take from mee the way of lying, and graunt me graciously thy Lawe. 30 I haue chosen the way of trueth, and thy iudgements haue I laied before me. 31 I haue cleaued to thy testimonies, O Lord: confound me not. 32 I will runne the way of thy commandements, when thou shalt enlarge mine heart. 33 HE. Teach mee, O Lord, the way of thy statutes, and I will keepe it vnto the ende. 34 Giue mee vnderstanding, and I will keepe thy Law: yea, I wil keepe it with my whole heart. 35 Direct mee in the path of thy commandements: for therein is my delite. 36 Incline mine heart vnto thy testimonies, and not to couetousnesse. 37 Turne away mine eies from regarding vanitie, and quicken me in thy way. 38 Stablish thy promise to thy seruaunt, because he feareth thee. 39 Take away my rebuke that I feare: for thy iudgements are good. 40 Beholde, I desire thy commandements: quicken me in thy righteousnesse, 41 VAV. And let thy louing kindnesse come vnto me, O Lord, and thy saluation according to thy promise. 42 So shall I make answere vnto my blasphemers: for I trust in thy woorde. 43 And take not the woorde of trueth vtterly out of my mouth: for I waite for thy iudgements. 44 So shall I alway keepe thy Lawe for euer and euer. 45 And I will walke at libertie: for I seeke thy precepts. 46 I will speake also of thy testimonies before Kings, and will not be ashamed. 47 And my delite shalbe in thy commandements, which I haue loued. 48 Mine handes also will I lift vp vnto thy commandements, which I haue loued, and I will meditate in thy statutes. 49 ZAIN. Remember the promise made to thy seruant, wherein thou hast caused me to trust. 50 It is my comfort in my trouble: for thy promise hath quickened me. 51 The proude haue had me exceedingly in derision: yet haue I not declined from thy Lawe. 52 I remembred thy iudgements of olde, O Lord, and haue bene comforted. 53 Feare is come vpon mee for the wicked, that forsake thy Lawe. 54 Thy statutes haue beene my songes in the house of my pilgrimage. 55 I haue remembred thy Name, O Lord, in the night, and haue kept thy Lawe. 56 This I had because I kept thy precepts. 57 CHETH. O Lord, that art my portion, I haue determined to keepe thy wordes. 58 I made my supplication in thy presence with my whole heart: be mercifull vnto me according to thy promise. 59 I haue considered my waies, and turned my feete into thy testimonies. 60 I made haste and delaied not to keepe thy commandements. 61 The bandes of the wicked haue robbed me: but I haue not forgotten thy Lawe. 62 At midnight will I rise to giue thanks vnto thee, because of thy righteous iudgements. 63 I am companion of all them that feare thee, and keepe thy precepts. 64 The earth, O Lord, is full of thy mercie: teache me thy statutes. 65 TETH. O Lord, thou hast delt graciously with thy seruant according vnto thy woorde. 66 Teach me good iudgement and knowledge: for I haue beleeued thy commandements. 67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but nowe I keepe thy woorde. 68 Thou art good and gracious: teach me thy statutes. 69 The proud haue imagined a lie against me: but I wil keepe thy precepts with my whole heart. 70 Their heart is fatte as grease: but my delite is in thy Lawe. 71 It is good for me that I haue beene afflicted, that I may learne thy statutes. 72 The Lawe of thy mouth is better vnto me, then thousands of golde and siluer. 73 IOD. Thine hands haue made me and fashioned me: giue mee vnderstanding therefore, that I may learne thy commandements. 74 So they that feare thee, seeing mee shall reioyce, because I haue trusted in thy worde. 75 I knowe, O Lord, that thy iudgements are right, and that thou hast afflicted me iustly. 76 I pray thee that thy mercie may comfort me according to thy promise vnto thy seruant. 77 Let thy tender mercies come vnto me, that I may liue: for thy Lawe is my delite. 78 Let the proude be ashamed: for they haue dealt wickedly and falsely with me: but I meditate in thy precepts. 79 Let such as feare thee turne vnto me, and they that knowe thy testimonies. 80 Let mine heart bee vpright in thy statutes, that I be not ashamed. 81 CAPH. My soule fainteth for thy saluation: yet I waite for thy worde. 82 Mine eyes faile for thy promise, saying, when wilt thou comfort me? 83 For I am like a bottell in the smoke: yet doe I not forget thy statutes. 84 Howe many are the dayes of thy seruant? When wilt thou execute iudgement on them that persecute me? 85 The proude haue digged pittes for mee, which is not after thy Lawe. 86 All thy commandements are true: they persecute me falsely: helpe me. 87 They had almost consumed me vpon the earth: but I forsooke not thy precepts. 88 Quicken me according to thy louing kindnes: so shall I keepe the testimony of thy mouth. 89 LAMED. O Lord, thy worde endureth for euer in heauen. 90 Thy trueth is from generation to generation: thou hast layed the foundation of the earth, and it abideth. 91 They continue euen to this day by thine ordinances: for all are thy seruants. 92 Except thy Lawe had bene my delite, I should now haue perished in mine affliction. 93 I wil neuer forget thy precepts: for by them thou hast quickened me. 94 I am thine, saue me: for I haue sought thy precepts. 95 The wicked haue waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. 96 I haue seene an ende of all perfection: but thy commandement is exceeding large. 97 MEM. Oh howe loue I thy Lawe! it is my meditation continually. 98 By thy commandements thou hast made mee wiser then mine enemies: for they are euer with mee. 99 I haue had more vnderstading then all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I vnderstoode more then the ancient, because I kept thy precepts. 101 I haue refrained my feete from euery euil way, that I might keepe thy word. 102 I haue not declined from thy iudgements: for thou didest teach me. 103 Howe sweete are thy promises vnto my mouth! yea, more then hony vnto my mouth. 104 By thy precepts I haue gotten vnderstanding: therefore I hate all the wayes of falshoode. 105 NUN. Thy worde is a lanterne vnto my feete, and a light vnto my path. 106 I haue sworne and will performe it, that I will keepe thy righteous iudgements. 107 I am very sore afflicted: O Lord, quicken me according to thy word. 108 O Lord, I beseeche thee accept the free offerings of my mouth, and teach mee thy iudgements. 109 My soule is continually in mine hande: yet doe I not forget thy Lawe. 110 The wicked haue layed a snare for mee: but I swarued not from thy precepts. 111 Thy testimonies haue I taken as an heritage for euer: for they are the ioy of mine heart. 112 I haue applied mine heart to fulfill thy statutes alway, euen vnto the ende. 113 SAMECH. I hate vaine inuentions: but thy Lawe doe I loue. 114 Thou art my refuge and shield, and I trust in thy worde. 115 Away from mee, yee wicked: for I will keepe the commandements of my God. 116 Stablish me according to thy promise, that I may liue, and disappoint me not of mine hope. 117 Stay thou mee, and I shall be safe, and I will delite continually in thy statutes. 118 Thou hast troden downe all them that depart from thy statutes: for their deceit is vaine. 119 Thou hast taken away all ye wicked of the earth like drosse: therefore I loue thy testimonies. 120 My flesh trembleth for feare of thee, and I am afraide of thy iudgements. 121 AIN. I haue executed iudgement and iustice: leaue me not to mine oppressours. 122 Answere for thy seruant in that, which is good, and let not the proude oppresse me. 123 Mine eyes haue failed in waiting for thy saluation, and for thy iust promise. 124 Deale with thy seruant according to thy mercie, and teache me thy statutes. 125 I am thy seruant: graunt mee therefore vnderstanding, that I may knowe thy testimonies. 126 It is time for thee Lord to worke: for they haue destroyed thy Lawe. 127 Therefore loue I thy commandements aboue golde, yea, aboue most fine golde. 128 Therefore I esteeme all thy precepts most iust, and hate all false wayes. 129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderfull: therefore doeth my soule keepe them. 130 The entrance into thy wordes sheweth light, and giueth vnderstanding to the simple. 131 I opened my mouth and panted, because I loued thy commandements. 132 Looke vpon mee and bee mercifull vnto me, as thou vsest to doe vnto those that loue thy Name. 133 Direct my steppes in thy worde, and let none iniquitie haue dominion ouer me. 134 Deliuer mee from the oppression of men, and I will keepe thy precepts. 135 Shew the light of thy countenance vpon thy seruant, and teache me thy statutes. 136 Mine eyes gush out with riuers of water, because they keepe not thy Lawe. 137 TSADDI. Righteous art thou, O Lord, and iust are thy iudgements. 138 Thou hast commanded iustice by thy testimonies and trueth especially. 139 My zeale hath euen consumed mee, because mine enemies haue forgotten thy wordes. 140 Thy word is prooued most pure, and thy seruant loueth it. 141 I am small and despised: yet do I not forget thy precepts. 142 Thy righteousnesse is an euerlasting righteousnes, and thy Lawe is trueth. 143 Trouble and anguish are come vpon me: yet are thy commandements my delite. 144 The righteousnes of thy testimonies is euerlasting: graunt me vnderstanding, and I shall liue. 145 KOPH. I haue cried with my whole heart: heare me, O Lord, and I will keepe thy statutes. 146 I called vpon thee: saue mee, and I will keepe thy testimonies. 147 I preuented the morning light, and cried: for I waited on thy word. 148 Mine eyes preuent the night watches to meditate in thy word. 149 Heare my voyce according to thy louing kindenesse: O Lord, quicken me according to thy iudgement. 150 They drawe neere, that follow after malice, and are farre from thy Lawe. 151 Thou art neere, O Lord: for all thy commandements are true. 152 I haue knowen long since by thy testimonies, that thou hast established them for euer. 153 RESH. Beholde mine affliction, and deliuer mee: for I haue not forgotten thy Lawe. 154 Pleade my cause, and deliuer me: quicken me according vnto thy word. 155 Saluation is farre from the wicked, because they seeke not thy statutes. 156 Great are thy tender mercies, O Lord: quicken me according to thy iudgements. 157 My persecutours and mine oppressours are many: yet doe I not swarue from thy testimonies. 158 I saw the transgressours and was grieued, because they kept not thy worde. 159 Consider, O Lord, how I loue thy preceptes: quicken mee according to thy louing kindenesse. 160 The beginning of thy worde is trueth, and all the iudgements of thy righteousnesse endure for euer. 161 SCHIN. Princes haue persecuted mee without cause, but mine heart stood in awe of thy wordes. 162 I reioyce at thy worde, as one that findeth a great spoyle. 163 I hate falshoode and abhorre it, but thy Lawe doe I loue. 164 Seuen times a day doe I praise thee, because of thy righteous iudgements. 165 They that loue thy Law, shall haue great prosperitie, and they shall haue none hurt. 166 Lord, I haue trusted in thy saluation, and haue done thy commandements. 167 My soule hath kept thy testimonies: for I loue them exceedingly. 168 I haue kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my wayes are before thee. 169 TAV. Let my complaint come before thee, O Lord, and giue me vnderstanding, according vnto thy worde. 170 Let my supplication come before thee, and deliuer me according to thy promise. 171 My lippes shall speake praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. 172 My tongue shall intreate of thy word: for all thy commandements are righteous. 173 Let thine hand helpe me: for I haue chosen thy precepts. 174 I haue longed for thy saluation, O Lord, and thy Lawe is my delite. 175 Let my soule liue, and it shall praise thee, and thy iudgements shall helpe me. 176 I haue gone astraye like a lost sheepe: seeke thy seruant, for I doe not forget thy commandements.