Hebrew Names Version HNV
The Message Bible MSG
1 <<ALEPH>> Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, Who walk according to the law of the LORD.
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You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes, Who seek him with their whole heart.
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You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.
3 Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his 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 You have commanded your precepts, That we should fully obey them.
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You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.
5 Oh that my ways were steadfast To obey 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 put to shame, When I consider all of your mitzvot.
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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 uprightness of heart, When I learn your righteous judgments.
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I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
8 I will observe your statutes. Don't utterly forsake me.
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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 a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
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How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word.
10 With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your mitzvot.
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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 have hidden your word in my heart, That I might not 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 Blessed are you, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
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Be blessed, God; train me in your ways of wise living.
13 With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.
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I'll transfer to my lips all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
14 I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, As much as in all riches.
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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 meditate on your precepts, And consider your ways.
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I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it.
16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word.
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I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it.
17 Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey 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, That I may see wondrous things out of your law.
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Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
19 I am a stranger on the eretz. Don't hide your mitzvot from me.
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I'm a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions.
20 My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.
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My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous! - insatiable for your nourishing commands.
21 You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, Who wander from your mitzvot.
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And those who think they know so much, ignoring everything you tell them - let them have it!
22 Take reproach and contempt away from me, For I have kept your statutes.
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Don't let them mock and humiliate me; I've been careful to do just what you said.
23 Though princes sit and slander me, Your servant will meditate on your statutes.
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While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me, I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.
24 Indeed your statutes are my delight, And my counselors.
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Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight; I listen to them as to good neighbors!
25 My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!
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I'm feeling terrible - I couldn't feel worse! Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?
26 I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.
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When I told my story, you responded; train me well in your deep wisdom.
27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.
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Help me understand these things inside and out so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.
28 My soul is weary with sorrow. Strengthen me according to your word.
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My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn; build me up again by your Word.
29 Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!
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Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; grace me with your clear revelation.
30 I have chosen the way of truth. I have set my heart on your law.
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I choose the true road to Somewhere, I post your road signs at every curve and corner.
31 I cling to your statutes, LORD. 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 in the path of your mitzvot, For you have set my heart free.
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I'll run the course you lay out for me if you'll just show me how.
33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.
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God, teach me lessons for living so I can stay the course.
34 Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.
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Give me insight so I can do what you tell me - my whole life one long, obedient response.
35 Direct me in the path of your mitzvot, For I delight in them.
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Guide me down the road of your commandments; I love traveling this freeway!
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes, Not toward selfish 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. Revive me in your ways.
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Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets, invigorate me on the pilgrim way.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, That you may be feared.
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Affirm your promises to me - promises made to all who fear you.
39 Take away my disgrace that I dread, For your ordinances are good.
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Deflect the harsh words of my critics - but what you say is always so good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness.
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See how hungry I am for your counsel; preserve my life through your righteous ways!
41 Let your lovingkindness also come to me, LORD, Your yeshu`ah, according to your word.
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Let your love, God, shape my life with salvation, exactly as you promised;
42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in your word.
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Then I'll be able to stand up to mockery because I trusted your Word.
43 Don't snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, For I put my hope in your ordinances.
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Don't ever deprive me of truth, not ever - your commandments are what I depend on.
44 So I will obey your law continually, Forever and ever.
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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 in liberty, For I have sought 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 also speak of your statutes before kings, And will not be put to shame.
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Then I'll tell the world what I find, speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.
47 I will delight myself in your mitzvot, Because I love them.
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I cherish your commandments - oh, how I love them! -
48 I reach out my hands for your mitzvot, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes.
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relishing every fragment of your counsel.
49 Remember your word to your servant, Because you gave me hope.
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Remember what you said to me, your servant - I hang on to these words for dear life!
50 This is my comfort in my affliction, For your word has revived me.
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These words hold me up in bad times; yes, your promises rejuvenate me.
51 The arrogant mock me excessively, But I don't swerve from your law.
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The insolent ridicule me without mercy, but I don't budge from your revelation.
52 I remember your ordinances of old, LORD, And have comforted myself.
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I watch for your ancient landmark words, and know I'm on the right track.
53 Indignation has taken hold on me, Because of the wicked who forsake your law.
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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, In the house where I live.
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I set your instructions to music and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way.
55 I have remembered your name, LORD, in the night, And I obey your law.
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I meditate on your name all night, God, treasuring your revelation, O God.
56 This is my way, That I keep 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 portion. I promised to obey your words.
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Because you have satisfied me, God, I promise to do everything you say.
58 I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to 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 considered my ways, And turned my steps to your statutes.
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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 will hurry, and not delay, To obey your mitzvot.
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I was up at once, didn't drag my feet, was quick to follow your orders.
61 The ropes of the wicked bind me, But I won't forget your law.
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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 At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, Because of your righteous ordinances.
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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 am a friend of all those who fear you, Of those who observe 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 The eretz is full of your lovingkindness, LORD. Teach me your statutes.
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Your love, God, fills the earth! Train me to live by your counsel.
65 Do good to your servant, According to your word, LORD.
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Be good to your servant, God; be as good as your Word.
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe in your mitzvot.
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Train me in good common sense; I'm thoroughly committed to living your way.
67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; But now I observe your word.
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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 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 proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.
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The godless spread lies about me, but I focus my attention on what you are saying;
70 Their heart is as callous as the fat, But I delight in your law.
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They're bland as a bucket of lard, while I dance to the tune of your revelation.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn your statutes.
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My troubles turned out all for the best - they forced me to learn from your textbook.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me 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 formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your mitzvot.
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With your very own hands you formed me; now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you.
74 Those who fear you will see me and be glad, Because I have put my hope in your word.
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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 judgments are righteous, That in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
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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 lovingkindness be for my comfort, According to your word to your servant.
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Oh, love me - and right now! - hold me tight! just the way you promised.
77 Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For your law is my delight.
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Now comfort me so I can live, really live; your revelation is the tune I dance to.
78 Let the proud be put to shame, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on 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 those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.
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Let those who fear you turn to me for evidence of your wise guidance.
80 Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, That I may not be 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 soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.
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I'm homesick - longing for your salvation; I'm waiting for your word of hope.
82 My eyes fail for your word. I say, "When will you comfort me?"
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My eyes grow heavy watching for some sign of your promise; how long must I wait for your comfort?
83 For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don't forget 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 many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?
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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 proud have dug pits for me, Contrary to your law.
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The arrogant godless try to throw me off track, ignorant as they are of God and his ways.
86 All of your mitzvot are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!
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Everything you command is a sure thing, but they harass me with lies. Help!
87 They had almost wiped me from the eretz, But I didn't forsake 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 Preserve my life according to your lovingkindness, So I will obey the statutes of your mouth.
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In your great love revive me so I can alertly obey your every word.
89 LORD, your word is settled in heaven forever.
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What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the eretz, and it remains.
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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 laws remain to this day, For all things serve you.
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Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that's what you ordered - you set the earth going.
92 Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
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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, For with them, you have revived me.
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But I'll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words.
94 I am yours. Save me, For I have sought 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 have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.
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The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me, but I'm only concerned with your plans for me.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, But your commands are boundless.
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I see the limits to everything human, but the horizons can't contain your commands!
97 How love I your law! It is my meditation all day.
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Oh, how I love all you've revealed; I reverently ponder it all the day long.
98 Your mitzvot make me wiser than my enemies, For your mitzvot are always with me.
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Your commands give me an edge on my enemies; they never become obsolete.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For your testimonies are my meditation.
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I've even become smarter than my teachers since I've pondered and absorbed your counsel.
100 I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept your precepts.
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I've become wiser than the wise old sages simply by doing what you tell me.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil way, That I might observe 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 have not turned aside from your ordinances, For you have taught me.
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I never make detours from the route you laid out; you gave me such good directions.
103 How sweet are your promises to my taste, More than honey to my mouth!
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Your words are so choice, so tasty; I prefer them to the best home cooking.
104 Through your precepts, I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.
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With your instruction, I understand life; that's why I hate false propaganda.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light for my path.
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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 have confirmed it, That I will obey your righteous ordinances.
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I've committed myself and I'll never turn back from living by your righteous order.
107 I am afflicted very much. Revive me, LORD, according to your word.
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Everything's falling apart on me, God; put me together again with your Word.
108 Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. LORD, teach me your ordinances.
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Festoon me with your finest sayings, God; teach me your holy rules.
109 My soul is continually in my hand, Yet I won't forget your law.
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My life is as close as my own hands, but I don't forget what you have revealed.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I haven't gone astray 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 I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, For they are the joy of my heart.
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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 set my heart to perform your statutes forever, Even to the end.
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I concentrate on doing exactly what you say - I always have and always will.
113 I hate double-minded men, But I love your law.
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I hate the two-faced, but I love your clear-cut revelation.
114 You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.
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You're my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers, That I may keep the mitzvot of my God.
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Get out of my life, evildoers, so I can keep my God's commands.
116 Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my 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 Hold me up, and I will be safe, And will have respect for your statutes continually.
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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 reject all those who stray from your statutes, For their deceit is in vain.
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Expose all who drift away from your sayings; their casual idolatry is lethal.
119 You put away all the wicked of the eretz like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.
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You reject earth's wicked as so much rubbish; therefore I lovingly embrace everything you say.
120 My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.
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I shiver in awe before you; your decisions leave me speechless with reverence.
121 I have done what is just and righteous. Don't leave me 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 Ensure your servant's well-being. Don't let the proud 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 fail watching for your yeshu`ah, For your righteous word.
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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 Deal with your servant according to your lovingkindness. 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 am your servant. Give me understanding, That I may know your testimonies.
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I'm your servant - help me understand what that means, the inner meaning of your instructions.
126 It is time to act, LORD, For they break your law.
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It's time to act, God; they've made a shambles of your revelation!
127 Therefore I love your mitzvot more than gold, Yes, 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 Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way.
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Yea-Saying God, I honor everything you tell me, I despise every deceitful detour.
129 Your testimonies are wonderful, Therefore my soul keeps them.
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Every word you give me is a miracle word - how could I help but obey?
130 The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.
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Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning.
131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for your mitzvot.
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Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything.
132 Turn to me, and have mercy on me, As you always do to 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 Establish my footsteps in your word. Don't let any iniquity have dominion over 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 oppression of man, So I will observe your precepts.
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Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women so I can live life your way.
135 Make your face to shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.
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Smile on me, your servant; teach me the right way to live.
136 Streams of tears run down my eyes, Because they don't observe your law.
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I cry rivers of tears because nobody's living by your book!
137 You are righteous, LORD. your judgments are upright.
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You are right and you do right, God; your decisions are right on target.
138 You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.
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You rightly instruct us in how to live ever faithful to you.
139 My zeal wears me out, Because my enemies ignore your words.
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My rivals nearly did me in, they persistently ignored your commandments.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, And your servant loves them.
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Your promise has been tested through and through, and I, your servant, love it dearly.
141 I am small and despised. 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 is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.
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Your righteousness is eternally right, your revelation is the only truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your mitzvot are my delight.
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Even though troubles came down on me hard, your commands always gave me delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may 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 have called with my whole heart. Answer me, LORD! I will keep 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 have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.
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I called to you, "Save me so I can carry out all your instructions."
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.
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I was up before sunrise, crying for help, hoping for a word from you.
148 My eyes stay open through the night watches, That I might meditate on your word.
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I stayed awake all night, prayerfully pondering your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your lovingkindness. Revive me, LORD, according to your ordinances.
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In your love, listen to me; in your justice, God, keep me alive.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.
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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 You are near, LORD. All your mitzvot are truth.
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But you're the closest of all to me, God, and all your judgments true.
152 Of old I have known from your testimonies, That you have founded 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 Consider my affliction, and deliver me, For I don't forget your law.
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Take a good look at my trouble, and help me - I haven't forgotten your revelation.
154 Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.
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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, For they don't seek your statutes.
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"Salvation" is only gibberish to the wicked because they've never looked it up in your dictionary.
156 Great are your tender mercies, LORD. Revive me according to your ordinances.
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Your mercies, God, run into the billions; following your guidelines, revive me.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies.
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My antagonists are too many to count, but I don't swerve from the directions you gave.
158 I look at the faithless with loathing, Because they don't observe your word.
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I took one look at the quitters and was filled with loathing; they walked away from your promises so casually!
159 Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, LORD, according to your lovingkindness.
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Take note of how I love what you tell me; out of your life of love, prolong my life.
160 All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever.
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Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth. Your righteous decisions are eternal.
161 Princes have persecuted me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of your words.
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I've been slandered unmercifully by the politicians, but my awe at your words keeps me stable.
162 I rejoice at your word, As one who finds great spoil.
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I'm ecstatic over what you say, like one who strikes it rich.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.
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I hate lies - can't stand them! - but I love what you have revealed.
164 Seven times a day, I praise you, Because of your righteous ordinances.
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Seven times each day I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right.
165 Those who love your law have great shalom. Nothing causes them to stumble.
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For those who love what you reveal, everything fits - no stumbling around in the dark for them.
166 I have hoped for your yeshu`ah, LORD. I have done your mitzvot.
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I wait expectantly for your salvation; God, I do what you tell me.
167 My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.
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My soul guards and keeps all your instructions - oh, how much I love them!
168 I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, For all my ways are before you.
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I follow your directions, abide by your counsel; my life's an open book before you.
169 Let my cry come before you, LORD. Give me understanding according to your word.
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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 supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.
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Give my request your personal attention, rescue me on the terms of your promise.
171 Let my lips utter praise, For you teach 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 sing of your word, For all your mitzvot are righteousness.
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And let your promises ring from my tongue; every order you've given is right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me, For 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 I have longed for your yeshu`ah, LORD. Your law is my delight.
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I'm homesick, God, for your salvation; I love it when you show yourself!
175 Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.
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Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well, use your decrees to put iron in my soul.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don't forget your mitzvot.
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And should I wander off like a lost sheep - seek me! I'll recognize the sound of your voice.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.
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.