Psalms Chapter 119 of 150 about 11 min read

Psalm 119

What happens in this chapter

Psalm 119 is the one hundred nineteenth psalm of the Bible and the longest chapter in the Bible at 176 verses. The psalm is an extended celebration of God's law, organized as an elaborate acrostic. The psalm is divided into 22 sections of 8 verses each, with each section corresponding to a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Every verse within a section begins with that letter.

The psalm has no named author. Its single subject is the law of God, also referred to throughout as God's word, statutes, precepts, decrees, commands, and ordinances. These near-synonyms appear in almost every one of the 176 verses.

The psalm is not a narrative; it is a sustained meditation. The speaker praises the law as more precious than gold, sweeter than honey. He pictures it as a lamp to his feet and a light to his path. He delights in it, treasures it in his heart, meditates on it day and night, sings about it, and rises at midnight to give thanks for it.

The psalm also wrestles with the speaker's struggles. He is afflicted by enemies who slander him and lie about him. He suffers and is brought low. He confesses that he had gone astray like a lost sheep but has been brought back to the law. He pleads repeatedly for understanding, for life, for deliverance.

The psalm is also a long prayer. The speaker asks God to teach him, to open his eyes to wonderful things in the law, to give him understanding so he can keep it, to revive him according to his word, to redeem him from oppressors, to let his cry come before God.

The psalm closes with the speaker still in need, asking God to seek him as one would seek a lost sheep, and affirming that he has not forgotten God's commands.

Verse 1. Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD.

Verse 2. Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart.

Verse 3. They do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.

Verse 4. You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently.

Verse 5. Oh, that my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!

Verse 6. Then I would not be ashamed when I consider all Your commandments.

Verse 7. I will praise You with an upright heart when I learn Your righteous judgments.

Verse 8. I will keep Your statutes; do not utterly forsake me.

Verse 9. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.

Verse 10. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments.

Verse 11. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.

Verse 12. Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.

Verse 13. With my lips I proclaim all the judgments of Your mouth.

Verse 14. I rejoice in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches.

Verse 15. I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways.

Verse 16. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

Verse 17. Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word.

Verse 18. Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law.

Verse 19. I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide Your commandments from me.

Verse 20. My soul is consumed with longing for Your judgments at all times.

Verse 21. You rebuke the arrogant—the cursed who stray from Your commandments.

Verse 22. Remove my scorn and contempt, for I have kept Your testimonies.

Verse 23. Though rulers sit and slander me, Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

Verse 24. Your testimonies are indeed my delight; they are my counselors.

Verse 25. My soul cleaves to the dust; revive me according to Your word.

Verse 26. I recounted my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes.

Verse 27. Make clear to me the way of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders.

Verse 28. My soul melts with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word.

Verse 29. Remove me from the path of deceit and graciously grant me Your law.

Verse 30. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me.

Verse 31. I cling to Your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame.

Verse 32. I run in the path of Your commandments, for You will enlarge my heart.

Verse 33. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, and I will keep them to the end.

Verse 34. Give me understanding that I may obey Your law, and follow it with all my heart.

Verse 35. Direct me in the path of Your commandments, for there I find delight.

Verse 36. Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain.

Verse 37. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; revive me with Your word.

Verse 38. Establish Your word to Your servant, to produce reverence for You.

Verse 39. Turn away the disgrace I dread, for Your judgments are good.

Verse 40. How I long for Your precepts! Revive me in Your righteousness.

Verse 41. May Your loving devotion come to me, O LORD, Your salvation, according to Your promise.

Verse 42. Then I can answer him who taunts, for I trust in Your word.

Verse 43. Never take Your word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in Your judgments.

Verse 44. I will always obey Your law, forever and ever.

Verse 45. And I will walk in freedom, for I have sought Your precepts.

Verse 46. I will speak of Your testimonies before kings, and I will not be ashamed.

Verse 47. I delight in Your commandments because I love them.

Verse 48. I lift up my hands to Your commandments, which I love, and I meditate on Your statutes.

Verse 49. Remember Your word to Your servant, upon which You have given me hope.

Verse 50. This is my comfort in affliction, that Your promise has given me life.

Verse 51. The arrogant utterly deride me, but I do not turn from Your law.

Verse 52. I remember Your judgments of old, O LORD, and in them I find comfort.

Verse 53. Rage has taken hold of me because of the wicked who reject Your law.

Verse 54. Your statutes are songs to me in the house of my pilgrimage.

Verse 55. In the night, O LORD, I remember Your name, that I may keep Your law.

Verse 56. This is my practice, for I obey Your precepts.

Verse 57. The LORD is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.

Verse 58. I have sought Your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.

Verse 59. I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies.

Verse 60. I hurried without hesitating to keep Your commandments.

Verse 61. Though the ropes of the wicked bind me, I do not forget Your law.

Verse 62. At midnight I rise to give You thanks for Your righteous judgments.

Verse 63. I am a friend to all who fear You, and to those who keep Your precepts.

Verse 64. The earth is filled with Your loving devotion, O LORD; teach me Your statutes.

Verse 65. You are good to Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word.

Verse 66. Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments.

Verse 67. Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.

Verse 68. You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.

Verse 69. Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep Your precepts with all my heart.

Verse 70. Their hearts are callous and insensitive, but I delight in Your law.

Verse 71. It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.

Verse 72. The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

Verse 73. Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding to learn Your commandments.

Verse 74. May those who fear You see me and rejoice, for I have hoped in Your word.

Verse 75. I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me.

Verse 76. May Your loving devotion comfort me, I pray, according to Your promise to Your servant.

Verse 77. May Your compassion come to me, that I may live, for Your law is my delight.

Verse 78. May the arrogant be put to shame for subverting me with a lie; I will meditate on Your precepts.

Verse 79. May those who fear You turn to me, those who know Your testimonies.

Verse 80. May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, that I may not be put to shame.

Verse 81. My soul faints for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.

Verse 82. My eyes fail, looking for Your promise; I ask, “When will You comfort me?”

Verse 83. Though I am like a wineskin dried up by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.

Verse 84. How many days must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on my persecutors?

Verse 85. The arrogant have dug pits for me in violation of Your law.

Verse 86. All Your commandments are faithful; I am persecuted without cause—help me!

Verse 87. They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken Your precepts.

Verse 88. Revive me according to Your loving devotion, that I may obey the testimony of Your mouth.

Verse 89. Your word, O LORD, is everlasting; it is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Verse 90. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You established the earth, and it endures.

Verse 91. Your ordinances stand to this day, for all things are servants to You.

Verse 92. If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction.

Verse 93. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.

Verse 94. I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.

Verse 95. The wicked wait to destroy me, but I will ponder Your testimonies.

Verse 96. I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your commandment is without limit.

Verse 97. Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation.

Verse 98. Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.

Verse 99. I have more insight than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation.

Verse 100. I discern more than the elders, for I obey Your precepts.

Verse 101. I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word.

Verse 102. I have not departed from Your ordinances, for You Yourself have taught me.

Verse 103. How sweet are Your words to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth!

Verse 104. I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.

Verse 105. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Verse 106. I have sworn and confirmed that I will keep Your righteous judgments.

Verse 107. I am severely afflicted, O LORD; revive me through Your word.

Verse 108. Accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me Your judgments.

Verse 109. I constantly take my life in my hands, yet I do not forget Your law.

Verse 110. The wicked have set a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your precepts.

Verse 111. Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

Verse 112. I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes, even to the very end.

Verse 113. The double-minded I despise, but Your law I love.

Verse 114. You are my hiding place and my shield; I put my hope in Your word.

Verse 115. Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.

Verse 116. Sustain me as You promised, that I may live; let me not be ashamed of my hope.

Verse 117. Uphold me, and I will be saved, that I may always regard Your statutes.

Verse 118. You reject all who stray from Your statutes, for their deceitfulness is in vain.

Verse 119. All the wicked on earth You discard like dross; therefore I love Your testimonies.

Verse 120. My flesh trembles in awe of You; I stand in fear of Your judgments.

Verse 121. I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.

Verse 122. Ensure Your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.

Verse 123. My eyes fail, looking for Your salvation, and for Your righteous promise.

Verse 124. Deal with Your servant according to Your loving devotion, and teach me Your statutes.

Verse 125. I am Your servant; give me understanding, that I may know Your testimonies.

Verse 126. It is time for the LORD to act, for they have broken Your law.

Verse 127. Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold, even the purest gold.

Verse 128. Therefore I admire all Your precepts and hate every false way.

Verse 129. Wonderful are Your testimonies; therefore I obey them.

Verse 130. The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.

Verse 131. I open my mouth and pant, longing for Your commandments.

Verse 132. Turn to me and show me mercy, as You do to those who love Your name.

Verse 133. Order my steps in Your word; let no sin rule over me.

Verse 134. Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts.

Verse 135. Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.

Verse 136. My eyes shed streams of tears because Your law is not obeyed.

Verse 137. Righteous are You, O LORD, and upright are Your judgments.

Verse 138. The testimonies You have laid down are righteous and altogether faithful.

Verse 139. My zeal has consumed me because my foes forget Your words.

Verse 140. Your promise is completely pure; therefore Your servant loves it.

Verse 141. I am lowly and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts.

Verse 142. Your righteousness is everlasting and Your law is true.

Verse 143. Trouble and distress have found me, but Your commandments are my delight.

Verse 144. Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live.

Verse 145. I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD! I will obey Your statutes.

Verse 146. I call to You; save me, that I may keep Your testimonies.

Verse 147. I rise before dawn and cry for help; in Your word I have put my hope.

Verse 148. My eyes anticipate the watches of night, that I may meditate on Your word.

Verse 149. Hear my voice, O LORD, according to Your loving devotion; give me life according to Your justice.

Verse 150. Those who follow after wickedness draw near; they are far from Your law.

Verse 151. You are near, O LORD, and all Your commandments are true.

Verse 152. Long ago I learned from Your testimonies that You have established them forever.

Verse 153. Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I have not forgotten Your law.

Verse 154. Defend my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word.

Verse 155. Salvation is far from the wicked because they do not seek Your statutes.

Verse 156. Great are Your mercies, O LORD; revive me according to Your ordinances.

Verse 157. Though my persecutors and foes are many, I have not turned from Your testimonies.

Verse 158. I look on the faithless with loathing because they do not keep Your word.

Verse 159. Consider how I love Your precepts, O LORD; give me life according to Your loving devotion.

Verse 160. The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.

Verse 161. Rulers persecute me without cause, but my heart fears only Your word.

Verse 162. I rejoice in Your promise like one who finds great spoil.

Verse 163. I hate and abhor falsehood, but Your law I love.

Verse 164. Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous judgments.

Verse 165. Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble.

Verse 166. I wait for Your salvation, O LORD, and I carry out Your commandments.

Verse 167. I obey Your testimonies and love them greatly.

Verse 168. I obey Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.

Verse 169. May my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word.

Verse 170. May my plea come before You; rescue me according to Your promise.

Verse 171. My lips pour forth praise, for You teach me Your statutes.

Verse 172. My tongue sings of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous.

Verse 173. May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.

Verse 174. I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight.

Verse 175. Let me live to praise You; may Your judgments sustain me.

Verse 176. I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I have not forgotten Your commandments.

Last updated: May 15, 2026