In praise of God's Word by Ezra

ALEPH.

1Blessed are those whose ways are undefiled, who walk in the law of the LORD. 2Blessed are they who keep His statutes, and seek Him with their whole heart. 3They also do no wrong; they walk in His ways. 4You have given us Your precepts to be kept diligently. 5Oh, that my ways were consistent with Your statutes! 6Then I would not be ashamed, when I reflect upon all Your commandments. 7I will praise You with an upright heart, as I learn Your righteous laws. 8I will obey Your statutes; Oh, do not utterly forsake me!

BETH.

9How shall a young man keep his way clean? By heeding Your word. 10With my whole heart have I sought You; Oh, let me not stray from Your commandments. 11Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. 12Blessed are You, O LORD; teach me Your statutes. 13With my lips I have declared all the ordinances from Your mouth. 14I have rejoiced in following Your statutes, as some rejoice in riches. 15I will reflect upon Your precepts, and respect Your ways. 16I will delight myself in Your laws; I will not forget Your word.

GIMEL.

17Deal generously with Your servant, that I may live, and obey Your word. 18Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous truths in Your law. 19I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commandments from me. 20I am overwhelmed with desire to keep Your laws at all times. 21You have rebuked the arrogant ones who disregard Your laws and are cursed. 22Remove from me their scorn and contempt; for I have kept Your testimonies. 23Those who rule, sit and slander me; but Your servant will meditate on Your statutes. 24Your testimonies are my delight and my advisors.

DALETH.

25I lie in the dust; revive my life by Your word. 26I have acknowledged my ways, and You heard me; teach me Your statutes. 27Help me to understand the way of Your precepts; that I may meditate upon Your wondrous works. 28My soul is weary with sorrow; encourage me with Your word. 29Keep me from the ways of deceit, and graciously grant me understanding of Your law. 30I have chosen the way of truth; and determined to live by Your ordinances. 31I have clung to Your testimonies; O LORD, keep me from shame. 32I will pursue the way of Your commandments, as You increase my understanding.

HE.

33Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes; that I may follow it to the end. 34Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; so that I may obey it with my whole heart. 35Direct me in the path of Your commandments; for I do delight in them. 36Incline my heart toward Your testimonies, and not toward selfish gain. 37Turn my eyes away from vain things; and toward pursuit for Your way. 38Confirm Your word to Your servant, who is devoted to Your reverence. 39Shield me from the scorn I dread; for Your judgements are excellent. 40How I long to abide by Your precepts; revive me in Your righteousness.

VAV {VAU}.

41May Your mercies and salvation come to me, O LORD, according to Your word. 42So that I can answer him who taunts me; for I trust in Your word. 43Never take the Your word of truth out of my mouth; for my hope is in Your ordinances. 44May I keep Your law forever and ever. 45And I will walk in freedom; for I seek Your precepts. 46I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings, and not be ashamed. 47And I will delight in Your commandments, which I love. 48I will reach out and grasp Your commandments, which I love; and I will meditate in Your statutes.

ZAYIN {ZAIN}.

49Remember Your word to Your servant, which You have caused me to trust in. 50My comfort in suffering is this: Your promise of life. 51The arrogant have delighted in deriding me; yet I have not swayed from Your law. 52I have remembered, O LORD, Your ordinances of old; and comforted myself. 53Grief grips me because of the wicked who forsake Your law. 54Your statutes have been my songs wherever I lodge. 55I remember Your name, O LORD, at night, and keep Your law. 56I have been blessed because I keep Your precepts.

KHETH {CHETH}.

57You are my portion, O LORD; I have said that I would keep Your words. 58I have sought Your favor with my whole heart; be gracious to me as You have promised in Your word. 59I considered my ways, and turned my steps toward Your testimonies. 60I will be prompt and not delay to keep Your commandments. 61Though the bands of the wicked have tried to entangle me; I have not forgotten Your law. 62At midnight I will rise to give thanks to You for Your righteous laws. 63I am a friend of all those who fear and honor You, and of those who keep Your precepts. 64The earth, O LORD, is filled with Your mercy; teach me Your statutes.

TETH.

65You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, just as You promised me. 66Teach me good judgment and wisdom; for I trust in Your commandments. 67Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I obey Your word. 68You are good, and do only good; teach me Your statutes. 69The arrogant have smeared me with lies; but I will keep Your precepts with all my heart. 70Their hearts are callous and beyond feeling; but I delight in Your law. 71It was good for me that I have been chastised and afflicted; that I might learn Your laws. 72The law from Your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver coins.

YODH {JOD}.

73Your hands have made and formed me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. 74May those who fear You be glad when they see me; because my hope is in Your word. 75I know, O LORD, that Your laws are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76May Your merciful kindness comfort me, just as You promised Your servant. 77Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for Your law is my delight. 78Let the arrogant be ashamed; for they mistreated me without cause; but I will meditate in Your precepts. 79May those who fear You turn to me, and those who have known Your laws. 80Let my heart be firmly based in Your statutes; so that I am not shamed.

KAPH {CAPH}.

81My soul faints aa I await Your salvation; but my hope is in Your word. 82My eyes strain watching for Your promise, saying, “When will You comfort me?” 83For I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke; yet I do not forget Your statutes. 84How many days must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on those who persecute me? 85The arrogant have set traps for me, in violation of Your law. 86All Your commandments are faithful; but rescue me from my wicked persecutors. 87They had almost ended my life on earth; yet I did not abandon Your precepts. 88In Your loving-kindness, preserve my life; that I may keep the laws You have spoken.

LAMEDH {LAMED}.

89Your word is settled forever in heaven, O LORD. 90Your faithfulness continues through all generations; You have established the earth, and it endures. 91Your laws remain true yet today, according to Your ordained plan; for they all serve Your purposes. 92If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93I will never forget Your precepts; for by them You have preserved my life. 94Save me, for I am Yours; for I have sought and obeyed Your precepts. 95The wicked lie in wait to destroy me; but I will focus upon Your testimonies. 96I see limits to all perfection; but Your commandments have no such limit.

MEM.

97Oh, how I love Your law! I meditation upon it all day long. 98Through Your commandments, which are ever with me, You have made me wiser than my enemies. 99I have more understanding than all my teachers; for Your testimonies are my meditation. 100I understand more than the elders, because I adhere to Your precepts. 101I have kept my feet from every evil path, so that I might keep Your word. 102I have not strayed from Your ordinances; for You, Yourself, have taught me. 103How sweet are Your words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104Through Your precepts, I gain understanding; therefore, I despise every evil way.

NUN.

105Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light upon my path. 106I have sworn an oath, which I will keep, that I will obey Your righteous ordinances. 107I have suffered much; restore me, O LORD, according to Your word. 108Accept, O LORD, the willing praise of my mouth, I beg You; and teach me Your ordinances. 109Though I continually take my life in my hand; yet I do not forget Your law. 110The wicked have set traps for me; yet I have not erred from Your precepts. 111Your statutes I have taken as my heritage forever; for they are the joy of my heart. 112I have set my heart to keep Your statutes forever, even to the very end.

SAMEKH {SAMECH}.

113I have no time for vain thoughts of double-minded people; but Your law I love. 114You are my refuge and my shield; I put my hope in Your word. 115Depart from me, you evildoers; for I intend to keep the commandments of my God. 116Sustain me according to Your promise, that I may live; and let me not be disappointed in my hope. 117Uphold me, and I shall be safe; and I will always have regard for Your statutes. 118You have rejected all who stray from Your statutes; for their deceit is self-delusion. 119You discard all the wicked of the earth like scum; therefore, I love Your testimonies. 120I tremble in awe of You; and am in awe of Your judgments.

AYIN {AIN}.

121I have done what is just and righteous; do not leave me at the mercy of my enemies. 122Ensure Your servant’s well-being; do not let the prideful oppress me. 123My eyes fail as I wait for Your salvation, and for Your righteous promise. 124Deal with Your servant according to Your love and mercy, and teach me Your statutes. 125I am Your servant; grant me discernment, that I may understand Your testimonies. 126It is time for You to act, LORD; for they have violated Your law. 127Truly, I love Your commandments above gold, even the finest gold. 128Because I consider Your precepts concerning all things to be right, I despise every evil way.

PE.

129Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore, I obey them. 130The revelation of Your words gives light; and it gives understanding to the naÏve. 131I opened my mouth, and panted; for I longed for Your commandments. 132Look upon me, and be merciful to me, as You do to those who love Your name. 133Guide my steps by Your word; and let no sin rule over me. 134Rescue me from the oppression of mere mortals; so that I may keep Your precepts. 135Make Your face shine upon Your servant; and teach me Your statutes. 136Rivers of tears run from my eyes, because of those so not keep Your law.

TSADHE {TZADDI}.

137You are righteous, O LORD, and Your judgments are upright. 138Your statutes that You have laid down are righteous and fully trustworthy. 139My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies ignore Your words. 140Your promises have been thoroughly tested and proven true; that is why Your servant loves them. 141Though I am insignificant and despised; I do not forget Your precepts. 142Your righteousness is everlasting: and Your law is true. 143Trouble and anguish have gripped me; still Your commandments are my delights. 144The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding, that I may live by them.

QOPH {KOPH}.

145I call with all my heart; answer me, O LORD; that I may keep Your statutes. 146I cried out to You; save me, and I shall keep Your testimonies. 147I rise before dawn, and call for help; I trust in Your word. 148I stay awake during the night watches, that I might meditate upon Your word. 149Hear my voice in accordance with Your loving-kindness; O LORD, revive me according to Your laws. 150They who devise evil schemes are near; but they are far from Your law. 151Yet You are near, O LORD; and all Your commandments are true. 152I have learned long ago that You have established Your testimonies to remain forever.

RESH.

153Consider my affliction, and rescue me; for I do not forget Your law. 154Defend my cause; save and revive me, according to Your word. 155Salvation is far from the wicked; for they do not seek Your statutes. 156Your tender mercies, O LORD, are great; revive me according to Your laws. 157My persecutors and enemies are many; yet I have not deviated from Your testimonies. 158I watched the transgressors, and was grieved; because they do not regard Your word. 159Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me, O LORD, according to Your loving-kindness. 160All Your words are true; all Your righteous ordinances are eternal.

SHIN {SCHIN}.

161Rulers persecute me without cause; but my heart stands in awe of Your word. 162I rejoice at Your word, as one who finds great treasure. 163I hate and detest lying; but I love Your law. 164Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous laws. 165Great peace have they who love Your law; and nothing shall cause them to stumble. 166LORD, I have trusted in Your salvation, and obeyed Your commandments. 167I have kept Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. 168I have obeyed Your precepts and Your testimonies; for all my ways are before You.

TAV {TAU}.

169Let my cry come before You, O LORD; give me understanding according to Your word. 170Let my supplication come before You; deliver me according to Your promise. 171May my lips overflow with praise, for You have taught me Your statutes. 172My tongue shall speak of Your word; for all Your commandments are righteous. 173May Your hand be ready to help me; for I have chosen Your precepts. 174I have longed for Your salvation, O LORD; and Your law is my delight. 175Let me live, that I may praise You; and let Your ordinances sustain me. 176I have strayed like a lost sheep. Come and seek Your strayed servant; for I have not forgotten Your commandments.