[1] Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.
[2] Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.
[3] They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.
[4] You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully.
[5] Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!
[6] Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands.
[7] As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should!
[8] I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me! Beth
[9] How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.
[10] I have tried hard to find you— don’t let me wander from your commands.
[11] I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
[12] I praise you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.
[13] I have recited aloud all the regulations you have given us.
[14] I have rejoiced in your laws as much as in riches.
[15] I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.
[16] I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. Gimel
[17] Be good to your servant, that I may live and obey your word.
[18] Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.
[19] I am only a foreigner in the land. Don’t hide your commands from me!
[20] I am always overwhelmed with a desire for your regulations.
[21] You rebuke the arrogant; those who wander from your commands are cursed.
[22] Don’t let them scorn and insult me, for I have obeyed your laws.
[23] Even princes sit and speak against me, but I will meditate on your decrees.
[24] Your laws please me; they give me wise advice. Daleth
[25] I lie in the dust; revive me by your word.
[26] I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your decrees.
[27] Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
[28] I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word.
[29] Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
[30] I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations.
[31] I cling to your laws. Lord, don’t let me be put to shame!
[32] I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding. He
[33] Teach me your decrees, O Lord; I will keep them to the end.
[34] Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.
[35] Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.
[36] Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!
[37] Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.
[38] Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.
[39] Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.
[40] I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness. Waw
[41] Lord, give me your unfailing love, the salvation that you promised me.
[42] Then I can answer those who taunt me, for I trust in your word.
[43] Do not snatch your word of truth from me, for your regulations are my only hope.
[44] I will keep on obeying your instructions forever and ever.
[45] I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
[46] I will speak to kings about your laws, and I will not be ashamed.
[47] How I delight in your commands! How I love them!
[48] I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees. Zayin
[49] Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope.
[50] Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.
[51] The proud hold me in utter contempt, but I do not turn away from your instructions.
[52] I meditate on your age-old regulations; O Lord, they comfort me.
[53] I become furious with the wicked, because they reject your instructions.
[54] Your decrees have been the theme of my songs wherever I have lived.
[55] I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord; therefore, I obey your instructions.
[56] This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments. Heth
[57] Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words!
[58] With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised.
[59] I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws.
[60] I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands.
[61] Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
[62] I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations.
[63] I am a friend to anyone who fears you— anyone who obeys your commandments.
[64] O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees. Teth
[65] You have done many good things for me, Lord, just as you promised.
[66] I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
[67] I used to wander off until you disciplined me; but now I closely follow your word.
[68] You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees.
[69] Arrogant people smear me with lies, but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.
[70] Their hearts are dull and stupid, but I delight in your instructions.
[71] My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
[72] Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver. Yodh
[73] You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
[74] May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.
[75] I know, O Lord, that your regulations are fair; you disciplined me because I needed it.
[76] Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.
[77] Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.
[78] Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me; meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
[79] Let me be united with all who fear you, with those who know your laws.
[80] May I be blameless in keeping your decrees; then I will never be ashamed. Kaph
[81] I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word.
[82] My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me?
[83] I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
[84] How long must I wait? When will you punish those who persecute me?
[85] These arrogant people who hate your instructions have dug deep pits to trap me.
[86] All your commands are trustworthy. Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
[87] They almost finished me off, but I refused to abandon your commandments.
[88] In your unfailing love, spare my life; then I can continue to obey your laws. Lamedh
[89] Your eternal word, O Lord, stands firm in heaven.
[90] Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created.
[91] Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans.
[92] If your instructions hadn’t sustained me with joy, I would have died in my misery.
[93] I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.
[94] I am yours; rescue me! For I have worked hard at obeying your commandments.
[95] Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your laws.
[96] Even perfection has its limits, but your commands have no limit. Mem
[97] Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long.
[98] Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide.
[99] Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws.
[100] I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.
[101] I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word.
[102] I haven’t turned away from your regulations, for you have taught me well.
[103] How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.
[104] Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Nun
[105] Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
[106] I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.
[107] I have suffered much, O Lord; restore my life again as you promised.
[108] Lord, accept my offering of praise, and teach me your regulations.
[109] My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your instructions.
[110] The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments.
[111] Your laws are my treasure; they are my heart’s delight.
[112] I am determined to keep your decrees to the very end. Samekh
[113] I hate those with divided loyalties, but I love your instructions.
[114] You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope.
[115] Get out of my life, you evil-minded people, for I intend to obey the commands of my God.
[116] Lord, sustain me as you promised, that I may live! Do not let my hope be crushed.
[117] Sustain me, and I will be rescued; then I will meditate continually on your decrees.
[118] But you have rejected all who stray from your decrees. They are only fooling themselves.
[119] You skim off the wicked of the earth like scum; no wonder I love to obey your laws!
[120] I tremble in fear of you; I stand in awe of your regulations. Ayin
[121] Don’t leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is just and right.
[122] Please guarantee a blessing for me. Don’t let the arrogant oppress me!
[123] My eyes strain to see your rescue, to see the truth of your promise fulfilled.
[124] I am your servant; deal with me in unfailing love, and teach me your decrees.
[125] Give discernment to me, your servant; then I will understand your laws.
[126] Lord, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have violated your instructions.
[127] Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold.
[128] Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way. Pe
[129] Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them!
[130] The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.
[131] I pant with expectation, longing for your commands.
[132] Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name.
[133] Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.
[134] Ransom me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments.
[135] Look upon me with love; teach me your decrees.
[136] Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions. Tsadhe
[137] O Lord, you are righteous, and your regulations are fair.
[138] Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy.
[139] I am overwhelmed with indignation, for my enemies have disregarded your words.
[140] Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much.
[141] I am insignificant and despised, but I don’t forget your commandments.
[142] Your justice is eternal, and your instructions are perfectly true.
[143] As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.
[144] Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live. Qoph
[145] I pray with all my heart; answer me, Lord! I will obey your decrees.
[146] I cry out to you; rescue me, that I may obey your laws.
[147] I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.
[148] I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise.
[149] In your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations.
[150] Lawless people are coming to attack me; they live far from your instructions.
[151] But you are near, O Lord, and all your commands are true.
[152] I have known from my earliest days that your laws will last forever. Resh
[153] Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions.
[154] Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised.
[155] The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees.
[156] Lord, how great is your mercy; let me be revived by following your regulations.
[157] Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from your laws.
[158] Seeing these traitors makes me sick at heart, because they care nothing for your word.
[159] See how I love your commandments, Lord. Give back my life because of your unfailing love.
[160] The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever. Shin
[161] Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at your word.
[162] I rejoice in your word like one who discovers a great treasure.
[163] I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love your instructions.
[164] I will praise you seven times a day because all your regulations are just.
[165] Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.
[166] I long for your rescue, Lord, so I have obeyed your commands.
[167] I have obeyed your laws, for I love them very much.
[168] Yes, I obey your commandments and laws because you know everything I do. Taw
[169] O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind you promised.
[170] Listen to my prayer; rescue me as you promised.
[171] Let praise flow from my lips, for you have taught me your decrees.
[172] Let my tongue sing about your word, for all your commands are right.
[173] Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow your commandments.
[174] O Lord, I have longed for your rescue, and your instructions are my delight.
[175] Let me live so I can praise you, and may your regulations help me.
[176] I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands.