¶Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day. [Ps 1:2]
Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,
For Your words are always with me.
I have better understanding and deeper insight than all my teachers [because of Your word],
For Your testimonies are my meditation. [2 Tim 3:15]
I understand more than the aged [who have not observed Your precepts],
Because I have observed and kept Your precepts.
I have restrained my feet from every evil way,
That I may keep Your word. [Prov 1:15]
I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
For You Yourself have taught me.
How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth! [Ps 19:10; Prov 8:11]
From Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.
¶Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. [Prov 6:23]
I have sworn [an oath] and have confirmed it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances. [Neh 10:29]
I am greatly afflicted;
Renew and revive me [giving me life], O LORD, according to Your word.
Accept and take pleasure in the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me Your ordinances. [Hos 14:2; Heb 13:15]
My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I do not wander from Your precepts.
I have taken Your testimonies as a heritage forever,
For they are the joy of my heart. [Deut 33:4]
I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.
¶I hate those who are double-minded,
But I love and treasure Your law.
You are my hiding place and my shield;
I wait for Your word. [Ps 32:7; 91:1]
Leave me, you evildoers,
That I may keep the commandments of my God [honoring and obeying them]. [Ps 6:8; 139:19; Matt 7:23]
Uphold me according to Your word [of promise], so that I may live;
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope [in Your great goodness]. [Ps 25:2; Rom 5:5; 9:33; 10:11]
Uphold me that I may be safe,
That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.
You have turned Your back on all those who wander from Your statutes,
For their deceitfulness is useless.
You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross [for they have no value];
Therefore I love Your testimonies.
My flesh trembles in [reverent] fear of You,
And I am afraid and in awe of Your judgments.
¶I have done justice and righteousness;
Do not leave me to those who oppress me.
Be the guarantee for Your servant for good [as Judah was the guarantee for Benjamin];
Do not let the arrogant oppress me. [Gen 43:9]
My eyes fail [with longing, watching] for [the fulfillment of] Your salvation,
And for [the fulfillment of] Your righteous word.
Deal with Your servant according to Your [gracious] lovingkindness,
And teach me Your statutes.
I am Your servant; give me understanding [the ability to learn and a teachable heart]
That I may know Your testimonies.
It is time for the LORD to act;
They have broken Your law.
Therefore I love Your commandments more than gold,
Yes, more than refined gold.
Therefore I esteem as right all Your precepts concerning everything;
I hate every false way.
¶Your testimonies are wonderful;
Therefore my soul keeps them.
The unfolding of Your [glorious] words give light;
Their unfolding gives understanding to the simple (childlike).
I opened my mouth and panted [with anticipation],
Because I longed for Your commandments.
Turn to me and be gracious to me and show me favor,
As is Your way to those who love Your name.
Establish my footsteps in [the way of] Your word;
Do not let any human weakness have power over me [causing me to be separated from You].
Redeem me from the oppression of man;
That I may keep Your precepts. [Luke 1:74]
Make Your face shine [with pleasure] upon Your servant,
And teach me Your statutes. [Ps 4:6]
My eyes weep streams of water
Because people do not keep Your law.