Mazmur 119:129-144

פ (Pe)

119:129 Your rules are marvelous.

Therefore I observe them.

119:130 Your instructions are a doorway through which light shines. ¹ 

They give ²  insight to the untrained. ³ 

119:131 I open my mouth and pant,

because I long ⁴  for your commands.

119:132 Turn toward me and extend mercy to me,

as you typically do to your loyal followers. ⁵ 

119:133 Direct my steps by your word! ⁶ 

Do not let any sin dominate me!

119:134 Deliver me ⁷  from oppressive men,

so that I can keep ⁸  your precepts.

119:135 Smile ⁹  on your servant!

Teach me your statutes!

119:136 Tears stream down from my eyes, ¹⁰ 

because people ¹¹  do not keep your law.

צ (Tsade)

119:137 You are just, O Lord,

and your judgments are fair.

119:138 The rules you impose are just, ¹² 

and absolutely reliable.

119:139 My zeal ¹³  consumes ¹⁴  me,

for my enemies forget your instructions. ¹⁵ 

119:140 Your word is absolutely pure,

and your servant loves it!

119:141 I am insignificant and despised,

yet I do not forget your precepts.

119:142 Your justice endures, ¹⁶ 

and your law is reliable. ¹⁷ 

119:143 Distress and hardship confront ¹⁸  me,

yet I find delight in your commands.

119:144 Your rules remain just. ¹⁹ 

Give me insight so that I can live. ²⁰ 

[119:130]  ¹ tn Heb “the doorway of your words gives light.” God’s “words” refer here to the instructions in his law (see vv. 9, 57).

[119:130]  ² tn Heb “it [i.e., the doorway] gives.”

[119:130]  ³ tn Or “the [morally] naive,” that is, the one who is young and still in the process of learning right from wrong and distinguishing wisdom from folly. See Pss 19:7; 116:6.

[119:131]  ⁴ tn The verb occurs only here in the OT.

[119:132]  ⁵ tn Heb “according to custom toward the lovers of your name.” The “lovers of” God’s “name” are the Lord’s loyal followers. See Pss 5:11; 69:36; Isa 56:6.

[119:133]  ⁶ tn God’s “word” refers here to his law (see v. 11).

[119:134]  ⁷ tn Or “redeem me.”

[119:134]  ⁸ tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.

[119:135]  ⁹ tn Heb “cause your face to shine.”

[119:136]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “[with] flowing streams my eyes go down.”

[119:136]  ¹¹ tn Heb “they”; even though somewhat generic, the referent (people) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[119:138]  ¹² tn Heb “you commanded [in] justice your rules.”

[119:139]  ¹³ tn or “zeal.”

[119:139]  ¹⁴ tn Heb “destroys,” in a hyperbolic sense.

[119:139]  ¹⁵ tn Heb “your words.”

[119:142]  ¹⁶ tn Heb “your justice [is] justice forever.”

[119:142]  ¹⁷ tn Or “truth.”

[119:143]  ¹⁸ tn Heb “find.”

[119:144]  ¹⁹ tn Heb “just are your rules forever.”

[119:144]  ²⁰ tn The cohortative verbal form with vav (ו) conjunctive indicates purpose/result after the preceding imperative.