The Law of the Lord

1Happy are those whose lives are faultless,

who live according to the law of the Lord.

2Happy are those who follow his commands,

who obey him with all their heart.

3They never do wrong;

they walk in the Lord's ways.

4Lord, you have given us your laws

and told us to obey them faithfully.

5How I hope that I shall be faithful

in keeping your instructions!

6If I pay attention to all your commands,

then I will not be put to shame.

7As I learn your righteous judgments,

I will praise you with a pure heart.

8I will obey your laws;

never abandon me!

Obedience to the Law of the Lord

9How can young people keep their lives pure?

By obeying your commands.

10With all my heart I try to serve you;

keep me from disobeying your commandments.

11I keep your law in my heart,

so that I will not sin against you.

12I praise you, O Lord;

teach me your ways.

13I will repeat aloud

all the laws you have given.

14I delight in following your commands

more than in having great wealth.

15I study your instructions;

I examine your teachings.

16I take pleasure in your laws;

your commands I will not forget.

Happiness in the Law of the Lord

17Be good to me, your servant,

so that I may live and obey your teachings.

18Open my eyes, so that I may see

the wonderful truths in your law.

19I am here on earth for just a little while;

do not hide your commands from me.

20My heart aches with longing;

I want to know your judgments at all times.

21You reprimand the proud;

cursed are those who disobey your commands.

22Free me from their insults and scorn,

because I have kept your laws.

23The rulers meet and plot against me,

but I will study your teachings.

24Your instructions give me pleasure;

they are my advisers.

Determination to Obey the Law of the Lord

25I lie defeated in the dust;

revive me, as you have promised.

26I confessed all I have done, and you answered me;

teach me your ways.

27Help me to understand your laws,

and I will meditate on your wonderful teachings.+

28I am overcome by sorrow;

strengthen me, as you have promised.

29Keep me from going the wrong way,

and in your goodness teach me your law.

30I have chosen to be obedient;

I have paid attention to your judgments.

31I have followed your instructions, Lord;

don't let me be put to shame.

32I will eagerly obey your commands,

because you will give me more understanding.

A Prayer for Understanding

33Teach me, Lord, the meaning of your laws,

and I will obey them at all times.

34Explain your law to me, and I will obey it;

I will keep it with all my heart.

35Keep me obedient to your commandments,

because in them I find happiness.

36Give me the desire to obey your laws

rather than to get rich.

37Keep me from paying attention to what is worthless;

be good to me, as you have promised.

38Keep your promise to me, your servant—

the promise you make to those who obey you.

39Save me from the insults I fear;

how wonderful are your judgments!

40I want to obey your commands;

give me new life, for you are righteous.

Trusting the Law of the Lord

41Show me how much you love me, Lord,

and save me according to your promise.

42Then I can answer those who insult me

because I trust in your word.

43Enable me to speak the truth at all times,

because my hope is in your judgments.

44I will always obey your law,

forever and ever.

45I will live in perfect freedom,

because I try to obey your teachings.

46I will announce your commands to kings

and I will not be ashamed.

47I find pleasure in obeying your commands,

because I love them.

48I respect and love your commandments;

I will meditate on your instructions.

Confidence in the Law of the Lord

49Remember your promise to me, your servant;

it has given me hope.

50Even in my suffering I was comforted

because your promise gave me life.

51The proud are always scornful of me,

but I have not departed from your law.

52I remember your judgments of long ago,

and they bring me comfort, O Lord.

53When I see the wicked breaking your law,

I am filled with anger.

54During my brief earthly life

I compose songs about your commands.

55In the night I remember you, Lord,

and I think about your law.

56I find my happiness

in obeying your commands.

Devotion to the Law of the Lord

57You are all I want, O Lord;

I promise to obey your laws.

58I ask you with all my heart

to have mercy on me, as you have promised!

59I have considered my conduct,

and I promise to follow your instructions.

60Without delay I hurry

to obey your commands.

61The wicked have laid a trap for me,

but I do not forget your law.

62In the middle of the night I wake up

to praise you for your righteous judgments.

63I am a friend of all who serve you,

of all who obey your laws.

64Lord, the earth is full of your constant love;

teach me your commandments.

The Value of the Law of the Lord

65You have kept your promise, Lord,

and you are good to me, your servant.

66Give me wisdom and knowledge,

because I trust in your commands.

67Before you punished me, I used to go wrong,

but now I obey your word.

68How good you are—how kind!

Teach me your commands.

69The proud have told lies about me,

but with all my heart I obey your instructions.

70They have no understanding,

but I find pleasure in your law.

71My punishment was good for me,

because it made me learn your commands.

72The law that you gave means more to me

than all the money in the world.

The Justice of the Law of the Lord

73You created me, and you keep me safe;

give me understanding, so that I may learn your laws.

74Those who honor you will be glad when they see me,

because I trust in your promise.

75I know that your judgments are righteous, Lord,

and that you punished me because you are faithful.

76Let your constant love comfort me,

as you have promised me, your servant.

77Have mercy on me, and I will live

because I take pleasure in your law.

78May the proud be ashamed for falsely accusing me;

as for me, I will meditate on your instructions.

79May those who honor you come to me—

all those who know your commands.

⁸⁰May I perfectly obey your commandments

and be spared the shame of defeat.

A Prayer for Deliverance

⁸¹I am worn out, Lord, waiting for you to save me;

I place my trust in your word.

⁸²My eyes are tired from watching for what you promised,

while I ask, “When will you help me?”

⁸³I am as useless as a discarded wineskin;

yet I have not forgotten your commands.

⁸⁴How much longer must I wait?

When will you punish those who persecute me?

⁸⁵The proud, who do not obey your law,

have dug pits to trap me.

⁸⁶Your commandments are all trustworthy;

people persecute me with lies—help me!

⁸⁷They have almost succeeded in killing me,

but I have not neglected your commands.

⁸⁸Because of your constant love be good to me,

so that I may obey your laws.

Faith in the Law of the Lord

⁸⁹Your word, O Lord, will last forever;

it is eternal in heaven.

⁹⁰Your faithfulness endures through all the ages;

you have set the earth in place, and it remains.

⁹¹All things remain to this day because of your command,

because they are all your servants.

⁹²If your law had not been the source of my joy,

I would have died from my sufferings.

⁹³I will never neglect your instructions,

because by them you have kept me alive.

⁹⁴I am yours—save me!

I have tried to obey your commands.

⁹⁵The wicked are waiting to kill me,

but I will meditate on your laws.

⁹⁶I have learned that everything has limits;

but your commandment is perfect.

Love for the Law of the Lord

⁹⁷How I love your law!

I think about it all day long.

⁹⁸Your commandment is with me all the time

and makes me wiser than my enemies.

⁹⁹I understand more than all my teachers,

because I meditate on your instructions.

¹⁰⁰I have greater wisdom than those who are old,

because I obey your commands.

¹⁰¹I have avoided all evil conduct,

because I want to obey your word.

¹⁰²I have not neglected your instructions,

because you yourself are my teacher.

¹⁰³How sweet is the taste of your instructions—

sweeter even than honey!

¹⁰⁴I gain wisdom from your laws,

and so I hate all bad conduct.

Light from the Law of the Lord

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to guide me

and a light for my path.

¹⁰⁶I will keep my solemn promise

to obey your just instructions.

¹⁰⁷My sufferings, Lord, are terrible indeed;

keep me alive, as you have promised.

¹⁰⁸Accept my prayer of thanks, O Lord,

and teach me your commands.

¹⁰⁹I am always ready to risk my life;

I+ have not forgotten your law.

¹¹⁰The wicked lay a trap for me,

but I have not disobeyed your commands.

¹¹¹Your commandments are my eternal possession;

they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹²I have decided to obey your laws

until the day I die.

Safety in the Law of the Lord

¹¹³I hate those who are not completely loyal to you,

but I love your law.

¹¹⁴You are my defender and protector;

I put my hope in your promise.

¹¹⁵Go away from me, you sinful people.

I will obey the commands of my God.

¹¹⁶Give me strength, as you promised, and I shall live;

don't let me be disappointed in my hope!

¹¹⁷Hold me, and I will be safe,

and I will always pay attention to your commands.

¹¹⁸You reject everyone who disobeys your laws;

their deceitful schemes are useless.

¹¹⁹You treat all the wicked like rubbish,

and so I love your instructions.

¹²⁰Because of you I am afraid;

I am filled with fear because of your judgments.

Obedience to the Law of the Lord

¹²¹I have done what is right and good;

don't abandon me to my enemies!

¹²²Promise that you will help your servant;

don't let the arrogant oppress me!

¹²³My eyes are tired from watching for your saving help,

for the deliverance you promised.

¹²⁴Treat me according to your constant love,

and teach me your commands.

¹²⁵I am your servant; give me understanding,

so that I may know your teachings.

¹²⁶Lord, it is time for you to act,

because people are disobeying your law.

¹²⁷I love your commands more than gold,

more than the finest gold.

¹²⁸And so I follow all your instructions;+

I hate all wrong ways.

Desire to Obey the Law of the Lord

¹²⁹Your teachings are wonderful;

I obey them with all my heart.

¹³⁰The explanation of your teachings gives light

and brings wisdom to the ignorant.

¹³¹In my desire for your commands

I pant with open mouth.

¹³²Turn to me and have mercy on me

as you do on all those who love you.

¹³³As you have promised, keep me from falling;

don't let me be overcome by evil.

¹³⁴Save me from those who oppress me,

so that I may obey your commands.

¹³⁵Bless me with your presence

and teach me your laws.

¹³⁶My tears pour down like a river,

because people do not obey your law.

The Justice of the Law of the Lord

¹³⁷You are righteous, Lord,

and your laws are just.

¹³⁸The rules that you have given

are completely fair and right.

¹³⁹My anger burns in me like a fire,

because my enemies disregard your commands.

¹⁴⁰How certain your promise is!

How I love it!

¹⁴¹I am unimportant and despised,

but I do not neglect your teachings.

¹⁴²Your righteousness will last forever,

and your law is always true.

¹⁴³I am filled with trouble and anxiety,

but your commandments bring me joy.

¹⁴⁴Your instructions are always just;

give me understanding, and I shall live.

A Prayer for Deliverance

¹⁴⁵With all my heart I call to you;

answer me, Lord, and I will obey your commands!

¹⁴⁶I call to you;

save me, and I will keep your laws.

¹⁴⁷Before sunrise I call to you for help;

I place my hope in your promise.

¹⁴⁸All night long I lie awake,

to meditate on your instructions.

¹⁴⁹Because your love is constant, hear me, O Lord;

show your mercy, and preserve my life!

¹⁵⁰My cruel persecutors are coming closer,

people who never keep your law.

¹⁵¹But you are near to me, Lord,

and all your commands are permanent.

¹⁵²Long ago I learned about your instructions;

you made them to last forever.

A Plea for Help

¹⁵³Look at my suffering, and save me,

because I have not neglected your law.

¹⁵⁴Defend my cause, and set me free;

save me, as you have promised.

¹⁵⁵The wicked will not be saved,

for they do not obey your laws.

¹⁵⁶But your compassion, Lord, is great;

show your mercy and save me!

¹⁵⁷I have many enemies and oppressors,

but I do not fail to obey your laws.

¹⁵⁸When I look at those traitors, I am filled with disgust,

because they do not keep your commands.

¹⁵⁹See how I love your instructions, Lord.

Your love never changes, so save me!

¹⁶⁰The heart of your law is truth,

and all your righteous judgments are eternal.

Dedication to the Law of the Lord

¹⁶¹Powerful people attack me unjustly,

but I respect your law.

¹⁶²How happy I am because of your promises—

as happy as someone who finds rich treasure.

¹⁶³I hate and detest all lies,

but I love your law.

¹⁶⁴Seven times each day I thank you

for your righteous judgments.

¹⁶⁵Those who love your law have perfect security,

and there is nothing that can make them fall.

¹⁶⁶I wait for you to save me, Lord,

and I do what you command.

¹⁶⁷I obey your teachings;

I love them with all my heart.

¹⁶⁸I obey your commands and your instructions;

you see everything I do.

A Prayer for Help

¹⁶⁹Let my cry for help reach you, Lord!

Give me understanding, as you have promised.

¹⁷⁰Listen to my prayer,

and save me according to your promise!

¹⁷¹I will always praise you,

because you teach me your laws.

¹⁷²I will sing about your law,

because your commands are just.

¹⁷³Always be ready to help me,

because I follow your commands.

¹⁷⁴How I long for your saving help, O Lord!

I find happiness in your law.

¹⁷⁵Give me life, so that I may praise you;

may your instructions help me.

¹⁷⁶I wander about like a lost sheep;

so come and look for me, your servant,

because I have not neglected your laws.