Psalms 116–120 — Your Word Is a Lamp

¹I love the LORD, because he listens to my voice, and my cries for mercy.

²Because he has turned his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.

³The cords of death surrounded me, the pains of Sheol got a hold of me. I found trouble and sorrow.

⁴Then I called on the LORD’s name: “LORD, I beg you, deliver my soul.”

⁵The LORD is gracious and righteous. Yes, our God is merciful.

⁶The LORD preserves the simple. I was brought low, and he saved me.

⁷Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.

⁸For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

⁹I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

¹⁰I believed, therefore I said, “I was greatly afflicted.”

¹¹I said in my haste, “All people are liars.”

¹²What will I give to the LORD for all his benefits toward me?

¹³I will take the cup of salvation, and call on the LORD’s name.

¹⁴I will pay my vows to the LORD, yes, in the presence of all his people.

¹⁵Precious in the LORD’s sight is the death of his saints.

¹⁶LORD, truly I am your servant. I am your servant, the son of your servant girl. You have freed me from my chains.

¹⁷I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call on the LORD’s name.

¹⁸I will pay my vows to the LORD, yes, in the presence of all his people,

¹⁹in the courts of the LORD’s house, in the middle of you, Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!

¹Praise the LORD, all you nations! Extol him, all you peoples!

²For his loving kindness is great toward us. The LORD’s faithfulness endures forever. Praise the LORD!

¹Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

²Let Israel now say that his loving kindness endures forever.

³Let the house of Aaron now say that his loving kindness endures forever.

⁴Now let those who fear the LORD say that his loving kindness endures forever.

⁵Out of my distress, I called on the LORD. The LORD answered me with freedom.

⁶The LORD is on my side. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

⁷The LORD is on my side among those who help me. Therefore I will look in triumph at those who hate me.

⁸It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in man.

⁹It is better to take refuge in the LORD, than to put confidence in princes.

¹⁰All the nations surrounded me, but in the LORD’s name I cut them off.

¹¹They surrounded me, yes, they surrounded me. In the LORD’s name I indeed cut them off.

¹²They surrounded me like bees. They are quenched like the burning thorns. In the LORD’s name I cut them off.

¹³You pushed me back hard, to make me fall, but the LORD helped me.

¹⁴The LORD is my strength and song. He has become my salvation.

¹⁵The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous. “The right hand of the LORD does valiantly.

¹⁶The right hand of the LORD is exalted! The right hand of the LORD does valiantly!”

¹⁷I will not die, but live, and declare the LORD’s works.

¹⁸The LORD has punished me severely, but he has not given me over to death.

¹⁹Open to me the gates of righteousness. I will enter into them. I will give thanks to the LORD.

²⁰This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous will enter into it.

²¹I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation.

²²The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

²³This is the LORD’s doing. It is marvelous in our eyes.

²⁴This is the day that the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it!

²⁵Save us now, we beg you, LORD! LORD, we beg you, send prosperity now.

²⁶Blessed is he who comes in the LORD’s name! We have blessed you out of the LORD’s house.

²⁷The LORD is God, and he has given us light. Bind the sacrifice with cords, even to the horns of the altar.

²⁸You are my God, and I will give thanks to you. You are my God, I will exalt you.

²⁹Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

ALEPH

¹Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the LORD’s law.

²Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.

³Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.

⁴You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.

⁵Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!

⁶Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.

⁷I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.

⁸I will observe your statutes. Don’t utterly forsake me.

BETH

⁹How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.

¹⁰With my whole heart I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments.

¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

¹²Blessed are you, LORD. Teach me your statutes.

¹³With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.

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

¹⁵I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.

¹⁶I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.

GIMEL

¹⁷Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.

¹⁸Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.

¹⁹I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me.

²⁰My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.

²¹You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.

²²Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.

²³Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

²⁴Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.

DALETH

²⁵My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!

²⁶I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.

²⁷Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.

²⁸My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.

²⁹Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!

³⁰I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.

³¹I cling to your statutes, LORD. Don’t let me be disappointed.

³²I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.

HE

³³Teach me, LORD, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.

³⁴Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.

³⁵Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.

³⁶Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.

³⁷Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.

³⁸Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.

³⁹Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.

⁴⁰Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.

VAV

⁴¹Let your loving kindness also come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your word.

⁴²So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.

⁴³Don’t snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.

⁴⁴So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.

⁴⁵I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.

⁴⁶I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.

⁴⁷I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.

⁴⁸I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.

ZAYIN

⁴⁹Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.

⁵⁰This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.

⁵¹The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don’t swerve from your law.

⁵²I remember your ordinances of old, LORD, and have comforted myself.

⁵³Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.

⁵⁴Your statutes have been my songs in the house where I live.

⁵⁵I have remembered your name, LORD, in the night, and I obey your law.

⁵⁶This is my way, that I keep your precepts.

HETH

⁵⁷The LORD is my portion. I promised to obey your words.

⁵⁸I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.

⁵⁹I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.

⁶⁰I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.

⁶¹The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won’t forget your law.

⁶²At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.

⁶³I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.

⁶⁴The earth is full of your loving kindness, LORD. Teach me your statutes.

TETH

⁶⁵You have treated your servant well, according to your word, LORD.

⁶⁶Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

⁶⁷Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.

⁶⁸You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.

⁶⁹The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.

⁷⁰Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.

⁷¹It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.

⁷²The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

YODH

⁷³Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.

⁷⁴Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.

⁷⁵LORD, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

⁷⁶Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.

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

⁷⁸Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.

⁷⁹Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.

⁸⁰Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.

KAPF

⁸¹My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.

⁸²My eyes fail for your word. I say, “When will you comfort me?”

⁸³For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don’t forget your statutes.

⁸⁴How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?

⁸⁵The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.

⁸⁶All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!

⁸⁷They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn’t forsake your precepts.

⁸⁸Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.

LAMEDH

⁸⁹LORD, your word is settled in heaven forever.

⁹⁰Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.

⁹¹Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.

⁹²Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

⁹³I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.

⁹⁴I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.

⁹⁵The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.

⁹⁶I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.

MEM

⁹⁷How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.

⁹⁸Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.

⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.

¹⁰¹I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.

¹⁰²I have not turned away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.

¹⁰³How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

NUN

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.

¹⁰⁶I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.

¹⁰⁷I am afflicted very much. Revive me, LORD, according to your word.

¹⁰⁸Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. LORD, teach me your ordinances.

¹⁰⁹My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won’t forget your law.

¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven’t gone astray from your precepts.

¹¹¹I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹²I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.

SAMEKH

¹¹³I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.

¹¹⁴You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.

¹¹⁵Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

¹¹⁶Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.

¹¹⁷Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.

¹¹⁸You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.

¹¹⁹You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.

¹²⁰My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.

AYIN

¹²¹I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors.

¹²²Ensure your servant’s well-being. Don’t let the proud oppress me.

¹²³My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.

¹²⁴Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.

¹²⁵I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.

¹²⁶It is time to act, LORD, for they break your law.

¹²⁷Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.

¹²⁸Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.

PE

¹²⁹Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.

¹³⁰The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.

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

¹³²Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

¹³³Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.

¹³⁴Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.

¹³⁵Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.

¹³⁶Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your law.

TZADHE

¹³⁷You are righteous, LORD. Your judgments are upright.

¹³⁸You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.

¹³⁹My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.

¹⁴⁰Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.

¹⁴¹I am small and despised. I don’t forget your precepts.

¹⁴²Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.

¹⁴³Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.

¹⁴⁴Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.

QOPH

¹⁴⁵I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, LORD! I will keep your statutes.

¹⁴⁶I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.

¹⁴⁷I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.

¹⁴⁸My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.

¹⁴⁹Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, LORD, according to your ordinances.

¹⁵⁰They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.

¹⁵¹You are near, LORD. All your commandments are truth.

¹⁵²Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.

RESH

¹⁵³Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don’t forget your law.

¹⁵⁴Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.

¹⁵⁵Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don’t seek your statutes.

¹⁵⁶Great are your tender mercies, LORD. Revive me according to your ordinances.

¹⁵⁷Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven’t swerved from your testimonies.

¹⁵⁸I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don’t observe your word.

¹⁵⁹Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, LORD, according to your loving kindness.

¹⁶⁰All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.

SIN AND SHIN

¹⁶¹Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

¹⁶²I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.

¹⁶³I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.

¹⁶⁴Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.

¹⁶⁵Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.

¹⁶⁶I have hoped for your salvation, LORD. I have done your commandments.

¹⁶⁷My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.

¹⁶⁸I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.

TAV

¹⁶⁹Let my cry come before you, LORD. Give me understanding according to your word.

¹⁷⁰Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.

¹⁷¹Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.

¹⁷²Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.

¹⁷³Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

¹⁷⁴I have longed for your salvation, LORD. Your law is my delight.

¹⁷⁵Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.

¹⁷⁶I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments.

¹In my distress, I cried to the LORD. He answered me.

²Deliver my soul, LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.

³What will be given to you, and what will be done more to you, you deceitful tongue?

⁴Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

⁵Woe is me, that I live in Meshech, that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

⁶My soul has had her dwelling too long with him who hates peace.

⁷I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.