Meditations on the Excellencies of the Word of God
ALEPH
1 Blessed are the [a]undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the Lord!
ALEPH
1 Blessed are the [a]undefiled in the way,
Who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
3 They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.
They walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
To keep Your precepts diligently.
5 Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
To keep Your statutes!
6 Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments.
When I look into all Your commandments.
7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I will keep Your statutes;
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!
BETH
9 How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
9 How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
That I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord!
Teach me Your statutes.
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have declared
All the judgments of Your mouth.
All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts,
And [b]contemplate Your ways.
And [b]contemplate Your ways.
16 I will delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.
I will not forget Your word.
GIMEL
17 Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.
17 Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.
Wondrous things from Your law.
19 I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 My soul [c]breaks with longing
For Your judgments at all times.
For Your judgments at all times.
21 You rebuke the proud — the cursed,
Who stray from Your commandments.
Who stray from Your commandments.
22 Remove from me reproach and contempt,
For I have kept Your testimonies.
For I have kept Your testimonies.
23 Princes also sit and speak against me,
But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24 Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.
And my counselors.
DALETH
25 My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
25 My soul clings to the dust;
Revive me according to Your word.
26 I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
Teach me Your statutes.
Teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
28 My soul [d]melts from [e]heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
Strengthen me according to Your word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying,
And grant me Your law graciously.
And grant me Your law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgments I have laid before me.
Your judgments I have laid before me.
31 I cling to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!
O Lord, do not put me to shame!
32 I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall enlarge my heart.
For You shall enlarge my heart.
HE
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
33 Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
For I delight in it.
36 [f]Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to covetousness.
And not to covetousness.
37 Turn[g] away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in [h]Your way.
And revive me in [h]Your way.
38 Establish Your word to Your servant,
Who is devoted to fearing You.
Who is devoted to fearing You.
39 Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.
For Your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness.
Revive me in Your righteousness.
WAW
41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord —
Your salvation according to Your word.
41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord —
Your salvation according to Your word.
42 So shall I have an answer for him who [i]reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.
For I trust in Your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
44 So shall I keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.
Forever and ever.
45 And I will walk [j]at liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
For I seek Your precepts.
46 I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
And will not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.
Which I love.
48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love,
And I will meditate on Your statutes.
Which I love,
And I will meditate on Your statutes.
ZAYIN
49 Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
49 Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
50 This is my comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.
For Your word has given me life.
51 The proud have me in great derision,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord,
And have comforted myself.
And have comforted myself.
53 Indignation has taken hold of me
Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 I remember Your name in the night, O Lord,
And I keep Your law.
And I keep Your law.
56 This has become mine,
Because I kept Your precepts.
Because I kept Your precepts.
HETH
57 You are my portion, O Lord;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
57 You are my portion, O Lord;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
59 I thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
To keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have bound me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
Because of Your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;
Teach me Your statutes.
Teach me Your statutes.
TETH
65 You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.
65 You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.
For I believe Your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
But now I keep Your word.
68 You are good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.
Teach me Your statutes.
69 The proud have forged[k] a lie against me,
But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
70 Their heart is [l]as fat as grease,
But I delight in Your law.
But I delight in Your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
That I may learn Your statutes.
72 The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
YOD
73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
73 Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,
Because I have hoped in Your word.
Because I have hoped in Your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are [m]right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant.
According to Your word to Your servant.
77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;
For Your law is my delight.
For Your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed,
For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
79 Let those who fear You turn to me,
Those who know Your testimonies.
Those who know Your testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes,
That I may not be ashamed.
That I may not be ashamed.
KAPH
81 My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.
81 My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.
82 My eyes fail from searching Your word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
83 For I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
84 How many are the days of Your servant?
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 The proud have dug pits for me,
Which is not according to Your law.
Which is not according to Your law.
86 All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me wrongfully;
Help me!
They persecute me wrongfully;
Help me!
87 They almost made an end of me on earth,
But I did not forsake Your precepts.
But I did not forsake Your precepts.
88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.
LAMED
89 Forever, O Lord,
Your word [n]is settled in heaven.
89 Forever, O Lord,
Your word [n]is settled in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You established the earth, and it [o]abides.
You established the earth, and it [o]abides.
91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances,
For all are Your servants.
For all are Your servants.
92 Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
I would then have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life.
For by them You have given me life.
94 I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.
For I have sought Your precepts.
95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me,
But I will [p]consider Your testimonies.
But I will [p]consider Your testimonies.
96 I have seen the consummation of all perfection,
But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.
But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.
MEM
97 Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
97 Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
For they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the [q]ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.
Because I keep Your precepts.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
That I may keep Your word.
102 I have not departed from Your judgments,
For You Yourself have taught me.
For You Yourself have taught me.
103 How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.
Therefore I hate every false way.
NUN
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
106 I have sworn and confirmed
That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your judgments.
And teach me Your judgments.
109 My life is continually [r]in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.
Yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies I have taken as a [s]heritage forever,
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, to the very end.
Forever, to the very end.
SAMEK
113 I hate the [t]double-minded,
But I love Your law.
113 I hate the [t]double-minded,
But I love Your law.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
I hope in Your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers,
For I will keep the commandments of my God!
For I will keep the commandments of my God!
116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live;
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
117 [u]Hold me up, and I shall be safe,
And I shall observe Your statutes continually.
And I shall observe Your statutes continually.
118 You reject all those who stray from Your statutes,
For their deceit is falsehood.
For their deceit is falsehood.
119 You [v]put away all the wicked of the earth like [w]dross;
Therefore I love Your testimonies.
Therefore I love Your testimonies.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of You,
And I am afraid of Your judgments.
And I am afraid of Your judgments.
AYIN
121 I have done justice and righteousness;
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
121 I have done justice and righteousness;
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Be surety[x] for Your servant for good;
Do not let the proud oppress me.
Do not let the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation
And Your righteous word.
And Your righteous word.
124 Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy,
And teach me Your statutes.
And teach me Your statutes.
125 I am Your servant;
Give me understanding,
That I may know Your testimonies.
Give me understanding,
That I may know Your testimonies.
126 It is time for You to act, O Lord,
For they have [y]regarded Your law as void.
For they have [y]regarded Your law as void.
127 Therefore I love Your commandments
More than gold, yes, than fine gold!
More than gold, yes, than fine gold!
128 Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things
I consider to be right;
I hate every false way.
I consider to be right;
I hate every false way.
PE
129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.
129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.
It gives understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth and panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.
For I longed for Your commandments.
132 Look upon me and be merciful to me,
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
133 Direct my steps by Your word,
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
And let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts.
That I may keep Your precepts.
135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.
And teach me Your statutes.
136 Rivers of water run down from my eyes,
Because men do not keep Your law.
Because men do not keep Your law.
TSADDE
137 Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.
137 Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.
138 Your testimonies, which You have commanded,
Are righteous and very faithful.
Are righteous and very faithful.
139 My zeal has [z]consumed me,
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140 Your word is very [aa]pure;
Therefore Your servant loves it.
Therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.
And Your law is truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have [ab]overtaken me,
Yet Your commandments are my delights.
Yet Your commandments are my delights.
144 The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;
Give me understanding, and I shall live.
Give me understanding, and I shall live.
QOPH
145 I cry out with my whole heart;
Hear me, O Lord!
I will keep Your statutes.
145 I cry out with my whole heart;
Hear me, O Lord!
I will keep Your statutes.
146 I cry out to You;
Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
147 I rise before the dawning of the morning,
And cry for help;
I hope in Your word.
And cry for help;
I hope in Your word.
148 My eyes are awake through the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.
That I may meditate on Your word.
149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.
O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness;
They are far from Your law.
They are far from Your law.
151 You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.
And all Your commandments are truth.
152 Concerning Your testimonies,
I have known of old that You have founded them forever.
I have known of old that You have founded them forever.
RESH
153 Consider my affliction and deliver me,
For I do not forget Your law.
153 Consider my affliction and deliver me,
For I do not forget Your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
Revive me according to Your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.
For they do not seek Your statutes.
156 [ac]Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord;
Revive me according to Your judgments.
Revive me according to Your judgments.
157 Many are my persecutors and my enemies,
Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.
Yet I do not turn from Your testimonies.
158 I see the treacherous, and am disgusted,
Because they do not keep Your word.
Because they do not keep Your word.
159 Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
160 The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
SHIN
161 Princes persecute me without a cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your word.
161 Princes persecute me without a cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your word.
162 I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
As one who finds great treasure.
163 I hate and abhor lying,
But I love Your law.
But I love Your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
Because of Your righteous judgments.
165 Great peace have those who love Your law,
And [ad]nothing causes them to stumble.
And [ad]nothing causes them to stumble.
166 Lord, I hope for Your salvation,
And I do Your commandments.
And I do Your commandments.
167 My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.
And I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ways are before You.
For all my ways are before You.
TAU
169 Let my cry come before You, O Lord;
Give me understanding according to Your word.
169 Let my cry come before You, O Lord;
Give me understanding according to Your word.
170 Let my [ae]supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.
Deliver me according to Your word.
171 My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.
For You teach me Your statutes.
172 My tongue shall speak of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.
For all Your commandments are righteousness.
173 Let Your hand become my help,
For I have chosen Your precepts.
For I have chosen Your precepts.
174 I long for Your salvation, O Lord,
And Your law is my delight.
And Your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;
And let Your judgments help me.
And let Your judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.
Seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.