Psalm 19

1The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of his craftsmanship. 2Day and night they keep on telling about God. 3,4Without a sound or word, silent in the skies, their message reaches out ot all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it 5and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding, or as joyous as an athlete looking for looking forward to the race! 6The sun crosses the heavens from end to end, and nothing can hide from its heat.
7,8God's laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light. 9God's laws are pure, eternal, just. 10They are more desirable than gold. They are sweeter than honey dripping form a honeycomb. 11For they warn us away from harm and give success to those who obey them.
12But how can I ever know what sins are lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. 13And keep me from deliberate wrongs; help me to stop doing them. Only then can I be free of guilt and innocent of some great crime.
14May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord my rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 119

1Happy are all who perfectly follow the laws of God. 2Happy are all who search for God, and always do his will, 3rejection compromise with evil, and walking only in his paths. 4You have given us your laws to obey- 5oh, how I want to follow them consistently.
6Then I will not be disgraced, for I will have a clean record. 7After you have corrected me I will thank you by living as I should! 8I will obey! Oh, don't forsake me and let me slip back into sin again.
9How can a young man stay pure? By reading your Word and following its rules. 10I have tried my best to find you-don't let me wander off from your instructions. 11I have thought much about your words, and stored them in my Heart so that they would hold me back from sin.
12Blessed Lord, teach me your rules. 13I have recited your laws, 14and rejoiced in them more than in riches. 15I will meditate upon them and give them my full respect. 16I will delight in them and not forget them.
17Bless me with life so that I can continue to obey you. 18Open my eyes to see wonderful thing in your Word. 19I am but a pilgrim here on earth: how I need a map-and your commands are my chart and guide. 20I long for your instructions more than I can tell.
21You rebuke those cursed proud ones who refuse your commands- 22don't let them scorn me for obeying you. 23For even princes sit and talk against me, but I will continue in your plans. 24Yours laws are both my light and my counselors.
25I am completely discouraged-I lie in the dust. Revive me by your Word. 26I told you my plans and you replied. Now give me your instructions. 27make me understand what you want; for them I shall see your miracles.
28I weep with grief; my heart is heavy with sorrow; encourage and cheer me with your words. 29,30Keep me far from every wrong; Help me, undeserving as I am, to obey your laws, for I have chosen to do right. 31I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don't let me make a mess of things. 32If you will only help me to want your will, them I will follow your laws even more closely.
33,34Just tell me what to do and I will do it, Lord. As long as I live I'll whole-heartely obey. 35Make me walk along the right paths for I know how delightful they really are.
36Help me to prefer obedience to making money! 37Turn me away from wanting any other plan than yours. Revive my heart toward you. 38Reassure me that your promises ar for me, for I trust and revere you.
39How I dread being mocked for obeying, for your laws are right and good. 40,41,42I long to obey them! Therefore in fairness renew my life, for this was your promise-yes, Lord, to save me! Now spare me by your kindness and your love. Then I will have an answer for those who taunt me, for I trust your promises.
43May I never forget your words; for they are my only hope. 44,45,46Therefore I will keep on obeying you forever and forever, free within the limits of your laws. I will speak to kings about their value, and they will listen with interest and respect.
47How I love your laws! How I enjoy commands! 48"Come, come to me," I call to them, for I love them and
49,50Never forget your promises to me your servant, for they are my only hope. They give me strength in all my troubles; how they refresh and revive me! 51Proud men hold me in contempt for obedience to God, but I stand unmoved. 52From my earliest youth I have tried to obey you; your Word has been my comfort.
53I am very angry with those who spurn your commands. 54For these laws of yours have been my source of joy and singing through all these years of my earthly pilgrimage. 55I obey them even at night and keep my thoughts, O lord, on you. 56What a blessing this has been to me-to constantly obey.
57Jehovah is mine! And I promise to obey! 58With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful just as you promised. 59,60I thought about the wrong direction in which I was headed, and turned around and came running back to you. 61Evil men have tried to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your laws.
62At midnight I will rise to give my thanks to you for your good laws. 63Anyone is my brother who fears and trusts the Lord and obeys him. 64O Lord, the earth is full of your lovingkindness! Teach me your good paths.
65Lord, I am overflowing with your blessings, just as your promised. 66Now teach me good judgment as well as knowledge. For your lwas are my guide. 67I used to wander off until you punished me; now I closely follow all you say. 68You are good and do only good; make me follow your lead.
69Proud men have made up lies about me, but the truth is that I obey your laws with all my heart. 70Their minds are dull and stupid, but I have sense enough to follow you.
71,72The punishment you gave me was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws. They are more valuable to me than millions in silver and gold!
73You made my body, Lord; now give me sense to heed your laws. 74All those who fear and trust in you will welcome me because I too am trusting in your Word.
75,76,77I know, O lord, that your decisions are right and that your punishment was right and did me good. Now let your lovingkindness comfort me, just as you promised. Surround me with your tender mercies, that I may live. For your law is my delight.
78Let the proud be disgraced, for they have cut me down with all their lies, But I will concentrate my thoughts upon your laws.
79Let all others join me, who trust and fear you, and we will discuss your laws. 80Help me to love your every wish; then I will never have to be ashamed of myself.
81I faint for your salvation; but I expect your help, for you have promised it. 82My eyes are straining to see your promises come true. When will you comfort me with your help? 83I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, exhausted with waiting. But still I cling to your laws and obey them. 84How long must I wait before you punish those who persecute me? 85,86These proud men who hate your truth and laws have dug deep pits for me to fall in. Their lies have brought me into deep trouble. Help me, for you love only truth. 87They had almost finished me off, yet I refused to yield and disobey your laws. 88In your kindness, spare my life; then I can continue to obey you.
89Forever, O Lord your Word stands firm in heaven. 90,91Your faithfulness extends to every generation, like the earth you created; it endures by your decree, for everything serves your plans.
92I would have despaired and perished unless your laws had been my deepest delight. 93I will never lay aside your laws, for you have used them to restore my joy and health, 94I am yours! Save me! for I have tried to live according to your desires. 95Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind upon your promises.
96Nothing is perfect except your words. 97Oh, how I love them. I think about them all day long. 98They make me wiser than my enemies, because they are my constant guide. 99Yes, wiser than my teachers, for I am ever thinking of your rules. 100They make me even wiser than the aged.
101I have refused to walk the paths of evil for I will remain obedient to your Word. 102,103No, I haven't turned ;away from what you taught me; your words are sweeter than honey. 104And since only your rules can give me wisdom and understanding, no wonder I hate every false teaching.
105Your words are a flashlight ot light the path ahead of me, and keep me from stumbling. 106I've said it once and I'll say it again and again: I will obey these wonderful laws of yours.
107I am close to death at the hands of my enemies; oh give me back my life again, just as you promised me. 108Accept my grateful thanks and teach me your desires. 109My life hangs in the balance, but I will not give up obedience to your laws. 110The wicked have set their traps for me along your path, but I will not turn aside. 111Your laws are my joyous treasure forever. 112I am determined to obey you until I die.
113I hate those who are undecided whether or not to obey you; but my choice is clear-I love your law. 114You are my refuge and my shield, and your promises are my only source of hope. 115Begone, you evil-minded men. Don't try to stop me from obeying god's commands. 116Lord, you promised to let me live! Never let it be said that God failed me. 117Hold me safe above the heads of all my enemies; then I can continue to obey your laws.
118but you have rejected all who reject your laws. They are only fooling themselves. 119The wicked are the scum you skim off and throw away; no wonder I love to obey your laws! 120I tremble in fear of you; I fear your punishments.
121don't leave me to the mercy of my enemies, for I have done what is right; I've been perfectly fair. 122Commit yourself to bless me! 123My eyes grow dim with longing for you to fulfill you wonderful promise to rescue me. 124Lord, deal with me in lovingkindness, and teach me your servant, to obey; 125for I am your servant; therefore give me common sense to apply your rules to everything I do.
126Lord, it is time for you to act. For these evil men have violated your laws, 127while I love your commandments more than the finest gold. 128Every law of God is right , whatever it concerns. I hate every other way.
129Your laws are wonderful; no wonder I obey them. 130As your plan unfolds, even the simple can understand it. 131No wonder I wait expectantly for each of your commands.
132Come and have mercy on me as it your way with those who love you. 133Guide me with your laws so that I will not be overcome by evil. 134Rescue me from the oppression of evil men; then I can obey you. 135Look down in love upon me and teach me all your laws. 136I weep because your laws are disobeyed.
137O Lord, you are just and your punishments are fair. 138Your demands are just and right. 139I am indignant and angry because of the way my enemies have disregarded your laws. 140I have thoroughly tested your promises and that is why I love them so much. 141I am worthless and despised, but I don't despise your laws.
142Your justice is eternal for your laws are perfectly fair. 143In my distress and anguish, your commandments comfort me. 144Your laws are always fair; and help me to understand them and I shall live.
145I am praying with great earnestness; answer me, O Lord, and I will obey your laws. 146"Save me," I cry, "for I am obeying." 147Early in the morning, before the sun is up, I am praying and pointing out how much I trust in you. 148I stay awake through the night to think about your promises. 149Because you are so loving and kind, listen to me and make me well again.
150Here come these lawless men to attack me; 151but you are near, O Lord; all you commandments are based on truth. 152I have known from earliest days that your will never changes.
153Look down upon my sorrows and rescue me, for I am obeying your commands. 154Yes, rescue me and give me back my life again just as you have promised. 155The wicked are far from salvation for they do not care for your laws. 156Lord, how great is your mercy; oh, give me back my life again.
157My enemies are so many. they try to make me disobey, but I have not swerved from your will. 158I loathed these traitors because they care nothing for your laws. 159Lord, see how much I really love your demands. Now give me back my life and health because your are so kind. 160There is utter truth in all you laws; your decrees are eternal.
161Great men have persecuted me, thought they have no reason to, but I stand in awe of only your words. 162I rejoice in your laws like one who finds a great treasure. 163How I hate all falsehood but how I love your laws.
164I will praise you seven times a day because of your wonderful laws. 165Those who love your laws have great peace of heart and mind and do not stumble. 166I long for your salvation, Lord, and so I have obeyed your laws. 167I have looked for your commandments and I love them very much; 168yes, I have searched for them. You know this because everything I do is known to you.
169O Lord, listen to my prayers; give me the common sense you promised. 170Hear my prayers; rescue me as you said you would. 171I praise you for letting me learn your laws. 172I will sing about their wonder, for each of them is just. 173Stand ready to help me because I have chosen to follow your will. 174O Lord, I have longed for your salvation, and your law is my delight. 175If you will let me live, I will praise you; let your laws assist me.
176I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me for I have not turned away from your commandments.

Psalm 19 and Psalm 119 was taken from The Book a special edition of The Living Bible.

Home Page