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Thursday, October 20, 2011

My Prayer

Psalm 119
[Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet]
[ALEPH]
    [119:1]  Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
        who walk in the law of the LORD!
    [2] Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
        who seek him with their whole heart,
    [3] who also do no wrong,
        but walk in his ways!
    [4] You have commanded your precepts
        to be kept diligently.
    [5] Oh that my ways may be steadfast
        in keeping your statutes!
    [6] Then I shall not be put to shame,
        having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
    [7] I will praise you with an upright heart,
        when I learn your righteous rules.
    [8] I will keep your statutes;
        do not utterly forsake me!
[BETH]
    [9] How can a young man keep his way pure?
        By guarding it according to your word.
    [10] With my whole heart I seek you;
        let me not wander from your commandments!
    [11] I have stored up your word in my heart,
        that I might not sin against you.
    [12] Blessed are you, O LORD;
        teach me your statutes!
    [13] With my lips I declare
        all the rules of your mouth.
    [14] In the way of your testimonies I delight
        as much as in all riches.
    [15] I will meditate on your precepts
        and fix my eyes on your ways.
    [16] I will delight in your statutes;
        I will not forget your word.
[GIMEL]
    [17] Deal bountifully with your servant,
        that I may live and keep your word.
    [18] Open my eyes, that I may behold
        wondrous things out of your law.
    [19] I am a sojourner on the earth;
        hide not your commandments from me!
    [20] My soul is consumed with longing
        for your rules at all times.
    [21] You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
        who wander from your commandments.
    [22] Take away from me scorn and contempt,
        for I have kept your testimonies.
    [23] Even though princes sit plotting against me,
        your servant will meditate on your statutes.
    [24] Your testimonies are my delight;
        they are my counselors.
[DALETH]
    [25] My soul clings to the dust;
        give me life according to your word!
    [26] When I told of my ways, you answered me;
        teach me your statutes!
    [27] Make me understand the way of your precepts,
        and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
    [28] My soul melts away for sorrow;
        strengthen me according to your word!
    [29] Put false ways far from me
        and graciously teach me your law!
    [30] I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
        I set your rules before me.
    [31] I cling to your testimonies, O LORD;
        let me not be put to shame!
    [32] I will run in the way of your commandments
        when you enlarge my heart!
[HE]
    [33] Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
        and I will keep it to the end.
    [34] Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
        and observe it with my whole heart.
    [35] Lead me in the path of your commandments,
        for I delight in it.
    [36] Incline my heart to your testimonies,
        and not to selfish gain!
    [37] Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
        and give me life in your ways.
    [38] Confirm to your servant your promise,
        that you may be feared.
    [39] Turn away the reproach that I dread,
        for your rules are good.
    [40] Behold, I long for your precepts;
        in your righteousness give me life!
[WAW]
    [41] Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,
        your salvation according to your promise;
    [42] then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
        for I trust in your word.
    [43] And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
        for my hope is in your rules.
    [44] I will keep your law continually,
        forever and ever,
    [45] and I shall walk in a wide place,
        for I have sought your precepts.
    [46] I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
        and shall not be put to shame,
    [47] for I find my delight in your commandments,
        which I love.
    [48] I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
        and I will meditate on your statutes.
[ZAYIN]
    [49] Remember your word to your servant,
        in which you have made me hope.
    [50] This is my comfort in my affliction,
        that your promise gives me life.
    [51] The insolent utterly deride me,
        but I do not turn away from your law.
    [52] When I think of your rules from of old,
        I take comfort, O LORD.
    [53] Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
        who forsake your law.
    [54] Your statutes have been my songs
        in the house of my sojourning.
    [55] I remember your name in the night, O LORD,
        and keep your law.
    [56] This blessing has fallen to me,
        that I have kept your precepts.
[HETH]
    [57] The LORD is my portion;
        I promise to keep your words.
    [58] I entreat your favor with all my heart;
        be gracious to me according to your promise.
    [59] When I think on my ways,
        I turn my feet to your testimonies;
    [60] I hasten and do not delay
        to keep your commandments.
    [61] Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
        I do not forget your law.
    [62] At midnight I rise to praise you,
        because of your righteous rules.
    [63] I am a companion of all who fear you,
        of those who keep your precepts.
    [64] The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;
        teach me your statutes!
[TETH]
    [65] You have dealt well with your servant,
        O LORD, according to your word.
    [66] Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
        for I believe in your commandments.
    [67] Before I was afflicted I went astray,
        but now I keep your word.
    [68] You are good and do good;
        teach me your statutes.
    [69] The insolent smear me with lies,
        but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
    [70] their heart is unfeeling like fat,
        but I delight in your law.
    [71] It is good for me that I was afflicted,
        that I might learn your statutes.
    [72] The law of your mouth is better to me
        than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
[YODH]
    [73] Your hands have made and fashioned me;
        give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
    [74] Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
        because I have hoped in your word.
    [75] I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,
        and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
    [76] Let your steadfast love comfort me
        according to your promise to your servant.
    [77] Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
        for your law is my delight.
    [78] Let the insolent be put to shame,
        because they have wronged me with falsehood;
        as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
    [79] Let those who fear you turn to me,
        that they may know your testimonies.
    [80] May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
        that I may not be put to shame!
[KAPH]
    [81] My soul longs for your salvation;
        I hope in your word.
    [82] My eyes long for your promise;
        I ask, “When will you comfort me?”
    [83] For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
        yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
    [84] How long must your servant endure?
        When will you judge those who persecute me?
    [85] The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
        they do not live according to your law.
    [86] All your commandments are sure;
        they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
    [87] They have almost made an end of me on earth,
        but I have not forsaken your precepts.
    [88] In your steadfast love give me life,
        that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
[LAMEDH]
    [89] Forever, O LORD, your word
        is firmly fixed in the heavens.
    [90] Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
        you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
    [91] By your appointment they stand this day,
        for all things are your servants.
    [92] If your law had not been my delight,
        I would have perished in my affliction.
    [93] I will never forget your precepts,
        for by them you have given me life.
    [94] I am yours; save me,
        for I have sought your precepts.
    [95] The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
        but I consider your testimonies.
    [96] I have seen a limit to all perfection,
        but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
[MEM]
    [97] Oh how I love your law!
        It is my meditation all the day.
    [98] Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
        for it is ever with me.
    [99] I have more understanding than all my teachers,
        for your testimonies are my meditation.
    [100] I understand more than the aged,
        for I keep your precepts.
    [101] I hold back my feet from every evil way,
        in order to keep your word.
    [102] I do not turn aside from your rules,
        for you have taught me.
    [103] How sweet are your words to my taste,
        sweeter than honey to my mouth!
    [104] Through your precepts I get understanding;
        therefore I hate every false way.
[NUN]
    [105] Your word is a lamp to my feet
        and a light to my path.
    [106] I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
        to keep your righteous rules.
    [107] I am severely afflicted;
        give me life, O LORD, according to your word!
    [108] Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD,
        and teach me your rules.
    [109] I hold my life in my hand continually,
        but I do not forget your law.
    [110] The wicked have laid a snare for me,
        but I do not stray from your precepts.
    [111] Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
        for they are the joy of my heart.
    [112] I incline my heart to perform your statutes
        forever, to the end.
[SAMEKH]
    [113] I hate the double-minded,
        but I love your law.
    [114] You are my hiding place and my shield;
        I hope in your word.
    [115] Depart from me, you evildoers,
        that I may keep the commandments of my God.
    [116] Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
        and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
    [117] Hold me up, that I may be safe
        and have regard for your statutes continually!
    [118] You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
        for their cunning is in vain.
    [119] All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
        therefore I love your testimonies.
    [120] My flesh trembles for fear of you,
        and I am afraid of your judgments.
[AYIN]
    [121] I have done what is just and right;
        do not leave me to my oppressors.
    [122] Give your servant a pledge of good;
        let not the insolent oppress me.
    [123] My eyes long for your salvation
        and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
    [124] Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
        and teach me your statutes.
    [125] I am your servant; give me understanding,
        that I may know your testimonies!
    [126] It is time for the LORD to act,
        for your law has been broken.
    [127] Therefore I love your commandments
        above gold, above fine gold.
    [128] Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
        I hate every false way.
[PE]
    [129] Your testimonies are wonderful;
        therefore my soul keeps them.
    [130] The unfolding of your words gives light;
        it imparts understanding to the simple.
    [131] I open my mouth and pant,
        because I long for your commandments.
    [132] Turn to me and be gracious to me,
        as is your way with those who love your name.
    [133] Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
        and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
    [134] Redeem me from man's oppression,
        that I may keep your precepts.
    [135] Make your face shine upon your servant,
        and teach me your statutes.
    [136] My eyes shed streams of tears,
        because people do not keep your law.
[TSADHE]
    [137] Righteous are you, O LORD,
        and right are your rules.
    [138] You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
        and in all faithfulness.
    [139] My zeal consumes me,
        because my foes forget your words.
    [140] Your promise is well tried,
        and your servant loves it.
    [141] I am small and despised,
        yet I do not forget your precepts.
    [142] Your righteousness is righteous forever,
        and your law is true.
    [143] Trouble and anguish have found me out,
        but your commandments are my delight.
    [144] Your testimonies are righteous forever;
        give me understanding that I may live.
[QOPH]
    [145] With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!
        I will keep your statutes.
    [146] I call to you; save me,
        that I may observe your testimonies.
    [147] I rise before dawn and cry for help;
        I hope in your words.
    [148] My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
        that I may meditate on your promise.
    [149] Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
        O LORD, according to your justice give me life.
    [150] They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
        they are far from your law.
    [151] But you are near, O LORD,
        and all your commandments are true.
    [152] Long have I known from your testimonies
        that you have founded them forever.
[RESH]
    [153] Look on my affliction and deliver me,
        for I do not forget your law.
    [154] Plead my cause and redeem me;
        give me life according to your promise!
    [155] Salvation is far from the wicked,
        for they do not seek your statutes.
    [156] Great is your mercy, O LORD;
        give me life according to your rules.
    [157] Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
        but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
    [158] I look at the faithless with disgust,
        because they do not keep your commands.
    [159] Consider how I love your precepts!
        Give me life according to your steadfast love.
    [160] The sum of your word is truth,
        and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
[SIN AND SHIN]
    [161] Princes persecute me without cause,
        but my heart stands in awe of your words.
    [162] I rejoice at your word
        like one who finds great spoil.
    [163] I hate and abhor falsehood,
        but I love your law.
    [164] Seven times a day I praise you
        for your righteous rules.
    [165] Great peace have those who love your law;
        nothing can make them stumble.
    [166] I hope for your salvation, O LORD,
        and I do your commandments.
    [167] My soul keeps your testimonies;
        I love them exceedingly.
    [168] I keep your precepts and testimonies,
        for all my ways are before you.
[TAW]
    [169] Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
        give me understanding according to your word!
    [170] Let my plea come before you;
        deliver me according to your word.
    [171] My lips will pour forth praise,
        for you teach me your statutes.
    [172] My tongue will sing of your word,
        for all your commandments are right.
    [173] Let your hand be ready to help me,
        for I have chosen your precepts.
    [174] I long for your salvation, O LORD,
        and your law is my delight.
    [175] Let my soul live and praise you,
        and let your rules help me.
    [176] I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
        for I do not forget your commandments.
(Psalm 119 ESV)

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