ALEPH - Blessed are those who keep his law
1
Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the LORD’s law.
2
Blessed are those who keep his statutes, who seek him with their whole heart.
3
Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.
4
You have commanded your precepts, that we should fully obey them.
5
Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
6
Then I wouldn’t be disappointed, when I consider all of your commandments.
7
I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, when I learn your righteous judgments.
8
I will observe your statutes. Don’t utterly forsake me.
BETH - Holiness is the fruit of keeping the law of the Lord
9
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
10
With my whole heart I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments.
11
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
12
Blessed are you, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
13
With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
14
I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, as much as in all riches.
15
I will meditate on your precepts, and consider your ways.
16
I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
GIMEL - Eyes to see the wonders of the Lord
17
Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.
18
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law.
19
I am a stranger on the earth. Don’t hide your commandments from me.
20
My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
21
You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, who wander from your commandments.
22
Take reproach and contempt away from me, for I have kept your statutes.
23
Though princes sit and slander me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24
Indeed your statutes are my delight, and my counselors.
DALETH - prayer to understand the ways of the Lord
25
My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
26
I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
27
Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28
My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
29
Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!
30
I have chosen the way of truth. I have set your ordinances before me.
31
I cling to your statutes, LORD. Don’t let me be disappointed.
32
I run in the path of your commandments, for you have set my heart free.
HE - faithfulness based on the promises of God
33
Teach me, LORD, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.
34
Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
35
Direct me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in them.
36
Turn my heart toward your statutes, not toward selfish gain.
37
Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.
38
Fulfill your promise to your servant, that you may be feared.
39
Take away my disgrace that I dread, for your ordinances are good.
40
Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.
VAU - salvation through the word of the Lord
41
Let your loving kindness also come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your word.
42
So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in your word.
43
Don’t snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, for I put my hope in your ordinances.
44
So I will obey your law continually, forever and ever.
45
I will walk in liberty, for I have sought your precepts.
46
I will also speak of your statutes before kings, and will not be disappointed.
47
I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
48
I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.
ZAIN - The Word of the Lord is a source of hope and comfort
49
Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
50
This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
51
The arrogant mock me excessively, but I don’t swerve from your law.
52
I remember your ordinances of old, LORD, and have comforted myself.
53
Indignation has taken hold on me, because of the wicked who forsake your law.
54
Your statutes have been my songs in the house where I live.
55
I have remembered your name, LORD, in the night, and I obey your law.
56
This is my way, that I keep your precepts.
HETH - My inheritance is the keeping of your word
57
The LORD is my portion. I promised to obey your words.
58
I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.
59
I considered my ways, and turned my steps to your statutes.
60
I will hurry, and not delay, to obey your commandments.
61
The ropes of the wicked bind me, but I won’t forget your law.
62
At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, because of your righteous ordinances.
63
I am a friend of all those who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
64
The earth is full of your loving kindness, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
TETH - Learning the words of the Lord through suffering
65
You have treated your servant well, according to your word, LORD.
66
Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.
67
Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I observe your word.
68
You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.
69
The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
70
Their heart is as callous as the fat, but I delight in your law.
71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn your statutes.
72
The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
JOD - The law of the Lord is the foundation for the community of believers
73
Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.
74
Those who fear you will see me and be glad, because I have put my hope in your word.
75
LORD, I know that your judgments are righteous, that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76
Please let your loving kindness be for my comfort, according to your word to your servant.
77
Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.
78
Let the proud be disappointed, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.
79
Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
80
Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, that I may not be disappointed.
KAPH - Longing for peace and comfort
81
My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
82
My eyes fail for your word. I say, “When will you comfort me?”
83
For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don’t forget your statutes.
84
How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85
The proud have dug pits for me, contrary to your law.
86
All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
87
They had almost wiped me from the earth, but I didn’t forsake your precepts.
88
Preserve my life according to your loving kindness, so I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
LAMED - The immutability of the law of the Lord
89
LORD, your word is settled in heaven forever.
90
Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.
91
Your laws remain to this day, for all things serve you.
92
Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
93
I will never forget your precepts, for with them, you have revived me.
94
I am yours. Save me, for I have sought your precepts.
95
The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
96
I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commands are boundless.
MEM - Love for God's law
97
How I love your law! It is my meditation all day.
98
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for your commandments are always with me.
99
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
100
I understand more than the aged, because I have kept your precepts.
101
I have kept my feet from every evil way, that I might observe your word.
102
I have not turned away from your ordinances, for you have taught me.
103
How sweet are your promises to my taste, more than honey to my mouth!
104
Through your precepts, I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
NUN - The word of the Lord is a lamp unto my feet
105
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
106
I have sworn, and have confirmed it, that I will obey your righteous ordinances.
107
I am afflicted very much. Revive me, LORD, according to your word.
108
Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. LORD, teach me your ordinances.
109
My soul is continually in my hand, yet I won’t forget your law.
110
The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I haven’t gone astray from your precepts.
111
I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.
112
I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, even to the end.
SAMEKH - The word of the Lord is my protection and my shield
113
I hate double-minded men, but I love your law.
114
You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
115
Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116
Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.
117
Hold me up, and I will be safe, and will have respect for your statutes continually.
118
You reject all those who stray from your statutes, for their deceit is in vain.
119
You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
120
My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.
AIN - The psalmist kept the law of the Lord
121
I have done what is just and righteous. Don’t leave me to my oppressors.
122
Ensure your servant’s well-being. Don’t let the proud oppress me.
123
My eyes fail looking for your salvation, for your righteous word.
124
Deal with your servant according to your loving kindness. Teach me your statutes.
125
I am your servant. Give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies.
126
It is time to act, LORD, for they break your law.
127
Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than pure gold.
128
Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
PE - Prayer to keep the law of the Lord
129
Your testimonies are wonderful, therefore my soul keeps them.
130
The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
131
I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for your commandments.
132
Turn to me, and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
133
Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me.
134
Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I will observe your precepts.
135
Make your face shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
136
Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your law.
TZADE - The Lord and his law are righteous
137
You are righteous, LORD. Your judgments are upright.
138
You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
139
My zeal wears me out, because my enemies ignore your words.
140
Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
141
I am small and despised. I don’t forget your precepts.
142
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.
143
Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.
144
Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.
KOPH - Cry for salvation
145
I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, LORD! I will keep your statutes.
146
I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.
147
I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
148
My eyes stay open through the night watches, that I might meditate on your word.
149
Hear my voice according to your loving kindness. Revive me, LORD, according to your ordinances.
150
They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.
151
You are near, LORD. All your commandments are truth.
152
Of old I have known from your testimonies, that you have founded them forever.
RESH - Keeping the law of the Lord in times of trouble
153
Consider my affliction, and deliver me, for I don’t forget your law.
154
Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.
155
Salvation is far from the wicked, for they don’t seek your statutes.
156
Great are your tender mercies, LORD. Revive me according to your ordinances.
157
Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven’t swerved from your testimonies.
158
I look at the faithless with loathing, because they don’t observe your word.
159
Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, LORD, according to your loving kindness.
160
All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
SHIN - Prayer for deliverance from persecution
161
Princes have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162
I rejoice at your word, as one who finds great plunder.
163
I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.
164
Seven times a day, I praise you, because of your righteous ordinances.
165
Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.
166
I have hoped for your salvation, LORD. I have done your commandments.
167
My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
168
I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, for all my ways are before you.
TAU - Concluding prayer
169
Let my cry come before you, LORD. Give me understanding according to your word.
170
Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
171
Let my lips utter praise, for you teach me your statutes.
172
Let my tongue sing of your word, for all your commandments are righteousness.
173
Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
174
I have longed for your salvation, LORD. Your law is my delight.
175
Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
176
I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments.