Chapter 119

  Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, Who walk according to the law of Yahweh.  

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  Blessed are those who keep his statutes, Who seek him with their whole heart.  

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  Yes, they do nothing wrong. They walk in his ways.  

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  You have commanded your precepts, That we should fully obey them.  

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  Oh that my ways were steadfast To obey your statutes!  

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  Then I wouldn't be put to shame, When I consider all of your commandments.  

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  I will give thanks to you with uprightness of heart, When I learn your righteous judgments.  

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  I will observe your statutes. Don't utterly forsake me. BEIT  

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  How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.  

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  With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don't let me wander from your commandments.  

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  I have hidden your word in my heart, That I might not sin against you.  

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  Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes.  

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  With my lips, I have declared all the ordinances of your mouth.  

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  I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, As much as in all riches.  

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  I will meditate on your precepts, And consider your ways.  

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  I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. GIMEL  

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  Do good to your servant. I will live and I will obey your word.  

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  Open my eyes, That I may see wondrous things out of your law.  

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  I am a stranger on the earth. Don't hide your commandments from me.  

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  My soul is consumed with longing for your ordinances at all times.  

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  You have rebuked the proud who are cursed, Who wander from your commandments.  

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  Take reproach and contempt away from me, For I have kept your statutes.  

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  Though princes sit and slander me, Your servant will meditate on your statutes.  

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  Indeed your statutes are my delight, And my counselors. DALED  

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  My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word!  

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  I declared my ways, and you answered me. Teach me your statutes.  

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  Let me understand the teaching of your precepts! Then I will meditate on your wondrous works.  

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  My soul is weary with sorrow. Strengthen me according to your word.  

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  Keep me from the way of deceit. Grant me your law graciously!  

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  I have chosen the way of truth. I have set my heart on your law.  

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  I cling to your statutes, Yahweh. Don't let me be put to shame.  

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  I run in the path of your commandments, For you have set my heart free. HEY  

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  Teach me, Yahweh, the way of your statutes. I will keep them to the end.  

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  Give me understanding, and I will keep your law. Yes, I will obey it with my whole heart.  

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  Direct me in the path of your commandments, For I delight in them.  

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  Turn my heart toward your statutes, Not toward selfish gain.  

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  Turn my eyes away from looking at worthless things. Revive me in your ways.  

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  Fulfill your promise to your servant, That you may be feared.  

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  Take away my disgrace that I dread, For your ordinances are good.  

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  Behold, I long for your precepts! Revive me in your righteousness. WAW  

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  Let your lovingkindness also come to me, Yahweh, Your salvation, according to your word.  

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  So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in your word.  

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  Don't snatch the word of truth out of my mouth, For I put my hope in your ordinances.  

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  So I will obey your law continually, Forever and ever.  

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  I will walk in liberty, For I have sought your precepts.  

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  I will also speak of your statutes before kings, And will not be put to shame.  

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  I will delight myself in your commandments, Because I love them.  

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  I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes. ZAYIN  

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  Remember your word to your servant, Because you gave me hope.  

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  This is my comfort in my affliction, For your word has revived me.  

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  The arrogant mock me excessively, But I don't swerve from your law.  

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  I remember your ordinances of old, Yahweh, And have comforted myself.  

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  Indignation has taken hold on me, Because of the wicked who forsake your law.  

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  Your statutes have been my songs, In the house where I live.  

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  I have remembered your name, Yahweh, in the night, And I obey your law.  

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  This is my way, That I keep your precepts. CHET  

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  Yahweh is my portion. I promised to obey your words.  

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  I sought your favor with my whole heart. Be merciful to me according to your word.  

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  I considered my ways, And turned my steps to your statutes.  

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  I will hurry, and not delay, To obey your commandments.  

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  The ropes of the wicked bind me, But I won't forget your law.  

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  At midnight I will rise to give thanks to you, Because of your righteous ordinances.  

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  I am a friend of all those who fear you, Of those who observe your precepts.  

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  The earth is full of your lovingkindness, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. TET  

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  Do good to your servant, According to your word, Yahweh.  

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  Teach me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe in your commandments.  

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  Before I was afflicted, I went astray; But now I observe your word.  

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  You are good, and do good. Teach me your statutes.  

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  The proud have smeared a lie upon me. With my whole heart, I will keep your precepts.  

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  Their heart is as callous as the fat, But I delight in your law.  

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  It is good for me that I have been afflicted, That I may learn your statutes.  

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  The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. YUD  

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  Your hands have made me and formed me. Give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.  

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  Those who fear you will see me and be glad, Because I have put my hope in your word.  

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  Yahweh, I know that your judgments are righteous, That in faithfulness you have afflicted me.  

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  Please let your lovingkindness be for my comfort, According to your word to your servant.  

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  Let your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; For your law is my delight.  

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  Let the proud be put to shame, for they have overthrown me wrongfully. I will meditate on your precepts.  

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  Let those who fear you turn to me. They will know your statutes.  

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  Let my heart be blameless toward your decrees, That I may not be put to shame. KAF  

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  My soul faints for your salvation. I hope in your word.  

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  My eyes fail for your word. I say, 'When will you comfort me?'  

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  For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke. I don't forget your statutes.  

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  How many are the days of your servant? When will you execute judgment on those who persecute me?  

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  The proud have dug pits for me, Contrary to your law.  

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  All of your commandments are faithful. They persecute me wrongfully. Help me!  

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  They had almost wiped me from the earth, But I didn't forsake your precepts.  

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  Preserve my life according to your lovingkindness, So I will obey the statutes of your mouth. LAMED  

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  Yahweh, your word is settled in heaven forever.  

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  Your faithfulness is to all generations. You have established the earth, and it remains.  

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  Your laws remain to this day, For all things serve you.  

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  Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.  

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  I will never forget your precepts, For with them, you have revived me.  

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  I am yours. Save me, For I have sought your precepts.  

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  The wicked have waited for me, to destroy me. I will consider your statutes.  

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  I have seen a limit to all perfection, But your commands are boundless. MEM  

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  How love I your law! It is my meditation all day.  

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  Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For your commandments are always with me.  

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  I have more understanding than all my teachers, For your testimonies are my meditation.  

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  I understand more than the aged, Because I have kept your precepts.  

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  I have kept my feet from every evil way, That I might observe your word.  

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  I have not turned aside from your ordinances, For you have taught me.  

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  How sweet are your promises to my taste, More than honey to my mouth!  

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  Through your precepts, I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. NUN  

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  Your word is a lamp to my feet, And a light for my path.  

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  I have sworn, and have confirmed it, That I will obey your righteous ordinances.  

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  I am afflicted very much. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your word.  

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  Accept, I beg you, the willing offerings of my mouth. Yahweh, teach me your ordinances.  

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  My soul is continually in my hand, Yet I won't forget your law.  

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  The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I haven't gone astray from your precepts.  

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  I have taken your testimonies as a heritage forever, For they are the joy of my heart.  

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  I have set my heart to perform your statutes forever, Even to the end. SAMEKH  

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  I hate double-minded men, But I love your law.  

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  You are my hiding place and my shield. I hope in your word.  

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  Depart from me, you evildoers, That I may keep the commandments of my God.  

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  Uphold me according to your word, that I may live. Let me not be ashamed of my hope.  

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  Hold me up, and I will be safe, And will have respect for your statutes continually.  

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  You reject all those who stray from your statutes, For their deceit is in vain.  

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  You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross. Therefore I love your testimonies.  

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  My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments. AYIN  

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  I have done what is just and righteous. Don't leave me to my oppressors.  

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  Ensure your servant's well-being. Don't let the proud oppress me.  

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  My eyes fail looking for your salvation, For your righteous word.  

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  Deal with your servant according to your lovingkindness. Teach me your statutes.  

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  I am your servant. Give me understanding, That I may know your testimonies.  

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  It is time to act, Yahweh, For they break your law.  

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  Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, Yes, more than pure gold.  

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  Therefore I consider all of your precepts to be right. I hate every false way. PEY  

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  Your testimonies are wonderful, Therefore my soul keeps them.  

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  The entrance of your words gives light. It gives understanding to the simple.  

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  I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for your commandments.  

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  Turn to me, and have mercy on me, As you always do to those who love your name.  

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  Establish my footsteps in your word. Don't let any iniquity have dominion over me.  

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  Redeem me from the oppression of man, So I will observe your precepts.  

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  Make your face to shine on your servant. Teach me your statutes.  

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  Streams of tears run down my eyes, Because they don't observe your law. TZADI  

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  You are righteous, Yahweh. your judgments are upright.  

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  You have commanded your statutes in righteousness. They are fully trustworthy.  

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  My zeal wears me out, Because my enemies ignore your words.  

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  Your promises have been thoroughly tested, And your servant loves them.  

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  I am small and despised. I don't forget your precepts.  

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  Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness. Your law is truth.  

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  Trouble and anguish have taken hold of me. Your commandments are my delight.  

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  Your testimonies are righteous forever. Give me understanding, that I may live. KUF  

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  I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes.  

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  I have called to you. Save me! I will obey your statutes.  

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  I rise before dawn and cry for help. I put my hope in your words.  

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  My eyes stay open through the night watches, That I might meditate on your word.  

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  Hear my voice according to your lovingkindness. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your ordinances.  

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  They draw near who follow after wickedness. They are far from your law.  

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  You are near, Yahweh. All your commandments are truth.  

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  Of old I have known from your testimonies, That you have founded them forever. RESH  

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  Consider my affliction, and deliver me, For I don't forget your law.  

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  Plead my cause, and redeem me! Revive me according to your promise.  

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  Salvation is far from the wicked, For they don't seek your statutes.  

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  Great are your tender mercies, Yahweh. Revive me according to your ordinances.  

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  Many are my persecutors and my adversaries. I haven't swerved from your testimonies.  

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  I look at the faithless with loathing, Because they don't observe your word.  

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  Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, Yahweh, according to your lovingkindness.  

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  All of your words are truth. Every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever. SIN AND SHIN  

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  Princes have persecuted me without a cause, But my heart stands in awe of your words.  

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  I rejoice at your word, As one who finds great spoil.  

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  I hate and abhor falsehood. I love your law.  

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  Seven times a day, I praise you, Because of your righteous ordinances.  

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  Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble.  

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  I have hoped for your salvation, Yahweh. I have done your commandments.  

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  My soul has observed your testimonies. I love them exceedingly.  

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  I have obeyed your precepts and your testimonies, For all my ways are before you. TAV  

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  Let my cry come before you, Yahweh. Give me understanding according to your word.  

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  Let my supplication come before you. Deliver me according to your word.  

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  Let my lips utter praise, For you teach me your statutes.  

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  Let my tongue sing of your word, For all your commandments are righteousness.  

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  Let your hand be ready to help me, For I have chosen your precepts.  

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  I have longed for your salvation, Yahweh. Your law is my delight.  

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  Let my soul live, that I may praise you. Let your ordinances help me.  

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  I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don't forget your commandments. Psalm 120 A Song of Ascents.  

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