The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 (Alef) How happy are those whose way of life is blameless, who live by the Torah of ADONAI!
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<ALEPH> Happy are they who are without sin in their ways, walking in the law of the Lord.
2 How happy are those who observe his instruction, who seek him wholeheartedly!
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Happy are they who keep his unchanging word, searching after him with all their heart.
3 They do nothing wrong but live by his ways.
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They do no evil; they go in his ways.
4 You laid down your precepts for us to observe with care.
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You have put your orders into our hearts, so that we might keep them with care.
5 May my ways be steady in observing your laws.
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If only my ways were ordered so that I might keep your rules!
6 Then I will not be put to shame, since I will have fixed my sight on all your mitzvot.
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Then I would not be put to shame, as long as I have respect for all your teaching.
7 I thank you with a sincere heart as I learn your righteous rulings.
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I will give you praise with an upright heart in learning your right decisions.
8 I will observe your laws; don't completely abandon me!
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I will keep your rules: O give me not up completely.
9 (Bet) How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.
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<BETH> How may a young man make his way clean? by guiding it after your word.
10 I seek you with all my heart; don't let me stray from your mitzvot.
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I have made search for you with all my heart: O let me not go wandering far from your teaching.
11 I treasure your word in my heart, so that I won't sin against you.
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I have kept your sayings secretly in my heart, so that I might do no sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, ADONAI! Teach me your laws.
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Praise be to you, O Lord: give me knowledge of your rules.
13 I proclaim with my mouth all the rulings you have spoken.
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With my lips have I made clear all the decisions of your mouth.
14 I rejoice in the way of your instruction more than in any kind of wealth.
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I have taken as much delight in the way of your unchanging word, as in all wealth.
15 I will meditate on your precepts and keep my eyes on your ways.
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I will give thought to your orders, and have respect for your ways.
16 I will find my delight in your regulations. I will not forget your word.
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I will have delight in your rules; I will not let your word go out of my mind.
17 (Gimel) Deal generously with your servant; then I will live and observe your word.
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<GIMEL> Give me, your servant, the reward of life, so that I may keep your word;
18 Open my eyes, so that I will see wonders from your Torah.
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Let my eyes be open to see the wonders of your law.
19 Though I'm just a wanderer on the earth, don't hide your mitzvot from me.
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I am living in a strange land: do not let your teachings be kept secret from me.
20 I am continually consumed with longing for your rulings.
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My soul is broken with desire for your decisions at all times.
21 You rebuke the proud, the cursed, who stray from your mitzvot.
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Your hand has been against the men of pride, a curse is on those who go wandering out of your way.
22 Remove scorn and contempt from me, because I observe your instruction.
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Take away from me shame and bitter words; for I have kept your unchanging word in my heart.
23 Even when princes sit and plot against me, your servant meditates on your laws.
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Rulers make evil designs against me; but your servant gives thought to your rules.
24 Also your instructions are my delight; they are my counselors.
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Your unchanging word is my delight, and the guide of my footsteps.
25 (Dalet) I lie prostrate in the dust; revive me, in keeping with your word.
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<DALETH> My soul is joined to the dust: O give me life, in keeping with your word.
26 I told you of my ways, and you answered me; teach me your laws.
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I put the record of my ways before you, and you gave me an answer: O give me knowledge of your rules.
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wonders.
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Make the way of your orders clear to me; then my thoughts will be ever on your wonders.
28 I am melting away from anxiety and grief; renew my strength, in keeping with your word.
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My soul is wasted with sorrow; give me strength again in keeping with your word
29 Keep deceitful ways far from me, and favor me with your Torah.
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Take from me every false way; and in mercy give me your law.
30 I choose the way of trust; I set your rulings [before me].
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I have taken the way of faith: I have kept your decisions before me.
31 I cling to your instruction; ADONAI, don't let me be put to shame!
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I have been true to your unchanging word; O Lord, do not put me to shame.
32 I will run the way of your mitzvot, for you have broadened my understanding.
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I will go quickly in the way of your teaching, because you have given me a free heart.
33 (Heh) Teach me, ADONAI, the way of your laws; keeping them will be its own reward for me.
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<HE> O Lord, let me see the way of your rules, and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding; then I will keep your Torah; I will observe it with all my heart.
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Give me wisdom, so that I may keep your law; going after it with all my heart.
35 Guide me on the path of your mitzvot, for I take pleasure in it.
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Make me go in the way of your teachings; for they are my delight.
36 Bend my heart toward your instructions and not toward selfish gain.
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Let my heart be turned to your unchanging word, and not to evil desire.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; with your ways, give me life.
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Let my eyes be turned away from what is false; give me life in your ways.
38 Fulfill your promise, which you made to your servant, which you made to those who fear you.
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Give effect to your word to your servant, in whose heart is the fear of you.
39 Avert the disgrace which I dread, for your rulings are good.
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Take away the shame which is my fear; for your decisions are good.
40 See how I long for your precepts; in your righteousness, give me life!
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See how great is my desire for your orders: give me life in your righteousness.
41 May your grace come to me, ADONAI, your salvation, as you promised;
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<VAU> Let your mercies come to me, O Lord, even your salvation, as you have said.
42 then I will have an answer for those who taunt me; for I trust in your word.
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So that I may have an answer for the man who would put me to shame; for I have faith in your word.
43 Don't take away completely my power to speak the truth; for I put my hope in your rulings;
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Take not your true word quite out of my mouth; for I have put my hope in your decisions.
44 and I will keep your Torah always, forever and ever.
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So that I may keep your law for ever and ever;
45 I will go wherever I like, for I have sought your precepts.
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So that my way may be in a wide place: because my search has been for your orders.
46 I will speak of your instructions even to kings without being ashamed.
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So that I may give knowledge of your unchanging word before kings, and not be put to shame.
47 I will delight myself in your mitzvot, which I have loved.
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And so that I may take delight in your teachings, to which I have given my love.
48 I will lift my hands to your mitzvot, which I love; and I will meditate on your laws.
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And so that my hands may be stretched out to you; and I will give thought to your rules.
49 (Zayin) Remember your promise to your servant, through which you have given me hope.
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<ZAIN> Keep in mind your word to your servant, for on it has my hope been fixed.
50 In my distress my comfort is this: that your promise gives me life.
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This is my comfort in my trouble; that your sayings have given me life.
51 Though the arrogant scorn me completely, I have not turned away from your Torah.
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The men of pride have made great sport of me; but I have not been turned from your law.
52 ADONAI, I keep in mind your age-old rulings; in them I take comfort.
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I have kept the memory of your decisions from times past, O Lord; and they have been my comfort.
53 Fury seizes me when I think of the wicked, because they abandon your Torah.
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I am burning with wrath, because of the sinners who have given up your law.
54 Your laws have become my songs wherever I make my home.
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Your rules have been melodies to me, while I have been living in strange lands.
55 I remember your name, ADONAI, at night; and I observe your Torah.
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I have given thought to your name in the night, O Lord, and have kept your law.
56 This [comfort] has come to me, because I observe your precepts.
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This has been true of me, that I have kept your orders in my heart.
57 (Het) ADONAI, I say that my task is to observe your words.
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<CHETH> The Lord is my heritage: I have said that I would be ruled by your words.
58 I beg your favor with my whole heart; show pity to me, in keeping with your promise.
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I have given my mind to do your pleasure with all my heart; have mercy on me, as you have said.
59 I thought about my ways and turned my feet toward your instruction.
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I gave thought to my steps, and my feet were turned into the way of your unchanging word.
60 I hurry, I don't delay, to observe your mitzvot.
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I was quick to do your orders, and let no time be wasted.
61 Even when the cords of the wicked close around me, I don't forget your Torah.
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The cords of evil-doers are round me; but I have kept in mind your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks because of your righteous rulings.
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In the middle of the night I will get up to give you praise, because of all your right decisions.
63 I am a friend of all who fear you, of those who observe your precepts.
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I keep company with all your worshippers, and those who have your orders in their memory.
64 The earth, ADONAI, is full of your grace; teach me your laws.
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The earth, O Lord, is full of your mercy: give me knowledge of your rules.
65 (Tet) You have treated your servant well, ADONAI, in keeping with your word.
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<TETH> You have done good to your servant, O Lord, in keeping with your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, because I trust in your mitzvot.
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Give me knowledge and good sense; for I have put my faith in your teachings.
67 Before I was humbled, I used to go astray; but now I observe your word.
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Before I was in trouble I went out of the way; but now I keep your word.
68 You are good, and you do good; teach me your laws.
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You are good, and your works are good; give me knowledge of your rules.
69 The arrogant are slandering me, but I will wholeheartedly keep your precepts.
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The men of pride have said false things about me; but I will keep your orders in my heart.
70 Their hearts are as thick as fat, but I take delight in your Torah.
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Their hearts are shut up with fat; but my delight is in your law.
71 It is for my good that I have been humbled; it was so that I would learn your laws.
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It is good for me to have been through trouble; so that I might come to the knowledge of your rules.
72 The Torah you have spoken means more to me than a fortune in gold and silver.
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The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver.
73 (Yud) Your hands made and formed me; give me understanding, so I can learn your mitzvot.
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<JOD> Your hands have made me, and given me form: give me wisdom, so that I may have knowledge of your teaching.
74 Those who fear you rejoice at the sight of me, because I put my hope in your word.
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Your worshippers will see me and be glad; because my hope has been in your word.
75 I know, ADONAI, that your rulings are righteous, that even when you humble me you are faithful.
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I have seen, O Lord, that your decisions are right, and that in unchanging faith you have sent trouble on me.
76 Let your grace comfort me, in keeping with your promise to your servant.
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Let your mercy now be my comfort, as you have said to your servant.
77 Show me pity, and I will live, for your Torah is my delight.
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Let your gentle mercies come to me, so that I may have life; for your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud be ashamed, because they wrong me with lies; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
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Let the men of pride be shamed; because they have falsely given decision against me; but I will give thought to your orders.
79 Let those who fear you turn to me, along with those who know your instruction.
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Let your worshippers be turned to me, and those who have knowledge of your words.
80 Let my heart be pure in your laws, so that I won't be put to shame.
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Let all my heart be given to your orders, so that I may not be put to shame.
81 (Kaf) I am dying to know your salvation; my hope is in your word.
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<CAPH> My soul is wasted with desire for your salvation: but I have hope in your word.
82 My eyes fail from watching for your promise; I ask, "When will you comfort me?"
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My eyes are full of weariness with searching for your word, saying, When will you give me comfort?
83 For I have shriveled like a wineskin in a smoky room; still, I don't forget your laws.
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For I have become like a wine-skin black with smoke; but I still keep the memory of your rules.
84 How long can your servant stay alive? When will you bring judgment on my persecutors?
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How short is the life of your servant! when will you give your decision against those who are attacking me?
85 The arrogant have dug pits for me to fall in; this is not in keeping with your Torah!
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The men of pride, who are turned away from your law, have put nets for me.
86 All your mitzvot [show your] faithfulness; they are hounding me with lies; help me!
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All your teachings are certain; they go after me with evil design; give me your help.
87 They have nearly ended my life on earth, but I have not abandoned your precepts.
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They had almost put an end to me on earth; but I did not give up your orders.
88 In keeping with your grace, revive me; and I will observe your spoken instructions.
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Give me life in your mercy; so that I may be ruled by the unchanging word of your mouth.
89 (Lamed) Your word continues forever, ADONAI, firmly fixed in heaven;
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<LAMED> For ever, O Lord, your word is fixed in heaven.
90 your faithfulness through all generations; you established the earth, and it stands.
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Your faith is unchanging from generation to generation: you have put the earth in its place, and it is not moved.
91 Yes, it stands today, in keeping with your rulings; for all things are your servants.
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They are ruled this day by your decisions; for all things are your servants.
92 If your Torah had not been my delight, I would have perished in my distress.
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If your law had not been my delight, my troubles would have put an end to me.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for with them you have made me alive.
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I will ever keep your orders in mind; for in them I have life.
94 I am yours; save me because I seek your precepts.
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I am yours, O be my saviour; for my desire has been for your rules.
95 The wicked hope to destroy me, but I focus on your instruction.
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The sinners have been waiting for me to give me up to destruction; but I will give all my mind to your unchanging ward.
96 (Mem) I see the limits of all perfection, but your mitzvah has no bounds.
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I have seen that nothing on earth is complete; but your teaching is very wide.
97 How I love your Torah! I meditate on it all day.
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<MEM> O what love I have for your law! I give thought to it all the day.
98 I am wiser than my foes, because your mitzvot are mine forever.
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Your teaching has made me wiser than my haters: for it is mine for ever.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, because I meditate on your instruction.
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I have more knowledge than all my teachers, because I give thought to your unchanging word.
100 I understand more than my elders, because I keep your precepts.
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I have more wisdom than the old, because I have kept your orders.
101 I keep my feet from every evil way, in order to observe your word.
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I have kept back my feet from all evil ways, so that I might be true to your word.
102 I don't turn away from your rulings, because you have instructed me.
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My heart has not been turned away from your decisions; for you have been my teacher.
103 How sweet to my tongue is your promise, truly sweeter than honey in my mouth!
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How sweet are your sayings to my taste! truly, they are sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 From your precepts I gain understanding; this is why I hate every false way.
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Through your orders I get wisdom; for this reason I am a hater of every false way.
105 (Nun) Your word is a lamp for my foot and light on my path.
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<NUN> Your word is a light for my feet, ever shining on my way.
106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, that I will observe your righteous rulings.
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I have made an oath and kept it, to be guided by your upright decisions.
107 I am very much distressed; ADONAI, give me life, in keeping with your word.
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I am greatly troubled, O Lord, give me life in keeping with your word.
108 Please accept my mouth's voluntary offerings, ADONAI; and teach me your rulings.
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Take, O Lord, the free offerings of my mouth, and give me knowledge of your decisions.
109 I am continually taking my life in my hands, yet I haven't forgotten your Torah.
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My soul is ever in danger; but I still keep the memory of your law.
110 The wicked have set a trap for me, yet I haven't strayed from your precepts.
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Sinners have put a net to take me; but I was true to your orders.
111 I take your instruction as a permanent heritage, because it is the joy of my heart.
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I have taken your unchanging word as an eternal heritage; for it is the joy of my heart.
112 I have resolved to obey your laws forever, at every step.
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My heart is ever ready to keep your rules, even to the end.
113 (Samekh) I hate doubleminded people, but I love your Torah.
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<SAMECH> I am a hater of men of doubting mind; but I am a lover of your law.
114 You are my hiding-place and shield; I put my hope in your word.
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You are my secret place and my breastplate against danger; my hope is in your word.
115 Leave me alone, you evildoers, so that I can keep my God's mitzvot.
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Go far from me, you evil-doers; so that I may keep the teachings of my God.
116 Uphold me, as you promised; and I will live; don't disappoint me in my hope.
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Be my support as you have said, and give me life; let not my hope be turned to shame.
117 Support me; and I will be saved, always putting my attention on your laws.
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Let me not be moved, and I will be safe, and ever take delight in your rules.
118 You reject all who stray from your laws, for what they deceive themselves with is false.
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You have overcome all those who are wandering from your rules; for all their thoughts are false.
119 You discard the wicked of the earth like slag; this is why I love your instruction.
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All the sinners of the earth are like waste metal in your eyes; and for this cause I give my love to your unchanging word.
120 My body trembles for fear of you; your rulings make me afraid.
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My flesh is moved for fear of you; I give honour to your decisions.
121 ('Ayin) I have done what is just and right; don't abandon me to my oppressors.
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<AIN> I have done what is good and right: you will not give me into the hands of those who are working against me.
122 Guarantee your servant's well-being; don't let the arrogant oppress me.
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Take your servant's interests into your keeping; let me not be crushed by the men of pride.
123 My eyes fail from watching for your salvation and for [the fulfillment of] your righteous promise.
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My eyes are wasted with desire for your salvation, and for the word of your righteousness.
124 Deal with your servant in accordance with your grace, and teach me your laws.
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Be good to your servant in your mercy, and give me teaching in your rules.
125 I am your servant; give me understanding, so that I can know your instruction.
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I am your servant; give me wisdom, so that I may have knowledge of your unchanging word.
126 The time has come for ADONAI to act, because they are breaking your Torah.
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It is time, O Lord, for you to let your work be seen; for they have made your law without effect.
127 Therefore I love your mitzvot more than gold, more than fine gold.
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For this reason I have greater love far your teachings than for gold, even for shining gold.
128 Thus I direct my steps by [your] precepts; every false way I hate.
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Because of it I keep straight in all things by your orders; and I am a hater of every false way.
129 (Peh) Your instruction is a wonder; this is why I follow it.
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<PE> Your unchanging word is full of wonder; for this reason my soul keeps it.
130 Your words are a doorway that lets in light, giving understanding to the thoughtless.
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The opening of your words gives light; it gives good sense to the simple.
131 My mouth is wide open, as I pant with longing for your mitzvot.
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My mouth was open wide, waiting with great desire for your teachings.
132 Turn to me, and show me your favor; in keeping with [your] judgment for those who love your name.
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Let your eyes be turned to me, and have mercy on me, as it is right for you to do to those who are lovers of your name.
133 Guide my footsteps by your word; don't let any kind of sin rule me.
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Let my steps be guided by your word; and let not sin have control over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression, and I will observe your precepts.
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Make me free from the cruel rule of man; then I will keep your orders.
135 Make your face shine on your servant, and teach me your laws.
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Let your servant see the shining of your face; give me knowledge of your rules.
136 Rivers of tears flow down from my eyes, because they don't observe your Torah.
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Rivers of water are flowing from my eyes, because men do not keep your law.
137 (Tzadeh) You are righteous, ADONAI; and your rulings are upright.
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<TZADE> O Lord, great is your righteousness, and upright are your decisions.
138 You have commanded your instructions in righteousness and great faithfulness.
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You have given your unchanging word in righteousness, and it is for ever.
139 My zeal is destroying me, because my foes have forgotten your words.
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My passion has overcome me; because my haters are turned away from your words.
140 Your word is refined to complete purity, and your servant loves it.
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Your word is of tested value; and it is dear to your servant.
141 I may be small and despised, but I do not forget your precepts.
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I am small and of no account; but I keep your orders in mind.
142 Your righteousness is eternal righteousness, and your Torah is truth.
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Your righteousness is an unchanging righteousness, and your law is certain.
143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but your mitzvot are my delight.
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Pain and trouble have overcome me: but your teachings are my delight.
144 Your instruction is righteous forever; give me understanding, and I will live.
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The righteousness of your unchanging word is eternal; give me wisdom so that I may have life.
145 (Kuf) Wholeheartedly I am calling on you; answer me, ADONAI; I will keep your laws.
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<KOPH> I have made my prayer with all my heart; give answer to me, O Lord: I will keep your rules.
146 I am calling on you; save me; and I will observe your instruction.
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My cry has gone up to you; take me out of trouble, and I will be guided by your unchanging word.
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I put my hope in your word.
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Before the sun is up, my cry for help comes to your ear; my hope is in your words.
148 My eyes are open before the night watches, so that I can meditate on your promise.
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In the night watches I am awake, so that I may give thought to your saying.
149 In your grace, hear my voice; ADONAI, in keeping with your justice, revive me.
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Let my voice come to you, in your mercy; O Lord, by your decisions give me life.
150 The pursuers of carnality are getting close; they are distancing themselves from your Torah.
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Those who have evil designs against me come near; they are far from your law.
151 You are close by, ADONAI; and all your mitzvot are truth.
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You are near, O Lord; and all your teachings are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your instruction that you established it forever.
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I have long had knowledge that your unchanging word is for ever.
153 (Resh) Look at my distress, and rescue me, for I do not forget your Torah.
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<RESH> O see my trouble, and be my saviour; for I keep your law in my mind,
154 Plead my cause, and redeem me; in keeping with your promise, revive me.
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Undertake my cause, and come to my help, give me life, as you have said.
155 Salvation is far away from the wicked, because they don't seek your laws.
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Salvation is far from evil-doers; for they have made no search for your rules.
156 Great is your compassion, ADONAI; in keeping with your rulings, revive me.
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Great is the number of your mercies, O Lord; give me life in keeping with your decisions.
157 Although my persecutors and foes are many, I have not turned away from your instruction.
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Great is the number of those who are against me; but I have not been turned away from your unchanging word.
158 I look at traitors with disgust, because they don't keep your word.
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I saw with hate those who were untrue to you; for they did not keep your saying.
159 See how I love your precepts, ADONAI; in keeping with your grace, revive me.
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See how great is my love for your orders: give me life, O Lord, in keeping with your mercy.
160 The main thing about your word is that it's true; and all your just rulings last forever.
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Your word is true from the first; and your upright decision is unchanging for ever.
161 (Shin) Princes persecute me for no reason, but my heart stands in awe of your words.
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<SHIN> Rulers have been cruel to me without cause; but I have the fear of your word in my heart.
162 I take joy in your promise, like someone who finds much booty.
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I am delighted by your saying, like a man who makes discovery of great wealth.
163 I hate falsehood, I detest it; but I love your Torah.
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I am full of hate and disgust for false words; but I am a lover of your law.
164 I praise you seven times a day because of your righteous rulings.
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Seven times a day do I give you praise, because of your upright decisions.
165 Those who love your Torah have great peace; nothing makes them stumble.
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Great peace have lovers of your law; they have no cause for falling.
166 I hope for your deliverance, ADONAI; I obey your mitzvot.
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Lord, my hope has been in your salvation; and I have kept your teachings.
167 My soul observes your instruction, and I love it so much!
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My soul has kept your unchanging word; great is my love for it.
168 I observe your precepts and instruction, for all my ways lie open before you.
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I have been ruled by your orders; for all my ways are before you.
169 (Tav) Let my cry come before you, ADONAI; in keeping with your word, give me understanding.
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<TAU> Let my cry come before you, O Lord; give me wisdom in keeping with your word.
170 Let my prayer come before you; in keeping with your promise, rescue me.
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Let my prayer come before you; take me out of trouble, as you have said.
171 Let my lips speak praise, because you teach me your laws.
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Let my lips be flowing with praise, because you have given me knowledge of your rules.
172 Let my tongue sing of your promise, because all your mitzvot are righteous.
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Let my tongue make songs in praise of your word; for all your teachings are righteousness.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, because I choose your precepts.
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Let your hand be near for my help; for I have given my heart to your orders.
174 I long for your deliverance, ADONAI; and your Torah is my delight.
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All my desire has been for your salvation, O Lord; and your law is my delight.
175 Let me live, and I will praise you; let your rulings help me.
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Give life to my soul so that it may give you praise; and let your decisions be my support.
176 I strayed like a lost sheep; seek out your servant; for I do not forget your mitzvot.
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I have gone out of the way like a wandering sheep; make search for your servant; for I keep your teachings ever in mind.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.