Mazmur 119:161-168

שׂ/שׁ (Sin/Shin)

119:161 Rulers pursue me for no reason,

yet I am more afraid of disobeying your instructions. ¹ 

119:162 I rejoice in your instructions,

like one who finds much plunder. ² 

119:163 I hate and despise deceit;

I love your law.

119:164 Seven ³  times a day I praise you

because of your just regulations.

119:165 Those who love your law are completely secure; ⁴ 

nothing causes them to stumble. ⁵ 

119:166 I hope for your deliverance, O Lord,

and I obey ⁶  your commands.

119:167 I keep your rules;

I love them greatly.

119:168 I keep your precepts and rules,

for you are aware of everything I do. ⁷ 

[119:161]  ¹ tn Heb “and because of your instructions my heart trembles.” The psalmist’s healthy “fear” of the consequences of violating God’s instructions motivates him to obey them. See v. 120.

[119:162]  ² tn Heb “like one who finds great plunder.” See Judg 5:30. The image is that of a victorious warrior who finds a large amount of plunder on the field of battle.

[119:164]  ³ tn The number “seven” is use rhetorically to suggest thoroughness.

[119:165]  ⁴ tn Heb “great peace [is] to the lovers of your law.”

[119:165]  ⁵ tn Heb “and there is no stumbling to them.”

[119:166]  ⁶ tn Heb “do.”

[119:168]  ⁷ tn Heb “for all my ways [are] before you.”