15I will study your commandments
and reflect on your ways.
16I will delight in your decrees
and not forget your word.
Gimel
17Be good to your servant,
that I may live and obey your word.
18Open my eyes to see
the wonderful truths in your instructions.
19I am only a foreigner in the land.
Don’t hide your commands from me!
20I am always overwhelmed
with a desire for your regulations.
21You rebuke the arrogant;
those who wander from your commands are cursed.
22Don’t let them scorn and insult me,
for I have obeyed your laws.
23Even princes sit and speak against me,
but I will meditate on your decrees.
24Your laws please me;
they give me wise advice.
Daleth
25I lie in the dust;
revive me by your word.
26I told you my plans, and you answered.
Now teach me your decrees.
27Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
28I weep with sorrow;
encourage me by your word.
29Keep me from lying to myself;
give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
30I have chosen to be faithful;
I have determined to live by your regulations.
31I cling to your laws.
Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!
32I will pursue your commands,
for you expand my understanding.
He
33Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
I will keep them to the end.
34Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
35Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
36Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!
37Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.
38Reassure me of your promise,
made to those who fear you.
39Help me abandon my shameful ways;
for your regulations are good.
40I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness.
Waw
41Lord, give me your unfailing love,
the salvation that you promised me.
42Then I can answer those who taunt me,
for I trust in your word.
43Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
for your regulations are my only hope.
44I will keep on obeying your instructions
forever and ever.
45I will walk in freedom,
for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
46I will speak to kings about your laws,
and I will not be ashamed.
47How I delight in your commands!
How I love them!
48I honor and love your commands.
I meditate on your decrees.
Zayin
49Remember your promise to me;
it is my only hope.
50Your promise revives me;
it comforts me in all my troubles.
51The proud hold me in utter contempt,
but I do not turn away from your instructions.
52I meditate on your age-old regulations;
O Lord, they comfort me.
53I become furious with the wicked,
because they reject your instructions.
54Your decrees have been the theme of my songs
wherever I have lived.
55I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord;
therefore, I obey your instructions.
56This is how I spend my life:
obeying your commandments.
Heth
57Lord, you are mine!
I promise to obey your words!
58With all my heart I want your blessings.
Be merciful as you promised.
59I pondered the direction of my life,
and I turned to follow your laws.
60I will hurry, without delay,
to obey your commands.
61Evil people try to drag me into sin,
but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
62I rise at midnight to thank you
for your just regulations.
63I am a friend to anyone who fears you—
anyone who obeys your commandments.
64O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth;
teach me your decrees.
Teth
65You have done many good things for me, Lord,
just as you promised.
66I believe in your commands;
now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
67I used to wander off until you disciplined me;
but now I closely follow your word.
68You are good and do only good;
teach me your decrees.
69Arrogant people smear me with lies,
but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.
70Their hearts are dull and stupid,
but I delight in your instructions.
71My suffering was good for me,
for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
72Your instructions are more valuable to me
than millions in gold and silver.
Yodh
73You made me; you created me.
Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
74May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
for I have put my hope in your word.
75I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair;
you disciplined me because I needed it.
76Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
just as you promised me, your servant.
77Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
for your instructions are my delight.
78Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
79Let me be united with all who fear you,
with those who know your laws.
80May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
then I will never be ashamed.
Kaph
81I am worn out waiting for your rescue,
but I have put my hope in your word.
82My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.
When will you comfort me?
83I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,
but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
84How long must I wait?
When will you punish those who persecute me?
85These arrogant people who hate your instructions
have dug deep pits to trap me.
86All your commands are trustworthy.
Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
87They almost finished me off,
but I refused to abandon your commandments.
88In your unfailing love, spare my life;
then I can continue to obey your laws.
