Understand every verse you read with Bible Gateway Plus. Read Scripture ad-free and access trusted study tools beside every passage. Try it FREE for 7 days.
Log In/Sign Up

#
Psalm 119
New King James Version

### Meditations on the Excellencies of the Word of God

#### א ALEPH

119 Blessed are the [a]undefiled in the way,
(A)Who walk in the law of the Lord!
2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the (B)whole heart!
3 (C)They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.
4 You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
5 Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
6 (D)Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments.
7 I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
When I learn Your righteous judgments.
8 I will keep Your statutes;
Oh, do not forsake me utterly!

#### ב BETH

9 How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
10 With my whole heart I have (E)sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11 (F)Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord!
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have (G)declared
All the judgments of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts,
And [b]contemplate Your ways.
16 I will (H)delight myself in Your statutes;
I will not forget Your word.

#### ג GIMEL

17 (I)Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may see
Wondrous things from Your law.
19 (J)I am a stranger in the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
20 (K)My soul [c]breaks with longing
For Your judgments at all times.
21 You rebuke the proud—the cursed,
Who stray from Your commandments.
22 (L)Remove from me reproach and contempt,
For I have kept Your testimonies.
23 Princes also sit and speak against me,
But Your servant meditates on Your statutes.
24 Your testimonies also are my delight
And my counselors.

#### ד DALETH

25 (M)My soul clings to the dust;
(N)Revive me according to Your word.
26 I have declared my ways, and You answered me;
(O)Teach me Your statutes.
27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts;
So (P)shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
28 (Q)My soul [d]melts from [e]heaviness;
Strengthen me according to Your word.
29 Remove from me the way of lying,
And grant me Your law graciously.
30 I have chosen the way of truth;
Your judgments I have laid before me.
31 I cling to Your testimonies;
O Lord, do not put me to shame!
32 I will run the course of Your commandments,
For You shall (R)enlarge my heart.

#### ה HE

33 (S)Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes,
And I shall keep it to the end.
34 (T)Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law;
Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
36 [f]Incline my heart to Your testimonies,
And not to (U)covetousness.
37 (V)Turn[g] away my eyes from (W)looking at worthless things,
And revive me in [h]Your way.
38 (X)Establish Your word to Your servant,
Who is devoted to fearing You.
39 Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness.

#### ו WAW

41 Let Your mercies come also to me, O Lord—
Your salvation according to Your word.
42 So shall I have an answer for him who [i]reproaches me,
For I trust in Your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I have hoped in Your ordinances.
44 So shall I keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever.
45 And I will walk [j]at (Y)liberty,
For I seek Your precepts.
46 (Z)I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
And will not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
Which I love.
48 My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love,
And I will meditate on Your statutes.

#### ז ZAYIN

49 Remember the word to Your servant,
Upon which You have caused me to hope.
50 This is my (AA)comfort in my affliction,
For Your word has given me life.
51 The proud have me in great derision,
Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.
52 I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord,
And have comforted myself.
53 (AB)Indignation has taken hold of me
Because of the wicked, who forsake Your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
In the house of my pilgrimage.
55 (AC)I remember Your name in the night, O Lord,
And I keep Your law.
56 This has become mine,
Because I kept Your precepts.

#### ח HETH

57 (AD)You are my portion, O Lord;
I have said that I would keep Your words.
58 I entreated Your favor with my whole heart;
Be merciful to me according to Your word.
59 I (AE)thought about my ways,
And turned my feet to Your testimonies.
60 I made haste, and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.
61 The cords of the wicked have bound me,
But I have not forgotten Your law.
62 (AF)At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
63 I am a companion of all who fear You,
And of those who keep Your precepts.
64 (AG)The earth, O Lord, is full of Your mercy;
Teach me Your statutes.

#### ט TETH

65 You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according to Your word.
66 Teach me good judgment and (AH)knowledge,
For I believe Your commandments.
67 Before I was (AI)afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep Your word.
68 You are (AJ)good, and do good;
Teach me Your statutes.
69 The proud have (AK)forged[k] a lie against me,
But I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
70 (AL)Their heart is [l]as fat as grease,
But I delight in Your law.
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.
72 (AM)The law of Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.

#### י YOD

73 (AN)Your hands have made me and fashioned me;
Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.
74 (AO)Those who fear You will be glad when they see me,
Because I have hoped in Your word.
75 I know, O Lord, (AP)that Your judgments are [m]right,
And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
According to Your word to Your servant.
77 Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live;
For Your law is my delight.
78 Let the proud (AQ)be ashamed,
For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood;
But I will meditate on Your precepts.
79 Let those who fear You turn to me,
Those who know Your testimonies.
80 Let my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes,
That I may not be ashamed.

#### כ KAPH

81 (AR)My soul faints for Your salvation,
But I hope in Your word.
82 My eyes fail from searching Your word,
Saying, “When will You comfort me?”
83 For (AS)I have become like a wineskin in smoke,
Yet I do not forget Your statutes.
84 (AT)How many are the days of Your servant?
(AU)When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me?
85 (AV)The proud have dug pits for me,
Which is not according to Your law.
86 All Your commandments are faithful;
They persecute me (AW)wrongfully;
Help me!
87 They almost made an end of me on earth,
But I did not forsake Your precepts.
88 Revive me according to Your lovingkindness,
So that I may keep the testimony of Your mouth.

#### ל LAMED

89 (AX)Forever, O Lord,
Your word [n]is settled in heaven.
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
You established the earth, and it [o]abides.
91 They continue this day according to (AY)Your ordinances,
For all are Your servants.
92 Unless Your law had been my delight,
I would then have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have given me life.
94 I am Yours, save me;
For I have sought Your precepts.
95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me,
But I will [p]consider Your testimonies.
96 (AZ)I have seen the consummation of all perfection,
But Your commandment is exceedingly broad.

#### מ MEM

97 Oh, how I love Your law!
(BA)It is my meditation all the day.
98 You, through Your commandments, make me (BB)wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
(BC)For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 (BD)I understand more than the [q]ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.
101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word.
102 I have not departed from Your judgments,
For You Yourself have taught me.
103 (BE)How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

#### נ NUN

105 (BF)Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
106 (BG)I have sworn and confirmed
That I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept, I pray, (BH)the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your judgments.
109 (BI)My life is continually [r]in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.
110 (BJ)The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts.
111 (BK)Your testimonies I have taken as a [s]heritage forever,
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, to the very end.

#### ס SAMEK

113 I hate the [t]double-minded,
But I love Your law.
114 (BL)You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in Your word.
115 (BM)Depart from me, you evildoers,
For I will keep the commandments of my God!
116 Uphold me according to Your word, that I may live;
And do not let me (BN)be ashamed of my hope.
117 [u]Hold me up, and I shall be safe,
And I shall observe Your statutes continually.
118 You reject all those who stray from Your statutes,
For their deceit is falsehood.
119 You [v]put away all the wicked of the earth (BO)like [w]dross;
Therefore I love Your testimonies.
120 (BP)My flesh trembles for fear of You,
And I am afraid of Your judgments.

#### ע AYIN

121 I have done justice and righteousness;
Do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Be (BQ)surety[x] for Your servant for good;
Do not let the proud oppress me.
123 My eyes fail from seeking Your salvation
And Your righteous word.
124 Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy,
And teach me Your statutes.
125 (BR)I am Your servant;
Give me understanding,
That I may know Your testimonies.
126 It is time for You to act, O Lord,
For they have [y]regarded Your law as void.
127 (BS)Therefore I love Your commandments
More than gold, yes, than fine gold!
128 Therefore all Your precepts concerning all things
I consider to be right;
I hate every false way.

#### פ PE

129 Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.
130 The entrance of Your words gives light;
(BT)It gives understanding to the (BU)simple.
131 I opened my mouth and (BV)panted,
For I longed for Your commandments.
132 (BW)Look upon me and be merciful to me,
(BX)As Your custom is toward those who love Your name.
133 (BY)Direct my steps by Your word,
And (BZ)let no iniquity have dominion over me.
134 (CA)Redeem me from the oppression of man,
That I may keep Your precepts.
135 (CB)Make Your face shine upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes.
136 (CC)Rivers of water run down from my eyes,
Because men do not keep Your law.

#### צ TSADDE

137 (CD)Righteous are You, O Lord,
And upright are Your judgments.
138 (CE)Your testimonies, which You have commanded,
Are righteous and very faithful.
139 (CF)My zeal has [z]consumed me,
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
140 (CG)Your word is very [aa]pure;
Therefore Your servant loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
Yet I do not forget Your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is (CH)truth.
143 Trouble and anguish have [ab]overtaken me,
Yet Your commandments are my delights.
144 The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting;
Give me understanding, and I shall live.

#### ק QOPH

145 I cry out with my whole heart;
Hear me, O Lord!
I will keep Your statutes.
146 I cry out to You;
Save me, and I will keep Your testimonies.
147 (CI)I rise before the dawning of the morning,
And cry for help;
I hope in Your word.
148 (CJ)My eyes are awake through the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.
149 Hear my voice according to Your lovingkindness;
O Lord, revive me according to Your justice.
150 They draw near who follow after wickedness;
They are far from Your law.
151 You are (CK)near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.
152 Concerning Your testimonies,
I have known of old that You have founded them (CL)forever.

#### ר RESH

153 (CM)Consider my affliction and deliver me,
For I do not forget Your law.
154 (CN)Plead my cause and redeem me;
Revive me according to Your word.
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
For they do not seek Your statutes.
156 [ac]Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord;
Revive me according to Your judgments.
157 Many are my persecutors and my enemies,
Yet I do not (CO)turn from Your testimonies.
158 I see the treacherous, and (CP)am disgusted,
Because they do not keep Your word.
159 Consider how I love Your precepts;
Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
160 The entirety of Your word is truth,
And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.

#### ש SHIN

161 (CQ)Princes persecute me without a cause,
But my heart stands in awe of Your word.
162 I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.
163 I hate and abhor lying,
But I love Your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your righteous judgments.
165 (CR)Great peace have those who love Your law,
And [ad]nothing causes them to stumble.
166 (CS)Lord, I hope for Your salvation,
And I do Your commandments.
167 My soul keeps Your testimonies,
And I love them exceedingly.
168 I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
(CT)For all my ways are before You.

#### ת TAU

169 Let my cry come before You, O Lord;
(CU)Give me understanding according to Your word.
170 Let my [ae]supplication come before You;
Deliver me according to Your word.
171 (CV)My lips shall utter praise,
For You teach me Your statutes.
172 My tongue shall speak of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.
173 Let Your hand become my help,
For (CW)I have chosen Your precepts.
174 (CX)I long for Your salvation, O Lord,
And (CY)Your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise You;
And let Your judgments help me.
176 (CZ)I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant,
For I do not forget Your commandments.

#### Footnotes

1. Psalm 119:1 blameless
2. Psalm 119:15 look into
3. Psalm 119:20 is crushed
4. Psalm 119:28 Lit. drops
5. Psalm 119:28 grief
6. Psalm 119:36 Cause me to long for
7. Psalm 119:37 Lit. Cause my eyes to pass away from
8. Psalm 119:37 So with MT, LXX, Vg.; Tg. Your words
9. Psalm 119:42 taunts
10. Psalm 119:45 Lit. in a wide place
11. Psalm 119:69 Lit. smeared me with a lie
12. Psalm 119:70 Insensible
13. Psalm 119:75 Lit. righteous
14. Psalm 119:89 Lit. stands firm
15. Psalm 119:90 Lit. stands
16. Psalm 119:95 give attention to
17. Psalm 119:100 aged
18. Psalm 119:109 In danger
19. Psalm 119:111 inheritance
20. Psalm 119:113 Lit. divided in heart or mind
21. Psalm 119:117 Uphold me
22. Psalm 119:119 destroy, lit. cause to cease
23. Psalm 119:119 slag or refuse
24. Psalm 119:122 guaranty
25. Psalm 119:126 broken Your law
26. Psalm 119:139 put an end to
27. Psalm 119:140 Lit. refined or tried
28. Psalm 119:143 Lit. found
29. Psalm 119:156 Or Many
30. Psalm 119:165 Lit. they have no stumbling block
31. Psalm 119:170 Prayer of supplication

#### Cross references

1. Psalm 119:1 : Ps. 128:1; [Ezek. 11:20; 18:17]; Mic. 4:2
2. Psalm 119:2 : Deut. 6:5; 10:12; 11:13; 13:3
3. Psalm 119:3 : [1 John 3:9; 5:18]
4. Psalm 119:6 : Job 22:26
5. Psalm 119:10 : 2 Chr. 15:15
6. Psalm 119:11 : Ps. 37:31; Luke 2:19
7. Psalm 119:13 : Ps. 34:11
8. Psalm 119:16 : Ps. 1:2
9. Psalm 119:17 : Ps. 116:7
10. Psalm 119:19 : Gen. 47:9; Lev. 25:23; 1 Chr. 29:15; Ps. 39:12; Heb. 11:13
11. Psalm 119:20 : Ps. 42:1, 2; 63:1; 84:2
12. Psalm 119:22 : Ps. 39:8
13. Psalm 119:25 : Ps. 44:25
14. Psalm 119:25 : Ps. 143:11
15. Psalm 119:26 : Ps. 25:4; 27:11; 86:11
16. Psalm 119:27 : Ps. 145:5, 6
17. Psalm 119:28 : Ps. 107:26
18. Psalm 119:32 : 1 Kin. 4:29; Is. 60:5; 2 Cor. 6:11, 13
19. Psalm 119:33 : [Matt. 10:22; Rev. 2:26]
20. Psalm 119:34 : [Prov. 2:6; James 1:5]
21. Psalm 119:36 : Ezek. 33:31; [Mark 7:20–23]; Luke 12:15; [Heb. 13:5]
22. Psalm 119:37 : Is. 33:15
23. Psalm 119:37 : Prov. 23:5
24. Psalm 119:38 : 2 Sam. 7:25
25. Psalm 119:45 : Prov. 4:12
26. Psalm 119:46 : Ps. 138:1; Matt. 10:18; Acts 26
27. Psalm 119:50 : Job 6:10; [Rom. 15:4]
28. Psalm 119:53 : Ex. 32:19; Ezra 9:3; Neh. 13:25
29. Psalm 119:55 : Ps. 63:6
30. Psalm 119:57 : Num. 18:20; Ps. 16:5; Jer. 10:16; Lam. 3:24
31. Psalm 119:59 : Mark 14:72; Luke 15:17
32. Psalm 119:62 : Acts 16:25
33. Psalm 119:64 : Ps. 33:5
34. Psalm 119:66 : Phil. 1:9
35. Psalm 119:67 : Prov. 3:11; Jer. 31:18, 19; [Heb. 12:5–11]
36. Psalm 119:68 : Ps. 106:1; 107:1; [Matt. 19:17]
37. Psalm 119:69 : Job 13:4; Ps. 109:2
38. Psalm 119:70 : Deut. 32:15; Job 15:27; Ps. 17:10; Is. 6:10; Jer. 5:28; Acts 28:27
39. Psalm 119:72 : Ps. 19:10; Prov. 8:10, 11, 19
40. Psalm 119:73 : Job 10:8; 31:15; [Ps. 139:15, 16]
41. Psalm 119:74 : Ps. 34:2
42. Psalm 119:75 : [Heb. 12:10]
43. Psalm 119:78 : Ps. 25:3
44. Psalm 119:81 : Ps. 73:26; 84:2
45. Psalm 119:83 : Job 30:30
46. Psalm 119:84 : Ps. 39:4
47. Psalm 119:84 : Rev. 6:10
48. Psalm 119:85 : Ps. 35:7; Prov. 16:27; Jer. 18:22
49. Psalm 119:86 : Ps. 35:19
50. Psalm 119:89 : Ps. 89:2; Is. 40:8; Matt. 24:35; [1 Pet. 1:25]
51. Psalm 119:91 : Jer. 33:25
52. Psalm 119:96 : Matt. 5:18
53. Psalm 119:97 : Ps. 1:2
54. Psalm 119:98 : Deut. 4:6
55. Psalm 119:99 : [2 Tim. 3:15]
56. Psalm 119:100 : [Job 32:7–9]
57. Psalm 119:103 : Ps. 19:10; Prov. 8:11
58. Psalm 119:105 : Prov. 6:23
59. Psalm 119:106 : Neh. 10:29
60. Psalm 119:108 : Hos. 14:2; Heb. 13:15
61. Psalm 119:109 : Judg. 12:3; Job 13:14
62. Psalm 119:110 : Ps. 140:5
63. Psalm 119:111 : Deut. 33:4
64. Psalm 119:114 : [Ps. 32:7]
65. Psalm 119:115 : Ps. 6:8; Matt. 7:23
66. Psalm 119:116 : Ps. 25:2; [Rom. 5:5; 9:33; 10:11; Phil. 1:20]
67. Psalm 119:119 : Is. 1:22, 25; Ezek. 22:18, 19
68. Psalm 119:120 : Job 4:14; Hab. 3:16
69. Psalm 119:122 : Job 17:3; Heb. 7:22
70. Psalm 119:125 : Ps. 116:16
71. Psalm 119:127 : Ps. 19:10
72. Psalm 119:130 : Prov. 6:23
73. Psalm 119:130 : [Ps. 19:7]; Prov. 1:4
74. Psalm 119:131 : Ps. 42:1
75. Psalm 119:132 : Ps. 106:4
76. Psalm 119:132 : Ps. 51:1; [2 Thess. 1:6]
77. Psalm 119:133 : Ps. 17:5
78. Psalm 119:133 : [Ps. 19:13; Rom. 6:12]
79. Psalm 119:134 : Luke 1:74
80. Psalm 119:135 : Num. 6:25; Ps. 4:6
81. Psalm 119:136 : Jer. 9:1, 18; 14:17; Lam. 3:48; Ezek. 9:4
82. Psalm 119:137 : Ezra 9:15; Neh. 9:33; Jer. 12:1; Lam. 1:18; Dan. 9:7, 14
83. Psalm 119:138 : [Ps. 19:7–9]
84. Psalm 119:139 : Ps. 69:9; John 2:17
85. Psalm 119:140 : Ps. 12:6
86. Psalm 119:142 : [Ps. 19:9; John 17:17]
87. Psalm 119:147 : Ps. 5:3
88. Psalm 119:148 : Ps. 63:1, 6
89. Psalm 119:151 : [Ps. 145:18]; Is. 50:8
90. Psalm 119:152 : Luke 21:33
91. Psalm 119:153 : Lam. 5:1
92. Psalm 119:154 : 1 Sam. 24:15; Mic. 7:9
93. Psalm 119:157 : Ps. 44:18
94. Psalm 119:158 : Ezek. 9:4
95. Psalm 119:161 : 1 Sam. 24:11; 26:18
96. Psalm 119:165 : Prov. 3:2; [Is. 26:3; 32:17]
97. Psalm 119:166 : Gen. 49:18
98. Psalm 119:168 : Job 24:23; Prov. 5:21
99. Psalm 119:169 : Ps. 119:27, 144
100. Psalm 119:171 : Ps. 119:7
101. Psalm 119:173 : Josh. 24:22; Luke 10:42
102. Psalm 119:174 : Ps. 119:166
103. Psalm 119:174 : Ps. 119:16, 24
104. Psalm 119:176 : [Is. 53:6]; Jer. 50:6; Matt. 18:12; Luke 15:4; [1 Pet. 2:25]

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NKJV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People
Retail: $19.98
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $5.99 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Woman's Study Bible, Red Letter, Full-Color: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, 2nd Edition, Comfort Print: Growing in Knowledge and Understanding of God Through His Word
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NKJV, Gift and Award Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version
Retail: $9.99
Our Price: $6.99
Save: $3.00 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles