The longest chapter in the Bible, an acrostic poem in twenty-two stanzas of eight verses each, in praise of God's law. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." The psalm repeats words like law, testimonies, precepts and statutes.
1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way , who walk in the law of the LORD .
2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies , and that seek him with the whole heart .
3 They also do no iniquity : they walk in his ways .
4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently .
5 O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes !
6 Then shall I not be ashamed , when I have respect unto all thy commandments .
7 I will praise thee with uprightness of heart , when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments .
8 I will keep thy statutes : O forsake me not utterly .
9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way ? by taking heed thereto according to thy word .
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments .
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart , that I might not sin against thee.
12 Blessed art thou, O LORD : teach me thy statutes .
13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth .
14 I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies , as much as in all riches .
15 I will meditate in thy precepts , and have respect unto thy ways .
16 I will delight myself in thy statutes : I will not forget thy word .
17 GIMEL. Deal bountifully with thy servant , that I may live , and keep thy word .
18 Open thou mine eyes , that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law .
19 I am a stranger in the earth : hide not thy commandments from me.
20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times .
21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed , which do err from thy commandments .
22 Remove from me reproach and contempt ; for I have kept thy testimonies .
23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes .
24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors .
25 DALETH. My soul cleaveth unto the dust : quicken thou me according to thy word .
26 I have declared my ways , and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes .
27 Make me to understand the way of thy precepts : so shall I talk of thy wondrous works .
28 My soul melteth for heaviness : strengthen thou me according unto thy word .
29 Remove from me the way of lying : and grant me thy law graciously .
30 I have chosen the way of truth : thy judgments have I laid before me.
31 I have stuck unto thy testimonies : O LORD , put me not to shame .
32 I will run the way of thy commandments , when thou shalt enlarge my heart .
33 HE. Teach me, O LORD , the way of thy statutes ; and I shall keep it unto the end .
34 Give me understanding , and I shall keep thy law ; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart .
35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments ; for therein do I delight .
36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies , and not to covetousness .
37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity ; and quicken thou me in thy way .
38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant , who is devoted to thy fear .
39 Turn away my reproach which I fear : for thy judgments are good .
40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts : quicken me in thy righteousness .
41 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD , even thy salvation , according to thy word .
42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word .
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth ; for I have hoped in thy judgments .
44 So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever .
45 And I will walk at liberty : for I seek thy precepts .
46 I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings , and will not be ashamed .
47 And I will delight myself in thy commandments , which I have loved .
48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments , which I have loved ; and I will meditate in thy statutes .
49 ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant , upon which thou hast caused me to hope .
50 This is my comfort in my affliction : for thy word hath quickened me.
51 The proud have had me greatly in derision : yet have I not declined from thy law .
52 I remembered thy judgments of old , O LORD ; and have comforted myself.
53 Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law .
54 Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage .
55 I have remembered thy name , O LORD , in the night , and have kept thy law .
56 This I had, because I kept thy precepts .
57 CHETH. Thou art my portion , O LORD : I have said that I would keep thy words .
58 I intreated thy favour with my whole heart : be merciful unto me according to thy word .
59 I thought on my ways , and turned my feet unto thy testimonies .
60 I made haste , and delayed not to keep thy commandments .
61 The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law .
62 At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments .
63 I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts .
64 The earth , O LORD , is full of thy mercy : teach me thy statutes .
65 TETH. Thou hast dealt well with thy servant , O LORD , according unto thy word .
66 Teach me good judgment and knowledge : for I have believed thy commandments .
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray : but now have I kept thy word .
68 Thou art good , and doest good ; teach me thy statutes .
69 The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart .
70 Their heart is as fat as grease ; but I delight in thy law .
71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted ; that I might learn thy statutes .
72 The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver .
73 JOD. Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding , that I may learn thy commandments .
74 They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word .
75 I know , O LORD , that thy judgments are right , and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort , according to thy word unto thy servant .
77 Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live : for thy law is my delight .
78 Let the proud be ashamed ; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause : but I will meditate in thy precepts .
79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies .
80 Let my heart be sound in thy statutes ; that I be not ashamed .
81 CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation : but I hope in thy word .
82 Mine eyes fail for thy word , saying , When wilt thou comfort me?
83 For I am become like a bottle in the smoke ; yet do I not forget thy statutes .
84 How many are the days of thy servant ? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me?
85 The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law .
86 All thy commandments are faithful : they persecute me wrongfully ; help thou me.
87 They had almost consumed me upon earth ; but I forsook not thy precepts .
88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness ; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth .
89 LAMED. For ever , O LORD , thy word is settled in heaven .
90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations : thou hast established the earth , and it abideth .
91 They continue this day according to thine ordinances : for all are thy servants .
92 Unless thy law had been my delights , I should then have perished in mine affliction .
93 I will never forget thy precepts : for with them thou hast quickened me.
94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts .
95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies .
96 I have seen an end of all perfection : but thy commandment is exceeding broad .
97 MEM. O how love I thy law ! it is my meditation all the day .
98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies : for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers : for thy testimonies are my meditation .
100 I understand more than the ancients , because I keep thy precepts .
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way , that I might keep thy word .
102 I have not departed from thy judgments : for thou hast taught me.
103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste ! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth !
104 Through thy precepts I get understanding : therefore I hate every false way .
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet , and a light unto my path .
106 I have sworn , and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments .
107 I am afflicted very much : quicken me, O LORD , according unto thy word .
108 Accept , I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth , O LORD , and teach me thy judgments .
109 My soul is continually in my hand : yet do I not forget thy law .
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts .
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever : for they are the rejoicing of my heart .
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway , even unto the end .
113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts : but thy law do I love .
114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield : I hope in thy word .
115 Depart from me, ye evildoers : for I will keep the commandments of my God .
116 Uphold me according unto thy word , that I may live : and let me not be ashamed of my hope .
117 Hold thou me up , and I shall be safe : and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually .
118 Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes : for their deceit is falsehood .
119 Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross : therefore I love thy testimonies .
120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments .
121 AIN. I have done judgment and justice : leave me not to mine oppressors .
122 Be surety for thy servant for good : let not the proud oppress me.
123 Mine eyes fail for thy salvation , and for the word of thy righteousness .
124 Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy , and teach me thy statutes .
125 I am thy servant ; give me understanding , that I may know thy testimonies .
126 It is time for thee, LORD , to work : for they have made void thy law .
127 Therefore I love thy commandments above gold ; yea, above fine gold .
128 Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right ; and I hate every false way .
129 PE. Thy testimonies are wonderful : therefore doth my soul keep them.
130 The entrance of thy words giveth light ; it giveth understanding unto the simple .
131 I opened my mouth , and panted : for I longed for thy commandments .
132 Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name .
133 Order my steps in thy word : and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man : so will I keep thy precepts .
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant ; and teach me thy statutes .
136 Rivers of waters run down mine eyes , because they keep not thy law .
137 TZADDI. Righteous art thou, O LORD , and upright are thy judgments .
138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful .
139 My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words .
140 Thy word is very pure : therefore thy servant loveth it.
141 I am small and despised : yet do not I forget thy precepts .
142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness , and thy law is the truth .
143 Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights .
144 The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting : give me understanding , and I shall live .
145 KOPH. I cried with my whole heart ; hear me, O LORD : I will keep thy statutes .
146 I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies .
147 I prevented the dawning of the morning , and cried : I hoped in thy word .
148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches , that I might meditate in thy word .
149 Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness : O LORD , quicken me according to thy judgment .
150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief : they are far from thy law .
151 Thou art near , O LORD ; and all thy commandments are truth .
152 Concerning thy testimonies , I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever .
153 RESH. Consider mine affliction , and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law .
154 Plead my cause , and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word .
155 Salvation is far from the wicked : for they seek not thy statutes .
156 Great are thy tender mercies , O LORD : quicken me according to thy judgments .
157 Many are my persecutors and mine enemies ; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies .
158 I beheld the transgressors , and was grieved ; because they kept not thy word .
159 Consider how I love thy precepts : quicken me, O LORD , according to thy lovingkindness .
160 Thy word is true from the beginning : and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever .
161 SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause : but my heart standeth in awe of thy word .
162 I rejoice at thy word , as one that findeth great spoil .
163 I hate and abhor lying : but thy law do I love .
164 Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments .
165 Great peace have they which love thy law : and nothing shall offend them.
166 LORD , I have hoped for thy salvation , and done thy commandments .
167 My soul hath kept thy testimonies ; and I love them exceedingly .
168 I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies : for all my ways are before thee.
169 TAU. Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD : give me understanding according to thy word .
170 Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word .
171 My lips shall utter praise , when thou hast taught me thy statutes .
172 My tongue shall speak of thy word : for all thy commandments are righteousness .
173 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts .
174 I have longed for thy salvation , O LORD ; and thy law is my delight .
175 Let my soul live , and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep ; seek thy servant ; for I do not forget thy commandments .