Mazmur 19:7-14
Konteks19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect
and preserves one’s life. 1
The rules set down by the Lord 2 are reliable 3
and impart wisdom to the inexperienced. 4
19:8 The Lord’s precepts are fair 5
and make one joyful. 6
The Lord’s commands 7 are pure 8
and give insight for life. 9
19:9 The commands to fear the Lord are right 10
and endure forever. 11
The judgments given by the Lord are trustworthy
and absolutely just. 12
19:10 They are of greater value 13 than gold,
than even a great amount of pure gold;
they bring greater delight 14 than honey,
than even the sweetest honey from a honeycomb.
19:11 Yes, your servant finds moral guidance there; 15
those who obey them receive a rich reward. 16
19:12 Who can know all his errors? 17
Please do not punish me for sins I am unaware of. 18
19:13 Moreover, keep me from committing flagrant 19 sins;
do not allow such sins to control me. 20
Then I will be blameless,
and innocent of blatant 21 rebellion.
19:14 May my words and my thoughts
be acceptable in your sight, 22
O Lord, my sheltering rock 23 and my redeemer. 24
Mazmur 119:1-176
Konteksא (Alef)
119:1 How blessed are those whose actions are blameless, 26
who obey 27 the law of the Lord.
119:2 How blessed are those who observe his rules,
and seek him with all their heart,
119:3 who, moreover, do no wrong,
but follow in his footsteps. 28
119:4 You demand that your precepts
be carefully kept. 29
119:5 If only I were predisposed 30
to keep your statutes!
119:6 Then I would not be ashamed,
if 31 I were focused on 32 all your commands.
119:7 I will give you sincere thanks, 33
when I learn your just regulations.
119:8 I will keep your statutes.
Do not completely abandon me! 34
ב (Bet)
119:9 How can a young person 35 maintain a pure life? 36
By guarding it according to your instructions! 37
119:10 With all my heart I seek you.
Do not allow me to stray from your commands!
119:11 In my heart I store up 38 your words, 39
so I might not sin against you.
119:12 You deserve praise, 40 O Lord!
Teach me your statutes!
119:13 With my lips I proclaim
all the regulations you have revealed. 41
119:14 I rejoice in the lifestyle prescribed by your rules 42
as if 43 they were riches of all kinds. 44
119:15 I will meditate on 45 your precepts
and focus 46 on your behavior. 47
119:16 I find delight 48 in your statutes;
I do not forget your instructions. 49
ג (Gimel)
119:17 Be kind to your servant!
Then I will live 50 and keep 51 your instructions. 52
119:18 Open 53 my eyes so I can truly see 54
the marvelous things in your law!
119:19 I am like a foreigner in this land. 55
Do not hide your commands from me!
119:20 I desperately long to know 56
your regulations at all times.
119:21 You reprimand arrogant people.
Those who stray from your commands are doomed. 57
119:22 Spare me 58 shame and humiliation,
for I observe your rules.
119:23 Though rulers plot and slander me, 59
your servant meditates on your statutes.
119:24 Yes, I find delight in your rules;
they give me guidance. 60
ד (Dalet)
119:25 I collapse in the dirt. 61
Revive me with your word! 62
119:26 I told you about my ways 63 and you answered me.
Teach me your statutes!
119:27 Help me to understand what your precepts mean! 64
Then I can meditate 65 on your marvelous teachings. 66
119:28 I collapse 67 from grief.
Sustain me by your word! 68
119:29 Remove me from the path of deceit! 69
Graciously give me 70 your law!
119:30 I choose the path of faithfulness;
I am committed to 71 your regulations.
119:31 I hold fast 72 to your rules.
O Lord, do not let me be ashamed!
119:32 I run along the path of your commands,
for you enable me to do so. 73
ה (He)
119:33 Teach me, O Lord, the lifestyle prescribed by your statutes, 74
so that I might observe it continually. 75
119:34 Give me understanding so that I might observe your law,
and keep it with all my heart. 76
119:35 Guide me 77 in the path of your commands,
for I delight to walk in it. 78
119:36 Give me a desire for your rules, 79
rather than for wealth gained unjustly. 80
119:37 Turn my eyes away from what is worthless! 81
Revive me with your word! 82
119:38 Confirm to your servant your promise, 83
which you made to the one who honors you. 84
119:39 Take away the insults that I dread! 85
Indeed, 86 your regulations are good.
119:40 Look, I long for your precepts.
Revive me with your deliverance! 87
ו (Vav)
119:41 May I experience your loyal love, 88 O Lord,
and your deliverance, 89 as you promised. 90
119:42 Then I will have a reply for the one who insults me, 91
for I trust in your word.
119:43 Do not completely deprive me of a truthful testimony, 92
for I await your justice.
119:44 Then I will keep 93 your law continually
now and for all time. 94
for I seek your precepts.
119:46 I will speak 96 about your regulations before kings
and not be ashamed.
119:47 I will find delight in your commands,
which I love.
119:48 I will lift my hands to 97 your commands,
which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
ז (Zayin)
119:49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
119:50 This 98 is what comforts me in my trouble,
for your promise revives me. 99
119:51 Arrogant people do nothing but scoff at me. 100
Yet I do not turn aside from your law.
119:52 I remember your ancient regulations, 101
O Lord, and console myself. 102
119:53 Rage takes hold of me because of the wicked,
those who reject your law.
119:54 Your statutes have been my songs 103
in the house where I live. 104
119:55 I remember your name during the night, O Lord,
and I will keep 105 your law.
119:56 This 106 has been my practice,
for I observe your precepts.
ח (Khet)
119:57 The Lord is my source of security. 107
I have determined 108 to follow your instructions. 109
119:58 I seek your favor 110 with all my heart.
Have mercy on me as you promised! 111
119:59 I consider my actions 112
and follow 113 your rules.
119:60 I keep your commands
eagerly and without delay. 114
119:61 The ropes of the wicked tighten around 115 me,
but I do not forget your law.
119:62 In the middle of the night I arise 116 to thank you
for your just regulations.
119:63 I am a friend to all your loyal followers, 117
and to those who keep your precepts.
119:64 O Lord, your loyal love fills the earth.
Teach me your statutes!
ט (Tet)
119:65 You are good 118 to your servant,
O Lord, just as you promised. 119
119:66 Teach me proper discernment 120 and understanding!
For I consider your commands to be reliable. 121
119:67 Before I was afflicted I used to stray off, 122
but now I keep your instructions. 123
119:68 You are good and you do good.
Teach me your statutes!
119:69 Arrogant people smear my reputation with lies, 124
but I observe your precepts with all my heart.
119:70 Their hearts are calloused, 125
but I find delight in your law.
119:71 It was good for me to suffer,
so that I might learn your statutes.
119:72 The law you have revealed is more important to me
than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. 126
י (Yod)
119:73 Your hands made me and formed me. 127
Give me understanding so that I might learn 128 your commands.
119:74 Your loyal followers will be glad when they see me, 129
for I find hope in your word.
119:75 I know, Lord, that your regulations 130 are just.
You disciplined me because of your faithful devotion to me. 131
119:76 May your loyal love console me,
as you promised your servant. 132
119:77 May I experience your compassion, 133 so I might live!
For I find delight in your law.
119:78 May the arrogant be humiliated, for they have slandered me! 134
But I meditate on your precepts.
119:79 May your loyal followers 135 turn to me,
those who know your rules.
119:80 May I be fully committed to your statutes, 136
so that I might not be ashamed.
כ (Kaf)
119:81 I desperately long for 137 your deliverance.
I find hope in your word.
119:82 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your promise to be fulfilled. 138
I say, 139 “When will you comfort me?”
119:83 For 140 I am like a wineskin 141 dried up in smoke. 142
I do not forget your statutes.
119:84 How long must your servant endure this? 143
When will you judge those who pursue me?
119:85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me, 144
which violates your law. 145
119:86 All your commands are reliable.
I am pursued without reason. 146 Help me!
119:87 They have almost destroyed me here on the earth,
but I do not reject your precepts.
119:88 Revive me with 147 your loyal love,
that I might keep 148 the rules you have revealed. 149
ל (Lamed)
119:89 O Lord, your instructions endure;
they stand secure in heaven. 150
119:90 You demonstrate your faithfulness to all generations. 151
You established the earth and it stood firm.
119:91 Today they stand firm by your decrees,
for all things are your servants.
119:92 If I had not found encouragement in your law, 152
I would have died in my sorrow. 153
119:93 I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have revived me.
119:94 I belong to you. Deliver me!
For I seek your precepts.
119:95 The wicked prepare to kill me, 154
yet I concentrate on your rules.
119:96 I realize that everything has its limits,
but your commands are beyond full comprehension. 155
מ (Mem)
119:97 O how I love your law!
All day long I meditate on it.
119:98 Your commandments 156 make me wiser than my enemies,
for I am always aware of them.
119:99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your rules.
119:100 I am more discerning than those older than I,
for I observe your precepts.
119:101 I stay away 157 from the evil path,
so that I might keep your instructions. 158
119:102 I do not turn aside from your regulations,
for you teach me.
119:103 Your words are sweeter
in my mouth than honey! 159
119:104 Your precepts give me discernment.
Therefore I hate all deceitful actions. 160
נ (Nun)
119:105 Your word 161 is a lamp to walk by,
and a light to illumine my path. 162
119:106 I have vowed and solemnly sworn
to keep your just regulations.
119:107 I am suffering terribly.
O Lord, revive me with your word! 163
119:108 O Lord, please accept the freewill offerings of my praise! 164
Teach me your regulations!
119:109 My life is in continual danger, 165
but I do not forget your law.
119:110 The wicked lay a trap for me,
but I do not wander from your precepts.
119:111 I claim your rules as my permanent possession,
for they give me joy. 166
119:112 I am determined to obey 167 your statutes
at all times, to the very end.
ס (Samek)
119:113 I hate people with divided loyalties, 168
but I love your law.
119:114 You are my hiding place and my shield.
I find hope in your word.
119:115 Turn away from me, you evil men,
so that I can observe 169 the commands of my God. 170
119:116 Sustain me as you promised, 171 so that I will live. 172
Do not disappoint me! 173
119:117 Support me, so that I will be delivered.
Then I will focus 174 on your statutes continually.
119:118 You despise 175 all who stray from your statutes,
for they are deceptive and unreliable. 176
119:119 You remove all the wicked of the earth like slag. 177
Therefore I love your rules. 178
119:120 My body 179 trembles 180 because I fear you; 181
I am afraid of your judgments.
ע (Ayin)
119:121 I do what is fair and right. 182
Do not abandon me to my oppressors!
119:122 Guarantee the welfare of your servant! 183
Do not let the arrogant oppress me!
119:123 My eyes grow tired as I wait for your deliverance, 184
for your reliable promise to be fulfilled. 185
119:124 Show your servant your loyal love! 186
Teach me your statutes!
119:125 I am your servant. Give me insight,
so that I can understand 187 your rules.
119:126 It is time for the Lord to act –
they break your law!
119:127 For this reason 188 I love your commands
more than gold, even purest gold.
119:128 For this reason I carefully follow all your precepts. 189
I hate all deceitful actions. 190
פ (Pe)
119:129 Your rules are marvelous.
Therefore I observe them.
119:130 Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines. 191
They give 192 insight to the untrained. 193
119:131 I open my mouth and pant,
because I long 194 for your commands.
119:132 Turn toward me and extend mercy to me,
as you typically do to your loyal followers. 195
119:133 Direct my steps by your word! 196
Do not let any sin dominate me!
119:134 Deliver me 197 from oppressive men,
so that I can keep 198 your precepts.
119:135 Smile 199 on your servant!
Teach me your statutes!
119:136 Tears stream down from my eyes, 200
because people 201 do not keep your law.
צ (Tsade)
119:137 You are just, O Lord,
and your judgments are fair.
119:138 The rules you impose are just, 202
and absolutely reliable.
119:139 My zeal 203 consumes 204 me,
for my enemies forget your instructions. 205
119:140 Your word is absolutely pure,
and your servant loves it!
119:141 I am insignificant and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
119:142 Your justice endures, 206
and your law is reliable. 207
119:143 Distress and hardship confront 208 me,
yet I find delight in your commands.
119:144 Your rules remain just. 209
Give me insight so that I can live. 210
ק (Qof)
119:145 I cried out with all my heart, “Answer me, O Lord!
I will observe your statutes.”
119:146 I cried out to you, “Deliver me,
so that I can keep 211 your rules.”
119:147 I am up before dawn crying for help.
I find hope in your word.
119:148 My eyes anticipate the nighttime hours,
so that I can meditate on your word.
119:149 Listen to me 212 because of 213 your loyal love!
O Lord, revive me, as you typically do! 214
119:150 Those who are eager to do 215 wrong draw near;
they are far from your law.
119:151 You are near, O Lord,
and all your commands are reliable. 216
119:152 I learned long ago that
you ordained your rules to last. 217
ר (Resh)
119:153 See my pain and rescue me!
For I do not forget your law.
119:154 Fight for me 218 and defend me! 219
Revive me with your word!
119:155 The wicked have no chance for deliverance, 220
for they do not seek your statutes.
119:156 Your compassion is great, O Lord.
Revive me, as you typically do! 221
119:157 The enemies who chase me are numerous. 222
Yet I do not turn aside from your rules.
119:158 I take note of the treacherous and despise them,
because they do not keep your instructions. 223
119:159 See how I love your precepts!
O Lord, revive me with your loyal love!
119:160 Your instructions are totally reliable;
all your just regulations endure. 224
שׂ/שׁ (Sin/Shin)
119:161 Rulers pursue me for no reason,
yet I am more afraid of disobeying your instructions. 225
119:162 I rejoice in your instructions,
like one who finds much plunder. 226
119:163 I hate and despise deceit;
I love your law.
119:164 Seven 227 times a day I praise you
because of your just regulations.
119:165 Those who love your law are completely secure; 228
nothing causes them to stumble. 229
119:166 I hope for your deliverance, O Lord,
and I obey 230 your commands.
119:167 I keep your rules;
I love them greatly.
119:168 I keep your precepts and rules,
for you are aware of everything I do. 231
ת (Tav)
119:169 Listen to my cry for help, 232 O Lord!
Give me insight by your word!
119:170 Listen to my appeal for mercy! 233
Deliver me, as you promised. 234
119:171 May praise flow freely from my lips,
for you teach me your statutes.
119:172 May my tongue sing about your instructions, 235
for all your commands are just.
119:173 May your hand help me,
for I choose to obey 236 your precepts.
119:174 I long for your deliverance, O Lord;
I find delight in your law.
119:175 May I 237 live and praise you!
May your regulations help me! 238
119:176 I have wandered off like a lost sheep. 239
Come looking for your servant,
for I do not forget your commands.
[19:7] 1 tn Heb “[it] restores life.” Elsewhere the Hiphil of שׁוּב (shuv, “return”) when used with נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh, “life”) as object, means to “rescue or preserve one’s life” (Job 33:30; Ps 35:17) or to “revive one’s strength” (emotionally or physically; cf. Ruth 4:15; Lam 1:11, 16, 19). Here the point seems to be that the law preserves the life of the one who studies it by making known God’s will. Those who know God’s will know how to please him and can avoid offending him. See v. 11a.
[19:7] 2 tn Traditionally, “the testimony of the
[19:7] 3 tn God’s covenant contains a clear, reliable witness to his moral character and demands.
[19:7] 4 tn Or “the [morally] naive,” that is, the one who is young and still in the process of learning right from wrong and distinguishing wisdom from folly.
[19:8] 5 tn Or “just.” Perhaps the idea is that they impart a knowledge of what is just and right.
[19:8] 6 tn Heb “[they] make happy [the] heart.” Perhaps the point is that they bring a sense of joyful satisfaction to the one who knows and keeps them, for those who obey God’s law are richly rewarded. See v. 11b.
[19:8] 7 tn Heb “command.” The singular here refers to the law as a whole.
[19:8] 8 tn Because they reflect God’s character, his commands provide a code of moral and ethical purity.
[19:8] 9 tn Heb [they] enlighten [the] eyes.
[19:9] 10 tn Heb “the fear of the
[19:9] 11 tn Heb “[it] stands permanently.”
[19:9] 12 sn Trustworthy and absolutely just. The Lord’s commands accurately reflect God’s moral will for his people and are an expression of his just character.
[19:10] 13 tn Heb “more desirable.”
[19:10] 14 tn Heb “are sweeter.” God’s law is “sweet’ in the sense that, when obeyed, it brings a great reward (see v. 11b).
[19:11] 15 tn Heb “moreover your servant is warned by them.”
[19:11] 16 tn Heb “in the keeping of them [there is] a great reward.”
[19:12] 17 tn Heb “Errors who can discern?” This rhetorical question makes the point that perfect moral discernment is impossible to achieve. Consequently it is inevitable that even those with good intentions will sin on occasion.
[19:12] 18 tn Heb “declare me innocent from hidden [things],” i.e., sins. In this context (see the preceding line) “hidden” sins are not sins committed in secret, but sins which are not recognized as such by the psalmist.
[19:13] 19 tn Or “presumptuous.”
[19:13] 20 tn Heb “let them not rule over me.”
[19:14] 22 tn Heb “may the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart be acceptable before you.” The prefixed verbal form at the beginning of the verse is understood as a jussive of prayer. Another option is to translate the form as an imperfect continuing the thought of v. 14b: “[Then] the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart will be acceptable before you.”
[19:14] 23 tn Heb “my rocky cliff,” which is a metaphor for protection; thus the translation “sheltering rock.”
[19:14] 24 tn Heb “and the one who redeems me.” The metaphor casts the Lord in the role of a leader who protects members of his extended family in times of need and crisis.
[119:1] 25 sn Psalm 119. The psalmist celebrates God’s law and the guidance it provides his people. He expresses his desire to know God’s law thoroughly so that he might experience the blessings that come to those who obey it. This lengthy psalm exhibits an elaborate acrostic pattern. The psalm is divided into twenty-two sections (corresponding to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet), each of which is comprised of eight verses. Each of the verses in the first section (vv. 1-8) begins with the letter alef (א), the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This pattern continues throughout the psalm as each new section highlights a successive letter of the alphabet. Each verse in section two (vv. 9-16) begins with the second letter of the alphabet, each verse in section three (vv. 17-24) with the third letter, etc. This rigid pattern creates a sense of order and completeness and may have facilitated memorization.
[119:1] 26 tn Heb “[Oh] the happiness of those who are blameless of way.”
[119:3] 28 tn Heb “walk in his ways.”
[119:4] 29 tn Heb “you, you commanded your precepts, to keep, very much.”
[119:5] 30 tn Heb “if only my ways were established.”
[119:6] 32 tn Heb “I gaze at.”
[119:7] 33 tn Heb “I will give you thanks with an upright heart.”
[119:8] 34 tn Heb “do not abandon me to excess.” For other uses of the phrase עַד מְאֹד (’ad mÿ’od, “to excess”), see Ps 38:6, 8.
[119:9] 35 tn Heb “young man.” Hebrew wisdom literature often assumes and reflects the male-oriented perspective of ancient Israelite society. The principle of the psalm is certainly applicable to all people, regardless of their gender or age. To facilitate modern application, the gender specific “young man” has been translated with the more neutral “young person.”
[119:9] 36 tn Heb “purify his path.”
[119:9] 37 tn Heb “by keeping according to your word.” Many medieval Hebrew
[119:11] 39 tn Heb “your word.” Some medieval Hebrew
[119:12] 40 tn Heb “[are] blessed.”
[119:13] 41 tn Heb “of your mouth.”
[119:14] 42 tn Heb “in the way of your rules.”
[119:14] 43 tn Heb “as upon,” meaning “as if” (see 2 Chr 32:19).
[119:14] 44 tn Heb “all wealth.” The phrase refers to all kinds of wealth and riches. See Prov 1:13; 6:31; 24:4; Ezek 27:12, 18.
[119:15] 45 tn The cohortative verbal forms in this verse express the psalmist’s resolve.
[119:15] 46 tn Heb “gaze [at].”
[119:15] 47 tn Heb “ways” (referring figuratively to God’s behavior here).
[119:16] 48 tn The imperfects in this verse emphasize the attitude the psalmist maintains toward God’s law. Another option is to translate with the future tense, “I will find delight…I will not forget.”
[119:16] 49 tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew
[119:17] 50 tn The prefixed verbal form is probably a cohortative indicating purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
[119:17] 51 tn The cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the imperative that begins the verse.
[119:17] 52 tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew
[119:18] 53 tn Heb “uncover.” The verb form גַּל (gal) is an apocopated Piel imperative from גָּלָה (galah, see GKC 214 §75.cc).
[119:18] 54 tn The cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
[119:19] 55 tn Heb “I am a resident alien in the land.” Resident aliens were especially vulnerable and in need of help. They needed to know the social and legal customs of the land to avoid getting into trouble. The translation (note the addition of “like”) assumes the psalmist is speaking metaphorically, not literally.
[119:20] 56 tn Heb “my soul languishes for longing for.”
[119:21] 57 tn Heb “accursed.” The traditional punctuation of the Hebrew text takes “accursed” with the previous line (“arrogant, accursed ones”), but it is preferable to take it with the second line as the predicate of the statement.
[119:22] 58 tn Heb “roll away from upon me.” Some derive the imperatival form גַּל (gal) from גָּלָה (galah, “uncover,” as in v. 18), but here the form is from גָּלַל (galal, “roll”; see Josh 5:9, where חֶרְפָּה [kherpah, “shame; reproach”] also appears as object of the verb). Some, following the lead of a Dead Sea scroll (11QPsa), emend the form to גֹּל (gol).
[119:23] 59 tn Heb “though rulers sit, about me they talk together.” (For another example of the Niphal of דָּבַר (davar) used with a suffixed form of the preposition ב, see Ezek 33:30.)
[119:24] 60 tn Heb “men of my counsel.” That is, God’s rules are like advisers to the psalmist, for they teach him how to live in a godly manner that refutes the accusations of his enemies.
[119:25] 61 tn Heb “my soul clings to the dirt.” The Hebrew term נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh, “being; soul”) with a pronominal suffix is often equivalent to a pronoun, especially in poetry (see BDB 660 s.v. נֶפֶשׁ 4.a).
[119:25] 62 tn Heb “according to your word.” Many medieval Hebrew
[119:26] 63 tn Heb “my ways I proclaimed.”
[119:27] 64 tn Heb “the way of your precepts make me understand.”
[119:27] 65 tn The cohortative with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
[119:27] 66 tn Heb “your amazing things,” which refers here to the teachings of the law (see v. 18).
[119:28] 67 tn Some translate “my soul weeps,” taking the verb דָלַף (dalaf) from a root meaning “to drip; to drop” (BDB 196 s.v. דֶּלַף). On the basis of cognate evidence from Arabic and Akkadian, HALOT 223 s.v. II דלף proposes a homonymic root here, meaning “be sleepless.” Following L. C. Allen (Psalms 101-150 [WBC], 127, 135) the translation assumes that the verb is cognate with Ugaritic dlp, “to collapse; to crumple” in CTA 2 iv. 17, 26. See G. R. Driver, Canaanite Myths and Legends, 44, 144.
[119:28] 68 tn Heb “according to your word.” Many medieval Hebrew
[119:29] 69 tn The “path of deceit” refers to a lifestyle characterized by deceit and disloyalty to God. It stands in contrast to the “way of faithfulness” in v. 30.
[119:29] 70 tn Heb “be gracious to me.” The verb is used metonymically here for “graciously giving” the law. (See Gen 33:5, where Jacob uses this verb in describing how God had graciously given him children.)
[119:30] 71 tn BDB 1000-1001 s.v. I שָׁוָה derives the verb from the first homonym listed, meaning “to agree with; to be like; to resemble.” It here means (in the Piel stem) “to be accounted suitable,” which in turn would mean by metonymy “to accept; to be committed to.” Some prefer to derive the verb from a homonym meaning “to place; to set,” but in this case an elliptical prepositional phrase must be understood, “I place your regulations [before me]” (see Ps 16:8).
[119:32] 73 tn Heb “for you make wide my heart.” The “heart” is viewed here as the seat of the psalmist’s volition and understanding. The
[119:33] 74 tn Heb “the way of your statutes.”
[119:33] 75 tn Heb “and I will keep it to the end.” The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative. The Hebrew term עֵקֶב (’eqev) is understood to mean “end” here. Another option is to take עֵקֶב (’eqev) as meaning “reward” here (see Ps 19:11) and to translate, “so that I might observe it and be rewarded.”
[119:34] 76 tn The two prefixed verbal forms with vav (ו) conjunctive indicate purpose/result after the introductory imperative.
[119:35] 77 tn Or “make me walk.”
[119:35] 78 tn Heb “for in it I delight.”
[119:36] 79 tn Heb “turn my heart to your rules.”
[119:36] 80 tn Heb “and not unjust gain.”
[119:37] 81 tn Heb “Make my eyes pass by from looking at what is worthless.”
[119:37] 82 tn Heb “by your word.”
[119:38] 84 tn Heb “which [is] for your fear,” that is, the promise made to those who exhibit fear of God.
[119:39] 85 tn Heb “my reproach that I fear.”
[119:40] 87 tn Or “righteousness.”
[119:41] 88 tn Heb “and may your loyal love come to me.”
[119:41] 89 tn Or “salvation” (so many English versions).
[119:41] 90 tn Heb “according to your word.”
[119:42] 91 tn Heb “and I will answer [the] one who insults me a word.” The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the jussive (see v. 41).
[119:43] 92 tn Heb “do not snatch from my mouth a word of truth to excess.” The psalmist wants to be able to give a reliable testimony about the
[119:44] 93 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the negated jussive (see v. 43).
[119:44] 94 tn Or “forever and ever.”
[119:45] 95 tn Heb “and I will walk about in a wide place.” The cohortative with prefixed vav (ו) conjunctive gives a further consequence of the anticipated positive divine response (see vv. 43-44). Another option is to take the cohortative as expressing the psalmist’s request. In this case one could translate, “and please give me security.”
[119:46] 96 tn The series of four cohortatives with prefixed vav (ו) conjunctive in vv. 46-48 list further consequences of the anticipated positive divine response to the request made in v. 43.
[119:48] 97 tn Lifting the hands is often associated with prayer (Pss 28:2; 63:4; Lam 2:19). (1) Because praying to God’s law borders on the extreme, some prefer to emend the text to “I lift up my hands to you,” eliminating “your commands, which I love” as dittographic. In this view these words were accidentally repeated from the previous verse. (2) However, it is possible that the psalmist closely associates the law with God himself because he views the law as the expression of the divine will. (3) Another option is that “lifting the hands” does not refer to prayer here, but to the psalmist’s desire to receive and appropriate the law. (4) Still others understand this to be an action praising God’s commands (so NCV; cf. TEV, CEV, NLT).
[119:50] 98 tn The demonstrative “this” refers back to the hope just mentioned or forward to the statement in the second line concerning the promise’s power to revive. See the note on the word “me” at the end of the verse for further discussion.
[119:50] 99 tn The hope generated by the promise (see v. 49b) brings comfort because (note “for” at the beginning of the line) the promise revives the psalmist’s spirits. Another option is to take כִּי (ki) at the beginning of the second line in the sense of “that,” in which case “this” refers to the promise’s power to revive.
[119:51] 100 tn Heb “scoff at me to excess.”
[119:52] 101 tn Heb “I remember your regulations from of old.” The prepositional phrase “from of old” apparently modifies “your regulations,” alluding to the fact that God revealed them to Israel in the distant past. Another option is to understand the prepositional phrase as modifying the verb, in which case one might translate, “I have long remembered your regulations.”
[119:52] 102 tn Or “find comfort.”
[119:54] 103 tn Heb “songs were your statutes to me.”
[119:54] 104 tn Heb “in the house of my dwelling place.” Some take the Hebrew noun מָגוֹר (magor) in the sense of “temporary abode,” and see this as a reference to the psalmist’s status as a resident alien (see v. 19). But the noun can refer to a dwelling place in general (see Ps 55:15).
[119:55] 105 tn The cohortative verbal form expresses the psalmist’s resolve to obey the law.
[119:56] 106 tn Heb “this has been to me.” The demonstrative “this” (1) refers back to the practices mentioned in vv. 54-55, or (2) looks forward to the statement in the second line, in which case the כִּי (ki) at the beginning of the second line should be translated “that.”
[119:57] 107 tn Heb “my portion [is] the
[119:57] 109 tn Heb “to keep your words” (see v. 9).
[119:58] 110 tn Heb “I appease your face.”
[119:58] 111 tn Heb “according to your word.”
[119:59] 112 tn Heb “my ways.”
[119:59] 113 tn Heb “and I turn my feet toward.”
[119:60] 114 tn Heb “I hurry and I do not delay to keep your commands.”
[119:61] 115 tn Heb “surround.”
[119:62] 116 tn The psalmist uses an imperfect verbal form to emphasize that this is his continuing practice.
[119:63] 117 tn Heb “to all who fear you.”
[119:65] 118 tn Heb “do good.”
[119:65] 119 tn Heb “according to your word.”
[119:66] 120 tn Heb “goodness of taste.” Here “taste” refers to moral and ethical discernment.
[119:66] 121 tn Heb “for I believe in your commands.”
[119:67] 122 tn Heb “before I suffered, I was straying off.”
[119:67] 123 tn Heb “your word.”
[119:69] 124 tn Heb “smear over me a lie.”
[119:70] 125 tn Heb “their heart is insensitive like fat.”
[119:72] 126 tn Heb “better to me [is] the law of your mouth than thousands of gold and silver.”
[119:73] 127 tn Heb “made me and established me.” The two verbs also appear together in Deut 32:6, where God, compared to a father, is said to have “made and established” Israel.
[119:73] 128 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
[119:74] 129 tn Heb “those who fear you will see me and rejoice.”
[119:75] 130 tn In this context (note the second line) the Hebrew term מִשְׁפָּטִים (mishpatim), which so often refers to the regulations of God’s law elsewhere in this psalm, may refer instead to his decisions or disciplinary judgment.
[119:75] 131 tn Heb “and [in] faithfulness you afflicted me.”
[119:76] 132 tn Heb “according to your word to your servant.”
[119:77] 133 tn Heb “and may your compassion come to me.”
[119:78] 134 tn Heb “for [with] falsehood they have denied me justice.”
[119:79] 135 tn Heb “those who fear you.”
[119:80] 136 tn Heb “may my heart be complete in your statutes.”
[119:81] 137 tn Heb “my soul pines for.” See Ps 84:2.
[119:82] 138 tn Heb “my eyes fail for your word.” The psalmist has intently kept his eyes open, looking for God to intervene, but now his eyes are watery and bloodshot, impairing his vision. See Ps 69:3.
[119:83] 140 tn Or “even though.”
[119:83] 141 tn The Hebrew word נֹאד (no’d, “leather container”) refers to a container made from animal skin which is used to hold wine or milk (see Josh 9:4, 13; Judg 4:19; 1 Sam 16:20).
[119:83] 142 tn Heb “in the smoke.”
[119:84] 143 tn Heb “How long are the days of your servant?”
[119:85] 145 tn Heb “which [is] not according to your law.”
[119:86] 146 sn God’s commands are a reliable guide to right and wrong. By keeping them the psalmist is doing what is right, yet he is still persecuted.
[119:88] 147 tn Heb “according to.”
[119:88] 148 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
[119:88] 149 tn Heb “of your mouth.”
[119:89] 150 tn Heb “Forever, O
[119:90] 151 tn Heb “to a generation and a generation [is] your faithfulness.”
[119:92] 152 tn Heb “if your law had not been my delight.”
[119:92] 153 tn Or “my suffering.”
[119:95] 154 tn Heb “the wicked wait for me to kill me.”
[119:96] 155 tn Heb “to every perfection I have seen an end, your command is very wide.” God’s law is beyond full comprehension, which is why the psalmist continually studies it (vv. 95, 97).
[119:98] 156 tn The plural form needs to be revocalized as a singular in order to agree with the preceding singular verb and the singular pronoun in the next line. The
[119:101] 157 tn Heb “I hold back my feet.”
[119:101] 158 tn Heb “your word.” Many medieval Hebrew
[119:103] 159 tn Heb “How smooth they are to my palate, your word, more than honey to my mouth.” A few medieval Hebrew
[119:104] 160 tn Heb “every false path.”
[119:105] 161 tn Many medieval Hebrew
[119:105] 162 tn Heb “[is] a lamp for my foot and a light for my path.”
[119:107] 163 tn Heb “according to your word.”
[119:108] 164 tn Heb “of my mouth.”
[119:109] 165 tn Heb “my life [is] in my hands continually.”
[119:111] 166 tn Heb “for the joy of my heart [are] they.”
[119:112] 167 tn Heb “I turn my heart to do.”
[119:113] 168 tn Heb “divided ones.” The word occurs only here; it appears to be derived from a verbal root, attested in Arabic, meaning “to split” (see HALOT 762 s.v. *סֵעֵף). Since the psalmist is emphasizing his unswerving allegiance to God and his law, the term probably refers to those who lack such loyalty. The translation is similar to that suggested by L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 131.
[119:115] 169 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
[119:115] 170 tn The psalmist has already declared that he observes God’s commands despite persecution, so here the idea must be “so that I might observe the commands of my God unhindered by threats.”
[119:116] 171 tn Heb “according to your word.”
[119:116] 172 tn The prefixed verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
[119:116] 173 tn Heb “do not make me ashamed of my hope.” After the Hebrew verb בּוֹשׁ (bosh, “to be ashamed”) the preposition מִן (min, “from”) often introduces the reason for shame.
[119:117] 174 tn Or “and that I might focus.” The two cohortatives with vav (ו) conjunctive indicate purpose/result after the imperative at the beginning of the verse.
[119:118] 175 tn The Hebrew verb סָלָה (salah, “to disdain”) occurs only here and in Lam 1:15. Cognate usage in Aramaic and Akkadian, as well as Lam 1:15, suggest it may have a concrete nuance of “to throw away.”
[119:118] 176 tn Heb “for their deceit [is] falsehood.”
[119:119] 177 sn Traditionally “dross” (so KJV, ASV, NIV). The metaphor comes from metallurgy; “slag” is the substance left over after the metallic ore has been refined.
[119:119] 178 sn As he explains in the next verse, the psalmist’s fear of judgment motivates him to obey God’s rules.
[119:120] 179 tn Heb “my flesh.”
[119:120] 180 tn The Hebrew verb סָמַר (samar, “to tremble”) occurs only here and in Job 4:15.
[119:120] 181 tn Heb “from fear of you.” The pronominal suffix on the noun is an objective genitive.
[119:121] 182 tn Heb “do justice and righteousness.”
[119:122] 183 tn Heb “be surety for your servant for good.”
[119:123] 184 tn Heb “my eyes fail for your deliverance.” The psalmist has intently kept his eyes open, looking for God to intervene, but now his eyes are watery and bloodshot, impairing his vision. See the similar phrase in v. 82.
[119:123] 185 tn Heb “and for the word of your faithfulness.”
[119:124] 186 tn Heb “do with your servant according to your loyal love.”
[119:125] 187 tn or “know.” The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
[119:127] 188 tn “For this reason” connects logically with the statement made in v. 126. Because the judgment the psalmist fears (see vv. 119-120) is imminent, he remains loyal to God’s law.
[119:128] 189 tn Heb “for this reason all the precepts of everything I regard as right.” The phrase “precepts of everything” is odd. It is preferable to take the kaf (כ) on כֹּל (kol, “everything) with the preceding form as a pronominal suffix, “your precepts,” and the lamed (ל) with the following verb as an emphatic particle. See L. C. Allen, Psalms 101-150 (WBC), 138.
[119:128] 190 tn Heb “every false path.”
[119:130] 191 tn Heb “the doorway of your words gives light.” God’s “words” refer here to the instructions in his law (see vv. 9, 57).
[119:130] 192 tn Heb “it [i.e., the doorway] gives.”
[119:130] 193 tn Or “the [morally] naive,” that is, the one who is young and still in the process of learning right from wrong and distinguishing wisdom from folly. See Pss 19:7; 116:6.
[119:131] 194 tn The verb occurs only here in the OT.
[119:132] 195 tn Heb “according to custom toward the lovers of your name.” The “lovers of” God’s “name” are the
[119:133] 196 tn God’s “word” refers here to his law (see v. 11).
[119:134] 197 tn Or “redeem me.”
[119:134] 198 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
[119:135] 199 tn Heb “cause your face to shine.”
[119:136] 200 tn Heb “[with] flowing streams my eyes go down.”
[119:136] 201 tn Heb “they”; even though somewhat generic, the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
[119:138] 202 tn Heb “you commanded [in] justice your rules.”
[119:139] 204 tn Heb “destroys,” in a hyperbolic sense.
[119:139] 205 tn Heb “your words.”
[119:142] 206 tn Heb “your justice [is] justice forever.”
[119:144] 209 tn Heb “just are your rules forever.”
[119:144] 210 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
[119:146] 211 tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.
[119:149] 212 tn Heb “my voice.”
[119:149] 213 tn Heb “according to.”
[119:149] 214 tn Heb “according to your custom.”
[119:150] 215 tn Heb “those who pursue.”
[119:152] 217 tn Heb “long ago I knew concerning your rules, that forever you established them.” See v. 89 for the same idea. The translation assumes that the preposition מִן (min) prefixed to “your rules” introduces the object of the verb יָדַע (yada’), as in 1 Sam 23:23. Another option is that the preposition indicates source, in which case one might translate, “Long ago I realized from your rules that forever you established them” (cf. NIV, NRSV).
[119:154] 218 tn Or “argue my case.”
[119:154] 219 tn Heb “and redeem me.” The verb “redeem” casts the
[119:155] 220 tn Heb “far from the wicked [is] deliverance.”
[119:156] 221 tn Heb “according to your customs.”
[119:157] 222 tn Heb “many [are] those who chase me and my enemies.”
[119:158] 223 tn Heb “your word.”
[119:160] 224 tn Heb “the head of your word is truth, and forever [is] all your just regulation.” The term “head” is used here of the “sum total” of God’s instructions.
[119:161] 225 tn Heb “and because of your instructions my heart trembles.” The psalmist’s healthy “fear” of the consequences of violating God’s instructions motivates him to obey them. See v. 120.
[119:162] 226 tn Heb “like one who finds great plunder.” See Judg 5:30. The image is that of a victorious warrior who finds a large amount of plunder on the field of battle.
[119:164] 227 tn The number “seven” is use rhetorically to suggest thoroughness.
[119:165] 228 tn Heb “great peace [is] to the lovers of your law.”
[119:165] 229 tn Heb “and there is no stumbling to them.”
[119:168] 231 tn Heb “for all my ways [are] before you.”
[119:169] 232 tn Heb “may my cry approach before you.”
[119:170] 233 tn Heb “may my appeal for mercy come before you.”
[119:170] 234 tn Heb “according to your speech.”
[119:172] 235 tn Heb “your word.”
[119:173] 236 tn The words “to obey” are not in the Hebrew text, but have been supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons and for clarity.
[119:175] 237 tn Heb “my life.”
[119:175] 238 tn God’s regulations will “help” the psalmist by giving him moral and ethical guidance.
[119:176] 239 tn Heb “I stray like a lost sheep.” It is possible that the point of the metaphor is vulnerability: The psalmist, who is threatened by his enemies, feels as vulnerable as a straying, lost sheep. This would not suggest, however, that he has wandered from God’s path (see the second half of the verse, as well as v. 110).
