Psalm 119:45-89

Easy-to-Read Version

⁴⁵ So I will live in freedom,
    because I do my best to know your instructions.
⁴⁶ I will discuss your rules with kings,
    and no one will embarrass me.
⁴⁷ What joy your commands give me!
    How I love them!
⁴⁸ Not only do I love your commands, but I also honor them.
    I will study your laws.

⁴⁹ Remember your promise to me, your servant.
    It gives me hope.
⁵⁰ You comfort me in my suffering,
    because your promise gives me new life.
⁵¹ People full of pride are always making fun of me,
    but I have not stopped following your teachings.
⁵² I remember the laws you gave us long ago, Lord,
    and they bring me comfort.
⁵³ I am overcome with anger when I see wicked people,
    who have stopped following your teachings.
⁵⁴ Your laws are the songs I sing
    wherever I am living.
⁵⁵ Lord, in the night I remembered your name,
    and I obeyed your teachings.
⁵⁶ This happened because I carefully obey your instructions.

⁵⁷ Lord, I decided that my duty is to obey your commandments.
⁵⁸ I beg you with all my heart,
    be kind to me, as you promised.
⁵⁹ I thought very carefully about my life,
    and I decided to follow your rules.
⁶⁰ Without wasting any time,
    I hurried back to obey your commands.
⁶¹ The wicked tried to trap me,
    but I have not forgotten your teachings.
⁶² In the middle of the night, I get up to thank you
    because your laws are so fair.
⁶³ I am a friend to everyone who worships you.
    I am a friend to everyone who obeys your instructions.
⁶⁴ Lord, your faithful love fills the earth.
    Teach me your laws.

⁶⁵ Lord, you did good things for me, your servant.
    You did what you promised to do.
⁶⁶ Give me the knowledge to make wise decisions.
    I trust your commands.
⁶⁷ Before I suffered, I did many wrong things.
    But now I carefully obey everything you say.
⁶⁸ You are good, and you do good things.
    Teach me your laws.
⁶⁹ People full of pride made up lies about me.
    But I keep obeying your instructions with all my heart.
⁷⁰ Those people are so stupid that they care for nothing,
    but I enjoy studying your teachings.
⁷¹ Suffering was good for me;
    I learned your laws.
⁷² Your teachings are worth more to me
    than a thousand pieces of silver and gold.

⁷³ With your hands you made me and helped me become what I am.
    Now help me learn and understand your commands.
⁷⁴ Your followers will see me and be happy,
    because I trust in your word.
⁷⁵ Lord, I know that your decisions are fair,
    and you were right to punish me.
⁷⁶ Now comfort me with your faithful love,
    as you promised.
⁷⁷ Comfort me and let me live.
    I enjoy your teachings.
⁷⁸ Bring shame on those proud people who lied about me.
    All I want to do is study your instructions.
⁷⁹ Let your followers come back to me
    so that they may learn your rules.
⁸⁰ Let me obey your laws perfectly
    so that I will not be ashamed.

⁸¹ I feel weaker and weaker as I wait for you to save me.
    But I put my trust in your word.
⁸² I keep looking for what you promised, but my eyes are feeling tired.
    When will you comfort me?
⁸³ Even when I am like a dried wineskin on the trash pile,
    I will not forget your laws.
⁸⁴ How long must I wait for you
    to punish those who persecute me?
⁸⁵ Proud people have tried to trap me
    and make me disobey your teachings.
⁸⁶ All your commands can be trusted.
    Those people are wrong to persecute me.
    Help me!
⁸⁷ They have almost destroyed me,
    but I have not stopped obeying your instructions.
⁸⁸ Show me your faithful love and let me live.
    I will do whatever you say.

⁸⁹ Lord, your word continues forever in heaven.