Psalm 119: complete, commentary


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CommentPsalm 119 is the largest, by length of the text, of the whole psaltery. For the author, the law is not only represented by the ten commandments but also by all the great actions performed by God aimed at the liberation of the people from Egypt with the conquest of the promised land. The young man mentioned in the psalm is subjected to the pressure of the idolaters who fight him because of his being faithful to the law of the Lord. For this reason they slander and humiliate him unjustly, but he is enlightened and made wise by the Lord who gives him wisdom and security.


Psalm 119 complete

[1] Alleluia. Blessed is the man of whole conduct, who walks in the law of the Lord.

[2] Blessed is he who is faithful to his teachings and seeks him wholeheartedly.


[3] He does not commit injustices, he walks in his ways.

[4] You have given your precepts to be faithfully observed.

[5] Let my ways be straightforward, in keeping your decrees.


[6] Then I won't have to blush if I obey your commands.

[7] I will praise you with a sincere heart when I have learned your right judgments.

[8] I want to observe your decrees: never abandon me.


[9] How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping your words.

[10] With all my heart I seek you: do not make me deviate from your precepts.

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[11] I keep your words in my heart so as not to take offense with sin.

[12] Blessed are you, Lord; show me your will.

[13] With my lips I have enumerated all the judgments of your mouth.

[14] In following your orders it is my joy more than in any other good.

[15] I want to meditate on your commandments, consider your ways.

[16] In your will is my joy; I will never forget your word.

[17] Be good to your servant and I will have life, I will keep your word.


[18] Open my eyes for me to see the wonders of your law.

[19] I am a stranger on earth, do not hide your commands from me.

[20] I am consumed in the desire for your precepts at all times.

[21] You threaten the proud; cursed who deviates from your decrees.

[22] Remove from me shame and contempt, because I have observed your laws.

[23] The mighty sit, they slander me, but your servant ponders your decrees.


[24] Your orders are also my joy, my advisers are your precepts.

[25] I am prostrate in the dust; give me life according to your word.

[26] I have shown you my ways and you have answered me; teach me your wishes.

[27] Let me know the way of your precepts and I will meditate on your wonders.

[28] I cry in sadness; raise me according to your promise.

[29] Keep away from me the way of lies, give me the gift of your law.

[30] I have chosen the way of justice, I have proposed your judgments.

[31] I have adhered to your teachings, Lord, that I should not be confused.

[32] I run in the way of your commandments, because you have dilated my heart.

[33] Lord, show me the way of your decrees and I will follow it to the end.

[34] Give me intelligence, that I may observe your law and keep it with all my heart.

[35] Lead me on the path of your commands, for my joy is in it.


[36] Bend my heart towards your teachings and not towards the thirst for gain.

[37] Take my eyes away from vain things, let me live on your way.

[38] With your servant be faithful to the word that you have given, because they fear you.

[39] Remove the insult that appalles me, because your judgments are good.

[40] Behold, I desire your commandments; for your justice let me live.

[41] Come to me, Lord, your grace, your salvation according to your promise;

[42] to those who insult me ​​I will give an answer, because I trust your word.

[43] Never remove the true word from my mouth, for I trust in your judgments.

[44] I will keep your law forever, forever, forever.

[45] I will be sure on my way, because I have sought your wishes.

[46] Before kings I will speak of your covenant without fear of shame.

[47] I will rejoice in your commands which I have loved.


[48] ​​I will raise my hands to your precepts that I love, I will meditate your laws.

[49] Remember the promise made to your servant, with which you gave me hope.

[50] This consoles me in misery: your word makes me live.

[51] The proud insult me ​​bitterly, but I do not deviate from your law.

[52] I remember your old judgments, Lord, and I am consoled by them.

[53] I was angry with the wicked who abandon your law.

[54] Your precepts are singing to me, in the land of my pilgrimage.

[55] I remember your name during the night and keep your law, Lord.

[56] All this happens to me because I have kept your precepts.

[57] My lot, I said, Lord, is to keep your words.

[58] With all my heart I begged you, grant me grace according to your promise.

[59] I have searched my ways, I have turned my steps towards your commandments.


[60] I am ready and I will not delay in keeping your decrees.

[61] The laces of the wicked have encircled me, but I have not forgotten your law.

[62] In the dead of night I rise to praise you for your righteous decrees.

[63] I am a friend to those who are loyal to you and keep your precepts.

[64] The earth is full of your love, Lord; teach me your will.

[65] You have done good to your servant, Lord, according to your word.

[66] Teach me your mind and wisdom, because I trust in your commandments.

[67] Before I was humiliated I was wandering, but now I keep your word.

[68] You are good and do good, teach me your decrees.

[69] The insolent have slandered me, but I wholeheartedly observe your precepts.

[70] Torpid as fat is their heart, but I delight in your law.

[71] Good for me if I have been humbled, because you learn to obey you.


[72] The law of your mouth is precious to me more than a thousand pieces of gold and silver.

[73] Your hands have made and shaped me; let me understand and I will learn your commands.

[74] Your faithful ones will see me joy, because I have hoped for your word.

[75] Lord, I know that your judgments are right and you have humiliated me with reason.

[76] You console me for your grace, according to your promise to your servant.

[77] May your mercy come upon me and I will have life, for your law is my joy.

[78] The proud who wrongly oppress me are confused; I will meditate on your law.

[79] May your faithful and those who know your teachings turn to me.

[80] Let my heart be whole in your precepts, lest you be confused.

[81] I consume myself while waiting for your salvation, I hope in your word.

[82] My eyes wear out behind your promise, while I say: "When will you give me comfort?".

[83] I am like a goatskin exposed to smoke, but I do not forget your teachings.

[84] How many days will your servant be? When will you do justice to my persecutors?

[85] The insolent ones who do not follow your law dug me.

[86] Truth are all your commands; they wrongly persecute me: come to my aid.

[87] They nearly banished me from the earth, but I did not abandon your precepts.

[88] According to your love let me live and I will observe the words of your mouth.

[89] Your word, Lord, is as stable as heaven.

[90] Your loyalty lasts for each generation; you founded the earth and it is firm.

[91] By your decree, everything exists to this day, because everything is at your service.

[92] If your law were not my joy, I would have perished in my misery.

[93] I will never forget your precepts: you make me live for them.

[94] I am yours: save me, because I have sought your will.

[95] The wicked threaten me to ruin me, but I meditate on your teachings.

[96] I have seen the limit of everything perfect, but your law has no boundaries.

[97] How much I love your law, Lord; I am meditating all day. [98] Your precept makes me wiser than my enemies, because it always accompanies me.

[99] I am wiser than all my teachers, because I meditate on your teachings.

[100] I have more sense than the elderly, because I observe your precepts.

[101] I keep my steps away from all evil ways, to keep your word.

[102] Do not turn me away from your judgments, because it is you who instruct me.

[103] How sweet your words are to my palate: more than honey for my mouth.

[104] I receive intelligence from your decrees, for this I hate every way of lying.

[105] Lamp for my steps is your word, light on my way.

[106] I have sworn, and I confirm it, to keep your precepts of justice.

[107] I am tired of suffering, Lord, give me life according to your word.

[108] Lord, accept the offerings of my lips, teach me your judgments.

[109] My life is always in danger, but I don't forget your law.

[110] The wicked have given me their ties, but I have not strayed from your precepts.

[111] My inheritance forever are your teachings, they are the joy of my heart.

[112] I bent my heart to your commandments, in them is my reward forever.

[113] I detest inconstant spirits, I love your law.

[114] You are my refuge and my shield, I hope in your word.

[115] Turn away from me, wicked, I will keep the precepts of my God.

[116] Support me according to your word and I will have life, do not disappoint me in my hope.

[117] Be my help and I will be saved, I will always rejoice in your precepts.

[118] You despise those who abandon your decrees, because their cunning is fallacious.

[119] Consider all the wicked of the earth dross, therefore I love your teachings.

[120] You make my flesh tremble with fear, I fear your judgments.

[121] I have acted according to law and justice; do not abandon me to my oppressors.

[122] Assure good to your servant; the proud do not oppress me.

[123] My eyes wear out in anticipation of your salvation and your word of justice.

[124] Act with your servant according to your love and teach me your commandments.

[125] I am your servant, make me understand and I will know your teachings.

[126] It is time for you to act, Lord; have violated your law.

[127] Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold.

[128] This is why I cherish your precepts and hate every way of lying.

[129] Wonderful is your covenant, for this reason I am faithful to it.

[130] Your word in revealing illuminates, gives wisdom to the simple.

[131] I open my mouth longing, because I desire your commandments.

[132] Turn to me and have mercy, you who are righteous for those who love your name.

[133] Make my footsteps firm according to your word, and evil will not prevail over me.

[134] Save me from the oppression of man and I will obey your precepts.

[135] Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your commandments.

[136] Rivers of tears flow from my eyes, because they do not observe your law.

[137] You are righteous, Lord, and upright in your judgments.

[138] You have righteously ordered your laws and with great fidelity.

[139] The zeal of your house devours me, because my enemies forget your words.

[140] Your word is most pure, your servant prefers it.

[141] I am small and despised, but I do not neglect your precepts.

[142] Your righteousness is eternal justice and truth is your law.

[143] Anguish and trouble have seized me, but your commands are my joy.

[144] Righteous are your teachings forever, make me understand and I will have life.

[145] I invoke you with all my heart, Lord, answer me; I will keep your precepts.

[146] I call you, save me, and I will follow your teachings.

[147] I go before dawn and cry for help, I hope on your word.

[148] My eyes prevent watches to meditate on your promises.

[149] Hear my voice according to your grace; Lord, let me live according to your judgment.

[150] Treacherously my persecutors besiege me, they are far from your law.

[151] But you, Lord, are near, all your precepts are true.

[152] I have known your testimonies for a long time, which you have established forever.

[153] See my misery, save me, because I have not forgotten your law.

[154] Defend my cause, redeem me, according to your word make me live.

[155] Salvation is far from the wicked, because they do not seek your will.

[156] Your mercies are great, Lord, according to your judgments let me live.

[157] There are many persecutors who attack me, but I do not abandon your laws.

[158] I have seen the rebels and I have felt disgust because they do not keep your word.

[159] You see that I love your precepts, Lord, according to your grace give me life.

[160] Truth is the principle of your word, every sentence of your justice remains forever.

[161] The powerful persecute me for no reason, but my heart fears your words.

[162] I rejoice in your promise, like someone who finds great treasure.

[163] I hate the fake and I hate it, I love your law.

[164] Seven times a day I praise you for the judgments of your justice.

[165] Great peace for those who love your law, in their journey they find no stumbling blocks.

[166] I await your salvation, Lord, and I obey your commands.

[167] I guard your teachings and love them above all else.

[168] I observe your decrees and your teachings: all my ways are before you.

[169] May my cry come to you, Lord, make me understand according to your word.

[170] May my petition come to your face, save me according to your promise.

[171] Let your praise spring from my lips, for you teach me your wishes.

[172] My tongue sing your words, because all your commandments are right.

[173] May your hand help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

[174] I desire your salvation, Lord, and your law is all my joy.

[175] May I live and give you praise, let your judgments help me.

[176] As a lost sheep I go wandering; look for your servant, because I have not forgotten your commandments.

Psalm 119 (Part 1) :1-88 • Your Word is a Lamp unto my Feet (February 2024)


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