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Meditations and Prayers Relating to the Law of God.

^(FA)Aleph.

¹ How blessed and favored by God are those whose way is ^(C1)blameless those with personal integrity, the upright, the guileless,
Who ^(C2)walk in the law and who are guided by the precepts and revealed will of the LORD.

² Blessed and favored by God are those who ^(C1)keep His testimonies,
And who consistently ^(C2)seek Him and long for Him ^(C3)with all their heart.

³ They ^(C1)do no unrighteousness;
They walk in His ways. ^(VR1)

⁴ You have ^(C1)ordained Your precepts,
That we should follow them with careful diligence.

⁵ Oh, that my ^(C1)ways may be established
To ^(C2)observe and keep Your statutes obediently accepting and honoring them!

⁶ Then ^(C1)I will not be ashamed
When I look with respect to all Your commandments as my guide.

⁷ I will ^(C1)give thanks to You with an upright heart,
When I learn through discipline Your righteous judgments for my transgressions.

⁸ I shall keep Your statutes;
Do not ^(C1)utterly abandon me when I fail.

Beth.

⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure?
By ^(C1)keeping watch on himself according to Your word conforming his life to Your precepts.

¹⁰ With ^(C1)all my heart I have sought You, inquiring of You and longing for You;
Do not let me ^(C2)wander from Your commandments neither through ignorance nor by willful disobedience. ^(VR1)

¹¹ Your word I have ^(C1)treasured and stored in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.

¹² Blessed and reverently praised are You, O LORD;
^(C1)Teach me Your statutes.

¹³ With my lips I have ^(C1)told of
All the ^(C2)ordinances of Your mouth.

¹⁴ I have ^(C1)rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.

¹⁵ I will ^(C1)meditate on Your precepts
And thoughtfully regard ^(C2)Your ways the path of life established by Your precepts. ^(VR1)

¹⁶ I will ^(C1)delight in Your statutes;
I will ^(C2)not forget Your word.

Gimel.

^17 (C1)Deal bountifully with Your servant,
That I may live and keep Your word treasuring it and being guided by it day by day. ^(VR1)

¹⁸ Open my eyes to spiritual truth so that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your law.

¹⁹ I am a ^(C1)stranger on the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me. ^(VR1)

²⁰ My soul is crushed ^(C1)with longing
For Your ordinances at all times.

²¹ You ^(C1)rebuke the presumptuous and arrogant, the ^(C2)cursed ones,
Who ^(C3)wander from Your commandments.

^22 (C1)Take reproach and contempt away from me,
For I ^(C2)observe Your testimonies.

^23 (C1)Even though princes sit and talk to one another against me,
Your servant ^(C2)meditates on Your statutes.

²⁴ Your testimonies also are my ^(C1)delight
And my counselors.

Daleth.

²⁵ My earthly ^(C1)life clings to the dust;
^(C2)Revive and refresh me ^(C3)according to Your word. ^(VR1)

²⁶ I have told of my ways, and You have answered me;
^(C1)Teach me Your statutes.

²⁷ Make me understand the way of Your precepts,
So that I will ^(C1)meditate (focus my thoughts) on Your wonderful works. ^(VR1)

²⁸ My ^(C1)soul dissolves because of grief;
Renew and ^(C2)strengthen me according to the promises of Your word.

²⁹ Remove from me the way of falsehood and unfaithfulness,
And graciously grant me Your law.

³⁰ I have chosen the faithful way;
I have placed Your ordinances before me.

³¹ I ^(C1)cling tightly to Your testimonies;
O LORD, do not put me to shame!

³² I will run the way of Your commandments with purpose,
For You will give me a ^(C1)heart that is willing.

He.

^33 (C1)Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes,
And I will steadfastly observe it to the end.

^34 (C1)Give me understanding a teachable heart and the ability to learn, that I may ^(C2)keep Your law;
And observe it ^(C3)with all my heart. ^(VR1)

³⁵ Make me walk in the ^(C1)path of Your commandments,
For I ^(C2)delight in it.

^36 (C1)Incline my heart to Your testimonies
And not to ^(C2)dishonest gain and envy. ^(VR1)

³⁷ Turn my ^(C1)eyes away from vanity all those worldly, meaningless things that distract—let Your priorities be mine,
And ^(C2)restore me with renewed energy in Your ways.

^38 (C1)Establish Your word and confirm Your promise to Your servant,
As that which produces awe-inspired reverence for You. ^(VR1)

^39 (C1)Turn away my reproach which I dread,
For Your ordinances are good.

⁴⁰ I ^(C1)long for Your precepts;
Renew me through Your righteousness.

Vav.

⁴¹ May Your ^(C1)lovingkindness also come to me, O LORD,
Your salvation ^(C2)according to Your promise;

⁴² So I will have an ^(C1)answer for the one who ^(C2)taunts me,
For I trust completely in Your word and its reliability.

⁴³ And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
For I ^(C1)wait for Your ordinances.

⁴⁴ I will ^(C1)keep Your law continually,
Forever and ever writing Your precepts on my heart.

⁴⁵ And I will ^(C1)walk at liberty,
For I ^(C2)seek and deeply long for Your precepts.

⁴⁶ I will also speak of Your testimonies ^(C1)before kings
And shall not be ashamed. ^(VR1)

⁴⁷ For I shall ^(C1)delight in Your commandments,
Which I ^(C2)love.

⁴⁸ And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments,
Which I ^(C1)love;
And I will ^(C2)meditate on Your statutes.

Zayin.

⁴⁹ Remember always the word and promise to Your servant,
In which You have made me hope.

⁵⁰ This is my ^(C1)comfort in my affliction,
That Your word has revived me and given me life. ^(VR1)

⁵¹ The arrogant ^(C1)utterly ridicule me,
Yet I do not ^(C2)turn away from Your law.

⁵² I have ^(C1)remembered carefully Your ancient ordinances, O LORD,
And I have taken comfort.

⁵³ Burning ^(C1)indignation has seized me because of the wicked,
Who ^(F1)(C2)reject Your law.

⁵⁴ Your statutes are my songs
In the house of my ^(C1)pilgrimage.

⁵⁵ O LORD, I ^(C1)remember Your name ^(C2)in the night,
And keep Your law.

⁵⁶ This has become mine as the gift of Your grace,
That I ^(C1)observe Your precepts accepting them with loving obedience.

Heth.

⁵⁷ The LORD is my ^(C1)portion;
I have promised to ^(C2)keep Your words.

⁵⁸ I ^(C1)sought Your favor ^(C2)with all my heart;
^(C3)Be merciful and gracious to me ^(C4)according to Your promise.

⁵⁹ I ^(C1)considered my ways
And turned my feet to follow and obey Your testimonies.

⁶⁰ I hurried and did not delay
To keep Your commandments.

⁶¹ The ^(C1)cords of the wicked have encircled and ensnared me,
But I have ^(C2)not forgotten Your law.

⁶² At ^(C1)midnight I will rise to give thanks to You
Because of Your ^(C2)righteous ordinances.

⁶³ I am a ^(C1)companion of all who reverently fear You,
And of those who keep and honor Your precepts.

^64 (C1)The earth, O LORD, is full of Your lovingkindness and goodness;
^(C2)Teach me Your statutes.

Teth.

⁶⁵ You have dealt well with Your servant,
O LORD, according to Your promise.

⁶⁶ Teach me good ^(C1)judgment (discernment) and knowledge,
For I have believed and trusted and relied on Your commandments.

^67 (C1)Before I was afflicted I went astray,
But now I keep and honor Your word with loving obedience.

⁶⁸ You are ^(C1)good and ^(C2)do good;
^(C3)Teach me Your statutes.

⁶⁹ The arrogant have ^(C1)forged a lie against me,
But I will ^(C2)keep Your precepts with all my heart.

⁷⁰ Their heart is insensitive ^(C1)like fat their minds are dull and brutal,
But I ^(C2)delight in Your law.

⁷¹ It is ^(C1)good for me that I have been afflicted,
That I may learn Your statutes.

⁷² The ^(C1)law from Your mouth is better to me
Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh.

^73 (C1)Your hands have made me and established me;
^(C2)Give me understanding and a teachable heart, that I may learn Your commandments.

⁷⁴ May those who reverently fear You ^(C1)see me and be glad,
Because I ^(C2)wait for Your word.

⁷⁵ I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are ^(C1)fair,
And that ^(C2)in faithfulness You have disciplined me. ^(VR1)

⁷⁶ O may Your lovingkindness and graciousness comfort me,
According to Your word (promise) to Your servant.

⁷⁷ Let ^(C1)Your compassion come to me that I may live,
For Your law is my ^(C2)delight.

⁷⁸ Let ^(C1)the arrogant be ashamed and humiliated, for they sabotage me ^(C2)with a lie;
But I will ^(C3)meditate on Your precepts.

⁷⁹ May those who fear You with submissive wonder turn to me,
Even those who have known Your testimonies.

⁸⁰ May my heart be ^(C1)blameless in Your statutes,
So that I will not ^(C2)be ashamed.

Kaph.

⁸¹ My ^(C1)soul languishes and grows weak for Your salvation;
I ^(C2)wait for Your word.

⁸² My ^(C1)eyes fail with longing, watching for the fulfillment of Your promise,
Saying, "When will You comfort me?"

⁸³ For I have ^(C1)become like a wineskin blackened and shriveled in the smoke in which it hangs,
Yet I do ^(C2)not forget Your statutes.

⁸⁴ How many are the ^(C1)days of Your servant which he must endure?
When will You ^(C2)execute judgment on those who persecute me? ^(VR1)

⁸⁵ The arrogant (godless) have ^(C1)dug pits for me,
Men who do not conform to Your law.

⁸⁶ All Your commandments are ^(C1)faithful and trustworthy.
They have ^(C2)persecuted me with a lie; ^(C3)help me LORD!

⁸⁷ They had almost destroyed me on earth,
But as for me, I ^(C1)did not ^(F1)turn away from Your precepts.

⁸⁸ According to Your steadfast love refresh me and give me life,
So that I may keep and obey the testimony of Your mouth.

Lamedh.

^89 (C1)Forever, O LORD,
Your word is settled in heaven standing firm and unchangeable. ^(VR1)

⁹⁰ Your ^(C1)faithfulness continues from generation to generation;
You have ^(C2)established the earth, and it ^(C3)stands securely.

^91 (C1)They continue this day according to Your ^(C2)ordinances,
For all things all parts of the universe are Your servants. ^(VR1)

⁹² If Your law had not been my ^(C1)delight,
Then I would have perished ^(C2)in my time of trouble.

⁹³ I will ^(C1)never forget Your precepts,
For by them You have ^(C2)revived me and given me life.

⁹⁴ I am Yours, ^(C1)save me as Your own;
For I have diligently ^(C2)sought Your precepts and required them as my greatest need. ^(VR1)

⁹⁵ The wicked ^(C1)wait for me to destroy me,
But I will consider Your testimonies.

⁹⁶ I have seen that all human perfection has its limits no matter how grand and perfect and noble;
Your commandment is exceedingly broad and extends without limits into eternity. ^(VR1)

Mem.

⁹⁷ Oh, how ^(C1)I love Your law!
It is my ^(C2)meditation all the day. ^(VR1)

⁹⁸ Your ^(C1)commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For Your words are always with me.

⁹⁹ I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers because of Your word,
For Your testimonies are my ^(C1)meditation. ^(VR1)

¹⁰⁰ I understand ^(C1)more than the aged who have not observed Your precepts,
Because I have ^(C2)observed and kept Your precepts.

¹⁰¹ I have ^(C1)restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word. ^(VR1)

¹⁰² I have not ^(C1)turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.

¹⁰³ How ^(C1)sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth! ^(VR1)

¹⁰⁴ From Your precepts I ^(C1)get understanding;
Therefore I ^(C2)hate every false way.

Nun.

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a ^(C1)lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. ^(VR1)

¹⁰⁶ I have ^(C1)sworn an oath and have confirmed it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances. ^(VR1)

¹⁰⁷ I am greatly ^(C1)afflicted;
^(C2)Renew and revive me giving me life, O LORD, according to Your word.

¹⁰⁸ Accept and take pleasure in the ^(C1)freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And ^(C2)teach me Your ordinances. ^(VR1)

¹⁰⁹ My ^(C1)life is continually ^(F1)in my hand,
Yet I do not ^(C2)forget Your law.

¹¹⁰ The wicked have ^(C1)laid a snare for me,
Yet I do not ^(C2)wander from Your precepts.

¹¹¹ I have ^(C1)taken Your testimonies as a heritage forever,
For they are the ^(C2)joy of my heart. ^(VR1)

¹¹² I have ^(C1)inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even ^(C2)to the end.

Samekh.

¹¹³ I hate those who are ^(C1)double-minded,
But I love and treasure Your ^(C2)law.

¹¹⁴ You are my ^(C1)hiding place and my ^(C2)shield;
I ^(C3)wait for Your word. ^(VR1)

^115 (C1)Leave me, you evildoers,
That I may ^(C2)keep the commandments of my God honoring and obeying them. ^(VR1)

^116 (C1)Uphold me according to Your word of promise, so that I may live;
And ^(C2)do not let me be ashamed of my hope in Your great goodness. ^(VR1)

¹¹⁷ Uphold me that I may be ^(C1)safe,
That I may ^(C2)have regard for Your statutes continually.

¹¹⁸ You have turned Your back on all those ^(C1)who wander from Your statutes,
For their deceitfulness is useless.

¹¹⁹ You have removed all the wicked of the earth like ^(C1)dross for they have no value;
Therefore I ^(C2)love Your testimonies.

¹²⁰ My flesh ^(C1)trembles in reverent fear of You,
And I am ^(C2)afraid and in awe of Your judgments.

Ayin.

¹²¹ I have ^(C1)done justice and righteousness;
Do not leave me to those who oppress me.

¹²² Be ^(C1)the guarantee for Your servant for good as Judah was the guarantee for Benjamin;
Do not let the arrogant ^(C2)oppress me. ^(VR1)

¹²³ My ^(C1)eyes fail with longing, watching for the fulfillment of Your salvation,
And for the fulfillment of Your righteous word.

¹²⁴ Deal with Your servant ^(C1)according to Your gracious lovingkindness,
And ^(C2)teach me Your statutes.

^125 (C1)I am Your servant; ^(C2)give me understanding the ability to learn and a teachable heart
That I may know Your testimonies.

¹²⁶ It is time for the LORD to ^(C1)act;
They have broken Your law.

¹²⁷ Therefore I ^(C1)love Your commandments more than gold,
Yes, more than refined gold.

¹²⁸ Therefore I esteem as right all Your ^(C1)precepts concerning everything;
I ^(C2)hate every false way.

Pe.

¹²⁹ Your testimonies are ^(C1)wonderful;
Therefore my soul ^(C2)keeps them.

¹³⁰ The ^(C1)unfolding of Your glorious words give light;
Their unfolding gives ^(C2)understanding to the simple (childlike).

¹³¹ I ^(C1)opened my mouth and ^(C2)panted with anticipation,
Because I ^(C3)longed for Your commandments.

^132 (C1)Turn to me and be gracious to me and show me favor,
As is Your way to those who love Your name.

¹³³ Establish my ^(C1)footsteps in the way of Your word;
Do not let any human weakness ^(C2)have power over me causing me to be separated from You.

^134 (C1)Redeem me from the oppression of man;
That I may keep Your precepts. ^(VR1)

^135 (C1)Make Your face shine with pleasure upon Your servant,
And ^(C2)teach me Your statutes. ^(VR1)

^136 (C1)My eyes weep streams of water
Because people ^(C2)do not keep Your law.

Tsadhe.

^137 (C1)Righteous are You, O LORD,
And upright are Your judgments.

¹³⁸ You have commanded Your testimonies in ^(C1)righteousness
And in great ^(C2)faithfulness.

¹³⁹ My ^(C1)zeal has completely consumed me,
Because my enemies have forgotten Your words.

¹⁴⁰ Your ^(C1)word is very pure (refined);
Therefore Your servant ^(C2)loves it.

¹⁴¹ I am small and ^(C1)despised,
But I do not ^(C2)forget Your precepts.

¹⁴² Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And ^(C1)Your law is truth. ^(VR1)

¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have found me,
Yet Your commandments are my ^(C1)delight and my joy.

¹⁴⁴ Your righteous ^(C1)testimonies are everlasting;
^(C2)Give me understanding the ability to learn and a teachable heart that I may live.

Qoph.

¹⁴⁵ I cried ^(C1)with all my heart; answer me, O LORD!
I will ^(C2)observe Your statutes.

¹⁴⁶ I cried to You; ^(C1)save me
And I will keep Your testimonies.

¹⁴⁷ I ^(C1)rise before dawn and cry in prayer for help;
I wait for Your word.

¹⁴⁸ My eyes anticipate the ^(C1)night watches and I awake before the call of the watchman,
That I may ^(C2)meditate on Your word.

¹⁴⁹ Hear my voice ^(C1)according to Your steadfast lovingkindness;
O LORD, ^(C2)renew and refresh me according to Your ordinances.

¹⁵⁰ Those who follow after wickedness approach;
They are far from Your law.

¹⁵¹ You are ^(C1)near, O LORD,
And all Your commandments are ^(C2)truth.

¹⁵² Of old I have ^(C1)known from Your testimonies
That You have founded them ^(C2)forever. ^(VR1)

Resh.

^153 (C1)Look upon my ^(C2)agony and rescue me,
For I do not ^(C3)forget Your law.

^154 (C1)Plead my cause and ^(C2)redeem me;
Revive me and give me life according to the promise of Your word.

¹⁵⁵ Salvation is ^(C1)far from the wicked,
For they ^(C2)do not seek Your statutes.

^156 (C1)Great are Your tender mercies and steadfast love, O LORD;
Revive me and give me life according to Your ordinances.

¹⁵⁷ Many are my ^(C1)persecutors and my adversaries,
Yet I do not ^(C2)turn away from Your testimonies.

¹⁵⁸ I see the ^(C1)treacherous and ^(C2)loathe them,
Because they do not respect Your law.

¹⁵⁹ Consider how I ^(C1)love Your precepts;
^(C2)Revive me and give me life, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness.

¹⁶⁰ The ^(C1)sum of Your word is ^(C2)truth the full meaning of all Your precepts,
And every one of Your righteous ordinances ^(C3)endures forever.

Shin.

^161 (C1)Princes persecute me without cause,
But my heart ^(C2)stands in reverent awe of Your words so I can expect You to help me. ^(VR1)

¹⁶² I ^(C1)rejoice at Your word,
As one who ^(C2)finds great treasure.

¹⁶³ I ^(C1)hate and detest falsehood,
But I ^(C2)love Your law.

^164 (F1)Seven times a day I praise You,
Because of Your ^(C1)righteous ordinances.

^165 (C1)Those who love Your law have great peace;
^(C2)Nothing makes them stumble. ^(VR1)

¹⁶⁶ I ^(C1)hope and wait with complete confidence for Your salvation, O LORD,
And I do Your commandments. ^(VR1)

¹⁶⁷ My ^(C1)soul keeps Your testimonies hearing and accepting and obeying them;
I ^(C2)love them greatly.

¹⁶⁸ I ^(C1)keep Your precepts and Your testimonies,
For all my ^(C2)ways are fully known before You.

Tav.

¹⁶⁹ Let my mournful ^(C1)cry come before You, O LORD;
^(C2)Give me understanding the ability to learn and a teachable heart ^(C3)according to Your word of promise.

¹⁷⁰ Let my ^(C1)supplication come before You;
^(C2)Deliver me according to Your word.

¹⁷¹ Let my ^(C1)lips speak praise with thanksgiving,
For You ^(C2)teach me Your statutes.

¹⁷² Let my ^(C1)tongue sing praise for the fulfillment of Your word,
For all Your ^(C2)commandments are righteous.

¹⁷³ Let Your ^(C1)hand be ready to help me,
For I have ^(C2)chosen Your precepts.

¹⁷⁴ I ^(C1)long for Your salvation, O LORD,
And Your law is my ^(C2)delight.

¹⁷⁵ Let ^(C1)my soul live that it may praise You,
And let Your ordinances help me.

¹⁷⁶ I have ^(C1)gone astray like a lost sheep;
Seek Your servant, for I do ^(C2)not forget Your commandments. ^(VR1)