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Illustration for Psalm 119: The Wonder of God's Word

Psalm 119

The Wonder of God's Word

Wisdom

This is the longest psalm — and the longest chapter in the whole Bible, with 176 verses! Every verse is about loving God's Word — His commands, laws, and promises. It's arranged like the alphabet in Hebrew. The most famous verse is: 'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.'

אAleph

  1. 1Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.
  2. 2Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.
  3. 3They do nothing wrong; they walk in His ways.
  4. 4You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
  5. 5Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying Your statutes!
  6. 6Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.
  7. 7I will praise You with an upright heart as I learn Your righteous judgments.
  8. 8I will keep Your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.

בBeth

  1. 9How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word.
  2. 10I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commandments.
  3. 11I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
  4. 12Praise be to You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.
  5. 13With my lips I proclaim all the judgments of Your mouth.
  6. 14I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches.
  7. 15I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways.
  8. 16I delight in Your statutes; I will not neglect Your word.

גGimel

  1. 17Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.
  2. 18Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.
  3. 19I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.
  4. 20My soul is consumed with longing for Your judgments at all times.
  5. 21You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed, who stray from Your commandments.
  6. 22Remove from me scorn and contempt, for I keep Your testimonies.
  7. 23Though rulers sit together and slander me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
  8. 24Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

דDaleth

  1. 25My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word.
  2. 26I declared my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes.
  3. 27Make me understand the way of Your precepts, and I will meditate on Your wonders.
  4. 28My soul weeps from grief; strengthen me according to Your word.
  5. 29Keep me from the way of deceit; be gracious to me through Your law.
  6. 30I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me.
  7. 31I cling to Your testimonies; O LORD, do not put me to shame.
  8. 32I will run the way of Your commandments when You broaden my understanding.

הHe

  1. 33Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep it to the end.
  2. 34Give me understanding, and I will keep Your law; I will obey it with all my heart.
  3. 35Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for I delight in it.
  4. 36Incline my heart toward Your testimonies and not toward dishonest gain.
  5. 37Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your word.
  6. 38Confirm Your promise to Your servant, so that You may be feared.
  7. 39Take away the disgrace I dread, for Your judgments are good.
  8. 40How I long for Your precepts! Preserve my life in Your righteousness.

וWaw

  1. 41May Your loving devotion come to me, O LORD, Your salvation according to Your promise.
  2. 42Then I will answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in Your word.
  3. 43Do not snatch the word of truth from my mouth, for I have hoped in Your judgments.
  4. 44I will always keep Your law, forever and ever.
  5. 45I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts.
  6. 46I will speak of Your testimonies before kings and will not be ashamed.
  7. 47For I delight in Your commandments, because I love them.
  8. 48I lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love, and I meditate on Your statutes.

זZayin

  1. 49Remember Your word to Your servant, for You have given me hope.
  2. 50This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life.
  3. 51The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from Your law.
  4. 52I remember Your ancient judgments, O LORD, and I find comfort in them.
  5. 53Fury grips me because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
  6. 54Your statutes are the theme of my song wherever I make my home.
  7. 55I remember Your name in the night, O LORD, and I keep Your law.
  8. 56This has become mine, because I have kept Your precepts.

חHeth

  1. 57You are my portion, O LORD; I have promised to keep Your words.
  2. 58I have sought Your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.
  3. 59I considered my ways and turned my steps back to Your testimonies.
  4. 60I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments.
  5. 61The ropes of the wicked have entangled me, but I have not forgotten Your law.
  6. 62At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments.
  7. 63I am a friend to all who fear You, to all who keep Your precepts.
  8. 64The earth is full of Your loving devotion; teach me Your statutes.

טTeth

  1. 65Do good to Your servant according to Your word, O LORD.
  2. 66Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I trust Your commandments.
  3. 67Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.
  4. 68You are good and do only good; teach me Your statutes.
  5. 69The arrogant have smeared me with lies, but I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
  6. 70Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in Your law.
  7. 71It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your statutes.
  8. 72The law of Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

יYodh

  1. 73Your hands have made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn Your commandments.
  2. 74Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, for I have put my hope in Your word.
  3. 75I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
  4. 76May Your loving devotion comfort me, as You have promised Your servant.
  5. 77May Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight.
  6. 78May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; I will meditate on Your precepts.
  7. 79May those who fear You turn to me, those who know Your testimonies.
  8. 80May my heart be blameless toward Your statutes, so that I will not be put to shame.

כKaph

  1. 81My soul faints with longing for Your salvation; I have put my hope in Your word.
  2. 82My eyes fail from watching for Your promise; I ask, "When will You comfort me?"
  3. 83Though I have become like a wineskin in smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.
  4. 84How many are the days of Your servant? When will You judge those who persecute me?
  5. 85The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law.
  6. 86All Your commandments are trustworthy; help me, for I am persecuted without cause.
  7. 87They almost wiped me off the face of the earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.
  8. 88Preserve my life according to Your loving devotion, that I may keep the testimonies of Your mouth.

לLamedh

  1. 89Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
  2. 90Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.
  3. 91Your judgments stand to this day, for all things are Your servants.
  4. 92If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
  5. 93I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.
  6. 94I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.
  7. 95The wicked wait to destroy me, but I will ponder Your testimonies.
  8. 96I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your commandment is boundless.

מMem

  1. 97Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.
  2. 98Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.
  3. 99I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.
  4. 100I have more understanding than the elders, for I keep Your precepts.
  5. 101I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might keep Your word.
  6. 102I have not turned from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me.
  7. 103How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
  8. 104Through Your precepts I gain understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

נNun

  1. 105Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
  2. 106I have taken an oath and confirmed it, to keep Your righteous judgments.
  3. 107I have been afflicted very much; revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.
  4. 108Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me Your judgments.
  5. 109My life is in danger at all times, but I do not forget Your law.
  6. 110The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts.
  7. 111Your testimonies are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
  8. 112I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end.

סSamekh

  1. 113I hate double-minded men, but I love Your law.
  2. 114You are my refuge and my shield; I hope in Your word.
  3. 115Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
  4. 116Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live; do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
  5. 117Support me that I may be saved, and I will always attend to Your statutes.
  6. 118You reject all who stray from Your statutes, for their deceitfulness is in vain.
  7. 119You discard the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love Your testimonies.
  8. 120My flesh trembles in fear of You; I stand in awe of Your judgments.

עAyin

  1. 121I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.
  2. 122Ensure Your servant's well-being; let not the arrogant oppress me.
  3. 123My eyes grow weary watching for Your salvation and for Your righteous word.
  4. 124Deal with Your servant according to Your loving devotion; teach me Your statutes.
  5. 125I am Your servant; give me discernment that I may understand Your testimonies.
  6. 126It is time for the LORD to act, for they have broken Your law.
  7. 127Because I love Your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold,
  8. 128therefore I consider all Your precepts to be right; I hate every false path.

פPe

  1. 129Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.
  2. 130The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
  3. 131I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commandments.
  4. 132Turn to me and be gracious to me, as You are to those who love Your name.
  5. 133Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity rule over me.
  6. 134Redeem me from the oppression of men, that I may keep Your precepts.
  7. 135Make Your face shine upon Your servant and teach me Your statutes.
  8. 136Streams of tears flow from my eyes because men do not keep Your law.

צTsadhe

  1. 137Righteous are You, O LORD, and Your judgments are upright.
  2. 138The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether trustworthy.
  3. 139My zeal has consumed me, for my enemies have forgotten Your words.
  4. 140Your word is thoroughly refined, and Your servant loves it.
  5. 141I am lowly and despised, yet I do not forget Your precepts.
  6. 142Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is true.
  7. 143Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but Your commandments are my delight.
  8. 144Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

קQoph

  1. 145I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD. I will keep Your statutes.
  2. 146I call to You; save me that I may keep Your testimonies.
  3. 147I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your words.
  4. 148My eyes open before each watch of the night to meditate on Your word.
  5. 149In Your loving devotion, hear my voice; O LORD, preserve my life according to Your judgments.
  6. 150My persecutors approach with evil intent; they are far from Your law.
  7. 151You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are true.
  8. 152Long ago I learned from Your testimonies that You established them forever.

רResh

  1. 153Consider my affliction and rescue me, for I have not forgotten Your law.
  2. 154Plead my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to Your word.
  3. 155Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes.
  4. 156Your compassion is great, O LORD; preserve my life according to Your judgments.
  5. 157Many are my persecutors and adversaries, but I have not turned from Your testimonies.
  6. 158I look at the faithless with disgust, for they do not keep Your word.
  7. 159Consider how I love Your precepts; O LORD, preserve my life according to Your loving devotion.
  8. 160The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.

שSin and Shin

  1. 161Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at Your word.
  2. 162I rejoice in Your word like one who finds great treasure.
  3. 163I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love Your law.
  4. 164Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous judgments.
  5. 165Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
  6. 166I wait for Your salvation, O LORD, and I follow Your commandments.
  7. 167My soul keeps Your testimonies; I love them dearly.
  8. 168I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.

תTaw

  1. 169May my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.
  2. 170May my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your promise.
  3. 171May my lips pour forth praise, for You teach me Your statutes.
  4. 172May my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.
  5. 173May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.
  6. 174I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight.
  7. 175Let my soul live and praise You; may Your judgments give me help.
  8. 176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.

What it means

The longest chapter in the Bible is all about loving God's Word! It is like a lamp that lights up the path ahead so we know where to step. When we read and follow it, we walk safely through life.

A little prayer

Lord, Your Word is my lamp and my light. Help me to love it, read it, and follow it every day. When I'm not sure which way to go, Your Word shows me the path. Amen.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)