Psalm 119:1-44

Easy-to-Read Version

119 Great blessings belong to those who live pure lives!
    They follow the Lord’s teachings.
² Great blessings belong to those who follow his rules!
    They seek him with all their heart.
³ They don’t do wrong.
    They follow his ways.
⁴ Lord, you gave us your instructions
    and told us to always obey them.
⁵ How I wish I could be more faithful
    in obeying your laws!
⁶ Then I would never feel ashamed
    when I look closely at your commands.
⁷ The more I understand how fair your laws are,
    the more sincerely I will praise you.
⁸ I will obey your laws,
    so please don’t leave me!

⁹ How can a young person live a pure life?
    By obeying your word.
¹⁰ I try with all my heart to serve you.
    Help me obey your commands.
¹¹ I study your teachings very carefully
    so that I will not sin against you.
¹² Lord, you are worthy of praise!
    Teach me your laws.
¹³ I will repeat the laws we have heard from you.
¹⁴ I enjoy following your rules
    as much as others enjoy great riches.
¹⁵ I will study your instructions.
    I will give thought to your way of life.
¹⁶ I enjoy your laws.
    I will not forget your word.

¹⁷ Be good to me, your servant,
    so that I may live to obey your word.
¹⁸ Open my eyes so that I can see
    all the wonderful things in your teachings.
¹⁹ I feel like a stranger visiting here on earth.
    I need to know your commands.
    Don’t keep them hidden from me.
²⁰ I constantly feel a hunger
    to understand your laws.
²¹ You tell the proud how angry you are with them.
    All those who refuse to obey your word are cursed.
²² Don’t let me be ashamed and embarrassed.
    I have obeyed your rules.
²³ Even if rulers say bad things about me,
    I am your servant,
    and I continue to study your laws.
²⁴ Your rules make me happy.
    They give me good advice.

²⁵ I lie here like a dying man.
    Say the word, and I will live again.^[b]
26 I told you about my life, and you answered me.
    Now, teach me your laws.
²⁷ Help me understand your instructions,
    and I will think about your wonderful teachings.^[c]
28 I am sad and tired.
    Say the word, and make me strong again.
²⁹ Don’t let me live a lie.
    Guide me with your teachings.
³⁰ I have chosen to be loyal to you.
    I respect your laws.
³¹ I follow your rules closely, Lord.
    Don’t let me be put to shame.
³² I do my best to follow your commands,
    because you are the one who gives me the desire.

³³ Lord, teach me your laws,
    and I will always follow them.
³⁴ Help me understand your teachings,
    and I will follow them.
    Obeying them will be my greatest desire.
³⁵ Help me follow your commands,
    because that makes me happy.
³⁶ Give me the desire to follow your rules,
    not the desire to get rich.
³⁷ Don’t let me look at worthless things.
    Help me live your way.
³⁸ Do what you promised me, your servant,
    so that people will respect you.
³⁹ Take away the shame I fear.
    Your laws are good.
⁴⁰ See how much I want to obey your instructions!
    Be good to me, and let me live.

⁴¹ Lord, show me your faithful love.
    Save me, as you promised.
⁴² Then I will have an answer for those who make fun of me
    for trusting what you say.
⁴³ Let me always say what is true.
    I depend on your judgment to be fair.
⁴⁴ I will follow your teachings forever and ever.