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Common English Bible CEB
1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.
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Those whose way is blameless— who walk in the LORD's Instruction—are truly happy!
2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart—
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Those who guard God's laws are truly happy! They seek God with all their hearts.
3 they do no wrong but follow his ways.
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They don't even do anything wrong! They walk in God's ways.
4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed.
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God, you have ordered that your decrees should be kept most carefully.
5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!
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How I wish my ways were strong when it comes to keeping your statutes!
6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
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Then I wouldn't be ashamed when I examine all your commandments.
7 I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.
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I will give thanks to you with a heart that does right as I learn your righteous rules.
8 I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.
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I will keep your statutes. Please don't leave me all alone!
9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
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How can young people keep their paths pure? By guarding them according to what you've said.
10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
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I have sought you with all my heart. Don't let me stray from any of your commandments!
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
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I keep your word close, in my heart, so that I won't sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, LORD; teach me your decrees.
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You, LORD, are to be blessed! Teach me your statutes.
13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.
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I will declare out loud all the rules you have spoken.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
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I rejoice in the content of your laws as if I were rejoicing over great wealth.
15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
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I will think about your precepts and examine all your paths.
16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.
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I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget what you have said.
17 Be good to your servant while I live, that I may obey your word.
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Be good to your servant so I can go on living and keeping your word.
18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
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Open my eyes so I can examine the wonders of your Instruction!
19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide your commands from me.
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I'm an immigrant in the land. Don't hide your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.
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I'm worn out by longing every minute for your rules!
21 You rebuke the arrogant, who are accursed, those who stray from your commands.
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You rebuke the arrogant, accursed people who stray from your commandments.
22 Remove from me their scorn and contempt, for I keep your statutes.
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Take all their insults and contempt away from me because I've kept your laws!
23 Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.
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Even if rulers gather and scheme against me, your servant will contemplate your statutes!
24 Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.
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Yes, your laws are my joy— they are my most trusted advisors!
25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word.
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My life is stuck in the dirt. Now make me live again according to your promise!
26 I gave an account of my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees.
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I confessed my ways and you answered me. Now teach me your statutes!
27 Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.
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Help me understand what your precepts are about so I can contemplate your wondrous works!
28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word.
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My spirit sags because of grief. Now raise me up according to your promise!
29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me and teach me your law.
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Remove all false ways from me; show mercy to me by means of your Instruction.
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.
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I've chosen the way of faithfulness; I'm set on your rules.
31 I hold fast to your statutes, LORD; do not let me be put to shame.
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I'm holding tight to your laws, LORD. Please don't let me be put to shame.
32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.
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I run the same path as your commandments because you give my heart insight.
33 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end.
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LORD, teach me what your statutes are about, and I will guard every part of them.
34 Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
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Help me understand so I can guard your Instruction and keep it with all my heart.
35 Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight.
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Lead me on the trail of your commandments because that is what I want.
36 Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain.
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Turn my heart to your laws, not to greedy gain.
37 Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
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Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Make me live by your way.
38 Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared.
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Confirm your promise to your servant— the promise that is for all those who honor you.
39 Take away the disgrace I dread, for your laws are good.
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Remove the insults that I dread because your rules are good.
40 How I long for your precepts! In your righteousness preserve my life.
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Look how I desire your precepts! Make me live by your righteousness.
41 May your unfailing love come to me, LORD, your salvation, according to your promise;
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LORD, let your faithful love come to me— let your salvation come to me according to your promise—
42 then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word.
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so I can have a response for those who mock me because I have trusted in your word!
43 Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws.
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Please don't take your true word out of my mouth, because I have waited for your rules.
44 I will always obey your law, for ever and ever.
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I will always keep your Instruction, always and forever!
45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.
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I will walk around in wide-open spaces, because I have pursued your precepts.
46 I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame,
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I will talk about your laws before rulers with no shame whatsoever.
47 for I delight in your commands because I love them.
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I will rejoice in your commandments because I love them.
48 I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees.
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I will lift up my hands to your commandments because I love them, and I will contemplate all your statutes.
49 Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.
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Remember your promise to your servant, for which you made me wait.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.
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My comfort during my suffering is this: your word gives me new life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law.
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The arrogant make fun of me to no end, but I haven't deviated from your Instruction.
52 I remember, LORD, your ancient laws, and I find comfort in them.
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When I remember your ancient rules, I'm comforted, LORD.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked, who have forsaken your law.
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But I'm seized with anger because of the wicked— because of those who abandon your Instruction.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song wherever I lodge.
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Your statutes have been my songs of praise wherever I lived as an immigrant.
55 In the night, LORD, I remember your name, that I may keep your law.
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LORD, I remember your name at nighttime, and I keep your Instruction.
56 This has been my practice: I obey your precepts.
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This has been my practice because I guard your precepts.
57 You are my portion, LORD; I have promised to obey your words.
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The LORD is my possession. I promise to do what you have said.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.
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I've sought your favor with all my heart; have mercy on me according to your word.
59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes.
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I've considered my ways and turned my feet back to your laws.
60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.
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I hurry to keep your commandments— I never put it off!
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law.
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Though the wicked have surrounded me with their ropes, I haven't forgotten your Instruction.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws.
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I get up in the middle of the night to give thanks to you because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.
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I'm a friend to everyone who honors you and to all who keep your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, LORD; teach me your decrees.
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LORD, the world is full of your faithful love! Teach me your statutes!
65 Do good to your servant according to your word, LORD.
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You have treated your servant well, LORD, according to your promise.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I trust your commands.
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Teach me knowledge and good judgment because I've put my trust in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.
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Before I suffered, I took the wrong way, but now I do what you say.
68 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.
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You are good and you do good. Teach me your statutes!
69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart.
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The arrogant cover me with their lies, but I guard your precepts with all my heart.
70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law.
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Their hearts are unfeeling, like blubber, but I rejoice in your Instruction.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
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My suffering was good for me, because through it I learned your statutes.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
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The Instruction you've given to me is better than thousands of pieces of gold and silver!
73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands.
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Your hands have made me and set me in place. Help me understand so I can learn your commandments.
74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.
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Then those who honor you will see me and be glad because I have waited for your promise.
75 I know, LORD, that your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
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LORD, I know that your rules are right and that you rightly made me suffer.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.
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Please let your faithful love comfort me, according to what you've said to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight.
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Let your compassion come to me so I can live again, because your Instruction is my joy!
78 May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts.
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But let the arrogant be ashamed because they oppressed me with lies— meanwhile, I will be contemplating your precepts!
79 May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes.
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Let the people who honor you come back to me; let those who know your precepts return to me.
80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.
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Let my heart be blameless in your statutes so that I am not put to shame.
81 My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.
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My whole being yearns for your saving help! I wait for your promise.
82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise; I say, “When will you comfort me?”
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My eyes are worn out looking for your word. "When will you comfort me?" I ask,
83 Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke, I do not forget your decrees.
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because I've become like a bottle dried up by smoke, though I haven't forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors?
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How much more time does your servant have? When will you bring my oppressors to justice?
85 The arrogant dig pits to trap me, contrary to your law.
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The arrogant have dug pits for me— those people who act against your Instruction.
86 All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
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All your commandments are true, but people harass me for no reason. Help me!
87 They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.
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They've almost wiped me off the face of the earth! Meanwhile, I haven't abandoned your precepts!
88 In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.
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Make me live again according to your faithful love so I can keep the law you've given!
89 Your word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.
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Your word, LORD, stands firm in heaven forever!
90 Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.
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Your faithfulness extends from one generation to the next! You set the earth firmly in place, and it is still there.
91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.
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Your rules endure to this day because everything serves you.
92 If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.
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If your Instruction hadn't been my delight, I would have died because of my suffering.
93 I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life.
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I will never forget your precepts because through them you gave me life again.
94 Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts.
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I'm yours—save me because I've pursued your precepts!
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me, but I will ponder your statutes.
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The wicked wait for me, wanting to kill me, but I'm studying your laws.
96 To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.
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I've seen that everything, no matter how perfect, has a limit, but your commandment is boundless.
97 Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.
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I love your Instruction! I think about it constantly.
98 Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies.
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Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies because it is always with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.
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I have greater insight than all my teachers because I contemplate your laws.
100 I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts.
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I have more understanding than the elders because I guard your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word.
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I haven't set my feet on any evil path so I can make sure to keep your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me.
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I haven't deviated from any of your rules because you are the one who has taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
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Your word is so pleasing to my taste buds— it's sweeter than honey in my mouth!
104 I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
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I'm studying your precepts— that's why I hate every false path.
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
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Your word is a lamp before my feet and a light for my journey.
106 I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws.
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I have sworn, and I fully mean it: I will keep your righteous rules.
107 I have suffered much; preserve my life, LORD, according to your word.
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I have been suffering so much— LORD, make me live again according to your promise.
108 Accept, LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws.
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Please, LORD, accept my spontaneous gifts of praise. Teach me your rules!
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands, I will not forget your law.
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Though my life is constantly in danger, I won't forget your Instruction.
110 The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from your precepts.
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Though the wicked have set a trap for me, I won't stray from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
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Your laws are my possession forever because they are my heart's joy.
112 My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.
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I have decided to keep your statutes forever, every last one.
113 I hate double-minded people, but I love your law.
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I hate fickle people, but I love your Instruction.
114 You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.
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You are my shelter and my shield— I wait for your promise.
115 Away from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commands of my God!
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Get away from me, you evildoers; I want to guard my God's commandments!
116 Sustain me, my God, according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed.
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Sustain me according to your word so I can live! Don't let me be put to shame because of hope.
117 Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees.
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Support me so I can be saved and so I can focus constantly on your statutes.
118 You reject all who stray from your decrees, for their delusions come to nothing.
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You discard everyone who strays from your statutes because they are dishonest and false.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross; therefore I love your statutes.
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You dispose of all the wicked people on earth like waste— that's why I love your laws.
120 My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.
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My body shudders because I fear you; I'm in awe of your rules.
121 I have done what is righteous and just; do not leave me to my oppressors.
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I've done what is just and right. Don't just hand me over to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.
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Guarantee good things for your servant. Please don't let the arrogant oppress me.
123 My eyes fail, looking for your salvation, looking for your righteous promise.
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My eyes are worn out looking for your saving help— looking for your word that will set things right.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees.
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Act toward your servant according to your faithful love. Teach me your statutes!
125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
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I'm your servant! Help me understand so I can know your laws.
126 It is time for you to act, LORD; your law is being broken.
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It is time for the LORD to do something! Your Instruction has been broken.
127 Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold,
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But I love your commandments more than gold, even more than pure gold.
128 and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.
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That's why I walk straight by every single one of your precepts. That's why I hate every false path.
129 Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.
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Your laws are wonderful! That's why I guard them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
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Access to your words gives light, giving simple folk understanding.
131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.
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I open my mouth up wide, panting, because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.
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Come back to me and have mercy on me; that's only right for those who love your name.
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
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Keep my steps steady by your word; don't let any sin rule me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts.
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Redeem me from the people who oppress me so I can keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.
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Shine your face on your servant, and teach me your statutes.
136 Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed.
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Rivers of tears stream from my eyes because your Instruction isn't being kept.
137 You are righteous, LORD, and your laws are right.
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LORD, you are righteous, and your rules are right.
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.
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The laws you commanded are righteous, completely trustworthy.
139 My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.
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Anger consumes me because my enemies have forgotten what you've said.
140 Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them.
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Your word has been tried and tested; your servant loves your word!
141 Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts.
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I'm insignificant and unpopular, but I don't forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true.
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Your righteousness lasts forever! Your Instruction is true!
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.
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Stress and strain have caught up with me, but your commandments are my joy!
144 Your statutes are always righteous; give me understanding that I may live.
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Your laws are righteous forever. Help me understand so I can live!
145 I call with all my heart; answer me, LORD, and I will obey your decrees.
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I cry out with all my heart: "LORD, answer me so I can guard your statutes!"
146 I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes.
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I cry out to you, "Save me so I can keep your laws!"
147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.
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I meet the predawn light and cry for help. I wait for your promise.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
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My eyes encounter each hour of the night as I think about your word.
149 Hear my voice in accordance with your love; preserve my life, LORD, according to your laws.
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Listen to my voice, according to your faithful love. LORD, make me live again, according to your justice.
150 Those who devise wicked schemes are near, but they are far from your law.
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The people who love to plot wicked schemes are nearby, but they are so far from your Instruction!
151 Yet you are near, LORD, and all your commands are true.
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But you, LORD, are nearby too, and all your commandments are true.
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes that you established them to last forever.
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Long ago I learned from your laws that you had established them forever.
153 Look on my suffering and deliver me, for I have not forgotten your law.
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Look at my suffering and deliver me because I haven't forgotten your Instruction.
154 Defend my cause and redeem me; preserve my life according to your promise.
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Argue my case and redeem me. Make me live again by your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek out your decrees.
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Salvation is far from the wicked because they haven't pursued your statutes.
156 Your compassion, LORD, is great; preserve my life according to your laws.
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You have so much compassion, LORD— make me live again, according to your rules.
157 Many are the foes who persecute me, but I have not turned from your statutes.
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My oppressors and enemies are many, but I haven't turned away from your laws.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing, for they do not obey your word.
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I look on the faithless, and I am disgusted because they haven't kept your word.
159 See how I love your precepts; preserve my life, LORD, in accordance with your love.
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Look at how much I love your precepts. Make me live again, LORD, according to your faithful love!
160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.
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The first thing to know about your word is that it is true and that all your righteous rules last forever.
161 Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart trembles at your word.
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Rulers oppress me without cause, but my heart honors what you've said.
162 I rejoice in your promise like one who finds great spoil.
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I'm overjoyed at your word, like someone who finds great treasure.
163 I hate and detest falsehood but I love your law.
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I hate, I absolutely despise, what is false, but I'm in love with your Instruction.
164 Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws.
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I praise you seven times a day for your righteous rules.
165 Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
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The people who love your Instruction enjoy peace—and lots of it. There's no stumbling for them!
166 I wait for your salvation, LORD, and I follow your commands.
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LORD, I wait for your saving help. I do what you've commanded.
167 I obey your statutes, for I love them greatly.
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I keep your laws; I love them so much!
168 I obey your precepts and your statutes, for all my ways are known to you.
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I keep your precepts and your laws because all my ways are seen by you.
169 May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word.
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Let my cry reach you, LORD; help me understand according to what you've said.
170 May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.
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Let my request for grace come before you; deliver me according to your promise!
171 May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
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Let my lips overflow with praise because you've taught me your statutes.
172 May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
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Let my tongue declare your word, because all your commandments are righteous.
173 May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
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Let your power help me because I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, LORD, and your law gives me delight.
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LORD, I long for your saving help! Your Instruction is my joy!
175 Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.
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Let me live again so I can praise you! Let your rules help me!
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
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I've wandered off like a sheep, lost. Find your servant because I haven't forgotten your commandments!
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible