Psalm 119

This article is about Psalm 119 in Hebrew (Masoretic) numbering. For Psalm 119 in Greek Septuagint or Latin Vulgate numbering, see Psalm 120.

Psalm 119
"Blessed are the undefiled in the way"
Hymn psalm
Manuscript of verse 81 by Giovannino de' Grassi, Biblioteca Nazionale, Florence
Other name	Psalm 118 (Vulgate) "Beati inmaculati in via"
Language	Hebrew (original)

Psalm 119
← Psalm 118 Psalm 120 →
Book	Book of Psalms
Hebrew Bible part	Ketuvim
Order in the Hebrew part	1
Category	Sifrei Emet
Christian Bible part	Old Testament
Order in the Christian part	19

Psalm 119 is the 119th psalm of the Book of Psalms, beginning in the English of the King James Version: "Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord". The Book of Psalms is in the third section of the Hebrew Bible, the Khetuvim, and a book of the Christian Old Testament. The psalm, which is anonymous, is referred to in Hebrew by its opening words, "Ashrei temimei derech" ("happy are those whose way is perfect"). In Latin, it is known as "Beati inmaculati in via qui ambulant in lege Domini".

The psalm is a hymn psalm and an acrostic poem, in which each set of eight verses begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The theme of the verses is the prayer of one who delights in and lives by the Torah, the sacred law. Psalms 1, 19 and 119 may be referred to as "the psalms of the Law".

In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate translations of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 118. With 176 verses, it is the longest psalm as well as the longest chapter in the Bible.

The psalm forms a regular part of Jewish, Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and other Protestant liturgies. It has often been set to music. British politician William Wilberforce recited the entire psalm while walking back from Parliament, through Hyde Park, to his home.

Background and themes

In Judaism, Psalm 119 has the monikers Alpha-Beta and Temanya Apin (Aramaic: "eight faces").

Text

Hebrew

The following table shows the Hebrew text of the Psalm with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).

Verse	Hebrew	English translation (JPS 1917)
1	אַשְׁרֵ֥י תְמִֽימֵי־דָ֑רֶךְ הַ֝הֹלְכִ֗ים בְּתוֹרַ֥ת יְהֹוָֽה׃‎	ALEPH. Happy are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
2	אַ֭שְׁרֵי נֹצְרֵ֥י עֵדֹתָ֗יו בְּכׇל־לֵ֥ב יִדְרְשֽׁוּהוּ׃‎	Happy are they that keep His testimonies, that seek Him with the whole heart.
3	אַ֭ף לֹא־פָעֲל֣וּ עַוְלָ֑ה בִּדְרָכָ֥יו הָלָֽכוּ׃‎	Yea, they do no unrighteousness; they walk in His ways.
4	אַ֭תָּה צִוִּ֥יתָה פִקֻּדֶ֗יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥ר מְאֹֽד׃‎	Thou hast ordained Thy precepts, that we should observe them diligently.
5	אַ֭חֲלַי יִכֹּ֥נוּ דְרָכָ֗י לִשְׁמֹ֥ר חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃‎	Oh that my ways were directed to observe Thy statutes!
6	אָ֥ז לֹא־אֵב֑וֹשׁ בְּ֝הַבִּיטִ֗י אֶל־כׇּל־מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃‎	Then should I not be ashamed, when I have regard unto all Thy commandments.
7	א֭וֹדְךָ בְּיֹ֣שֶׁר לֵבָ֑ב בְּ֝לׇמְדִ֗י מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃‎	I will give thanks unto Thee with uprightness of heart, when I learn Thy righteous ordinances.
8	אֶת־חֻקֶּ֥יךָ אֶשְׁמֹ֑ר אַֽל־תַּעַזְבֵ֥נִי עַד־מְאֹֽד׃‎	I will observe Thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly.
9	בַּמֶּ֣ה יְזַכֶּה־נַּ֭עַר אֶת־אׇרְח֑וֹ לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃‎	BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.
10	בְּכׇל־לִבִּ֥י דְרַשְׁתִּ֑יךָ אַל־תַּ֝שְׁגֵּ֗נִי מִמִּצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃‎	With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not err from Thy commandments.
11	בְּ֭לִבִּי צָפַ֣נְתִּי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ לְ֝מַ֗עַן לֹ֣א אֶחֱטָא־לָֽךְ׃‎	Thy word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
12	בָּר֖וּךְ אַתָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֗ה לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃‎	Blessed art Thou, O LORD; Teach me Thy statutes.
13	בִּשְׂפָתַ֥י סִפַּ֑רְתִּי כֹּ֝֗ל מִשְׁפְּטֵי־פִֽיךָ׃‎	With my lips have I told All the ordinances of Thy mouth.
14	בְּדֶ֖רֶךְ עֵדְוֺתֶ֥יךָ שַּׂ֗שְׂתִּי כְּעַ֣ל כׇּל־הֽוֹן׃‎	I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, As much as in all riches.
15	בְּפִקּוּדֶ֥יךָ אָשִׂ֑יחָה וְ֝אַבִּ֗יטָה אֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃‎	I will meditate in Thy precepts, And have respect unto Thy ways.
16	בְּחֻקֹּתֶ֥יךָ אֶֽשְׁתַּעֲשָׁ֑ע לֹ֖א אֶשְׁכַּ֣ח דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃‎	I will delight myself in Thy statutes; I will not forget Thy word.
17	גְּמֹ֖ל עַל־עַבְדְּךָ֥ אֶחְיֶ֗ה וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֥ה דְבָרֶֽךָ׃‎	GIMEL. Deal bountifully with Thy servant that I may live, and I will observe Thy word.
18	גַּל־עֵינַ֥י וְאַבִּ֑יטָה נִ֝פְלָא֗וֹת מִתּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃‎	Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law.
19	גֵּ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י בָאָ֑רֶץ אַל־תַּסְתֵּ֥ר מִ֝מֶּ֗נִּי מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃‎	I am a sojourner in the earth; hide not Thy commandments from me.
20	גָּרְסָ֣ה נַפְשִׁ֣י לְתַאֲבָ֑ה אֶֽל־מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ בְכׇל־עֵֽת׃‎	My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thine ordinances at all times.
21	גָּ֭עַרְתָּ זֵדִ֣ים אֲרוּרִ֑ים הַ֝שֹּׁגִ֗ים מִמִּצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃‎	Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, that do err from Thy commandments.
22	גַּ֣ל מֵ֭עָלַי חֶרְפָּ֣ה וָב֑וּז כִּ֖י עֵדֹתֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃‎	Take away from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept Thy testimonies.
23	גַּ֤ם יָשְׁב֣וּ שָׂ֭רִים בִּ֣י נִדְבָּ֑רוּ עַ֝בְדְּךָ֗ יָשִׂ֥יחַ בְּחֻקֶּֽיךָ׃‎	Even though princes sit and talk against me, Thy servant doth meditate in Thy statutes.
24	גַּֽם־עֵ֭דֹתֶיךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָ֗י אַנְשֵׁ֥י עֲצָתִֽי׃‎	Yea, Thy testimonies are my delight, they are my counsellors. DALETH.
25	דָּבְקָ֣ה לֶעָפָ֣ר נַפְשִׁ֑י חַ֝יֵּ֗נִי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃‎	My soul cleaveth unto the dust; quicken Thou me according to Thy word.
26	דְּרָכַ֣י סִ֭פַּרְתִּי וַֽתַּעֲנֵ֗נִי לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃‎	I told of my ways, and Thou didst answer me; teach me Thy statutes.
27	דֶּרֶךְ־פִּקּוּדֶ֥יךָ הֲבִינֵ֑נִי וְ֝אָשִׂ֗יחָה בְּנִפְלְאוֹתֶֽיךָ׃‎	Make me to understand the way of Thy precepts, that I may talk of Thy wondrous works.
28	דָּלְפָ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי מִתּוּגָ֑ה קַ֝יְּמֵ֗נִי כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃‎	My soul melteth away for heaviness; sustain me according unto Thy word.
29	דֶּֽרֶךְ־שֶׁ֭קֶר הָסֵ֣ר מִמֶּ֑נִּי וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ חׇנֵּֽנִי׃‎	Remove from me the way of falsehood; and grant me Thy law graciously
30	דֶּֽרֶךְ־אֱמוּנָ֥ה בָחָ֑רְתִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ שִׁוִּֽיתִי׃‎	I have chosen the way of faithfulness; Thine ordinances have I set [before me].
31	דָּבַ֥קְתִּי בְעֵדְוֺתֶ֑יךָ יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה אַל־תְּבִישֵֽׁנִי׃‎	I cleave unto Thy testimonies; O LORD, put me not to shame.
32	דֶּֽרֶךְ־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ אָר֑וּץ כִּ֖י תַרְחִ֣יב לִבִּֽי׃‎	I will run the way of Thy commandments, For Thou dost enlarge my heart.
33	הוֹרֵ֣נִי יְ֭הֹוָה דֶּ֥רֶךְ חֻקֶּ֗יךָ וְאֶצְּרֶ֥נָּה עֵֽקֶב׃‎	HE. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Thy statutes; And I will keep it at every step.
34	הֲ֭בִינֵנִי וְאֶצְּרָ֥ה תוֹרָתֶ֗ךָ וְאֶשְׁמְרֶ֥נָּה בְכׇל־לֵֽב׃‎	Give me understanding, that I keep Thy law and observe it with my whole heart.
35	הַ֭דְרִיכֵנִי בִּנְתִ֣יב מִצְוֺתֶ֑יךָ כִּי־ב֥וֹ חָפָֽצְתִּי׃‎	Make me to tread in the path of Thy commandments; for therein do I delight.
36	הַט־לִ֭בִּי אֶל־עֵדְוֺתֶ֗יךָ וְאַ֣ל אֶל־בָּֽצַע׃‎	Incline my heart unto Thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37	הַעֲבֵ֣ר עֵ֭ינַי מֵרְא֣וֹת שָׁ֑וְא בִּדְרָכֶ֥ךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃‎	Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity, and quicken me in Thy ways.
38	הָקֵ֣ם לְ֭עַבְדְּךָ אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לְיִרְאָתֶֽךָ׃‎	Confirm Thy word unto Thy servant, which pertaineth unto the fear of Thee.
39	הַעֲבֵ֣ר חֶ֭רְפָּתִי אֲשֶׁ֣ר יָגֹ֑רְתִּי כִּ֖י מִשְׁפָּטֶ֣יךָ טוֹבִֽים׃‎	Turn away my reproach which I dread; for Thine ordinances are good.
40	הִ֭נֵּה תָּאַ֣בְתִּי לְפִקֻּדֶ֑יךָ בְּצִדְקָתְךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃‎	Behold, I have longed after Thy precepts; quicken me in Thy righteousness.
41	וִיבֹאֻ֣נִי חֲסָדֶ֣ךָ יְהֹוָ֑ה תְּ֝שׁ֥וּעָתְךָ֗ כְּאִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃‎	VAV. Let Thy mercies also come unto me, O LORD, even Thy salvation, according to Thy word;
42	וְאֶעֱנֶ֣ה חֹרְפִ֣י דָבָ֑ר כִּֽי־בָ֝טַ֗חְתִּי בִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃‎	That I may have an answer for him that taunteth me; for I trust in Thy word.
43	וְֽאַל־תַּצֵּ֬ל מִפִּ֣י דְבַר־אֱמֶ֣ת עַד־מְאֹ֑ד כִּ֖י לְמִשְׁפָּטֶ֣ךָ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃‎	And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I hope in Thine ordinances;
44	וְאֶשְׁמְרָ֖ה תוֹרָתְךָ֥ תָמִ֗יד לְעוֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד׃‎	So shall I observe Thy law continually for ever and ever;
45	וְאֶתְהַלְּכָ֥ה בָרְחָבָ֑ה כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃‎	And I will walk at ease, for I have sought Thy precepts;
46	וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה בְ֭עֵדֹתֶיךָ נֶ֥גֶד מְלָכִ֗ים וְלֹ֣א אֵבֽוֹשׁ׃‎	I will also speak of Thy testimonies before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47	וְאֶשְׁתַּעֲשַׁ֥ע בְּמִצְוֺתֶ֗יךָ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָהָֽבְתִּי׃‎	And I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved.
48	וְאֶשָּֽׂא־כַפַּ֗י אֶֽל־מִ֭צְוֺתֶיךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָהָ֗בְתִּי וְאָשִׂ֥יחָה בְחֻקֶּֽיךָ׃‎	I will lift up my hands also unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; And I will meditate in Thy statutes.
49	זְכֹר־דָּבָ֥ר לְעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ עַ֝֗ל אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִֽחַלְתָּֽנִי׃‎	ZAIN. Remember the word unto Thy servant, Because Thou hast made me to hope.
50	זֹ֣את נֶחָמָתִ֣י בְעׇנְיִ֑י כִּ֖י אִמְרָתְךָ֣ חִיָּֽתְנִי׃‎	This is my comfort in my affliction, that Thy word hath quickened me.
51	זֵ֭דִים הֱלִיצֻ֣נִי עַד־מְאֹ֑ד מִ֝תּ֥וֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א נָטִֽיתִי׃‎	The proud have had me greatly in derision; yet have I not turned aside from Thy law.
52	זָ֘כַ֤רְתִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶ֖יךָ מֵעוֹלָ֥ם ׀ יְהֹוָ֗ה וָאֶתְנֶחָֽם׃‎	I have remembered Thine ordinances which are of old, O LORD, and have comforted myself.
53	זַלְעָפָ֣ה אֲ֭חָזַתְנִי מֵרְשָׁעִ֑ים עֹ֝זְבֵ֗י תּֽוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃‎	Burning indignation hath taken hold upon me, because of the wicked that forsake Thy law.
54	זְ֭מִרוֹת הָיוּ־לִ֥י חֻקֶּ֗יךָ בְּבֵ֣ית מְגוּרָֽי׃‎	Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.
55	זָ֘כַ֤רְתִּי בַלַּ֣יְלָה שִׁמְךָ֣ יְהֹוָ֑ה וָ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה תּֽוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃‎	I have remembered Thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have observed Thy law.
56	זֹ֥את הָיְתָה־לִּ֑י כִּ֖י פִקֻּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃‎	This I have had, that I have kept Thy precepts.
57	חֶלְקִ֖י יְהֹוָ֥ה אָמַ֗רְתִּי לִשְׁמֹ֥ר דְּבָרֶֽיךָ׃‎	HETH. My portion is the LORD, I have said that I would observe Thy words.
58	חִלִּ֣יתִי פָנֶ֣יךָ בְכׇל־לֵ֑ב חׇ֝נֵּ֗נִי כְּאִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃‎	I have entreated Thy favour with my whole heart; be gracious unto me according to Thy word.
59	חִשַּׁ֥בְתִּי דְרָכָ֑י וָאָשִׁ֥יבָה רַ֝גְלַ֗י אֶל־עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃‎	I considered my ways, and turned my feet unto Thy testimonies.
60	חַ֭שְׁתִּי וְלֹ֣א הִתְמַהְמָ֑הְתִּי לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃‎	I made haste, and delayed not, to observe Thy commandments.
61	חֶבְלֵ֣י רְשָׁעִ֣ים עִוְּדֻ֑נִי תּ֥֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃‎	The bands of the wicked have enclosed me; but I have not forgotten Thy law.
62	חֲצֽוֹת־לַ֗יְלָה אָ֭קוּם לְהוֹד֣וֹת לָ֑ךְ עַ֝֗ל מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃‎	At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto Thee because of Thy righteous ordinances.
63	חָבֵ֣ר אָ֭נִי לְכׇל־אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְרֵא֑וּךָ וּ֝לְשֹׁמְרֵ֗י פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃‎	I am a companion of all them that fear Thee, and of them that observe Thy precepts.
64	חַסְדְּךָ֣ יְ֭הֹוָה מָלְאָ֥ה הָאָ֗רֶץ חֻקֶּ֥יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃‎	The earth, O LORD, is full of Thy mercy; teach me Thy statutes.
65	ט֭וֹב עָשִׂ֣יתָ עִֽם־עַבְדְּךָ֑ יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה כִּדְבָרֶֽךָ׃‎	TETH. Thou hast dealt well with Thy servant, O LORD, according unto Thy word.
66	ט֤וּב טַ֣עַם וָדַ֣עַת לַמְּדֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י בְמִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ הֶאֱמָֽנְתִּי׃‎	Teach me good discernment and knowledge; for I have believed in Thy commandments.
67	טֶ֣רֶם אֶ֭עֱנֶה אֲנִ֣י שֹׁגֵ֑ג וְ֝עַתָּ֗ה אִמְרָתְךָ֥ שָׁמָֽרְתִּי׃‎	Before I was afflicted, I did err; But now I observe Thy word.
68	טוֹב־אַתָּ֥ה וּמֵטִ֗יב לַמְּדֵ֥נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃‎	Thou art good, and doest good; Teach me Thy statutes.
69	טָפְל֬וּ עָלַ֣י שֶׁ֣קֶר זֵדִ֑ים אֲ֝נִ֗י בְּכׇל־לֵ֤ב ׀ אֶצֹּ֬ר פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃‎	The proud have forged a lie against me; But I with my whole heart will keep Thy precepts.
70	טָפַ֣שׁ כַּחֵ֣לֶב לִבָּ֑ם אֲ֝נִ֗י תּוֹרָתְךָ֥ שִׁעֲשָֽׁעְתִּי׃‎	Their heart is gross like fat; But I delight in Thy law.
71	טֽוֹב־לִ֥י כִֽי־עֻנֵּ֑יתִי לְ֝מַ֗עַן אֶלְמַ֥ד חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃‎	It is good for me that I have been afflicted, In order that I might learn Thy statutes.
72	טֽוֹב־לִ֥י תוֹרַת־פִּ֑יךָ מֵ֝אַלְפֵ֗י זָהָ֥ב וָכָֽסֶף׃‎	The law of Thy mouth is better unto me Than thousands of gold and silver.
73	יָדֶ֣יךָ עָ֭שׂוּנִי וַֽיְכוֹנְנ֑וּנִי הֲ֝בִינֵ֗נִי וְאֶלְמְדָ֥ה מִצְוֺתֶֽיךָ׃‎	JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.
74	יְ֭רֵאֶיךָ יִרְא֣וּנִי וְיִשְׂמָ֑חוּ כִּ֖י לִדְבָרְךָ֣ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃‎	They that fear Thee shall see me and be glad, because I have hope in Thy word.
75	יָדַ֣עְתִּי יְ֭הֹוָה כִּי־צֶ֣דֶק מִשְׁפָּטֶ֑יךָ וֶ֝אֱמוּנָ֗ה עִנִּיתָֽנִי׃‎	I know, O LORD, that Thy judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me.
76	יְהִי־נָ֣א חַסְדְּךָ֣ לְנַחֲמֵ֑נִי כְּאִמְרָתְךָ֥ לְעַבְדֶּֽךָ׃‎	Let, I pray Thee, Thy lovingkindness be ready to comfort me, According to Thy promise unto Thy servant.
77	יְבֹא֣וּנִי רַחֲמֶ֣יךָ וְאֶחְיֶ֑ה כִּי־ת֥֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃‎	Let Thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live; for Thy law is my delight.
78	יֵבֹ֣שׁוּ זֵ֭דִים כִּי־שֶׁ֣קֶר עִוְּת֑וּנִי אֲ֝נִ֗י אָשִׂ֥יחַ בְּפִקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃‎	Let the proud be put to shame, for they have distorted my cause with falsehood; but I will meditate in Thy precepts.
79	יָשׁ֣וּבוּ לִ֣י יְרֵאֶ֑יךָ (וידעו) [וְ֝יֹדְעֵ֗י] עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃‎	Let those that fear Thee return unto me, and they that know Thy testimonies.
80	יְהִי־לִבִּ֣י תָמִ֣ים בְּחֻקֶּ֑יךָ לְ֝מַ֗עַן לֹ֣א אֵבֽוֹשׁ׃‎	Let my heart be undivided in Thy statutes, in order that I may not be put to shame.
81	כָּלְתָ֣ה לִתְשׁוּעָתְךָ֣ נַפְשִׁ֑י לִדְבָרְךָ֥ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃‎	CAPH. My soul pineth for Thy salvation; in Thy word do I hope.
82	כָּל֣וּ עֵ֭ינַי לְאִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ לֵ֝אמֹ֗ר מָתַ֥י תְּֽנַחֲמֵֽנִי׃‎	Mine eyes fail for Thy word, Saying: 'When wilt Thou comfort me?'
83	כִּֽי־הָ֭יִיתִי כְּנֹ֣אד בְּקִיט֑וֹר חֻ֝קֶּ֗יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃‎	For I am become like a wine-skin in the smoke; yet do I not forget Thy statutes.
84	כַּמָּ֥ה יְמֵֽי־עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ מָתַ֬י תַּעֲשֶׂ֖ה בְרֹדְפַ֣י מִשְׁפָּֽט׃‎	How many are the days of Thy servant? When wilt Thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85	כָּרוּ־לִ֣י זֵדִ֣ים שִׁיח֑וֹת אֲ֝שֶׁ֗ר לֹ֣א כְתוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃‎	The proud have digged pits for me, which is not according to Thy law
86	כׇּל־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ אֱמוּנָ֑ה שֶׁ֖קֶר רְדָפ֣וּנִי עׇזְרֵֽנִי׃‎	All Thy commandments are faithful; they persecute me for nought; help Thou me.
87	כִּ֭מְעַט כִּלּ֣וּנִי בָאָ֑רֶץ וַ֝אֲנִ֗י לֹא־עָזַ֥בְתִּי פִקֻּדֶֽיךָ׃‎	They had almost consumed me upon earth; but as for me, I forsook not Thy precepts.
88	כְּחַסְדְּךָ֥ חַיֵּ֑נִי וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה עֵד֥וּת פִּֽיךָ׃‎	Quicken me after Thy lovingkindness, and I will observe the testimony of Thy mouth.
89	לְעוֹלָ֥ם יְהֹוָ֑ה דְּ֝בָרְךָ֗ נִצָּ֥ב בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃‎	LAMED. For ever, O LORD, Thy word standeth fast in heaven.
90	לְדֹ֣ר וָ֭דֹר אֱמוּנָתֶ֑ךָ כּוֹנַ֥נְתָּֽ אֶ֝֗רֶץ וַֽתַּעֲמֹֽד׃‎	Thy faithfulness is unto all generations; Thou hast established the earth, and it standeth.
91	לְֽ֭מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ עָמְד֣וּ הַיּ֑וֹם כִּ֖י הַכֹּ֣ל עֲבָדֶֽיךָ׃‎	They stand this day according to Thine ordinances; for all things are Thy servants.
92	לוּלֵ֣י ת֭וֹרָתְךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָ֑י אָ֝֗ז אָבַ֥דְתִּי בְעׇנְיִֽי׃‎	Unless Thy law had been my delight, I should then have perished in mine affliction.
93	לְ֭עוֹלָם לֹא־אֶשְׁכַּ֣ח פִּקּוּדֶ֑יךָ כִּ֥י בָ֝֗ם חִיִּיתָֽנִי׃‎	I will never forget Thy precepts; for with them Thou hast quickened me.
94	לְֽךָ־אֲ֭נִי הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ דָרָֽשְׁתִּי׃‎	I am Thine, save me; for I have sought Thy precepts.
95	לִ֤י קִוּ֣וּ רְשָׁעִ֣ים לְאַבְּדֵ֑נִי עֵ֝דֹתֶ֗יךָ אֶתְבּוֹנָֽן׃‎	The wicked have waited for me to destroy me; but I will consider Thy testimonies.
96	לְֽכׇל־תִּ֭כְלָה רָאִ֣יתִי קֵ֑ץ רְחָבָ֖ה מִצְוָתְךָ֣ מְאֹֽד׃‎	I have seen an end to every purpose; but Thy commandment is exceeding broad.
97	מָה־אָהַ֥בְתִּי תוֹרָתֶ֑ךָ כׇּל־הַ֝יּ֗וֹם הִ֣יא שִׂיחָתִֽי׃‎	MEM. O how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
98	מֵֽ֭אֹיְבַי תְּחַכְּמֵ֣נִי מִצְוֺתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם הִיא־לִֽי׃‎	Thy commandments make me wiser than mine enemies: For they are ever with me.
99	מִכׇּל־מְלַמְּדַ֥י הִשְׂכַּ֑לְתִּי כִּ֥י עֵ֝דְוֺתֶ֗יךָ שִׂ֣יחָה לִֽי׃‎	I have more understanding than all my teachers; For Thy testimonies are my meditation.
100	מִזְּקֵנִ֥ים אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ נָצָֽרְתִּי׃‎	I understand more than mine elders, because I have keep Thy precepts.
101	מִכׇּל־אֹ֣רַח רָ֭ע כָּלִ֣אתִי רַגְלָ֑י לְ֝מַ֗עַן אֶשְׁמֹ֥ר דְּבָרֶֽךָ׃‎	I have refrained my feet from every evil way, in order that I might observe Thy word.
102	מִמִּשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ לֹא־סָ֑רְתִּי כִּי־אַ֝תָּ֗ה הוֹרֵתָֽנִי׃‎	I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances; For Thou hast instructed me.
103	מַה־נִּמְלְצ֣וּ לְ֭חִכִּי אִמְרָתֶ֗ךָ מִדְּבַ֥שׁ לְפִֽי׃‎	How sweet are Thy words unto my palate! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104	מִפִּקּוּדֶ֥יךָ אֶתְבּוֹנָ֑ן עַל־כֵּ֝֗ן שָׂנֵ֤אתִי ׀ כׇּל־אֹ֬רַח שָֽׁקֶר׃‎	From Thy precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
105	נֵר־לְרַגְלִ֥י דְבָרֶ֑ךָ וְ֝א֗וֹר לִנְתִיבָתִֽי׃‎	NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
106	נִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי וָאֲקַיֵּ֑מָה לִ֝שְׁמֹ֗ר מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃‎	I have sworn, and have confirmed it, To observe Thy righteous ordinances.
107	נַעֲנֵ֥יתִי עַד־מְאֹ֑ד יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה חַיֵּ֥נִי כִדְבָרֶֽךָ׃‎	I am afflicted very much; Quicken me, O LORD, according unto Thy word.
108	נִדְב֣וֹת פִּ֭י רְצֵה־נָ֣א יְהֹוָ֑ה וּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃‎	Accept, I beseech Thee, the freewill-offerings of my mouth, O LORD, And teach me Thine ordinances.
109	נַפְשִׁ֣י בְכַפִּ֣י תָמִ֑יד וְ֝ת֥וֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃‎	My soul is continually in my hand; yet have I not forgotten Thy law.
110	נָתְנ֬וּ רְשָׁעִ֣ים פַּ֣ח לִ֑י וּ֝מִפִּקּוּדֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א תָעִֽיתִי׃‎	The wicked have laid a snare for me; yet went I not astray from Thy precepts.
111	נָחַ֣לְתִּי עֵדְוֺתֶ֣יךָ לְעוֹלָ֑ם כִּֽי־שְׂשׂ֖וֹן לִבִּ֣י הֵֽמָּה׃‎	Thy testimonies have I taken as a heritage for ever; for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112	נָטִ֣יתִי לִ֭בִּי לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת חֻקֶּ֗יךָ לְעוֹלָ֥ם עֵֽקֶב׃‎	I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes, for ever, at every step.
113	סֵעֲפִ֥ים שָׂנֵ֑אתִי וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ אָהָֽבְתִּי׃‎	SAMECH. I hate them that are of a double mind; but Thy law do I love.
114	סִתְרִ֣י וּמָגִנִּ֣י אָ֑תָּה לִדְבָרְךָ֥ יִחָֽלְתִּי׃‎	Thou art my covert and my shield; in Thy word do I hope.
115	סוּרוּ־מִמֶּ֥נִּי מְרֵעִ֑ים וְ֝אֶצְּרָ֗ה מִצְוֺ֥ת אֱלֹהָֽי׃‎	Depart from me, ye evildoers; that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116	סׇמְכֵ֣נִי כְאִמְרָתְךָ֣ וְאֶחְיֶ֑ה וְאַל־תְּ֝בִישֵׁ֗נִי מִשִּׂבְרִֽי׃‎	Uphold me according unto Thy word, that I may live; and put me not to shame in my hope.
117	סְעָדֵ֥נִי וְאִוָּשֵׁ֑עָה וְאֶשְׁעָ֖ה בְחֻקֶּ֣יךָ תָמִֽיד׃‎	Support Thou me, and I shall be saved; and I will occupy myself with Thy statutes continually.
118	סָ֭לִיתָ כׇּל־שׁוֹגִ֣ים מֵחֻקֶּ֑יךָ כִּי־שֶׁ֝֗קֶר תַּרְמִיתָֽם׃‎	Thou hast made light of all them that err from Thy statutes; for their deceit is vain.
119	סִגִ֗ים הִשְׁבַּ֥תָּ כׇל־רִשְׁעֵי־אָ֑רֶץ לָ֝כֵ֗ן אָהַ֥בְתִּי עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃‎	Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love Thy testimonies.
120	סָמַ֣ר מִפַּחְדְּךָ֣ בְשָׂרִ֑י וּֽמִמִּשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ יָרֵֽאתִי׃‎	My flesh shuddereth for fear of Thee; And I am afraid of Thy judgments.
121	עָ֭שִׂיתִי מִשְׁפָּ֣ט וָצֶ֑דֶק בַּל־תַּ֝נִּיחֵ֗נִי לְעֹשְׁקָֽי׃‎	AIN. I have done justice and righteousness; Leave me not to mine oppressors.
122	עֲרֹ֣ב עַבְדְּךָ֣ לְט֑וֹב אַֽל־יַעַשְׁקֻ֥נִי זֵדִֽים׃‎	Be surety for Thy servant for good; Let not the proud oppress me.
123	עֵ֭ינַי כָּל֣וּ לִישׁוּעָתֶ֑ךָ וּלְאִמְרַ֥ת צִדְקֶֽךָ׃‎	Mine eyes fail for Thy salvation, and for Thy righteous word.
124	עֲשֵׂ֖ה עִם־עַבְדְּךָ֥ כְחַסְדֶּ֗ךָ וְחֻקֶּ֥יךָ לַמְּדֵֽנִי׃‎	Deal with Thy servant according unto Thy mercy, and teach me Thy statutes.
125	עַבְדְּךָ־אָ֥נִי הֲבִינֵ֑נִי וְ֝אֵדְעָ֗ה עֵֽדֹתֶֽיךָ׃‎	I am Thy servant, give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies.
126	עֵ֭ת לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת לַיהֹוָ֑ה הֵ֝פֵ֗רוּ תּוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃‎	It is time for the LORD to work; They have made void Thy law.
127	עַל־כֵּ֭ן אָהַ֣בְתִּי מִצְוֺתֶ֑יךָ מִזָּהָ֥ב וּמִפָּֽז׃‎	Therefore I love Thy commandments Above gold, yea, above fine gold.
128	עַל־כֵּ֤ן ׀ כׇּל־פִּקּ֣וּדֵי כֹ֣ל יִשָּׁ֑רְתִּי כׇּל־אֹ֖רַח שֶׁ֣קֶר שָׂנֵֽאתִי׃‎	Therefore I esteem all [Thy] precepts concerning all things to be right; Every false way I hate.
129	פְּלָא֥וֹת עֵדְוֺתֶ֑יךָ עַל־כֵּ֝֗ן נְצָרָ֥תַם נַפְשִֽׁי׃‎	PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful; Therefore doth my soul keep them.
130	פֵּ֖תַח דְּבָרֶ֥יךָ יָאִ֗יר מֵבִ֥ין פְּתָיִֽים׃‎	The opening of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
131	פִּֽי־פָ֭עַרְתִּי וָאֶשְׁאָ֑פָה כִּ֖י לְמִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ יָאָֽבְתִּי׃‎	I opened wide my mouth, and panted; For I longed for Thy commandments.
132	פְּנֵה־אֵלַ֥י וְחׇנֵּ֑נִי כְּ֝מִשְׁפָּ֗ט לְאֹהֲבֵ֥י שְׁמֶֽךָ׃‎	Turn Thee towards me, and be gracious unto me, As is Thy wont to do unto those that love Thy name.
133	פְּ֭עָמַי הָכֵ֣ן בְּאִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ וְֽאַל־תַּשְׁלֶט־בִּ֥י כׇל־אָֽוֶן׃‎	Order my footsteps by Thy word; And let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134	פְּ֭דֵנִי מֵעֹ֣שֶׁק אָדָ֑ם וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה פִּקּוּדֶֽיךָ׃‎	Redeem me from the oppression of man, And I will observe Thy precepts.
135	פָּ֭נֶיךָ הָאֵ֣ר בְּעַבְדֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝לַמְּדֵ֗נִי אֶת־חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃‎	Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; And teach me Thy statutes.
136	פַּלְגֵי־מַ֭יִם יָרְד֣וּ עֵינָ֑י עַ֝֗ל לֹא־שָׁמְר֥וּ תֽוֹרָתֶֽךָ׃‎	Mine eyes run down with rivers of water, Because they observe not Thy law.
137	צַדִּ֣יק אַתָּ֣ה יְהֹוָ֑ה וְ֝יָשָׁ֗ר מִשְׁפָּטֶֽיךָ׃‎	TZADE. Righteous art Thou, O LORD, And upright are Thy judgments.
138	צִ֭וִּיתָ צֶ֣דֶק עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וֶאֱמוּנָ֥ה מְאֹֽד׃‎	Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness.
139	צִמְּתַ֥תְנִי קִנְאָתִ֑י כִּֽי־שָׁכְח֖וּ דְבָרֶ֣יךָ צָרָֽי׃‎	My zeal hath undone me, because mine adversaries have forgotten Thy words.
140	צְרוּפָ֖ה אִמְרָתְךָ֥ מְאֹ֗ד וְֽעַבְדְּךָ֥ אֲהֵבָֽהּ׃‎	Thy word is tried to the uttermost, and Thy servant loveth it.
141	צָעִ֣יר אָנֹכִ֣י וְנִבְזֶ֑ה פִּ֝קֻּדֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃‎	I am small and despised; yet have I not forgotten Thy precepts.
142	צִדְקָתְךָ֣ צֶ֣דֶק לְעוֹלָ֑ם וְֽתוֹרָתְךָ֥ אֱמֶֽת׃‎	Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is truth.
143	צַר־וּמָצ֥וֹק מְצָא֑וּנִי מִ֝צְוֺתֶ֗יךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃‎	Trouble and anguish have overtaken me; yet Thy commandments are my delight.
144	צֶ֖דֶק עֵדְוֺתֶ֥יךָ לְעוֹלָ֗ם הֲבִינֵ֥נִי וְאֶחְיֶֽה׃‎	Thy testimonies are righteous for ever; give me understanding, and I shall live.
145	קָרָ֣אתִי בְכׇל־לֵ֭ב עֲנֵ֥נִי יְהֹוָ֗ה חֻקֶּ֥יךָ אֶצֹּֽרָה׃‎	KOPH. I have called with my whole heart; answer me, O LORD; I will keep Thy statutes.
146	קְרָאתִ֥יךָ הוֹשִׁיעֵ֑נִי וְ֝אֶשְׁמְרָ֗ה עֵדֹתֶֽיךָ׃‎	I have called Thee, save me, and I will observe Thy testimonies.
147	קִדַּ֣מְתִּי בַ֭נֶּשֶׁף וָאֲשַׁוֵּ֑עָה (לדבריך) [לִדְבָרְךָ֥] יִחָֽלְתִּי׃‎	I rose early at dawn, and cried; I hoped in Thy word.
148	קִדְּמ֣וּ עֵ֭ינַי אַשְׁמֻר֑וֹת לָ֝שִׂ֗יחַ בְּאִמְרָתֶֽךָ׃‎	Mine eyes forestalled the night-watches, that I might meditate in Thy word.
149	ק֭וֹלִי שִׁמְעָ֣ה כְחַסְדֶּ֑ךָ יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃‎	Hear my voice according unto Thy lovingkindness; Quicken me, O LORD, as Thou art wont.
150	קָ֭רְבוּ רֹדְפֵ֣י זִמָּ֑ה מִתּוֹרָתְךָ֥ רָחָֽקוּ׃‎	They draw nigh that follow after wickedness; they are far from Thy law.
151	קָר֣וֹב אַתָּ֣ה יְהֹוָ֑ה וְֽכׇל־מִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ אֱמֶֽת׃‎	Thou art nigh, O LORD; and all Thy commandments are truth.
152	קֶ֣דֶם יָ֭דַעְתִּי מֵעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י לְעוֹלָ֣ם יְסַדְתָּֽם׃‎	Of old have I known from Thy testimonies that Thou hast founded them for ever.
153	רְאֵה־עׇנְיִ֥י וְחַלְּצֵ֑נִי כִּי־ת֥֝וֹרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃‎	RESH. O see mine affliction, and rescue me; For I do not forget Thy law.
154	רִיבָ֣ה רִ֭יבִי וּגְאָלֵ֑נִי לְאִמְרָתְךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃‎	Plead Thou my cause, and redeem me; Quicken me according to Thy word.
155	רָח֣וֹק מֵרְשָׁעִ֣ים יְשׁוּעָ֑ה כִּי־חֻ֝קֶּ֗יךָ לֹ֣א דָרָֽשׁוּ׃‎	Salvation is far from the wicked; For they seek not Thy statutes.
156	רַחֲמֶ֖יךָ רַבִּ֥ים ׀ יְהֹוָ֑ה כְּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥יךָ חַיֵּֽנִי׃‎	Great are Thy compassions, O LORD; Quicken me as Thou art wont.
157	רַ֭בִּים רֹדְפַ֣י וְצָרָ֑י מֵ֝עֵדְוֺתֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א נָטִֽיתִי׃‎	Many are my persecutors and mine adversaries; Yet have I not turned aside from Thy testimonies.
158	רָאִ֣יתִי בֹ֭גְדִים וָאֶתְקוֹטָ֑טָה אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִ֝מְרָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א שָׁמָֽרוּ׃‎	I beheld them that were faithless, and strove with them; Because they observed not Thy word.
159	רְ֭אֵה כִּי־פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ אָהָ֑בְתִּי יְ֝הֹוָ֗ה כְּֽחַסְדְּךָ֥ חַיֵּֽנִי׃‎	O see how I love Thy precepts; Quicken me, O LORD, according to Thy lovingkindness.
160	רֹאשׁ־דְּבָרְךָ֥ אֱמֶ֑ת וּ֝לְעוֹלָ֗ם כׇּל־מִשְׁפַּ֥ט צִדְקֶֽךָ׃‎	The beginning of Thy word is truth; And all Thy righteous ordinance endureth for ever.
161	שָׂ֭רִים רְדָפ֣וּנִי חִנָּ֑ם (ומדבריך) [וּ֝מִדְּבָרְךָ֗] פָּחַ֥ד לִבִּֽי׃‎	SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause; But my heart standeth in awe of Thy words.
162	שָׂ֣שׂ אָ֭נֹכִי עַל־אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ כְּ֝מוֹצֵ֗א שָׁלָ֥ל רָֽב׃‎	I rejoice at Thy word, As one that findeth great spoil.
163	שֶׁ֣קֶר שָׂ֭נֵאתִי וַאֲתַעֵ֑בָה תּוֹרָתְךָ֥ אָהָֽבְתִּי׃‎	I hate and abhor falsehood; Thy law do I love.
164	שֶׁ֣בַע בַּ֭יּוֹם הִלַּלְתִּ֑יךָ עַ֝֗ל מִשְׁפְּטֵ֥י צִדְקֶֽךָ׃‎	Seven times a day do I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous ordinances.
165	שָׁל֣וֹם רָ֭ב לְאֹהֲבֵ֣י תוֹרָתֶ֑ךָ וְאֵֽין־לָ֥מוֹ מִכְשֽׁוֹל׃‎	Great peace have they that love Thy law; And there is no stumbling for them.
166	שִׂבַּ֣רְתִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ֣ יְהֹוָ֑ה וּֽמִצְוֺתֶ֥יךָ עָשִֽׂיתִי׃‎	I have hoped for Thy salvation, O LORD, And have done Thy commandments.
167	שָֽׁמְרָ֣ה נַ֭פְשִׁי עֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ וָאֹהֲבֵ֥ם מְאֹֽד׃‎	My soul hath observed Thy testimonies; And I love them exceedingly.
168	שָׁמַ֣רְתִּי פִ֭קּוּדֶיךָ וְעֵדֹתֶ֑יךָ כִּ֖י כׇל־דְּרָכַ֣י נֶגְדֶּֽךָ׃‎	I have observed Thy precepts and Thy testimonies; For all my ways are before Thee.
169	תִּקְרַ֤ב רִנָּתִ֣י לְפָנֶ֣יךָ יְהֹוָ֑ה כִּדְבָרְךָ֥ הֲבִינֵֽנִי׃‎	TAV. Let my cry come near before Thee, O LORD; Give me understanding according to Thy word.
170	תָּב֣וֹא תְחִנָּתִ֣י לְפָנֶ֑יךָ כְּ֝אִמְרָתְךָ֗ הַצִּילֵֽנִי׃‎	Let my supplication come before Thee; deliver me according to Thy word.
171	תַּבַּ֣עְנָה שְׂפָתַ֣י תְּהִלָּ֑ה כִּ֖י תְלַמְּדֵ֣נִי חֻקֶּֽיךָ׃‎	Let my lips utter praise: Because Thou teachest me Thy statutes.
172	תַּ֣עַן לְ֭שׁוֹנִי אִמְרָתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֖י כׇל־מִצְוֺתֶ֣יךָ צֶּֽדֶק׃‎	Let my tongue sing of Thy word; For all Thy commandments are righteousness.
173	תְּהִי־יָדְךָ֥ לְעׇזְרֵ֑נִי כִּ֖י פִקּוּדֶ֣יךָ בָחָֽרְתִּי׃‎	Let Thy hand be ready to help me; For I have chosen Thy precepts.
174	תָּאַ֣בְתִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ֣ יְהֹוָ֑ה וְ֝ת֥וֹרָתְךָ֗ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָֽי׃‎	I have longed for Thy salvation, O LORD; And Thy law is my delight.
175	תְּֽחִי־נַ֭פְשִׁי וּֽתְהַלְלֶ֑ךָּ וּֽמִשְׁפָּטֶ֥ךָ יַעְזְרֻֽנִי׃‎	Let my soul live, and it shall praise Thee; And let Thine ordinances help me.
176	תָּעִ֗יתִי כְּשֶׂ֣ה אֹ֭בֵד בַּקֵּ֣שׁ עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ כִּ֥י מִ֝צְוֺתֶ֗יךָ לֹ֣א שָׁכָֽחְתִּי׃‎	I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant; For I have not forgotten Thy commandments.

Other Bible Translations

The English version in the King James Bible can be seen at Psalm 119. Versions that mark the original section divisions also include the Geneva Bible, American Standard Version, the New International Version and the New King James Version. The Good News Translation has a sub-heading for each stanza, although biblical commentator C. S. Rodd considers this practice "misleading" because it suggests that "each stanza expresses a special theme".

Structure

A Haredi Jew reciting Psalm 119 at the Western Wall

Psalm 119 is one of several acrostic poems found in the Bible. Its 176 verses are divided into 22 stanzas, one for each of the 22 characters that make up the Hebrew alphabet. In the Hebrew text, each of the eight verses of each stanza begins with the same Hebrew letter. This feature was not maintained in the Septuagint, except that many manuscripts have placed at the beginning of each stanza the name of the corresponding Hebrew letter (for example, ʾalef the first stanza, the last is taw).

Because of this structure, the Psalm was one of the main occurrences of the Hebrew alphabet in the texts of the medieval and modern West. A Romanized version of the names of all the Hebrew letters, in a red typeface, can be seen in this circa 1455 Gutenberg edition of the Latin Vulgate; in which someone also added by hand the Hebrew letters Aleph through Zayin in the margin.

Each of the 22 sections of 8 verses is subheaded with the name of a letter in the Hebrew alphabet. These subheadings are spelled very differently in the various Bible text versions, even in translations. Their antiquated spellings shown in the Authorized King James Version of 1611 were written with influences of Latin and German medieval theological scholarship—forms that greatly differ from the standard modern-day renditions.

Some printed editions (such as the Jewish Publication Society's The Holy Scriptures, the New International Version and the Legacy Standard Bible) also show the actual Hebrew letters along with these subheadings.

Section	Hebrew Letter	Hebrew Letter Name		Verses
		KJV (1611)	Modern
I	א	Aleph	ʾAlef	1–8
II	ב	Beth	Beth	9–16
III	ג	Gimel	Gimel	17–24
IV	ד	Daleth	Daleth	25–32
V	ה	He	Heʾ	33–40
VI	ו	Vau (Vav)	Waw	41–48
VII	ז	Za(j)in	Zayin	49–56
VIII	ח	Cheth	Ḫeth	57–64
IX	ט	Teth	Ṭeth	65–72
X	י	Jod	Yudh	73–80
XI	כ	C(h)aph	Kaf	81–88
XII	ל	Lamed	Lamedh	89–96
XIII	מ	Mem	Mem	97–104
XIV	נ	Nun	Nun	105–112
XV	ס	Samech	Samekh	113–120
XVI	ע	A(j)in	ʿAyin	121–128
XVII	פ	Pe	Peʾ	129–136
XVIII	צ	Tzaddi(k)	Ṣadheh	137–144
XIX	ק	Koph	Quf	145–152
XX	ר	Res(c)h	Resh	153–160
XXI	ש	S(ch)in	Śin / Shin	161–168
XXII	ת	Tau (Tav)	Taw	169–176

Literary features

Psalm 119 is one of about a dozen alphabetic acrostic poems in the Bible. Its 176 verses are divided into twenty-two stanzas, one stanza for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet; within each stanza, each of the eight verses begins (in Hebrew) with that letter. The name of God (Yahweh/Jehovah) appears twenty-four times.

Employed in almost every verse of the psalm is a synonym for the Torah, such as dabar ("word, promise"), mishpatim ("rulings"), etc. Rodd identifies 8 such words, generally translated as 'law', 'promise', 'word', 'statutes', 'commandments', 'ordinances', 'decrees', and 'precepts' in the New Revised Standard Version. But he considers it "unlikely" that all eight words were originally to be found in every stanza, as some scholars have suggested.

The acrostic form and the use of the Torah words are the framework of an elaborate prayer. The grounds for the prayer are established in the first two stanzas (alef and beth): the Torah is held up as a source of blessing and right conduct, and the psalmist pledges to dedicate himself to the law. The prayer proper begins in the third stanza (gimel, v. 17). Like many other psalms, it includes dramatic lament (e.g. verses 81–88), joyous praise (e.g. verses 45–48), and prayers for life, deliverance, and vindication (e.g. verses 132–34). What makes Psalm 119 unique is the way that these requests are continually and explicitly grounded in the gift of the Torah and the psalmist's loyalty to it.

The first and fifth verses in a stanza often state the same theme followed by a statement of opposition, affliction or conflict, and the final (eighth) verse tends to be a transition introducing the next stanza. Several dozen prayers are incorporated into the Psalm, e.g. "Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law." Themes include opposition by man, affliction, delight in the law and the goodness of God, which sometimes run into each other: "I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me" (v. 75), or "If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction" (v. 92). It ends with an appeal to God to seek his servant who strayed.

Uses

Judaism

• Verse 66 is recited before the shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah.
• Verse 72 is quoted in Pirkei Avot, Chapter 6, no. 9.
• Verses 89–91 are recited during the blessings before the Shema on the second day of Rosh Hashanah.
• Verse 99 is quoted in Pirkei Avot, Chapter 4, no. 1.
• Verse 108 is recited prior to the shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah.
• Verse 122 is recited prior to the shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah.
• Verse 142 is part of Uva Letzion and Tzidkatcha.
• Parts of verses 153–54 comprise the blessing Re'eh of the weekday Amidah.
• Verse 160 is recited prior to the shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah.
• Verse 162 is recited prior to the shofar blowing on Rosh Hashanah.
• Verse 165 is part of Talmud Berachos 64a.
• Verses 166, 162, and 165 are recited in that order by the mohel at a brit milah.

Eastern Orthodox

Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry, Folio 49r – David Releases Prisoners the Musée Condé, Chantilly

The psalm (118 in the Septuagint) figures prominently in the worship of the Eastern Orthodox Church. There is a tradition that King David used this psalm to teach his young son Solomon the alphabet—but not just the alphabet for writing letters: the alphabet of the spiritual life.

The psalm comprises an entire Kathisma (division of the Psalter) in Orthodox liturgical practice. In Orthodox monasteries it is read daily at the Midnight Office: "At midnight I arose to give thanks unto Thee for the judgments of Thy righteousness" (v. 62). It is read at Matins on Saturdays and is also chanted on many Sundays throughout the year. A major portion of Matins on Holy Saturday comprises chanting the entire psalm as a threnody, divided into three parts (stases) with Praises (Greek: Enkomia) interspersed between each verse. This chanting is done as all stand holding candles around a catafalque over which has been placed the Epitaphion (a shroud embroidered with the figure of Christ laid out for burial).

The psalm is also chanted with special solemnity at Orthodox funeral services and on the various All-Souls Days occurring throughout the year, with "Alleluia" chanted between each verse. Its use here is a reflection of the chanting done on Holy Saturday. "Alleluia" is chanted between the verses to signify the victory over death accomplished by Christ's death and Resurrection, and the eternal reward promised to the faithful.

The Psalm contains several dozen prayers and several themes run through it. God's goodness in the midst of affliction and delight in God's law. God is seen sovereignly "inclining ones heart" and the Psalmist "inclines his heart" to the statutes.

Latin Church liturgy

Reverse glass painting of a woman praying Psalm 119 (118):22, Aufer a me opprobrium et contemptum ("Take away from me scorn and contempt")

The Rule of Saint Benedict assigned this psalm to four minor canonical hours on Sundays and three on Mondays. The sections corresponding to the first four letters of the 22-letter Hebrew alphabet are used at Prime, the following sets of three sections at Terce, Sext and None on Sundays. The remaining sections, corresponding to the last nine letters of the Hebrew alphabet, are assigned to Terce, Sext and None on Mondays.

The 1568 Roman Breviary of Pope Pius V has Psalm 119 recited in its entirety every day: the sections corresponding to the first four letters of the Hebrew alphabet at Prime, and the others in sets of six sections each at Terce, Sext and None, respectively.

In the 1910 reform of the Roman Breviary by Pope Pius X, Psalm 119 is recited on Sundays and major feasts, divided as in the arrangement of Pius V.

Since the reform of the Roman Rite liturgy in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, the Liturgy of the Hours has a section of Psalm 119, corresponding to a single letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in the midday canonical hour on each day of the four-week cycle except on Monday of the first week (when the second half of Psalm 19 (18), which is similar in theme, is used instead) and on Friday of the third week (when the Passion Psalm 22 (21) is used). In addition, a section of Psalm 119 is used at Saturday Lauds in weeks 1 and 3, and another section at Vespers of Saturday of week 1.

In the Roman Rite Mass, portions of Psalm 119 are used a responsorial psalm on Sundays 6 and 17 of Year A of the three-year cycle of Sunday readings, on Saturday of the first week in Lent and on the third Monday in Eastertide. It is also used on five days of Year I of the two-year cycle of Ordinary Time weekday readings and 15 days of Year II. A portion is also used on the feast of a Doctor of the Church.

Book of Common Prayer

In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read in sections between the 24th and 26th days of the month. In the Daily Office lectionary of the Episcopal Church, the psalm is read in sections between the week after Easter and the week after Pentecost.

Musical settings

"O God, My Strength and Fortitude" in the 16th-century Scottish Psalter

• Psalm 119:1 was set to music by Charles Villiers Stanford in Three Latin Motets, Op. 38.
• Psalm 119:18 inspired the hymn Open My Eyes, That I May See by Clara H. Scott.
• Psalm 119:33–38 was set to music by William Byrd as Teach Me, O Lord.
• Psalm 119:57–64 was set to music by Robert White (composer) as Portio mea Domine.
• Psalm 119:89 is a popular Nigerian praise song.
• Psalm 119:105 was set to music by Amy Grant as "Thy Word" on the 1984 album Straight Ahead.
• Psalm 119:105–111 was set to music by Henry Purcell as "Thy word is a lantern".
• Psalm 119:1–176 was completed in 1671 by Heinrich Schütz, who also composed eight settings of metres paraphrases of sections from the psalm in German, beginning with "Wohl denen, die da leben", SWV 217 to 224, for the Becker Psalter, published first in 1628.
• Psalm 119:18, 36, and 133 as "Open Thou Mine Eyes" by John Rutter. Performed by The Cambridge Singers on "Gloria" and other albums.
• Czech composer Antonín Dvořák set verses 114, 117, 119 and 120 to music in his Biblical Songs (1894).

A complete English version of Psalm 119 from the King James Bible was completed by Frederick Steinruck, Michael Misiaszek, and Michael Owens.

In Protestant Christianity, various metrical settings of Psalm 119 have been published, including "O God, My Strength and Fortitude" by Thomas Sternhold, which appeared in the Scottish Psalter of 1564. The Psalm is put to music in The Book of Psalms for Worship, published by Crown and Covenant Publications.

See also

• Lamentations 3, also an acrostic, with three verses per stanza
• It is time to work for the Lord

Further reading

• Bridges, Charles (1974) [1827]. An Exposition of Psalm 119. Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust. ISBN 0851511767.
• Scott N. Callaham: "An Evaluation of Psalm 119 as Constrained Writing", Hebrew Studies 50 (2009): 121–135.

External links

• Psalm 119: Text, translations and list of free scores by several composers at the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
• Psalms Chapter 119 text in Hebrew and English, Mechon-mamre.
• Psalm 119:1 introduction and text, Bible study tools.
• Psalm 119 – The Greatness and Glory of God's Word, Enduring word.
• Yemenite Jewish reading of Psalm 119, Aharon Amram (published by Nosach Teiman).
• Hymns for Psalm 119, Hymnary.
• Tehillim – Psalm 119 (Judaica Press) translation with Rashi's commentary at Chabad.org
• "Psalm 119", New Skete Psalter translation, O great mystery, archived from the original on 2007-03-13.
• "Psalm 118 (LXX numbering)", Holy Transfiguration Monastery Psalter translation, POMOG, archived from the original on 2005-12-16.