Psalms 119
This psalm containeth various prayers, praises, and professions of obedience.
1. 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. 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. 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. 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 com-mandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.
33. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
Metrical version
Psalm 119
C.M. Jackson, Caithness, Bangor, York, Bristol, Ballerma
Aleph Blessed are they that undefiled, and straight are in the way; Who in the LORD's most holy law do walk, and do not stray. Blessed are they who to observe his statutes are inclined; And who do seek the living God with their whole heart and mind. Such in his ways do walk, and they do no iniquity. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts carefully. O that thy statutes to observe thou would'st my ways direct! Then shall I not be shamed, when I thy precepts all respect. Then with integrity of heart thee will I praise and bless, When I the judgments all have learned of thy pure righteousness. That I will keep thy statutes all firmly resolved have I: O do not then, most gracious God, forsake me utterly. Beth By what means shall a young man learn his way to purify? If he according to thy word thereto attentive be. Unfeignedly thee have I sought with all my soul and heart: O let me not from the right path of thy commands depart. Thy word I in my heart have hid, that I offend not thee. O LORD, thou ever blessed art, thy statutes teach thou me. The judgments of thy mouth each one my lips declared have: More joy thy testimonies' way than riches all me gave. I will thy holy precepts make my meditation; And carefully I'll have respect unto thy ways each one. Upon thy statutes my delight shall constantly be set: And, by thy grace, I never will thy holy word forget. Gimel With me thy servant, in thy grace, deal bountifully, Lord; That by thy favour I may live, and duly keep thy word. Open mine eyes, that of thy law the wonders I may see. I am a stranger on this earth, hide not thy laws from me. My soul within me breaks, and doth much fainting still endure, Through longing that it hath all times unto thy judgments pure. Thou hast rebuked the cursed proud, who from thy precepts swerve. Reproach and shame remove from me, for I thy laws observe. Against me princes spake with spite, while they in council sat: But I thy servant did upon thy statutes meditate. My comfort, and my heart's delight, thy testimonies be; And they, in all my doubts and fears, are counsellors to me. Daleth My soul to dust cleaves: quicken me, according to thy word. My ways I showed, and me thou heard'st: teach me thy statutes, Lord. The way of thy commandments make me aright to know; So all thy works that wondrous are I shall to others show. My soul doth melt, and drop away, for heaviness and grief: To me, according to thy word, give strength, and send relief. From me the wicked way of lies let far removed be; And graciously thy holy law do thou grant unto me. I chosen have the perfect way of truth and verity: Thy judgments that most righteous are before me laid have I. I to thy testimonies cleave; shame do not on me cast. I'll run thy precepts' way, when thou my heart enlarged hast. He Teach me, O LORD, the perfect way of thy precepts divine, And to observe it to the end I shall my heart incline. Give understanding unto me, so keep thy law shall I; Yea, ev'n with my whole heart I shall observe it carefully. In thy law's path make me to go; for I delight therein. My heart unto thy test'monies, and not to greed, incline. Turn thou away my sight and eyes from viewing vanity; And in thy good and holy way be pleased to quicken me. Confirm to me thy gracious word, which I did gladly hear, Ev'n to thy servant, Lord, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn thou away my feared reproach; for good thy judgments be. Lo, for thy precepts I have longed; in thy truth quicken me. Vau Let thy sweet mercies also come and visit me, O LORD; Ev'n thy benign salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith I may give him an answer just, Who spitefully reproacheth me; for in thy word I trust. The word of truth out of my mouth take thou not utterly; For on thy judgments righteous my hope doth still rely. So shall I keep for evermore thy law continually. And, sith that I thy precepts seek, I'll walk at liberty. I'll speak thy word to kings, and I with shame shall not be moved; And will delight myself always in thy laws, which I loved. To thy commandments, which I loved, my hands lift up I will; And I will also meditate upon thy statutes still. Zain Remember, Lord, thy gracious word thou to thy servant spake, Which, for a ground of my sure hope, thou causedst me to take. This word of thine my comfort is in mine affliction: For in my straits I am revived by this thy word alone. The men whose hearts with pride are stuffed did greatly me deride; Yet from thy straight commandments I have not turned aside. Thy judgments righteous, O LORD, which thou of old forth gave, I did remember, and myself by them comforted have. Horror took hold on me, because ill men thy law forsake. I in my house of pilgrimage thy laws my songs do make. Thy name by night, LORD, I did mind, and I have kept thy law. And this I had, because thy word I kept, and stood in awe. Cheth Thou my sure portion art alone, which I did choose, O LORD: I have resolved, and said, that I would keep thy holy word. With my whole heart I did entreat thy face and favour free: According to thy gracious word be merciful to me. I thought upon my former ways, and did my life well try; And to thy testimonies pure my feet then turned I. I did not stay, nor linger long, as those that slothful are; But hastily thy laws to keep myself I did prepare. Bands of ill men me robbed; yet I thy precepts did not slight. I'll rise at midnight thee to praise, ev'n for thy judgments right. I am companion to all those who fear, and thee obey. O LORD, thy mercy fills the earth: teach me thy laws, I pray. Teth Well hast thou with thy servant dealt, as thou didst promise give. Good judgment me, and knowledge teach, for I thy word believe. Ere I afflicted was I strayed; but now I keep thy word. Both good thou art, and good thou do'st: teach me thy statutes, Lord. The men that are puffed up with pride against me forged a lie; Yet thy commandments observe with my whole heart will I. Their hearts, through worldly ease and wealth, as fat as grease they be: But in thy holy law I take delight continually. It hath been very good for me that I afflicted was, That I might well instructed be, and learn thy holy laws. The word that cometh from thy mouth is better unto me Than many thousands and great sums of gold and silver be. Jod Thou mad'st and fashion'dst me: thy laws to know give wisdom, Lord. So who thee fear shall joy to see me trusting in thy word. That very right thy judgments are I know, and do confess; And that thou hast afflicted me in truth and faithfulness. O let thy kindness merciful, I pray thee, comfort me, As to thy servant faithfully was promised by thee. And let thy tender mercies come to me, that I may live; Because thy holy laws to me sweet delectation give. Lord, let the proud ashamed be; for they, without a cause, With me perversely dealt: but I will muse upon thy laws. Let such as fear thee, and have known thy statutes, turn to me. My heart let in thy laws be sound, that shamed I never be. Caph My soul for thy salvation faints; yet I thy word believe. Mine eyes fail for thy word: I say, When wilt thou comfort give? For like a bottle I'm become, that in the smoke is set: I'm black, and parched with grief; yet I thy statutes not forget. How many are thy servant's days? when wilt thou execute Just judgment on these wicked men that do me persecute? The proud have digged pits for me, which is against thy laws. Thy words all faithful are: help me, pursued without a cause. They so consumed me, that on earth my life they scarce did leave: Thy precepts yet forsook I not, but close to them did cleave. After thy loving-kindness, Lord, me quicken, and preserve: The testimony of thy mouth so shall I still observe. Lamed Thy word for ever is, O LORD, in heaven settled fast; Unto all generations thy faithfulness doth last: The earth thou hast established, and it abides by thee. This day they stand as thou ordain'dst; for all thy servants be. Unless in thy most perfect law my soul delights had found, I should have perished, when as my troubles did abound. Thy precepts I will ne'er forget; they quick'ning to me brought. Lord, I am thine; O save thou me: thy precepts I have sought. For me the wicked have laid wait, me seeking to destroy: But I thy testimonies true consider will with joy. An end of all perfection here have I seen, O God: But as for thy commandment, it is exceeding broad. Mem O how love I thy law! it is my study all the day: It makes me wiser than my foes; for it doth with me stay. Than all my teachers now I have more understanding far; Because my meditation thy testimonies are. In understanding I excel those that are ancients; For I endeavoured to keep all thy commandments. My feet from each ill way I stayed, that I may keep thy word. I from thy judgments have not swerved; for thou hast taught me, Lord. How sweet unto my taste, O Lord, are all thy words of truth! Yea, I do find them sweeter far than honey to my mouth. I through thy precepts, that are pure, do understanding get; I therefore ev'ry way that's false with all my heart do hate. Nun Thy word is to my feet a lamp, and to my path a light. I sworn have, and I will perform, to keep thy judgments right. I am with sore affliction ev'n overwhelmed, O LORD: In mercy raise and quicken me, according to thy word. The freewill off'rings of my mouth accept, I thee beseech: And unto me thy servant, LORD, thy judgments clearly teach. Though still my soul be in my hand, thy laws I'll not forget. I erred not from them, though for me the wicked snares did set. I of thy testimonies have above all things made choice, To be my heritage for aye; for they my heart rejoice. I carefully inclined have my heart still to attend; That I thy statutes may perform alway unto the end. Samech I hate the thoughts of vanity, but love thy law do I. My shield and hiding-place thou art: I on thy word rely. All ye that evil-doers are from me depart away; For the commandments of my God I purpose to obey. According to thy faithful word uphold and stablish me, That I may live, and of my hope ashamed never be. Hold thou me up, so shall I be in peace and safety still; And to thy statutes have respect continually I will. Thou tread'st down all that love to stray; false their deceit doth prove. Lewd men, like dross, away thou putt'st; therefore thy law I love. For fear of thee my very flesh doth tremble, all dismayed; And of thy righteous judgments, Lord, my soul is much afraid. Ain To all men I have judgment done, performing justice right; Then let me not be left unto my fierce oppressors' might. For good unto thy servant, Lord, thy servant's surety be: From the oppression of the proud do thou deliver me. Mine eyes do fail with looking long for thy salvation, The word of thy pure righteousness while I do wait upon. In mercy with thy servant deal, thy laws me teach and show. I am thy servant, wisdom give, that I thy laws may know. 'Tis time thou work, LORD; for they have made void thy law divine. Therefore thy precepts more I love than gold, yea, gold most fine. Concerning all things thy commands all right I judge therefore; And ev'ry false and wicked way I perfectly abhor. Pe Thy statutes, Lord, are wonderful, my soul them keeps with care. The entrance of thy words gives light, makes wise who simple are. My mouth I have wide opened, and panted earnestly, While after thy commandments I longed exceedingly. Look on me, Lord, and merciful do thou unto me prove, As thou art wont to do to those thy name who truly love. O let my footsteps in thy word aright still ordered be: Let no iniquity obtain dominion over me. From man's oppression save thou me; so keep thy laws I will. Thy face make on thy servant shine; teach me thy statutes still. Rivers of waters from mine eyes did run down, when I saw How wicked men run on in sin, and do not keep thy law. Tsaddi O LORD, thou art most righteous; thy judgments are upright. Thy testimonies thou command'st most faithful are and right. My zeal hath ev'n consumed me, because mine enemies Thy holy words forgotten have, and do thy laws despise. Thy word's most pure, therefore on it thy servant's love is set. Small, and despised I am, yet I thy precepts not forget. Thy righteousness is righteousness which ever doth endure: Thy holy law, Lord, also is the very truth most pure. Trouble and anguish have me found, and taken hold on me: Yet in my trouble my delight thy just commandments be. Eternal righteousness is in thy testimonies all: Lord, to me understanding give, and ever live I shall. Koph With my whole heart I cried, LORD, hear; I will thy word obey. I cried to thee; save me, and I will keep thy laws alway. I of the morning did prevent the dawning, and did cry: For all mine expectation did on thy word rely. Mine eyes did timeously prevent the watches of the night. That in thy word with careful mind then meditate I might. After thy loving-kindness hear my voice, that calls on thee: According to thy judgment, LORD, revive and quicken me. Who follow mischief they draw nigh; they from thy law are far: But thou art near, LORD; most firm truth all thy commandments are. As for thy testimonies all, of old this have I tried, That thou hast surely founded them for ever to abide. Resh Consider mine affliction, in safety do me set: Deliver me, O Lord, for I thy law do not forget. After thy word revive thou me: save me, and plead my cause. Salvation is from sinners far; for they seek not thy laws. O LORD, both great and manifold thy tender mercies be: According to thy judgments just, revive and quicken me. My persecutors many are, and foes that do combine; Yet from thy testimonies pure my heart doth not decline. I saw transgressors, and was grieved; for they keep not thy word. See how I love thy law! as thou art kind, me quicken, LORD. From the beginning all thy word hath been most true and sure: Thy righteous judgments ev'ry one for evermore endure. Schin Princes have persecuted me, although no cause they saw: But still of thy most holy word my heart doth stand in awe. I at thy word rejoice, as one of spoil that finds great store. Thy law I love; but lying all I hate and do abhor. Sev'n times a-day it is my care to give due praise to thee; Because of all thy judgments, Lord, which righteous ever be. Great peace have they who love thy law; offence they shall have none. I hoped for thy salvation, LORD, and thy commands have done. My soul thy testimonies pure observed carefully; On them my heart is set, and them I love exceedingly. Thy testimonies and thy laws I kept with special care; For all my works and ways each one before thee open are. Tau O let my earnest pray'r and cry come near before thee, LORD: Give understanding unto me, according to thy word. Let my request before thee come: after thy word me free. My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught thy laws to me. My tongue of thy most blessed word shall speak, and it confess; Because all thy commandments are perfect righteousness. Let thy strong hand make help to me: thy precepts are my choice. I longed for thy salvation, LORD, and in thy law rejoice. O let my soul live, and it shall give praises unto thee; And let thy judgments gracious be helpful unto me. I, like a lost sheep, went astray; thy servant seek, and find: For thy commands I suffered not to slip out of my mind.