YouVersion Logo
Search Icon

Psalm 119

119
Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet
Aleph
1 # 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter Blessed are those whose #Prov. 11:20; 13:6; [Ps. 101:2, 6] way is blameless,
who #Ps. 128:1; [Gen. 17:1]walk in the law of the Lord!
2Blessed are those who #[ver. 22] keep his #[Ps. 78:5] testimonies,
who #[ver. 10; 2 Chr. 15:2]seek him with their whole heart,
3who also #1 John 3:9; 5:18do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4You have commanded your #Ps. 19:8precepts
to be kept diligently.
5Oh that my ways may #Ps. 37:23; [Prov. 16:9; Jer. 10:23]be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 # ver. 80; [1 John 2:28] Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn #ver. 62, 106; Ex. 24:3your righteous rules.#119:7 Or your just and righteous decrees; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164
8I will keep your statutes;
# Ps. 38:21; 71:9, 18 do not utterly forsake me!
Beth
9How can #[Ps. 25:7]a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 # [2 Chr. 15:2] With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not #[ver. 21, 118]wander from your commandments!
11I have #Luke 2:19, 51; See Ps. 37:31stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12Blessed are you, O Lord;
# ver. 26, 64, 68, 108, 124, 135, 171; See Ps. 25:4 teach me your statutes!
13With my lips I #Ps. 40:9; [Deut. 6:7]declare
all the rules#119:13 Or all the just decrees of your mouth.
14In the way of your testimonies I #ver. 111, 162 delight
as much as in all #See Prov. 3:13-15; 8:10, 11, 18, 19riches.
15I will #ver. 23, 78, 97 meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your #Ps. 25:4ways.
16I will #ver. 24, 47, 70, 77, 92, 143, 174delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Gimel
17 # See Ps. 13:6 Deal bountifully with your servant,
# ver. 144 that I may live and keep your word.
18Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
19I am #See Ps. 39:12 a sojourner on the earth;
# [Isa. 6:9, 10] hide not your commandments from me!
20My soul is consumed with #ver. 40, 131, 174; [Ps. 42:1, 2]longing
for your rules#119:20 Or your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175 at all times.
21You rebuke #See ver. 51 the insolent, #Deut. 27:26 accursed ones,
who #[ver. 10]wander from your commandments.
22Take away from me #See Ps. 44:13 scorn and contempt,
# [ver. 2] for I have kept your testimonies.
23Even though #ver. 161; [Dan. 6:4] princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will #ver. 15, 27, 28meditate on your statutes.
24Your testimonies are my #[Rom. 7:22]; See ver. 16 delight;
they are my #[ver. 104]counselors.
Daleth
25 # Ps. 44:25 My soul clings to the dust;
# ver. 37, 40, 88, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159; See Ps. 71:20 give me life #ver. 65according to your word!
26When #[Ps. 37:5] I told of my ways, you answered me;
# ver. 12 teach me your statutes!
27 # ver. 18, 34, 73, 125, 144, 169; [Job 32:8] Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will #ver. 15, 23, 78meditate on your wondrous works.
28 # See Ps. 22:14 My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29Put false ways far from me
and graciously #[ver. 27]teach me your law!
30I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I #[Ps. 16:8]set your rules before me.
31I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
# ver. 116 let me not be put to shame!
32I will run in the way of your commandments
when you #1 Kgs. 4:29; Isa. 60:5; 2 Cor. 6:11, 13enlarge my heart!#119:32 Or for you set my heart free
He
33 # ver. 12, 26 Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it #ver. 112; [Matt. 10:22; Heb. 3:6; Rev. 2:26]to the end.#119:33 Or keep it as my reward
34 # ver. 27; Prov. 2:6; James 1:5 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 # See Ps. 25:4, 5 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I #ver. 16; See Ps. 1:2delight in it.
36 # ver. 112; 1 Kgs. 8:58; [Ps. 141:4] Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to #[Luke 12:15; 1 Tim. 6:10; Heb. 13:5]selfish gain!
37 # [Prov. 23:5; Isa. 33:15] Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and #ver. 25give me life in your ways.
38 # 2 Sam. 7:25 Confirm to your servant your promise,
# [Ps. 25:10; 112:1; 128:1; 130:4] that you may be feared.
39Turn away the #ver. 22reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
40Behold, I #ver. 20 long for your precepts;
# [ver. 149, 156] in your righteousness give me life!
Waw
41Let your #ver. 77; [Ps. 106:4] steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
your salvation #ver. 58, 65, 76, 116, 170according to your promise;
42then #Prov. 27:11 shall I have an answer for him #[See ver. 39 above]who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my #ver. 49, 74, 81, 114, 147; [Ps. 31:24]hope is in your rules.
44I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
45and I shall walk #Prov. 4:12 in a wide place,
for I have #ver. 94, 155sought your precepts.
46I will also speak of your testimonies #[Matt. 10:18; Acts 26:1, 2]before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
47for I #ver. 16find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
48I will #See Ps. 28:2 lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will #ver. 13meditate on your statutes.
Zayin
49Remember #ver. 41, 42, 43 your word to your servant,
in which you have made me #ver. 43hope.
50This is #[Rom. 15:4] my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise #ver. 25; See Ps. 71:20gives me life.
51 # ver. 69, 78, 85, 122; Jer. 20:7; [Ps. 42:3; 123:4] The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not #ver. 157; Ps. 44:18; Job 23:11turn away from your law.
52When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O Lord.
53 # [Neh. 13:25] Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my #See Ps. 39:12sojourning.
55I #See Ps. 42:8remember your name in the night, O Lord,
and keep your law.
56This blessing has fallen to me,
that #ver. 22, 69, 100I have kept your precepts.
Heth
57 # See Ps. 16:5 The Lord is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58I #Ps. 45:12 entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me #ver. 41according to your promise.
59When I #[Luke 15:17]think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61Though #ver. 110 the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not #ver. 83forget your law.
62At #[Acts 16:25] midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your #ver. 7righteous rules.
63 # [Ps. 101:6] I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 # Ps. 33:5 The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
# ver. 12 teach me your statutes!
Teth
65You have dealt well with your servant,
O Lord, #[ver. 41]according to your word.
66Teach me #Phil. 1:9; [James 1:5]good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 # ver. 71, 75; Jer. 31:18, 19; See Heb. 12:5-11 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 # Ps. 106:1 You are good and do good;
# ver. 12 teach me your statutes.
69 # ver. 51 The insolent #Job 13:4; [Ps. 109:2] smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I #ver. 56keep your precepts;
70their heart is unfeeling #Isa. 6:10; See Ps. 17:10 like fat,
but I #ver. 16delight in your law.
71It is #[ver. 67]good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 # ver. 127; Ps. 19:10; Prov. 8:10 The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Yodh
73 # Job 10:8; See Ps. 95:6; Job 31:15 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
# ver. 27 give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74Those who fear you shall see me and #Ps. 34:2; 35:27; 107:42 rejoice,
because I have #ver. 43; Ps. 130:5hoped in your word.
75I know, O Lord, that your rules are #ver. 138 righteous,
and that in #Ps. 33:4; See ver. 67faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77Let your #ver. 41 mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my #ver. 24, 47, 174delight.
78Let #See ver. 51 the insolent be put to #Ps. 25:3 shame,
because they have #ver. 86 wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will #ver. 15, 23meditate on your precepts.
79Let those who fear you #[Jer. 15:19]turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80May my heart be #ver. 1 blameless in your statutes,
# ver. 6 that I may not be put to shame!
Kaph
81My soul #See Ps. 84:2 longs for your salvation;
I #ver. 74, 114hope in your word.
82My #See Ps. 69:3 eyes long for your promise;
I ask, #[Ps. 101:2]“When will you comfort me?”
83For I have #[Job 30:30] become like a #[Matt. 9:17; Mark 2:22]wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 # [Ps. 39:4] How long must your servant endure?#119:84 Hebrew How many are the days of your servant?
# Rev. 6:10; [Zech. 1:12] When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 # ver. 51 The insolent have #See Ps. 7:15dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86All your commandments are #ver. 138 sure;
they persecute me #ver. 78; Ps. 35:19 with falsehood; #Ps. 109:26help me!
87They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88In your steadfast love #ver. 25; See Ps. 71:20give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
Lamedh
89Forever, O Lord, your #ver. 152; [Matt. 24:35; 1 Pet. 1:25]; [Jer. 31:35-37]word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90Your #See Ps. 36:5 faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have #[Ps. 148:6] established the earth, and it #Eccles. 1:4stands fast.
91By your #Jer. 33:25appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92If your law had not been my #ver. 77delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have #ver. 25; See Ps. 71:20given me life.
94I am yours; save me,
# ver. 45 for I have sought your precepts.
95The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
96I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly #[Ps. 18:19]broad.
Mem
97Oh how #ver. 113, 163, 165; [Ps. 1:2] I love your law!
It is my #ver. 15meditation all the day.
98Your commandment makes me #[Deut. 4:6]wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
99I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for #[2 Tim. 3:15]your testimonies are my meditation.
100I understand more than #See Job 32:7-9 the aged,#119:100 Or the elders
for I #ver. 56, 69keep your precepts.
101I #Prov. 1:15hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
102I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
103How #Ps. 19:10sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore #ver. 128I hate every false way.
Nun
105 # Prov. 6:23 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106I have #Neh. 10:29 sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your #ver. 7righteous rules.
107I am severely #[ver. 25, 50] afflicted;
# ver. 88; See Ps. 71:20 give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108Accept #[Hos. 14:2] my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
and #ver. 12teach me your rules.
109I hold my life #See Judg. 12:3 in my hand continually,
but I do not #ver. 83forget your law.
110The wicked have laid #See Ps. 91:3 a snare for me,
but #ver. 10I do not stray from your precepts.
111Your testimonies are #Deut. 33:4 my heritage forever,
for they are #ver. 14, 162the joy of my heart.
112I #ver. 36 incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, #See ver. 33to the end.#119:112 Or statutes; the reward is eternal
Samekh
113I hate #[1 Kgs. 18:21; James 1:8; 4:8] the double-minded,
but I love #ver. 97your law.
114You are my #See Ps. 32:7 hiding place and my #See Ps. 3:3 shield;
I #ver. 74hope in your word.
115 # See Ps. 6:8 Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may #[ver. 22]keep the commandments of my God.
116Uphold me #ver. 41 according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be #ver. 31; See Ps. 25:2 put to shame in my #Ps. 146:5hope!
117 # [Ps. 20:2] Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
118You #Lam. 1:15 spurn all who #ver. 10, 21, 110go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
119All the wicked of the earth you discard like #Isa. 1:25; [Ezek. 22:18; Mal. 3:2, 3] dross,
therefore #ver. 97I love your testimonies.
120My flesh #[Job 4:14; Hab. 3:16]trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.
Ayin
121I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122Give your servant #See Job 17:3 a pledge of good;
let not #ver. 51the insolent oppress me.
123My #ver. 82eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and #ver. 12teach me your statutes.
125I am your #See Ps. 116:16 servant; #ver. 27give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
126It is time for the Lord to act,
for your law has been broken.
127Therefore I #ver. 72; Ps. 19:10love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
128Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every #ver. 104false way.
Pe
129Your testimonies are #ver. 18, 27 wonderful;
therefore my soul #ver. 22keeps them.
130The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts #See Ps. 19:7understanding to the simple.
131I #Ps. 81:10; Job 29:23 open my mouth and #Ps. 42:1 pant,
because I #ver. 20long for your commandments.
132 # See Ps. 25:16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 # [Ps. 17:5] Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity #Ps. 19:13get dominion over me.
134 # [Luke 1:74] Redeem me from man’s oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 # See Ps. 4:6 Make your face shine upon your servant,
and #ver. 12teach me your statutes.
136My eyes #Jer. 9:1, 18; 14:17; Lam. 3:48; [Ezek. 9:4; Phil. 3:18] shed streams of tears,
because people #ver. 158do not keep your law.
Tsadhe
137 # See Ps. 116:5 Righteous are you, O Lord,
and right are your rules.
138You have appointed your testimonies in #ver. 75, 172; See Ps. 19:7-9 righteousness
and in all #ver. 86faithfulness.
139My #See Ps. 69:9zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140Your promise is well #See Ps. 12:6 tried,
and your servant #ver. 97loves it.
141I am small and despised,
yet I do not #ver. 83forget your precepts.
142Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is #ver. 151, 160; John 17:17; [Ps. 19:9]true.
143Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my #ver. 24delight.
144Your testimonies are righteous forever;
# ver. 27 give me understanding that I may #ver. 17live.
Qoph
145With my #ver. 2, 10 whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
I will #ver. 22, 33keep your statutes.
146I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
147I rise before #See Ps. 5:3 dawn and cry for help;
I #ver. 74hope in your words.
148My eyes are awake before #See Ps. 42:8the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
149Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O Lord, #ver. 156; [ver. 40] according to your justice #ver. 25; See Ps. 71:20give me life.
150They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
151But #See Ps. 145:18 you are near, O Lord,
and all your commandments are #See ver. 142true.
152Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have #ver. 89, 160; [Matt. 5:18]founded them forever.
Resh
153Look on my #Job 36:15 affliction and deliver me,
for #ver. 83I do not forget your law.
154 # Ps. 35:1 Plead my cause and redeem me;
# ver. 25 give me life according to your promise!
155 # Job 5:4 Salvation is far from the wicked,
# [ver. 150] for they do not seek your statutes.
156 # 2 Sam. 24:14 Great is your mercy, O Lord;
# [See ver. 154 above] give me life according to your rules.
157 # Ps. 3:1, 2 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not #See ver. 51swerve from your testimonies.
158I look at #[Jer. 3:20] the faithless with #Ps. 139:21; [ver. 136]disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
159Consider how I #ver. 97 love your precepts!
# [See ver. 154 above] Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 # Ps. 139:17 The sum of your word is #[ver. 142, 172] truth,
and every one of your #ver. 7righteous rules endures forever.
Sin and Shin
161 # ver. 23; [1 Sam. 24:11; 26:18] Princes persecute me #See Ps. 69:4 without cause,
but my heart #[Ps. 2:11]stands in awe of your words.
162I #[See ver. 161 above] rejoice at your word
like one who #1 Sam. 30:16; Isa. 9:3; [Matt. 13:44]finds great spoil.
163I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love #ver. 97your law.
164Seven times a day I praise you
for your #[See ver. 160 above]righteous rules.
165Great #Ps. 37:11, 37; [Prov. 3:2] peace have those who love your law;
# Prov. 3:23; 1 John 2:10; [Matt. 13:41] nothing can make them stumble.
166I #ver. 174; Gen. 49:18hope for your salvation, O Lord,
and I do your commandments.
167My soul keeps your testimonies;
I #[See ver. 163 above]love them exceedingly.
168I keep your precepts and testimonies,
# Ps. 139:3; Prov. 5:21 for all my ways are before you.
Taw
169Let my #[ver. 145] cry come before you, O Lord;
# See ver. 34 give me understanding #ver. 65according to your word!
170Let my plea come before you;
# ver. 41 deliver me according to your word.
171My lips will #Ps. 145:7 pour forth praise,
for you #ver. 12teach me your statutes.
172My tongue will sing of your word,
for #[ver. 160]all your commandments are right.
173Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have #Josh. 24:22; [Prov. 1:29]chosen your precepts.
174I #ver. 20 long for your salvation, O Lord,
and your law is my #ver. 24delight.
175Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
176I have #Isa. 53:6; 1 Pet. 2:25; [Matt. 18:12; Luke 15:4] gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not #ver. 83forget your commandments.

Currently Selected:

Psalm 119: ESV

Highlight

Share

Copy

None

Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in

YouVersion uses cookies to personalize your experience. By using our website, you accept our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy