Psalm 118-126

English Standard Version

118 ^(A)Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
    for his steadfast love endures forever!

119 ^[c] Blessed are those whose ^(AK)way is blameless,
    who ^(AL)walk in the law of the Lord!
² Blessed are those who ^(AM)keep his ^(AN)testimonies,
    who ^(AO)seek him with their whole heart,
³ who also ^(AP)do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways!
⁴ You have commanded your ^(AQ)precepts
    to be kept diligently.
⁵ Oh that my ways may ^(AR)be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
^6 (AS)Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn ^(AT)your righteous rules.^[d]
8 I will keep your statutes;
    ^(AU)do not utterly forsake me!

⁹ How can ^(AV)a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
^10 (AW)With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not ^(AX)wander from your commandments!
¹¹ I have ^(AY)stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
¹² Blessed are you, O Lord;
    ^(AZ)teach me your statutes!
¹³ With my lips I ^(BA)declare
    all the rules^[e] of your mouth.
¹⁴ In the way of your testimonies I ^(BB)delight
    as much as in all ^(BC)riches.
¹⁵ I will ^(BD)meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your ^(BE)ways.
¹⁶ I will ^(BF)delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

^17 (BG)Deal bountifully with your servant,
    ^(BH)that I may live and keep your word.
¹⁸ Open my eyes, that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
¹⁹ I am ^(BI)a sojourner on the earth;
    ^(BJ)hide not your commandments from me!
²⁰ My soul is consumed with ^(BK)longing
    for your rules^[f] at all times.
²¹ You rebuke ^(BL)the insolent, ^(BM)accursed ones,
    who ^(BN)wander from your commandments.
²² Take away from me ^(BO)scorn and contempt,
    ^(BP)for I have kept your testimonies.
²³ Even though ^(BQ)princes sit plotting against me,
    your servant will ^(BR)meditate on your statutes.
²⁴ Your testimonies are my ^(BS)delight;
    they are my ^(BT)counselors.

^25 (BU)My soul clings to the dust;
    ^(BV)give me life ^(BW)according to your word!
²⁶ When ^(BX)I told of my ways, you answered me;
    ^(BY)teach me your statutes!
^27 (BZ)Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will ^(CA)meditate on your wondrous works.
^28 (CB)My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word!
²⁹ Put false ways far from me
    and graciously ^(CC)teach me your law!
³⁰ I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I ^(CD)set your rules before me.
³¹ I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
    ^(CE)let me not be put to shame!
³² I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you ^(CF)enlarge my heart!^[g]

^33 (CG)Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it ^(CH)to the end.^[h]
34 (CI)Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
^35 (CJ)Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I ^(CK)delight in it.
^36 (CL)Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to ^(CM)selfish gain!
^37 (CN)Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and ^(CO)give me life in your ways.
^38 (CP)Confirm to your servant your promise,
    ^(CQ)that you may be feared.
³⁹ Turn away the ^(CR)reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
⁴⁰ Behold, I ^(CS)long for your precepts;
    ^(CT)in your righteousness give me life!

⁴¹ Let your ^(CU)steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation ^(CV)according to your promise;
⁴² then ^(CW)shall I have an answer for him ^(CX)who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
⁴³ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my ^(CY)hope is in your rules.
⁴⁴ I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever,
⁴⁵ and I shall walk ^(CZ)in a wide place,
    for I have ^(DA)sought your precepts.
⁴⁶ I will also speak of your testimonies ^(DB)before kings
    and shall not be put to shame,
⁴⁷ for I ^(DC)find my delight in your commandments,
    which I love.
⁴⁸ I will ^(DD)lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
    and I will ^(DE)meditate on your statutes.

⁴⁹ Remember ^(DF)your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me ^(DG)hope.
⁵⁰ This is ^(DH)my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise ^(DI)gives me life.
^51 (DJ)The insolent utterly deride me,
    but I do not ^(DK)turn away from your law.
⁵² When I think of your rules from of old,
    I take comfort, O Lord.
^53 (DL)Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
    who forsake your law.
⁵⁴ Your statutes have been my songs
    in the house of my ^(DM)sojourning.
⁵⁵ I ^(DN)remember your name in the night, O Lord,
    and keep your law.
⁵⁶ This blessing has fallen to me,
    that ^(DO)I have kept your precepts.

^57 (DP)The Lord is my portion;
    I promise to keep your words.
⁵⁸ I ^(DQ)entreat your favor with all my heart;
    be gracious to me ^(DR)according to your promise.
⁵⁹ When I ^(DS)think on my ways,
    I turn my feet to your testimonies;
⁶⁰ I hasten and do not delay
    to keep your commandments.
⁶¹ Though ^(DT)the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
    I do not ^(DU)forget your law.
⁶² At ^(DV)midnight I rise to praise you,
    because of your ^(DW)righteous rules.
^63 (DX)I am a companion of all who fear you,
    of those who keep your precepts.
^64 (DY)The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
    ^(DZ)teach me your statutes!

⁶⁵ You have dealt well with your servant,
    O Lord, ^(EA)according to your word.
⁶⁶ Teach me ^(EB)good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
^67 (EC)Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.
^68 (ED)You are good and do good;
    ^(EE)teach me your statutes.
^69 (EF)The insolent ^(EG)smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I ^(EH)keep your precepts;
⁷⁰ their heart is unfeeling ^(EI)like fat,
    but I ^(EJ)delight in your law.
⁷¹ It is ^(EK)good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
^72 (EL)The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

^73 (EM)Your hands have made and fashioned me;
    ^(EN)give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
⁷⁴ Those who fear you shall see me and ^(EO)rejoice,
    because I have ^(EP)hoped in your word.
⁷⁵ I know, O Lord, that your rules are ^(EQ)righteous,
    and that in ^(ER)faithfulness you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶ Let your steadfast love comfort me
    according to your promise to your servant.
⁷⁷ Let your ^(ES)mercy come to me, that I may live;
    for your law is my ^(ET)delight.
⁷⁸ Let ^(EU)the insolent be put to ^(EV)shame,
    because they have ^(EW)wronged me with falsehood;
    as for me, I will ^(EX)meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹ Let those who fear you ^(EY)turn to me,
    that they may know your testimonies.
⁸⁰ May my heart be ^(EZ)blameless in your statutes,
    ^(FA)that I may not be put to shame!

⁸¹ My soul ^(FB)longs for your salvation;
    I ^(FC)hope in your word.
⁸² My ^(FD)eyes long for your promise;
    I ask, ^(FE)“When will you comfort me?”
⁸³ For I have ^(FF)become like a ^(FG)wineskin in the smoke,
    yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
^84 (FH)How long must your servant endure?^{[i]
    (FI)}When will you judge those who persecute me?
^85 (FJ)The insolent have ^(FK)dug pitfalls for me;
    they do not live according to your law.
⁸⁶ All your commandments are ^(FL)sure;
    they persecute me ^(FM)with falsehood; ^(FN)help me!
⁸⁷ They have almost made an end of me on earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
⁸⁸ In your steadfast love ^(FO)give me life,
    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

⁸⁹ Forever, O Lord, your ^(FP)word
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
⁹⁰ Your ^(FQ)faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have ^(FR)established the earth, and it ^(FS)stands fast.
⁹¹ By your ^(FT)appointment they stand this day,
    for all things are your servants.
⁹² If your law had not been my ^(FU)delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
⁹³ I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have ^(FV)given me life.
⁹⁴ I am yours; save me,
    ^(FW)for I have sought your precepts.
⁹⁵ The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
    but I consider your testimonies.
⁹⁶ I have seen a limit to all perfection,
    but your commandment is exceedingly ^(FX)broad.

⁹⁷ Oh how ^(FY)I love your law!
    It is my ^(FZ)meditation all the day.
⁹⁸ Your commandment makes me ^(GA)wiser than my enemies,
    for it is ever with me.
⁹⁹ I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for ^(GB)your testimonies are my meditation.
¹⁰⁰ I understand more than ^(GC)the aged,^[j]
    for I ^(GD)keep your precepts.
¹⁰¹ I ^(GE)hold back my feet from every evil way,
    in order to keep your word.
¹⁰² I do not turn aside from your rules,
    for you have taught me.
¹⁰³ How ^(GF)sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
¹⁰⁴ Through your precepts I get understanding;
    therefore ^(GG)I hate every false way.

^105 (GH)Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have ^(GI)sworn an oath and confirmed it,
    to keep your ^(GJ)righteous rules.
¹⁰⁷ I am severely ^(GK)afflicted;
    ^(GL)give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
¹⁰⁸ Accept ^(GM)my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
    and ^(GN)teach me your rules.
¹⁰⁹ I hold my life ^(GO)in my hand continually,
    but I do not ^(GP)forget your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid ^(GQ)a snare for me,
    but ^(GR)I do not stray from your precepts.
¹¹¹ Your testimonies are ^(GS)my heritage forever,
    for they are ^(GT)the joy of my heart.
¹¹² I ^(GU)incline my heart to perform your statutes
    forever, ^(GV)to the end.^[k]

¹¹³ I hate ^(GW)the double-minded,
    but I love ^(GX)your law.
¹¹⁴ You are my ^(GY)hiding place and my ^(GZ)shield;
    I ^(HA)hope in your word.
^115 (HB)Depart from me, you evildoers,
    that I may ^(HC)keep the commandments of my God.
¹¹⁶ Uphold me ^(HD)according to your promise, that I may live,
    and let me not be ^(HE)put to shame in my ^(HF)hope!
^117 (HG)Hold me up, that I may be safe
    and have regard for your statutes continually!
¹¹⁸ You ^(HH)spurn all who ^(HI)go astray from your statutes,
    for their cunning is in vain.
¹¹⁹ All the wicked of the earth you discard like ^(HJ)dross,
    therefore ^(HK)I love your testimonies.
¹²⁰ My flesh ^(HL)trembles for fear of you,
    and I am afraid of your judgments.

¹²¹ I have done what is just and right;
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
¹²² Give your servant ^(HM)a pledge of good;
    let not ^(HN)the insolent oppress me.
¹²³ My ^(HO)eyes long for your salvation
    and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
¹²⁴ Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
    and ^(HP)teach me your statutes.
¹²⁵ I am your ^(HQ)servant; ^(HR)give me understanding,
    that I may know your testimonies!
¹²⁶ It is time for the Lord to act,
    for your law has been broken.
¹²⁷ Therefore I ^(HS)love your commandments
    above gold, above fine gold.
¹²⁸ Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
    I hate every ^(HT)false way.

¹²⁹ Your testimonies are ^(HU)wonderful;
    therefore my soul ^(HV)keeps them.
¹³⁰ The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts ^(HW)understanding to the simple.
¹³¹ I ^(HX)open my mouth and ^(HY)pant,
    because I ^(HZ)long for your commandments.
^132 (IA)Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is your way with those who love your name.
^133 (IB)Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
    and let no iniquity ^(IC)get dominion over me.
^134 (ID)Redeem me from man's oppression,
    that I may keep your precepts.
^135 (IE)Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and ^(IF)teach me your statutes.
¹³⁶ My eyes ^(IG)shed streams of tears,
    because people ^(IH)do not keep your law.

^137 (II)Righteous are you, O Lord,
    and right are your rules.
¹³⁸ You have appointed your testimonies in ^(IJ)righteousness
    and in all ^(IK)faithfulness.
¹³⁹ My ^(IL)zeal consumes me,
    because my foes forget your words.
¹⁴⁰ Your promise is well ^(IM)tried,
    and your servant ^(IN)loves it.
¹⁴¹ I am small and despised,
    yet I do not ^(IO)forget your precepts.
¹⁴² Your righteousness is righteous forever,
    and your law is ^(IP)true.
¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have found me out,
    but your commandments are my ^(IQ)delight.
¹⁴⁴ Your testimonies are righteous forever;
    ^(IR)give me understanding that I may ^(IS)live.

¹⁴⁵ With my ^(IT)whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
    I will ^(IU)keep your statutes.
¹⁴⁶ I call to you; save me,
    that I may observe your testimonies.
¹⁴⁷ I rise before ^(IV)dawn and cry for help;
    I ^(IW)hope in your words.
¹⁴⁸ My eyes are awake before ^(IX)the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promise.
¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
    O Lord, ^(IY)according to your justice ^(IZ)give me life.
¹⁵⁰ They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
    they are far from your law.
¹⁵¹ But ^(JA)you are near, O Lord,
    and all your commandments are ^(JB)true.
¹⁵² Long have I known from your testimonies
    that you have ^(JC)founded them forever.

¹⁵³ Look on my ^(JD)affliction and deliver me,
    for ^(JE)I do not forget your law.
^154 (JF)Plead my cause and redeem me;
    ^(JG)give me life according to your promise!
^155 (JH)Salvation is far from the wicked,
    ^(JI)for they do not seek your statutes.
^156 (JJ)Great is your mercy, O Lord;
    ^(JK)give me life according to your rules.
^157 (JL)Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
    but I do not ^(JM)swerve from your testimonies.
¹⁵⁸ I look at ^(JN)the faithless with ^(JO)disgust,
    because they do not keep your commands.
¹⁵⁹ Consider how I ^(JP)love your precepts!
    ^(JQ)Give me life according to your steadfast love.
^160 (JR)The sum of your word is ^(JS)truth,
    and every one of your ^(JT)righteous rules endures forever.

^161 (JU)Princes persecute me ^(JV)without cause,
    but my heart ^(JW)stands in awe of your words.
¹⁶² I ^(JX)rejoice at your word
    like one who ^(JY)finds great spoil.
¹⁶³ I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love ^(JZ)your law.
¹⁶⁴ Seven times a day I praise you
    for your ^(KA)righteous rules.
¹⁶⁵ Great ^(KB)peace have those who love your law;
    ^(KC)nothing can make them stumble.
¹⁶⁶ I ^(KD)hope for your salvation, O Lord,
    and I do your commandments.
¹⁶⁷ My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I ^(KE)love them exceedingly.
¹⁶⁸ I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    ^(KF)for all my ways are before you.

¹⁶⁹ Let my ^(KG)cry come before you, O Lord;
    ^(KH)give me understanding ^(KI)according to your word!
¹⁷⁰ Let my plea come before you;
    ^(KJ)deliver me according to your word.
¹⁷¹ My lips will ^(KK)pour forth praise,
    for you ^(KL)teach me your statutes.
¹⁷² My tongue will sing of your word,
    for ^(KM)all your commandments are right.
¹⁷³ Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have ^(KN)chosen your precepts.
¹⁷⁴ I ^(KO)long for your salvation, O Lord,
    and your law is my ^(KP)delight.
¹⁷⁵ Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
¹⁷⁶ I have ^(KQ)gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not ^(KR)forget your commandments.

120 In my distress I called to the Lord,
    and he answered me.
² Deliver me, O Lord,
    from lying lips,
    from a deceitful tongue.

121 I ^(LC)lift up my eyes to ^(LD)the hills.
    From where does my help come?
^2 (LE)My help comes from the Lord,
    who ^(LF)made heaven and earth.

122 I was glad when they said to me,
    ^(LQ)“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”
² Our feet have been standing
    within your gates, O Jerusalem!

123 To you I ^(MC)lift up my eyes,
    O you who are ^(MD)enthroned in the heavens!
² Behold, as the eyes of servants
    look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a maidservant
    to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the Lord our God,
    till he has mercy upon us.

124 ^(MK)If it had not been the Lord who was on our side—
    ^(ML)let Israel now say—
² if it had not been the Lord who was on our side
    when people rose up against us,
³ then they would have ^(MM)swallowed us up alive,
    when their anger was kindled against us;
⁴ then ^(MN)the flood would have ^(MO)swept us away,
    the torrent would have gone ^(MP)over us;
⁵ then over us would have gone
    the raging waters.

125 Those who ^(MT)trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
    which ^(MU)cannot be moved, but abides forever.
² As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so ^(MV)the Lord surrounds his people,
    from this time forth and forevermore.
³ For ^(MW)the scepter of wickedness shall not ^(MX)rest
    on ^(MY)the land allotted to the righteous,
lest the righteous ^(MZ)stretch out
    their hands to do wrong.
^4 (NA)Do good, O Lord, to those who are good,
    and to those who are ^(NB)upright in their hearts!
⁵ But those who ^(NC)turn aside to their ^(ND)crooked ways
    the Lord will lead away with ^(NE)evildoers!
    ^(NF)Peace be upon Israel!

126 When the Lord ^(NH)restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who ^(NI)dream.
² Then our ^(NJ)mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    ^(NK)“The Lord has done great things for them.”
³ The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.