Common English Bible CEB
The Message Bible MSG
1 Those whose way is blameless— who walk in the LORD's Instruction—are truly happy!
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You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
2 Those who guard God's laws are truly happy! They seek God with all their hearts.
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You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.
3 They don't even do anything wrong! They walk in God's ways.
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That's right - you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set.
4 God, you have ordered that your decrees should be kept most carefully.
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You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.
5 How I wish my ways were strong when it comes to keeping your statutes!
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Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set;
6 Then I wouldn't be ashamed when I examine all your commandments.
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Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel.
7 I will give thanks to you with a heart that does right as I learn your righteous rules.
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I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
8 I will keep your statutes. Please don't leave me all alone!
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I'm going to do what you tell me to do; don't ever walk off and leave me.
9 How can young people keep their paths pure? By guarding them according to what you've said.
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How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word.
10 I have sought you with all my heart. Don't let me stray from any of your commandments!
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I'm single-minded in pursuit of you; don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
11 I keep your word close, in my heart, so that I won't sin against you.
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I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
12 You, LORD, are to be blessed! Teach me your statutes.
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Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living.
13 I will declare out loud all the rules you have spoken.
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I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
14 I rejoice in the content of your laws as if I were rejoicing over great wealth.
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I delight far more in what you tell me about living than in gathering a pile of riches.
15 I will think about your precepts and examine all your paths.
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I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it.
16 I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget what you have said.
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I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it.
17 Be good to your servant so I can go on living and keeping your word.
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Be generous with me and I'll live a full life; not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
18 Open my eyes so I can examine the wonders of your Instruction!
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Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
19 I'm an immigrant in the land. Don't hide your commandments from me!
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I'm a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.
20 I'm worn out by longing every minute for your rules!
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My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous! - insatiable for your nourishing commands.
21 You rebuke the arrogant, accursed people who stray from your commandments.
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And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything you tell them - let them have it!
22 Take all their insults and contempt away from me because I've kept your laws!
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Don't let them mock and humiliate me; I've been careful to do just what you said.
23 Even if rulers gather and scheme against me, your servant will contemplate your statutes!
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While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.
24 Yes, your laws are my joy— they are my most trusted advisors!
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Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!
25 My life is stuck in the dirt. Now make me live again according to your promise!
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I'm feeling terrible - I couldn't feel worse! Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
26 I confessed my ways and you answered me. Now teach me your statutes!
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When I told my story, you responded; train me well in your deep wisdom.
27 Help me understand what your precepts are about so I can contemplate your wondrous works!
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Help me understand these things inside and out so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
28 My spirit sags because of grief. Now raise me up according to your promise!
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My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn; build me up again by your Word.
29 Remove all false ways from me; show mercy to me by means of your Instruction.
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Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation.
30 I've chosen the way of faithfulness; I'm set on your rules.
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I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
31 I'm holding tight to your laws, LORD. Please don't let me be put to shame.
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I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me; God, don't let me down!
32 I run the same path as your commandments because you give my heart insight.
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I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how.
33 LORD, teach me what your statutes are about, and I will guard every part of them.
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God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.
34 Help me understand so I can guard your Instruction and keep it with all my heart.
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Give me insight so I can do what you tell me - my whole life one long, obedient response.
35 Lead me on the trail of your commandments because that is what I want.
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Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway!
36 Turn my heart to your laws, not to greedy gain.
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Give me a bent for your words of wisdom, and not for piling up loot.
37 Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Make me live by your way.
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Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
38 Confirm your promise to your servant— the promise that is for all those who honor you.
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Affirm your promises to me - promises made to all who fear you.
39 Remove the insults that I dread because your rules are good.
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Deflect the harsh words of my critics - but what you say is always so good.
40 Look how I desire your precepts! Make me live by your righteousness.
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See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways!
41 LORD, let your faithful love come to me— let your salvation come to me according to your promise—
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Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised;
42 so I can have a response for those who mock me because I have trusted in your word!
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Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word.
43 Please don't take your true word out of my mouth, because I have waited for your rules.
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Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever - your commandments are what I depend on.
44 I will always keep your Instruction, always and forever!
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Oh, I'll guard with my life what you've revealed to me, guard it now, guard it ever;
45 I will walk around in wide-open spaces, because I have pursued your precepts.
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And I'll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom;
46 I will talk about your laws before rulers with no shame whatsoever.
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Then I'll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.
47 I will rejoice in your commandments because I love them.
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I cherish your commandments - oh, how I love them! -
48 I will lift up my hands to your commandments because I love them, and I will contemplate all your statutes.
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relishing every fragment of your counsel.
49 Remember your promise to your servant, for which you made me wait.
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Remember what you said to me, your servant - I hang on to these words for dear life!
50 My comfort during my suffering is this: your word gives me new life.
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These words hold me up in bad times; yes, your promises rejuvenate me.
51 The arrogant make fun of me to no end, but I haven't deviated from your Instruction.
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The insolent ridicule me without mercy, but I don't budge from your revelation.
52 When I remember your ancient rules, I'm comforted, LORD.
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I watch for your ancient landmark words, and know I'm on the right track.
53 But I'm seized with anger because of the wicked— because of those who abandon your Instruction.
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But when I see the wicked ignore your directions, I'm beside myself with anger.
54 Your statutes have been my songs of praise wherever I lived as an immigrant.
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I set your instructions to music and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way.
55 LORD, I remember your name at nighttime, and I keep your Instruction.
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I meditate on your name all night, God, treasuring your revelation, O God.
56 This has been my practice because I guard your precepts.
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Still, I walk through a rain of derision because I live by your Word and counsel.
57 The LORD is my possession. I promise to do what you have said.
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Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise to do everything you say.
58 I've sought your favor with all my heart; have mercy on me according to your word.
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I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile, be gracious to me just as you promised.
59 I've considered my ways and turned my feet back to your laws.
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When I took a long, careful look at your ways, I got my feet back on the trail you blazed.
60 I hurry to keep your commandments— I never put it off!
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I was up at once, didn't drag my feet, was quick to follow your orders.
61 Though the wicked have surrounded me with their ropes, I haven't forgotten your Instruction.
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The wicked hemmed me in - there was no way out - but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me.
62 I get up in the middle of the night to give thanks to you because of your righteous rules.
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I get up in the middle of the night to thank you; your decisions are so right, so true - I can't wait till morning!
63 I'm a friend to everyone who honors you and to all who keep your precepts.
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I'm a friend and companion of all who fear you, of those committed to living by your rules.
64 LORD, the world is full of your faithful love! Teach me your statutes!
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Your love, God, fills the earth! Train me to live by your counsel.
65 You have treated your servant well, LORD, according to your promise.
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Be good to your servant, God; be as good as your Word.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment because I've put my trust in your commandments.
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Train me in good common sense; I'm thoroughly committed to living your way.
67 Before I suffered, I took the wrong way, but now I do what you say.
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Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place, but now I'm in step with your Word.
68 You are good and you do good. Teach me your statutes!
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You are good, and the source of good; train me in your goodness.
69 The arrogant cover me with their lies, but I guard your precepts with all my heart.
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The godless spread lies about me, but I focus my attention on what you are saying;
70 Their hearts are unfeeling, like blubber, but I rejoice in your Instruction.
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They're bland as a bucket of lard, while I dance to the tune of your revelation.
71 My suffering was good for me, because through it I learned your statutes.
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My troubles turned out all for the best - they forced me to learn from your textbook.
72 The Instruction you've given to me is better than thousands of pieces of gold and silver!
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Truth from your mouth means more to me than striking it rich in a gold mine.
73 Your hands have made me and set me in place. Help me understand so I can learn your commandments.
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With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you.
74 Then those who honor you will see me and be glad because I have waited for your promise.
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When they see me waiting, expecting your Word, those who fear you will take heart and be glad.
75 LORD, I know that your rules are right and that you rightly made me suffer.
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I can see now, God, that your decisions are right; your testing has taught me what's true and right.
76 Please let your faithful love comfort me, according to what you've said to your servant.
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Oh, love me - and right now! - hold me tight! just the way you promised.
77 Let your compassion come to me so I can live again, because your Instruction is my joy!
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Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to.
78 But let the arrogant be ashamed because they oppressed me with lies— meanwhile, I will be contemplating your precepts!
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Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds; they tried to sell me a bill of goods, but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel.
79 Let the people who honor you come back to me; let those who know your precepts return to me.
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Let those who fear you turn to me for evidence of your wise guidance.
80 Let my heart be blameless in your statutes so that I am not put to shame.
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And let me live whole and holy, soul and body, so I can always walk with my head held high.
81 My whole being yearns for your saving help! I wait for your promise.
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I'm homesick - longing for your salvation; I'm waiting for your word of hope.
82 My eyes are worn out looking for your word. "When will you comfort me?" I ask,
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My eyes grow heavy watching for some sign of your promise; how long must I wait for your comfort?
83 because I've become like a bottle dried up by smoke, though I haven't forgotten your statutes.
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There's smoke in my eyes - they burn and water, but I keep a steady gaze on the instructions you post.
84 How much more time does your servant have? When will you bring my oppressors to justice?
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How long do I have to put up with all this? How long till you haul my tormentors into court?
85 The arrogant have dug pits for me— those people who act against your Instruction.
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The arrogant godless try to throw me off track, ignorant as they are of God and his ways.
86 All your commandments are true, but people harass me for no reason. Help me!
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Everything you command is a sure thing, but they harass me with lies. Help!
87 They've almost wiped me off the face of the earth! Meanwhile, I haven't abandoned your precepts!
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They've pushed and pushed - they never let up - but I haven't relaxed my grip on your counsel.
88 Make me live again according to your faithful love so I can keep the law you've given!
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In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word.
89 Your word, LORD, stands firm in heaven forever!
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What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness extends from one generation to the next! You set the earth firmly in place, and it is still there.
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Your truth never goes out of fashion; it's as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.
91 Your rules endure to this day because everything serves you.
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Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that's what you ordered - you set the earth going.
92 If your Instruction hadn't been my delight, I would have died because of my suffering.
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If your revelation hadn't delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came.
93 I will never forget your precepts because through them you gave me life again.
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But I'll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words.
94 I'm yours—save me because I've pursued your precepts!
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Save me! I'm all yours. I look high and low for your words of wisdom.
95 The wicked wait for me, wanting to kill me, but I'm studying your laws.
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The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me, but I'm only concerned with your plans for me.
96 I've seen that everything, no matter how perfect, has a limit, but your commandment is boundless.
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I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can't contain your commands!
97 I love your Instruction! I think about it constantly.
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Oh, how I love all you've revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies because it is always with me.
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Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete.
99 I have greater insight than all my teachers because I contemplate your laws.
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I've even become smarter than my teachers since I've pondered and absorbed your counsel.
100 I have more understanding than the elders because I guard your precepts.
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I've become wiser than the wise old sages simply by doing what you tell me.
101 I haven't set my feet on any evil path so I can make sure to keep your word.
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I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil so I can spend all my time keeping your Word.
102 I haven't deviated from any of your rules because you are the one who has taught me.
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I never make detours from the route you laid out; you gave me such good directions.
103 Your word is so pleasing to my taste buds— it's sweeter than honey in my mouth!
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Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking.
104 I'm studying your precepts— that's why I hate every false path.
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With your instruction, I understand life; that's why I hate false propaganda.
105 Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey.
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By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path.
106 I have sworn, and I fully mean it: I will keep your righteous rules.
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I've committed myself and I'll never turn back from living by your righteous order.
107 I have been suffering so much— LORD, make me live again according to your promise.
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Everything's falling apart on me, God; put me together again with your Word.
108 Please, LORD, accept my spontaneous gifts of praise. Teach me your rules!
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Festoon me with your finest sayings, God; teach me your holy rules.
109 Though my life is constantly in danger, I won't forget your Instruction.
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My life is as close as my own hands, but I don't forget what you have revealed.
110 Though the wicked have set a trap for me, I won't stray from your precepts.
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The wicked do their best to throw me off track, but I don't swerve an inch from your course.
111 Your laws are my possession forever because they are my heart's joy.
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I inherited your book on living; it's mine forever - what a gift! And how happy it makes me!
112 I have decided to keep your statutes forever, every last one.
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I concentrate on doing exactly what you say - I always have and always will.
113 I hate fickle people, but I love your Instruction.
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I hate the two-faced, but I love your clear-cut revelation.
114 You are my shelter and my shield— I wait for your promise.
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You're my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.
115 Get away from me, you evildoers; I want to guard my God's commandments!
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Get out of my life, evildoers, so I can keep my God's commands.
116 Sustain me according to your word so I can live! Don't let me be put to shame because of hope.
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Take my side as you promised; I'll live then for sure. Don't disappoint all my grand hopes.
117 Support me so I can be saved and so I can focus constantly on your statutes.
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Stick with me and I'll be all right; I'll give total allegiance to your definitions of life.
118 You discard everyone who strays from your statutes because they are dishonest and false.
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Expose all who drift away from your sayings; their casual idolatry is lethal.
119 You dispose of all the wicked people on earth like waste— that's why I love your laws.
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You reject earth's wicked as so much rubbish; therefore I lovingly embrace everything you say.
120 My body shudders because I fear you; I'm in awe of your rules.
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I shiver in awe before you; your decisions leave me speechless with reverence.
121 I've done what is just and right. Don't just hand me over to my oppressors.
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I stood up for justice and the right; don't leave me to the mercy of my oppressors.
122 Guarantee good things for your servant. Please don't let the arrogant oppress me.
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Take the side of your servant, good God; don't let the godless take advantage of me.
123 My eyes are worn out looking for your saving help— looking for your word that will set things right.
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I can't keep my eyes open any longer, waiting for you to keep your promise to set everything right.
124 Act toward your servant according to your faithful love. Teach me your statutes!
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Let your love dictate how you deal with me; teach me from your textbook on life.
125 I'm your servant! Help me understand so I can know your laws.
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I'm your servant - help me understand what that means, the inner meaning of your instructions.
126 It is time for the LORD to do something! Your Instruction has been broken.
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It's time to act, God; they've made a shambles of your revelation!
127 But I love your commandments more than gold, even more than pure gold.
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Yea-Saying God, I love what you command, I love it better than gold and gemstones;
128 That's why I walk straight by every single one of your precepts. That's why I hate every false path.
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Yea-Saying God, I honor everything you tell me, I despise every deceitful detour.
129 Your laws are wonderful! That's why I guard them.
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Every word you give me is a miracle word - how could I help but obey?
130 Access to your words gives light, giving simple folk understanding.
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Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning.
131 I open my mouth up wide, panting, because I long for your commandments.
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Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything.
132 Come back to me and have mercy on me; that's only right for those who love your name.
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Turn my way, look kindly on me, as you always do to those who personally love you.
133 Keep my steps steady by your word; don't let any sin rule me.
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Steady my steps with your Word of promise so nothing malign gets the better of me.
134 Redeem me from the people who oppress me so I can keep your precepts.
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Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women so I can live life your way.
135 Shine your face on your servant, and teach me your statutes.
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Smile on me, your servant; teach me the right way to live.
136 Rivers of tears stream from my eyes because your Instruction isn't being kept.
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I cry rivers of tears because nobody's living by your book!
137 LORD, you are righteous, and your rules are right.
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You are right and you do right, God; your decisions are right on target.
138 The laws you commanded are righteous, completely trustworthy.
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You rightly instruct us in how to live ever faithful to you.
139 Anger consumes me because my enemies have forgotten what you've said.
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My rivals nearly did me in, they persistently ignored your commandments.
140 Your word has been tried and tested; your servant loves your word!
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Your promise has been tested through and through, and I, your servant, love it dearly.
141 I'm insignificant and unpopular, but I don't forget your precepts.
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I'm too young to be important, but I don't forget what you tell me.
142 Your righteousness lasts forever! Your Instruction is true!
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Your righteousness is eternally right, your revelation is the only truth.
143 Stress and strain have caught up with me, but your commandments are my joy!
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Even though troubles came down on me hard, your commands always gave me delight.
144 Your laws are righteous forever. Help me understand so I can live!
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The way you tell me to live is always right; help me understand it so I can live to the fullest.
145 I cry out with all my heart: "LORD, answer me so I can guard your statutes!"
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I call out at the top of my lungs, "God! Answer! I'll do whatever you say."
146 I cry out to you, "Save me so I can keep your laws!"
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I called to you, "Save me so I can carry out all your instructions."
147 I meet the predawn light and cry for help. I wait for your promise.
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I was up before sunrise, crying for help, hoping for a word from you.
148 My eyes encounter each hour of the night as I think about your word.
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I stayed awake all night, prayerfully pondering your promise.
149 Listen to my voice, according to your faithful love. LORD, make me live again, according to your justice.
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In your love, listen to me; in your justice, God, keep me alive.
150 The people who love to plot wicked schemes are nearby, but they are so far from your Instruction!
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As those out to get me come closer and closer, they go farther and farther from the truth you reveal;
151 But you, LORD, are nearby too, and all your commandments are true.
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But you're the closest of all to me, God, and all your judgments true.
152 Long ago I learned from your laws that you had established them forever.
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I've known all along from the evidence of your words that you meant them to last forever.
153 Look at my suffering and deliver me because I haven't forgotten your Instruction.
153
Take a good look at my trouble, and help me - I haven't forgotten your revelation.
154 Argue my case and redeem me. Make me live again by your word.
154
Take my side and get me out of this; give me back my life, just as you promised.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked because they haven't pursued your statutes.
155
"Salvation" is only gibberish to the wicked because they've never looked it up in your dictionary.
156 You have so much compassion, LORD— make me live again, according to your rules.
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Your mercies, God, run into the billions; following your guidelines, revive me.
157 My oppressors and enemies are many, but I haven't turned away from your laws.
157
My antagonists are too many to count, but I don't swerve from the directions you gave.
158 I look on the faithless, and I am disgusted because they haven't kept your word.
158
I took one look at the quitters and was filled with loathing; they walked away from your promises so casually!
159 Look at how much I love your precepts. Make me live again, LORD, according to your faithful love!
159
Take note of how I love what you tell me; out of your life of love, prolong my life.
160 The first thing to know about your word is that it is true and that all your righteous rules last forever.
160
Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth. Your righteous decisions are eternal.
161 Rulers oppress me without cause, but my heart honors what you've said.
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I've been slandered unmercifully by the politicians, but my awe at your words keeps me stable.
162 I'm overjoyed at your word, like someone who finds great treasure.
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I'm ecstatic over what you say, like one who strikes it rich.
163 I hate, I absolutely despise, what is false, but I'm in love with your Instruction.
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I hate lies - can't stand them! - but I love what you have revealed.
164 I praise you seven times a day for your righteous rules.
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Seven times each day I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right.
165 The people who love your Instruction enjoy peace—and lots of it. There's no stumbling for them!
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For those who love what you reveal, everything fits - no stumbling around in the dark for them.
166 LORD, I wait for your saving help. I do what you've commanded.
166
I wait expectantly for your salvation; God, I do what you tell me.
167 I keep your laws; I love them so much!
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My soul guards and keeps all your instructions - oh, how much I love them!
168 I keep your precepts and your laws because all my ways are seen by you.
168
I follow your directions, abide by your counsel; my life's an open book before you.
169 Let my cry reach you, LORD; help me understand according to what you've said.
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Let my cry come right into your presence, God; provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word.
170 Let my request for grace come before you; deliver me according to your promise!
170
Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise.
171 Let my lips overflow with praise because you've taught me your statutes.
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Let praise cascade off my lips; after all, you've taught me the truth about life!
172 Let my tongue declare your word, because all your commandments are righteous.
172
And let your promises ring from my tongue; every order you've given is right.
173 Let your power help me because I have chosen your precepts.
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Put your hand out and steady me since I've chosen to live by your counsel.
174 LORD, I long for your saving help! Your Instruction is my joy!
174
I'm homesick, God, for your salvation; I love it when you show yourself!
175 Let me live again so I can praise you! Let your rules help me!
175
Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul.
176 I've wandered off like a sheep, lost. Find your servant because I haven't forgotten your commandments!
176
And should I wander off like a lost sheep - seek me! I'll recognize the sound of your voice.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.