The Tanakh · JPS 1917 Translation

Psalms 119

Jewish Publication Society 1917 · Ketuvim — the Writings

Psalms chapter 119 — part of the Ketuvim — the Writings in the Jewish Bible. In the classic JPS 1917 translation it opens: “ALEPH. Happy are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the law of HaShem.” — the complete text of all 176 verses is below, free to read online.

1ALEPH. Happy are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the law of HaShem.

2Happy are they that keep His testimonies, that seek Him with the whole heart.

3Yea, they do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.

4Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.

5Oh that my ways were directed to observe Thy statutes!

6Then should I not be ashamed, when I have regard unto all Thy commandments.

7I will give thanks unto Thee with uprightness of heart, when I learn Thy righteous ordinances.

8I will observe Thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly.

9BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.

10With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not err from Thy commandments.

11Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

12Blessed art Thou, O HaShem; teach me Thy statutes.

13With my lips have I told all the ordinances of Thy mouth.

14I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.

16I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word.

17GIMEL. Deal bountifully with Thy servant that I may live, and I will observe Thy word.

18Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.

19I am a sojourner in the earth; hide not Thy commandments from me.

20My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thine ordinances at all times.

21Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, that do err from Thy commandments.

22Take away from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies.

23Even though princes sit and talk against me, thy servant doth meditate in Thy statutes.

24Yea, Thy testimonies are my delight, they are my counsellors.

25DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust; quicken Thou me according to Thy word.

26I told of my ways, and Thou didst answer me; teach me Thy statutes.

27Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts, that I may talk of Thy wondrous works.

28My soul melteth away for heaviness; sustain me according unto Thy word.

29Remove from me the way of falsehood; and grant me Thy law graciously.

30I have chosen the way of faithfulness; Thine ordinances have I set before me.

31I cleave unto Thy testimonies; O HaShem, put me not to shame.

32I will run the way of Thy commandments, for Thou dost enlarge my heart.

33HE. Teach me, O HaShem, the way of Thy statutes; and I will keep it at every step.

34Give me understanding, that I keep Thy law and observe it with my whole heart.

35Make me to tread in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

36Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

37Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken me in Thy ways.

38Confirm Thy word unto Thy servant, which pertaineth unto the fear of Thee.

39Turn away my reproach which I dread; for Thine ordinances are good.

40Behold, I have longed after Thy precepts; quicken me in Thy righteousness.

41VAV. Let Thy mercies also come unto me, O HaShem, even Thy salvation, according to Thy word;

42That I may have an answer for him that taunteth me; for I trust in Thy word.

43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I hope in Thine ordinances;

44So shall I observe Thy law continually for ever and ever;

45And I will walk at ease, for I have sought Thy precepts;

46I will also speak of Thy testimonies before kings, and will not be ashamed.

47And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved.

48I will lift up my hands also unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes.

49ZAIN. Remember the word unto Thy servant, because Thou hast made me to hope.

50This is my comfort in my affliction, that Thy word hath quickened me.

51The proud have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not turned aside from Thy law.

52I have remembered Thine ordinances which are of old, O HaShem, and have comforted myself.

53Burning indignation hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake Thy law.

54Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

55I have remembered Thy name, O HaShem, in the night, and have observed Thy law.

56This I have had, that I have kept Thy precepts.

57HETH. My portion is HaShem, I have said that I would observe Thy words.

58I have entreated Thy favour with my whole heart; be gracious unto me according to Thy word.

59I considered my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.

60I made haste, and delayed not, to observe Thy commandments.

61The bands of the wicked have enclosed me; but I have not forgotten Thy law.

62At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy righteous ordinances.

63I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that observe Thy precepts.

64The earth, O HaShem, is full of Thy mercy; teach me Thy statutes.

65TETH. Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O HaShem, according unto Thy word.

66Teach me good discernment and knowledge; for I have believed Thy commandments.

67Before I was afflicted, I did err; but now I observe Thy word.

68Thou art good, and doest good; teach me Thy statutes.

69The proud have forged a lie against me; but I with my whole heart will keep Thy precepts.

70Their heart is gross like fat; but I delight in Thy law.

71It is good for me that I have been afflicted, in order that I might learn Thy statutes.

72The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.

73JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.

74They that fear Thee shall see me and be glad, because I have hope in Thy word.

75I know, O HaShem, that Thy judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me.

76Let, I pray Thee, Thy lovingkindness be ready to comfort me, according to Thy promise unto Thy servant.

77Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; for Thy law is my delight.

78Let the proud be put to shame, for they have distorted my cause with falsehood; but I will meditate in Thy precepts.

79Let those that fear Thee return unto me, and they that know Thy testimonies.

80Let my heart be undivided in Thy statutes, in order that I may not be put to shame.

81CAPH. My soul pineth for Thy salvation; in Thy word do I hope.

82Mine eyes fail for Thy word, saying: 'When wilt Thou comfort me?'

83For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke; yet do I not forget Thy statutes.

84How many are the days of Thy servant? When wilt Thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?

85The proud have digged pits for me, which is not according to Thy law.

86All Thy commandments are faithful; they persecute me for nought; help Thou me.

87They had almost consumed me upon earth; but as for me, I forsook not Thy precepts.

88Quicken me after Thy lovingkindness, and I will observe the testimony of Thy mouth.

89LAMED. For ever, O HaShem, Thy word standeth fast in heaven.

90Thy faithfulness is unto all generations; Thou hast established the earth, and it standeth.

91They stand this day according to Thine ordinances; for all things are Thy servants.

92Unless Thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

93I will never forget Thy precepts; for with them Thou hast quickened me.

94I am Thine, save me; for I have sought Thy precepts.

95The wicked have waited for me to destroy me; but I will consider Thy testimonies.

96I have seen an end to every purpose; but Thy commandment is exceeding broad.

97MEM. O how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.

98Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99I have more understanding than all my teachers; for Thy testimonies are my meditation.

100I understand more than mine elders, because I have keep Thy precepts.

101I have refrained my feet from every evil way, in order that I might observe Thy word.

102I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances; for Thou hast instructed me.

103How sweet are Thy words unto my palate! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104From Thy precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

105NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

106I have sworn, and have confirmed it, to observe Thy righteous ordinances.

107I am afflicted very much; quicken me, O HaShem, according unto Thy word.

108Accept, I beseech Thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O HaShem, and teach me Thine ordinances.

109My soul is continually in my hand; yet have I not forgotten Thy law.

110The wicked have laid a snare for me; yet went I not astray from Thy precepts.

111Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

112I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes, for ever, at every step.

113SAMECH. I hate them that are of a double mind; but Thy law do I love.

114Thou art my covert and my shield; in Thy word do I hope.

115Depart from me, ye evildoers; that I may keep the commandments of my G-d.

116Uphold me according unto Thy word, that I may live; and put me not to shame in my hope.

117Support Thou me, and I shall be saved; and I will occupy myself with Thy statutes continually.

118Thou hast made light of all them that err from Thy statutes; for their deceit is vain.

119Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love Thy testimonies.

120My flesh shuddereth for fear of Thee; and I am afraid of Thy judgments.

121AIN. I have done justice and righteousness; leave me not to mine oppressors.

122Be surety for Thy servant for good; let not the proud oppress me.

123Mine eyes fail for Thy salvation, and for Thy righteous word.

124Deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes.

125I am Thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies.

126It is time for HaShem to work; they have made void Thy law.

127Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold, yea, above fine gold.

128Therefore I esteem all Thy precepts concerning all things to be right; every false way I hate.

129PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore doth my soul keep them.

130The opening of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.

131I opened wide my mouth, and panted; for I longed for Thy commandments.

132Turn Thee towards me, and be gracious unto me, as is Thy wont to do unto those that love Thy name.

133Order my footsteps by Thy word; and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

134Redeem me from the oppression of man, and I will observe Thy precepts.

135Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; and teach me Thy statutes.

136Mine eyes run down with rivers of water, because they observe not Thy law.

137TZADE. Righteous art Thou, O HaShem, and upright are Thy judgments.

138Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness.

139My zeal hath undone me, because mine adversaries have forgotten Thy words.

140Thy word is tried to the uttermost, and Thy servant loveth it.

141I am small and despised; yet have I not forgotten Thy precepts.

142Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is the truth.

143Trouble and anguish have overtaken me; yet Thy commandments are my delight.

144Thy testimonies are righteous for ever; give me understanding, and I shall live.

145KOPH. I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O HaShem; I will keep Thy statutes.

146I have called Thee, save me, and I will observe Thy testimonies.

147I rose early at dawn, and cried; I hoped in Thy word.

148Mine eyes forestalled the night-watches, that I might meditate in Thy word.

149Hear my voice according unto Thy lovingkindness; quicken me, O HaShem, as Thou art wont.

150They draw nigh that follow after wickedness; they are far from Thy law.

151Thou art nigh, O HaShem; and all Thy commandments are truth.

152Of old have I known from Thy testimonies that Thou hast founded them for ever.

153RESH. O see mine affliction, and rescue me; for I do not forget Thy law.

154Plead Thou my cause, and redeem me; quicken me according to Thy word.

155Salvation is far from the wicked; for they seek not Thy statutes.

156Great are Thy compassions, O HaShem; quicken me as Thou art wont.

157Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries; yet have I not turned aside from Thy testimonies.

158I beheld them that were faithless, and strove with them; because they observed not Thy word.

159O see how I love Thy precepts; quicken me, O HaShem, according to Thy lovingkindness.

160The beginning of Thy word is truth; and all Thy righteous ordinance endureth for ever.

161SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; but my heart standeth in awe of Thy words.

162I rejoice at Thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.

163I hate and abhor falsehood; Thy law do I love.

164Seven times a day do I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous ordinances.

165Great peace have they that love Thy law; and there is no stumbling for them.

166I have hoped for Thy salvation, O HaShem, and have done Thy commandments.

167My soul hath observed Thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.

168I have observed Thy precepts and Thy testimonies; for all my ways are before Thee.

169TAV. Let my cry come near before Thee, O HaShem; give me understanding according to Thy word.

170Let my supplication come before Thee; deliver me according to Thy word.

171Let my lips utter praise: because Thou teachest me Thy statutes.

172Let my tongue sing of Thy word; for all Thy commandments are righteousness.

173Let Thy hand be ready to help me; for I have chosen Thy precepts.

174I have longed for Thy salvation, O HaShem; and Thy law is my delight.

175Let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee; and let Thine ordinances help me.

176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant; for I have not forgotten Thy commandments.

176 verses · JPS 1917 (public domain)

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