Psalms 119

The longest chapter in the Bible is an acrostic poem of 176 verses divided into twenty-two sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, with every verse in each section beginning with that letter. The psalmist pours out sustained devotion to God's word — His law, statutes, precepts, commandments, and testimonies — pleading for understanding, delighting in obedience, and finding light, comfort, and life in Scripture through every trial.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.	Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.
2	Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.	Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart —
3	They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.	they do no wrong but follow His ways.
4	Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently.	You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
5	O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!	O that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes!
6	Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments.	Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all Your commands.
7	I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments.	I will praise You with an upright heart as I learn Your righteous laws.
8	I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly.	I will obey Your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
9	Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.	How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to Your word.
10	With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.	I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands.
11	Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.	I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
12	Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.	Praise be to You, LORD; teach me Your decrees.
13	With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.	With my lips I recount all the laws that come from Your mouth.
14	I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.	I rejoice in following Your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
15	I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.	I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways.
16	I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.	I delight in Your decrees; I will not neglect Your word.
17	Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.	Be good to Your servant while I live, that I may obey Your word.
18	Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.	Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your law.
19	I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.	I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me.
20	My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.	My soul is consumed with longing for Your laws at all times.
21	Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.	You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from Your commands.
22	Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.	Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep Your statutes.
23	Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.	Though rulers sit together and slander me, Your servant will meditate on Your decrees.
24	Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.	Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.
25	My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.	I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to Your word.
26	I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.	I gave an account of my ways and You answered me; teach me Your decrees.
27	Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.	Cause me to understand the way of Your precepts, that I may meditate on Your wonderful deeds.
28	My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.	My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word.
29	Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.	Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me Your law.
30	I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.	I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on Your laws.
31	I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.	I hold fast to Your statutes, LORD; do not let me be put to shame.
32	I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.	I run in the path of Your commands, for You have broadened my understanding.
33	Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.	Teach me, LORD, the way of Your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.
34	Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.	Give me understanding, so that I may keep Your law and obey it with all my heart.
35	Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.	Direct me in the path of Your commands, for there I find delight.
36	Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.	Turn my heart toward Your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
37	Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.	Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to Your word.
38	Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.	Fulfill Your promise to Your servant, so that You may be feared.
39	Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.	Take away the disgrace I dread, for Your laws are good.
40	Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.	How I long for Your precepts! In Your righteousness preserve my life.
41	Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.	Let Your mercies come also to me, O LORD, even Your salvation, according to Your word.
42	So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.	then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
43	And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.	Never take Your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in Your laws.
44	So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.	I will always obey Your law, for ever and ever.
45	And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.	I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out Your precepts.
46	I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.	I will speak of Your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame,
47	And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.	for I delight in Your commands because I love them.
48	My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.	I reach out for Your commands, which I love, and I meditate on Your decrees.
49	Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.	Remember Your word to Your servant, for You have given me hope.
50	This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.	My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
51	The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.	The arrogant mock me without restraint, but I do not turn from Your law.
52	I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.	I remember, LORD, Your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them.
53	Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.	Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law.
54	Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.	Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.
55	I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.	In the night, LORD, I remember Your name, that I may keep Your law.
56	This I had, because I kept thy precepts.	This has been my practice: I obey Your precepts.
57	Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words.	You are my portion, LORD; I have promised to obey Your words.
58	I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word.	I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.
59	I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.	I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to Your statutes.
60	I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.	I will hasten and not delay to obey Your commands.
61	The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law.	Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.
62	At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments.	At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.
63	I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts.	I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.
64	The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes.	The earth, O LORD, is full of Your mercy; teach me Your statutes.
65	Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word.	Do good to Your servant, LORD, according to Your word.
66	Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments.	Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust Your commands.
67	Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.	Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your word.
68	Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes.	You are good, and what You do is good; teach me Your decrees.
69	The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.	Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep Your precepts with all my heart.
70	Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law.	Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in Your law.
71	It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.	It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn Your decrees.
72	The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.	The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
73	Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments.	Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn Your commands.
74	They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.	May those who fear You rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in Your word.
75	I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.	I know, LORD, that Your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76	Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.	Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant.
77	Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight.	Let Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight.
78	Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts.	May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on Your precepts.
79	Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.	May those who fear You turn to me, those who understand Your statutes.
80	Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.	May I wholeheartedly follow Your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.
81	My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.	My soul faints with longing for Your salvation, but I have put my hope in Your word.
82	Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?	My eyes fail, looking for Your promise; I say, "When will You comfort me?"
83	For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes.	Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget Your decrees.
84	How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?	How long must Your servant wait? When will You punish my persecutors?
85	The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law.	The arrogant dig pits for me, contrary to Your law.
86	All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me.	All Your commands are trustworthy; help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
87	They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts.	They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.
88	Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.	Quicken me according to Your lovingkindness, so I shall keep the testimony of Your mouth.
89	For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.	Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
90	Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.	Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.
91	They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants.	Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve You.
92	Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.	If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93	I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me.	I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have preserved my life.
94	I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts.	Save me, for I am Yours; I have sought out Your precepts.
95	The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies.	The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.
96	I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.	To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.
97	O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.	Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
98	Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.	Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
99	I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.	I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
100	I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.	I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.
101	I have refrained my feet from every evil way; that I might keep thy word.	I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.
102	I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.	I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.
103	How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!	How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104	Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.	I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
105	Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.	Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
106	I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments.	I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
107	I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.	I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to Your word.
108	Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments.	Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me Your laws.
109	My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law.	Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget Your law.
110	The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts.	The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.
111	Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.	Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
112	I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end.	My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
113	I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.	I hate double-minded people, but I love your law.
114	Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.	You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
115	Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God.	Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!
116	Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.	Sustain me, my God, according to Your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
117	Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually.	Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.
118	Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood.	You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their delusions come to nothing.
119	Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies.	All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes.
120	My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.	My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.
121	I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors.	I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors.
122	Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me.	Ensure your servant's well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
123	Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.	My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise.
124	Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes.	Deal with your servant according to your mercy and teach me your decrees.
125	I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies.	I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
126	It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.	It is time for You to act, LORD; Your law is being broken.
127	Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold.	Because I love Your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,
128	Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.	and because I consider all Your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.
129	Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.	Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.
130	The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.	The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
131	I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments.	I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commands.
132	Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.	Turn to me and have mercy on me, as You always do to those who love Your name.
133	Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.	Direct my footsteps according to Your word; let no iniquity rule over me.
134	Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.	Deliver me from the oppression of man, so I will keep Your precepts.
135	Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.	Make Your face shine on Your servant and teach me Your decrees.
136	Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.	Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for Your law is not obeyed.
137	Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.	You are righteous, LORD, and Your laws are right.
138	Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.	The statutes You have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
139	My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.	My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore Your words.
140	Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it.	Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and Your servant loves them.
141	I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts.	Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget Your precepts.
142	Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.	Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true.
143	Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights.	Trouble and distress have come upon me, but Your commands give me delight.
144	The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live.	Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
145	I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes.	I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD, and I will obey Your decrees.
146	I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies.	I call out to You; save me and I will keep Your statutes.
147	I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.	I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your word.
148	Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.	My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on Your promises.
149	Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment.	Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness; O LORD, quicken me according to Your judgment.
150	They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law.	Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from Your law.
151	Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth.	Yet You are near, LORD, and all Your commands are true.
152	Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.	Long ago I learned from Your statutes that You established them to last forever.
153	Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law.	Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten Your law.
154	Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word.	Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to Your promise.
155	Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.	Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.
156	Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments.	Your compassion, LORD, is great; preserve my life according to Your laws.
157	Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies.	Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from Your statutes.
158	I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word.	I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey Your word.
159	Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness.	Consider how I love Your precepts; quicken me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.
160	Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.	All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal.
161	Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.	Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at Your word.
162	I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.	I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great treasure.
163	I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love.	I hate and detest falsehood but I love Your law.
164	Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments.	Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous laws.
165	Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.	Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
166	LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.	I wait for Your salvation, LORD, and I follow Your commands.
167	My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.	I obey Your statutes, for I love them greatly.
168	I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee.	I obey Your precepts and Your statutes, for all my ways are known to You.
169	Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.	May my cry come before You, LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.
170	Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word.	May my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your promise.
171	My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes.	May my lips overflow with praise, for You teach me Your decrees.
172	My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.	May my tongue sing of Your word, for all Your commands are righteous.
173	Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.	May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.
174	I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.	I long for Your salvation, LORD, and Your law gives me delight.
175	Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.	Let me live that I may praise You, and may Your laws sustain me.
176	I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.	I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commands.