אַשְׁרֵי תְמִימֵי דָרֶךְ הַהֹלְכִים בְּתוֹרַת ה'

Happy are those whose path is blameless, those who follow the proper path, who follow the teaching of the Lord. Note that here and elsewhere in this psalm the word Torah is translated as “teaching.”

אַשְׁרֵי נֹצְרֵי עֵדֹתָיו בְּכָל לֵב יִדְרְשׁוּהוּ

Happy are those who uphold His precepts and seek Him wholeheartedly through observance of those commandments.

אַף לֹא פָעֲלוּ עַוְלָה בִּדְרָכָיו הָלָכוּ

They do not engage in wrongdoing, but rather walk in His ways that He has set forth in His Torah.

אַתָּה צִוִּיתָה פִקֻּדֶיךָ לִשְׁמֹר מְאֹד

The psalmist now speaks to God: You commanded Your edicts to be diligently observed.

אַחֲלַי יִכֹּנוּ דְרָכָי לִשְׁמֹר חֻקֶּיךָ

It is my wish that my ways be firmly set to observe Your statutes,

אָז לֹא אֵבוֹשׁ בְּהַבִּיטִי אֶל כָּל מִצְוֹתֶיךָ

for then I would not be ashamed when looking upon all Your commandments, for I will be able to honestly say that I have done my best to observe them.

אוֹדְךָ בְּיֹשֶׁר לֵבָב בְּלָמְדִי מִשְׁפְּטֵי צִדְקֶךָ

I give thanks to You with a sincere heart as I study Your righteous laws. This verse can be understood in two ways: The very act of studying God’s laws is a form of giving thanks. Alternatively, after having studied the laws, I give thanks to God for showing me, through the Torah, the true and proper path.

אֶת חֻקֶּיךָ אֶשְׁמֹר אַל תַּעַזְבֵנִי עַד מְאֹד

I follow Your statutes. I strive to observe Your commandments, and therefore I pray: Do not utterly forsake me, so that I can continue following this path.

בַּמֶּה יְזַכֶּה נַּעַר אֶת אָרְחוֹ לִשְׁמֹר כִּדְבָרֶךָ

How can a young man bring merit to his path? How can a young person choose the right path? By observing what befits Your word, by following everything You have commanded.

בְּכָל לִבִּי דְרַשְׁתִּיךָ אַל תַּשְׁגֵּנִי מִמִּצְוֹתֶיךָ

I seek You with all my heart. I desire to become close to You, and I pray to you: Let me not stray from Your commandments. Grant me the strength to continue observing Your commandments.

בְּלִבִּי צָפַנְתִּי אִמְרָתֶךָ לְמַעַן לֹא אֶחֱטָא לָךְ

I store Your saying in my heart, so as not to sin against You. I keep Your teachings in my heart; this helps me to avoid sinning, or at least guards me from sinning out of ignorance.

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה'לַמְּדֵנִי חֻקֶּיךָ

A short prayer: Blessed are You, Lord; teach me Your statutes.

בִּשְׂפָתַי סִפַּרְתִּי כֹּל מִשְׁפְּטֵי פִיךָ

With my lips I recount all the laws of Your mouth. I speak words of Torah aloud and impart them to others as well.

בְּדֶרֶךְ עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ שַּשְׂתִּי כְּעַל כָּל הוֹן

I rejoice in following the path of Your precepts as a person would rejoice over all riches, over suddenly receiving a great fortune.

בְּפִקּוּדֶיךָ אָשִׂיחָה וְאַבִּיטָה אֹרְחֹתֶיךָ

I speak about Your edicts and I also look upon Your ways, pondering their meaning.

בְּחֻקֹּתֶיךָ אֶשְׁתַּעֲשָׁע לֹא אֶשְׁכַּח דְּבָרֶךָ

I delight in Your statutes. Your commandments and Your Torah are not a burden for me. In fact, I actually delight in them, as I find them engaging and interesting. As a result, I do not forget Your word or your teachings.

גְּמֹל עַל עַבְדְּךָ אֶחְיֶה וְאֶשְׁמְרָה דְבָרֶךָ

Grant kindness to me, Your servant, that I might live and keep Your word.

גַּל עֵינַי וְאַבִּיטָה נִפְלָאוֹת מִתּוֹרָתֶךָ

Uncover my eyes, grant me understanding and insight, so I might perceive the wonders of Your teaching. To fully appreciate the greatness of the Torah, it is not sufficient merely to speak about it or to observe its commandments; therefore, the psalmist implores God for enlightenment.

גֵּר אָנֹכִי בָאָרֶץ אַל תַּסְתֵּר מִמֶּנִּי מִצְוֹתֶיךָ

I am but a sojourner on earth. I am here on earth for a limited time, like a traveler on the road, so do not hide Your commandments from me. Allow me to use the limited time that I have to learn Your commandments. This can be seen as a continuation of the previous verses, in which the psalmist prayed for life and enlightenment. Alternatively, the verse can be read as a plea for guidance: During my days on earth, I am like a stranger in a foreign land, requiring instruction in the laws and customs of the land, that is, the laws of Your Torah.

גָּרְסָה נַפְשִׁי לְתַאֲבָה אֶל מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ בְכָל עֵת

My soul longingly partakes of Your laws at all times. The word garsa, translated as “partakes,” conjures up the image of someone eating a delicacy with great enthusiasm.

גָּעַרְתָּ זֵדִים אֲרוּרִים הַשֹּׁגִים מִמִּצְוֹתֶיךָ

You rebuke the accursed, insolent ones who stray from Your commandments.

גַּל מֵעָלַי חֶרְפָּה וָבוּז כִּי עֵדֹתֶיךָ נָצָרְתִּי

Remove disgrace and abuse from me, for I have upheld Your precepts and can therefore ask You to protect me from the shame and humiliation that is heaped upon me.

גַּם יָשְׁבוּ שָׂרִים בִּי נִדְבָּרוּ עַבְדְּךָ יָשִׂיחַ בְּחֻקֶּיךָ

Even when princes sit and talk about me, engaging in a discussion that should interest me, Your servant, and elicit my participation, Your servant instead reflects on Your statutes and avoids joining the conversation.

גַּם עֵדֹתֶיךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָי אַנְשֵׁי עֲצָתִי

Also Your precepts are my delight. Even my entertainment consists of studying Your Torah. Moreover, those precepts function as my counselors, in the sense that they provide me with guidance as to how to best conduct my life.

דָּבְקָה לֶעָפָר נַפְשִׁי חַיֵּנִי כִּדְבָרֶךָ

My soul cleaves to the dust. I am completely depressed and disheartened. In this difficult situation, all I can do is pray: Revive me as Your word. Grant me life just as there is life in the words of Your Torah.

דְּרָכַי סִפַּרְתִּי וַתַּעֲנֵנִי לַמְּדֵנִי חֻקֶּיךָ

I told of my ways, I recounted to You the various matters and troubles in my life, and You answered me. You responded to my prayers. Now that You have granted me relief, I have one primary request: Teach me Your statutes.

דֶּרֶךְ פִּקּוּדֶיךָ הֲבִינֵנִי ואָשִׂיחָה בְּנִפְלְאוֹתֶיךָ

Make me understand the way of Your edicts, and then I will be able to speak about Your wonders.

דָּלְפָה נַפְשִׁי מִתּוּגָה קַיְּמֵנִי כִּדְבָרֶךָ

My soul is dripping with anguish. The image here is of a soul crying incessantly, to the extent that it becomes wrung out and desiccated. Therefore, the psalmist pleads: Sustain me, as befits Your word.

דֶּרֶךְ שֶׁקֶר הָסֵר מִמֶּנִּי וְתוֹרָתְךָ חָנֵּנִי

Remove the path of falsehood from me. Allow me to learn only about the true path. This may also be seen as a request that God grant the wisdom to avoid living one’s life in accordance with false beliefs. Grant me knowledge of Your teaching.

דֶּרֶךְ אֱמוּנָה בָחָרְתִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ שִׁוִּיתִי

I have chosen the path of faith; I have placed Your laws before me.

דָּבַקְתִּי בְעֵדְוֹתֶיךָ ה' אַל תְּבִישֵׁנִי

Moreover, I cleave to Your precepts; Lord, do not shame me. Keep me from experiencing shame, since I am doing my utmost to follow Your laws.

דֶּרֶךְ מִצְוֹתֶיךָ אָרוּץ כִּי תַרְחִיב לִבִּי

I run in the path of Your commandments, for You widen my heart. If You grant me breadth of heart, that is, a good temperament and adequate ability, I will fulfill Your commandments with alacrity, as one might run down a path.

הוֹרֵנִי ה' דֶּרֶךְ חֻקֶּיךָ וְאֶצְּרֶנָּה עֵקֶב

Teach me, Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I will then be able to uphold it to the end.

הֲבִינֵנִי וְאֶצְּרָה תוֹרָתֶךָ וְאֶשְׁמְרֶנָּה בְכָל לֵב

Give me understanding, so I might then uphold Your teaching and follow it wholeheartedly.

הַדְרִיכֵנִי בִּנְתִיב מִצְוֹתֶיךָ כִּי בוֹ חָפָצְתִּי

Guide me in the path of Your commandments, for in it is my desire. Although I freely desire and choose this path, I need guidance in following it.

הַט לִבִּי אֶל עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ וְאַל אֶל בָּצַע

Incline my heart toward Your precepts, so that they become my chief interest and delight, and do not direct it toward seeking material gain.

הַעֲבֵר עֵינַי מֵרְאוֹת שָׁוְא בִּדְרָכֶךָ חַיֵּנִי

Similarly, avert my eyes from seeing falsehood; through Your ways, rather than through false ideas and visions, give me life.

הָקֵם לְעַבְדְּךָ אִמְרָתֶךָ אֲשֶׁר לְיִרְאָתֶךָ

Fulfill the promise You made to Your servant, which is for those who fear You. You have given Your word that those who serve and fear You are worthy of Your protection.

הַעֲבֵר חֶרְפָּתִי אֲשֶׁר יָגֹרְתִּי כִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ טוֹבִים

Remove my disgrace that others have heaped upon me, which I dread, for Your laws, which I follow faithfully, are good, and it would be inappropriate to allow me to suffer such disgrace.

הִנֵּה תָּאַבְתִּי לְפִקֻּדֶיךָ בְּצִדְקָתְךָ חַיֵּנִי

How I long for Your edicts! And for this reason, I pray to You: In Your righteousness give me life.

וִיבֹאֻנִי חֲסָדֶךָ ה' תְּשׁוּעָתְךָ כְּאִמְרָתֶךָ

Let Your kindness reach me, Lord, as well as Your deliverance, as befits Your promise.

וְאֶעֱנֶה חֹרְפִי דָבָר כִּי בָטַחְתִּי בִּדְבָרֶךָ

And I will have the strength and confidence to answer and stand firm against those who revile me, for I trust in Your word, which gives me the courage of conviction.

וְאַל תַּצֵּל מִפִּי דְבַר אֱמֶת עַד מְאֹד כִּי לְמִשְׁפָּטֶךָ יִחָלְתִּי

Do not withhold the word of truth altogether from my mouth. Do not hold back my ability to speak truth and avoid falsehood, for I trust in Your laws and therefore hope that You will help me in this matter. The word yiḥalti, translated here as “I trust,” can be understood as both anticipation and hope.

וְאֶשְׁמְרָה תוֹרָתְךָ תָמִיד לְעוֹלָם וָעֶד

May I follow Your teaching always and forever.

וְאֶתְהַלְּכָה בָרְחָבָה כִּי פִקֻּדֶיךָ דָרָשְׁתִּי

Let me walk in a wide, expansive place, free from the confinement of distress, for I have sought Your edicts and am therefore deserving of Your aid.

וַאֲדַבְּרָה בְעֵדֹתֶיךָ נֶגֶד מְלָכִים וְלֹא אֵבוֹשׁ

I will recount Your precepts, discussing the Torah and its commandments, before kings, perhaps referring even to foreign kings who have never heard of the Torah or its laws, and not be ashamed to do so, because I take such pride in Your Torah.

וְאֶשְׁתַּעֲשַׁע בְּמִצְוֹתֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר אָהָבְתִּי

I will delight in Your commandments, which I love. Because I love the commandments, I enjoy occupying myself with them.

וְאֶשָׂא כַפַּי אֶל מִצְוֹתֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר אָהָבְתִּי וְאָשִׂיחָה בְחֻקֶּיךָ

I will lift my hands in prayer to be able to delve more and more into Your commandments, which I love, and I will reflect on Your statutes.

זְכֹר דָּבָר לְעַבְדֶּךָ עַל אֲשֶׁר יִחַלְתָּנִי

Remember the word to Your servant, with which You gave me hope. This interpretation renders yiḥaltani as “You gave me hope.” The word can also be translated as “You put Your trust in me,” in which case the verse would read: I ask You to remember the promises You made to me because You put Your trust in me; that is, You found favor in me and brought me close to You.

זֹאת נֶחָמָתִי בְעָנְיִי כִּי אִמְרָתְךָ חִיָּתְנִי

This is my comfort in my affliction. My one consolation during times of distress is that Your utterance revives me and gives me relief.

זֵדִים הֱלִיצֻנִי עַד מְאֹד מִתּוֹרָתְךָ לֹא נָטִיתִי

Evildoers mock me and my way of life greatly, but I do not veer from Your teaching.

זָכַרְתִּי מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ מֵעוֹלָם ה' וָאֶתְנֶחָם

I have always remembered Your laws, Lord, and I am thereby comforted.

זַלְעָפָה אֲחָזַתְנִי מֵרְשָׁעִים עֹזְבֵי תּוֹרָתֶךָ

Great distress has seized me because of the wicked who have forsaken Your teaching. I cannot be indifferent to people who abandon Your Torah; their very existence weighs heavily on me and causes me pain.

זְמִרוֹת הָיוּ לִי חֻקֶּיךָ בְּבֵית מְגוּרָי

Your statutes were as pleasant as songs to me. Ḥukekha, “Your statutes,” usually refers to those commandments whose rationale is not known. Even these bring me great joy in the house of my sojourning, even when I am a sojourner in a strange place, not in a comfortable or tranquil setting.

זָכַרְתִּי בַלַּיְלָה שִׁמְךָ ה'וָאֶשְׁמְרָה תּוֹרָתֶךָ

Lord, I remember Your name even in the night, when I am alone, and I follow Your teaching.

זֹאת הָיְתָה לִּי כִּי פִקֻּדֶיךָ נָצָרְתִּי

This, an apparent reference to the comfort and success mentioned in the previous verses, became mine, because I upheld Your precepts.

חֶלְקִי ה' אָמַרְתִּי לִשְׁמֹר דְּבָרֶיךָ

I have declared my decision that the Lord is my portion, and therefore it is my desire to follow Your words.

חִלִּיתִי פָנֶיךָ בְכָל לֵב חָנֵּנִי כְּאִמְרָתֶךָ

I plead for Your countenance with a whole heart; be gracious to me, as befits Your promise to grant reward to those who follow Your ways.

חִשַּׁבְתִּי דְרָכָי וָאָשִׁיבָה רַגְלַי אֶל עֵדֹתֶיךָ

I periodically consider and evaluate my ways, and when I find that improvement is needed, I turn my feet toward Your precepts.

חַשְׁתִּי וְלֹא הִתְמַהְמָהְתִּי לִשְׁמֹר מִצְוֹתֶיךָ

I hasten, I do not delay, in following Your commandments.

חֶבְלֵי רְשָׁעִים עִוְּדֻנִי תּוֹרָתְךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי

The pains of the wicked that they inflicted upon me contorted me, but nevertheless, I did not forget Your teaching.

חֲצוֹת לַיְלָה אָקוּם לְהוֹדוֹת לָךְ עַל מִשְׁפְּטֵי צִדְקֶךָ

At midnight, a time when most people are asleep, I rise to give thanks to You for Your righteous laws.

חָבֵר אָנִי לְכָל אֲשֶׁר יְרֵאוּךָ וּלְשֹׁמְרֵי פִּקּוּדֶיךָ

I am a friend to all who fear You. I attempt to be close to such people, to those who follow your edicts.

חַסְדְּךָ ה' מָלְאָה הָאָרֶץ חֻקֶּיךָ לַמְּדֵנִי

The earth is full of Your kindness, Lord, and I pray: Teach me Your statutes. I wish not only to benefit from Your beneficence but also to understand Your ways.

טוֹב עָשִׂיתָ עִם עַבְדְּךָ ה' כִּדְבָרֶךָ

You dealt well with Your servant, Lord, as befits Your word, Your promise to do good to the righteous.

טוּב טַעַם וָדַעַת לַמְּדֵנִי כִּי בְמִצְוֹתֶיךָ הֶאֱמָנְתִּי

Teach me good discernment, literally “a good taste,” and understanding. Show me both the pleasure and the wisdom that are gained from Your Torah. For I believe in Your commandments, and therefore I beseech You to deepen my understanding so that I can delight even more in Your commandments.

טֶרֶם אֶעֱנֶה אֲנִי שֹׁגֵג וְעַתָּה אִמְרָתְךָ שָׁמָרְתִּי

Before I discussed it, before I immersed myself in the ways of the Torah, I would go astray, because I did not have sufficient knowledge to know what needed to be done; but now that I have studied the Torah, I faithfully follow Your saying.

טוֹב אַתָּה וּמֵטִיב לַמְּדֵנִי חֻקֶּיךָ

You are good and do good for the entire world. Teach me Your statutes. My personal request is for Your goodness toward me to be reflected in Your teaching me Your laws.

טָפְלוּ עָלַי שֶׁקֶר זֵדִים אֲנִי בְּכָל לֵב אֶצֹּר פִּקּוּדֶיךָ

Evildoers pin falsehoods on me. But I pay no heed to them and their slander, and uphold Your edicts with a whole heart.

טָפַשׁ כַּחֵלֶב לִבָּם אֲנִי תּוֹרָתְךָ שִׁעֲשָׁעְתִּי

Their hearts are dulled, as if covered with fat, without feeling or understanding. But I delight in Your teaching and have no interest in their illusory pleasures.

טוֹב לִי כִי עֻנֵּיתִי לְמַעַן אֶלְמַד חֻקֶּיךָ

It is good for me that I was afflicted whenever I strayed from the proper path, for Your chastisement caused me to correct my conduct, so I might learn Your statutes.

טוֹב לִי תוֹרַת פִּיךָ מֵאַלְפֵי זָהָב וָכָסֶף

The teaching of Your mouth is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

יָדֶיךָ עָשׂוּנִי וַיְכוֹנְנוּנִי הֲבִינֵנִי וְאֶלְמְדָה מִצְוֹתֶיךָ

Your hands made me and set me in place. Now I request: Give me understanding, so I might learn Your commandments.

יְרֵאֶיךָ יִרְאוּנִי וְיִשְׂמָחוּ כִּי לִדְבָרְךָ יִחָלְתִּי

May those other people who fear You see me and be glad, because I hope for Your word. These God-fearing people are happy to see that I share their desire for the word of God.

יָדַעְתִּי ה' כִּי צֶדֶק מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ ואֱמוּנָה עִנִּיתָנִי

I know, Lord, that Your rulings are just. I acknowledge Your justice even when things do not go my way, and that when You afflicted me, You did so in faithfulness, with good reason.

יְהִי נָא חַסְדְּךָ לְנַחֲמֵנִי כְּאִמְרָתְךָ לְעַבְדֶּךָ

May Your kindness comfort me in my times of distress, as You promised Your servant that You would come to his assistance.

יְבֹאוּנִי רַחֲמֶיךָ וְאֶחְיֶה כִּי תוֹרָתְךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָי

May Your mercy come to me, so I might live; Your teaching is my delight, and I am therefore deserving of Your mercy.

יֵבֹשׁוּ זֵדִים כִּי שֶׁקֶר עִוְּתוּנִי אֲנִי אָשִׂיחַ בְּפִקּוּדֶיךָ

May the evildoers be shamed for contorting me with lies. They defame me and my path of righteousness. But despite their falsehoods, I will reflect on Your edicts.

יָשׁוּבוּ לי יְרֵאֶיךָ וְיֹדְעֵי עֵדֹתֶיךָ

Even when I have sinned and caused the God-fearing people to shun me, may those who fear You and who know Your precepts, the people whom I respect and whose company I desire, turn to me and again draw near to me.

יְהִי לִבִּי תָמִים בְּחֻקֶּיךָ לְמַעַן לֹא אֵבוֹשׁ

May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, may I conduct myself with complete integrity and virtue and not stray from the true path, lest I be ashamed of myself.

כָּלְתָה לִתְשׁוּעָתְךָ נַפְשִׁי לדְבָרְךָ יִחָלְתִּי

My soul goes out in yearning for Your salvation; I await the fulfillment of Your word.

כָּלוּ עֵינַי לְאִמְרָתֶךָ לֵאמֹר מָתַי תְּנַחֲמֵנִי

My eyes pine for the fulfillment of Your promise, saying: When will You comfort me?

כִּי הָיִיתִי כְּנֹאד בְּקִיטוֹר חֻקֶּיךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי

Even when I am in distress, like a wineskin in steam, which shrivels and shrinks, I do not forget Your statutes.

כַּמָּה יְמֵי עַבְדֶּךָ מָתַי תַּעֲשֶׂה בְרֹדְפַי מִשְׁפָּט

How many are the days of Your servant? The days of my life are numbered. Therefore, I ask: When will You pass judgment on my pursuers? This is not an expression of lack of faith in God but rather a request: Since my days are short, please allow me to see in my lifetime that my enemies receive the punishment they deserve.

כָּרוּ לִי זֵדִים שִׁיחוֹת אֲשֶׁר לֹא כְתוֹרָתֶךָ

Evildoers dig pits, traps, that are meant for me; they do not act as befits Your teaching, for they are careless about transgressing the Torah.

כָּל מִצְוֹתֶיךָ אֱמוּנָה שֶׁקֶר רְדָפוּנִי עָזְרֵנִי

All Your commandments are truth, I believe in them faithfully, yet they pursue me with lies, the opposite of truth; help me to evade their pursuit.

כִּמְעַט כִּלּוּנִי בָאָרֶץ ואֲנִי לֹא עָזַבְתִּי פִקֻּדֶיךָ

They nearly rid the earth of me, yet despite my anguish, I do not forsake Your edicts.

כְּחַסְדְּךָ חַיֵּנִי וְאֶשְׁמְרָה עֵדוּת פִּיךָ

Give me life, as befits Your kindness, so I might have the ability to follow the precept of Your mouth.

לְעוֹלָם ה' דְּבָרְךָ נִצָּב בַּשָּׁמָיִם

Forever, Lord, does Your word stand in the heavens.

לְדֹר וָדֹר אֱמוּנָתֶךָ כּוֹנַנְתָּ אֶרֶץ וַתַּעֲמֹד

Your faithfulness is for all generations; You established the earth, and it stands. The earth, like the heavens mentioned in the previous verse, is upheld by God’s word.

לְמִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ עָמְדוּ הַיּוֹם כִּי הַכֹּל עֲבָדֶיךָ

They, all the inhabitants of the world, stand today for Your judgment, for all are Your servants, subject to Your jurisdiction, even if they do not acknowledge it. From the context, it would appear that the word “today” refers to any and every day.

לוּלֵי תוֹרָתְךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָי אָז אָבַדְתִּי בְעָנְיִי

Had Your teaching not been my delight, expanding my heart, filling me with joy, and acting as a constant source of comfort, I would have perished in my affliction.

לְעוֹלָם לֹא אֶשְׁכַּח פִּקּוּדֶיךָ כִּי בָם חִיִּיתָנִי

I will never forget Your edicts, not only out of dedication to them but for my very survival, for through them You gave me life.

לְךָ אֲנִי הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי כִּי פִקּוּדֶיךָ דָרָשְׁתִּי

I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your edicts. The second half of the verse explains the first half: “I am Yours,” in that I am always seeking out Your commandments.

לִי קִוּוּ רְשָׁעִים לְאַבְּדֵנִי עֵדֹתֶיךָ אֶתְבּוֹנָן

The wicked wish to destroy me, and I ponder Your precepts, because they are a source of strength for me in the face of adversity. Moreover, “I ponder Your precepts” because they heighten my awareness of the fact that You oversee the world, and my enemies can do nothing to me against Your will.

לְכָל תִּכְלָה רָאִיתִי קֵץ רְחָבָה מִצְוָתְךָ מְאֹד

I see that there is an end to all things, even great and complex things, but Your commandments are exceedingly wide and boundless; they have no end.

מָה אָהַבְתִּי תוֹרָתֶךָ כָּל הַיּוֹם הִיא שִׂיחָתִי

How I love Your teaching! It is what I speak of all day. I love the Torah to such an extent that it is the main subject of my conversation.

מֵאֹיְבַי תְּחַכְּמֵנִי מִצְוֹתֶךָ כִּי לְעוֹלָם הִיא לִי

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, affording me protection from them, for they are always mine. I am constantly involved in their study and observance. The Torah is not only a spiritual guide but a fount of practical knowledge that enables me to triumph over my foes.

מִכָּל מְלַמְּדַי הִשְׂכַּלְתִּי כִּי עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ שִׂיחָה לִי

I have gained discernment beyond that of all my teachers, for Your precepts are my conversation. In addition to all the wisdom I received from my teachers, the fact that I constantly speak about the commandments has given me the ability to surpass them in knowledge.

מִזְּקֵנִים אֶתְבּוֹנָן כִּי פִקּוּדֶיךָ נָצָרְתִּי

I gain insight from the elders, for I uphold Your edicts and am thereby better able to hear and absorb the wisdom they impart.

מִכָּל אֹרַח רָע כָּלִאתִי רַגְלָי לְמַעַן אֶשְׁמֹר דְּבָרֶךָ

From all evil paths I bar my feet. I fetter my feet, as it were, in order to prevent myself from going to inappropriate places, so I might follow Your word.

מִמִּשְׁפָּטֶיךָ לֹא סָרְתִּי כִּי אַתָּה הוֹרֵתָנִי

I have not turned away from Your laws, for You Yourself have taught me the proper, true path.

מַה נִּמְלְצוּ לְחִכִּי אִמְרָתֶךָ מדְּבַשׁ לְפִי

How sweet is Your saying to my palate, more than honey to my mouth.

מִפִּקּוּדֶיךָ אֶתְבּוֹנָן עַל כֵּן שָׂנֵאתִי כָּל אֹרַח שָׁקֶר

I gain insights from Your edicts; therefore, I hate every path of falsehood. Your laws teach me not only how to conduct myself but also how to discern the true value of things.

נֵר לְרַגְלִי דְבָרֶךָ וְאוֹר לִנְתִיבָתִי

A lamp to my feet is Your word, because it guides me and shows me where to go, like a light in the dark, and it is a light for my path.

נִשְׁבַּעְתִּי וָאֲקַיֵּמָה לִשְׁמֹר מִשְׁפְּטֵי צִדְקֶךָ

I have sworn and will fulfill my oath, to follow Your righteous laws.

נַעֲנֵיתִי עַד מְאֹד; ה' חַיֵּנִי כִדְבָרֶךָ

I am exceedingly afflicted; give me life, Lord, as befits Your word.

נִדְבוֹת פִּי רְצֵה נָא ה' ומִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ לַמְּדֵנִי

Please, Lord, accept favorably the offerings of my mouth, such as my words, my prayers, and my songs of praise, and continue to teach me Your laws.

נַפְשִׁי בְכַפִּי תָמִיד וְתוֹרָתְךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי

My life is always in my hand. I am in such great and constant danger that it is as though I have to hold my life in my hand in order to protect it. But despite this, I do not forget Your teaching.

נָתְנוּ רְשָׁעִים פַּח לִי ווּמִפִּקּוּדֶיךָ לֹא תָעִיתִי

In a similar vein: The wicked set a snare for me, forcing me to alter my route to avoid them, but despite this, I do not veer from Your edicts.

נָחַלְתִּי עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ לְעוֹלָם כִּי שְׂשׂוֹן לִבִּי הֵמָּה

Your precepts are my possession forever, my portion and inheritance in life, for they are the joy of my heart, not out of any special privilege but simply because I love them so deeply.

נָטִיתִי לִבִּי לַעֲשׂוֹת חֻקֶּיךָ לְעוֹלָם עֵקֶב

I incline my heart to carry out Your statutes forever, to the end, to the last detail.

סֵעֲפִים שָׂנֵאתִי וְתוֹרָתְךָ אָהָבְתִּי

I hate what is twisted. The word se’afim is related to se’ifim, the branches of a tree, which extend outward in haphazard directions. Here it refers to people or ideas that are “twisted,” not upright and truthful. But I love Your teaching.

סִתְרִי וּמָגִנִּי אָתָּה לִדְבָרְךָ יִחָלְתִּי

You are my shelter and my shield; I hope in anxious anticipation for Your word.

סוּרוּ מִמֶּנִּי מְרֵעִים וְאֶצְּרָה מִצְוֹת אֱלֹהָי

The psalmist prays, addressing himself to the sinners who torment him: Depart from me, evildoers, so I might uphold the commandments of my God without hindrance.

סָמְכֵנִי כְאִמְרָתְךָ וְאֶחְיֶה וְאַל תְּבִישֵׁנִי מִשִׂבְרִי

Sustain me, as befits Your word, so I might live, so I might survive the attacks of the evildoers. Alternatively, so I might live a good life. Let me not be ashamed of my hope, shame that would result from Your not granting me the ability to realize my aspirations.

סְעָדֵנִי וְאִוָּשֵׁעָה ואֶשְׁעָה בְחֻקֶּיךָ תָמִיד

Support me and I will thereby be saved. And then, when I can be relieved of the need to battle evil, I will be free to always turn my attention to Your statutes.

סָלִיתָ כָּל שׁוֹגִים מֵחֻקֶּיךָ כִּי שֶׁקֶר תַּרְמִיתָם

You turn aside all those who stray from Your statutes, for their deception is a lie. Evildoers attempt to justify their actions by means of deceptions and excuses. These justifications, however, are nothing but lies.

סִגִים הִשְׁבַּתָּ כָל רִשְׁעֵי אָרֶץ לָכֵן אָהַבְתִּי עֵדֹתֶיךָ

Like dross, You destroy the wicked of the earth. The wicked are likened to dross, waste that is separated from precious metal and discarded. Therefore I love Your precepts, so I should not be treated in the same fashion.

סָמַר מִפַּחְדְּךָ בְשָׂרִי וּמִמִּשְׁפָּטֶיךָ יָרֵאתִי

My flesh prickles in fright, or, alternatively, the hair of my body stands on end, because of You, for I fear Your judgments. Although this psalm is full of expressions of love and devotion, there are also many verses like this one that convey fear and awe of God.

עָשִׂיתִי מִשְׁפָּט וָצֶדֶק בַּל תַּנִּיחֵנִי לעֹשְׁקָי

I have practiced justice and righteousness, so do not leave me to my oppressors.

עֲרֹב עַבְדְּךָ לְטוֹב אַל יַעַשְׁקֻנִי זֵדִים

Vouch for Your servant, for good. Grant me protection. The word arov, translated here as “vouch for,” literally refers to one who undertakes to be guarantor of a loan. Keep evildoers from oppressing me.

עֵינַי כָּלוּ לִישׁוּעָתֶךָ וּלְאִמְרַת צִדְקֶךָ

My eyes pine for Your salvation, Your assistance in times of trouble, and I also long for Your righteous word, by which You will grant me instruction for my future conduct.

עֲשֵׂה עִם עַבְדְּךָ כְחַסְדֶּךָ וְחֻקֶּיךָ לַמְּדֵנִי

Deal with Your servant beneficently, as befits Your kindness. Consider me with Your attribute of mercy; do not judge me harshly for my sins, and teach me Your statutes.

עַבְדְּךָ אָנִי הֲבִינֵנִי ואֵדְעָה עֵדֹתֶיךָ

I am Your servant; give me understanding, so I might know Your precepts.

עֵת לַעֲשׂוֹת לה'הֵפֵרוּ תּוֹרָתֶךָ

It is time to act for the Lord, for they have violated Your teaching. When a time arrives that the Torah has been widely abandoned, we are obligated to act with renewed effort and urgency to rectify the situation.

עַל כֵּן אָהַבְתִּי מִצְוֹתֶיךָ מִזָּהָב וּמִפָּז

Indeed, I love Your commandments more than gold, more than fine gold.

עַל כֵּן כָּל פִּקּוּדֵי כֹל יִשָּׁרְתִּי כָּל אֹרַח שֶׁקֶר שָׂנֵאתִי

Indeed, I have dealt straightly with all Your edicts. I try to stay on the straight path of Your commandments. I hate every false path, shunning everything that deviates from the straight path.

פְּלָאוֹת עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ עַל כֵּן נְצָרָתַם נַפְשִׁי

Your precepts are wondrous; therefore my soul upholds them.

פֵּתַח דְּבָרֶיךָ יָאִיר מֵבִין פְּתָיִים

Your opening words enlighten. From the very start, Your words bring enlightenment. They bring understanding even to the simple. Even those who are totally ignorant are granted a glimmer of understanding already at the very beginning of their study.

פִּי פָעַרְתִּי וָאֶשְׁאָפָה כִּי לְמִצְוֹתֶיךָ יָאָבְתִּי

I open my mouth wide and breathe in deep, longing for Your commandments. I open my mouth as if to inhale whatever I can from the commandments, so great is my desire for them.

פְּנֵה אֵלַי וְחָנֵּנִי כְּמִשְׁפָּט לְאֹהֲבֵי שְׁמֶךָ

Turn to me and treat me graciously, as befits those who love Your name.

פְּעָמַי הָכֵן בְּאִמְרָתֶךָ וְאַל תַּשְׁלֶט בִּי כָל אָוֶן

Make my footsteps firm with Your saying so that You let no wrongdoing rule over me.

פְּדֵנִי מֵעֹשֶׁק אָדָם וְאֶשְׁמְרָה פִּקּוּדֶיךָ

Redeem me from the oppression of man, so I might follow Your edicts, for my enemies’ constant oppression prevents me from devoting myself fully to following Your commandments.

פָּנֶיךָ הָאֵר בְּעַבְדֶּךָ וְלַמְּדֵנִי אֶת חֻקֶּיךָ

Shine Your face on Your servant, show me Your favor, and teach me Your statutes.

פַּלְגֵי מַיִם יָרְדוּ עֵינָי עַל לֹא שָׁמְרוּ תוֹרָתֶךָ

Streams of water flow from my eyes, so much do I weep for those who do not follow Your teaching.

צַדִּיק אַתָּה ה' וְיָשָׁר מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ

Righteous are You at all times, Lord, and upright are Your judgments, even if we are not always able to understand how they are fair.

צִוִּיתָ צֶדֶק עֵדֹתֶיךָ ואֱמוּנָה מְאֹד

With Your precepts, You greatly ordain righteousness and faith. With Your commandments, You show us the path to righteousness and faith, for these two qualities are embedded in all the precepts of the Torah.

צִמְּתַתְנִי קִנְאָתִי כִּי שָׁכְחוּ דְבָרֶיךָ צָרָי

My zealotry consumes me, for my foes have forgotten Your words. I am consumed by anger against those who ignore Your words.

צְרוּפָה אִמְרָתְךָ מְאֹד וְעַבְדְּךָ אֲהֵבָהּ

Your saying is exceedingly pure, and Your servant loves it.

צָעִיר אָנֹכִי וְנִבְזֶה פִּקֻּדֶיךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי

Young and inexperienced am I, with limited knowledge, and I am therefore disdained, regarded as unworthy, both in my own eyes and in those of others. Yet despite this, I do not forget Your edicts.

צִדְקָתְךָ צֶדֶק לְעוֹלָם וְתוֹרָתְךָ אֱמֶת

Your righteousness is eternal; Your teaching is truth.

צַר וּמָצוֹק מְצָאוּנִי מִצְוֹתֶיךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָי

Trouble and distress have found me often during my life, but offsetting my suffering is the fact that Your commandments are my delight.

צֶדֶק עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ לְעוֹלָם הֲבִינֵנִי וְאֶחְיֶה

Your precepts are forever righteous. Give me understanding, so I might live, by understanding and cleaving to Your laws.

קָרָאתִי בְכָל לֵב עֲנֵנִי ה' חֻקֶּיךָ אֶצֹּרָה

I call out wholeheartedly to You; answer me, Lord, and as a result of Your assistance, I will be better able to uphold Your statutes.

קְרָאתִיךָ הוֹשִׁיעֵנִי ואֶשְׁמְרָה עֵדֹתֶיךָ

I call out to You; save me, and I will follow Your precepts.

קִדַּמְתִּי בַנֶּשֶׁף וָאֲשַׁוֵּעָה לדְבָרְךָ יִחָלְתִּי

I rise before dawn and cry for help; for Your word I wait.

קִדְּמוּ עֵינַי אַשְׁמֻרוֹת לָשִׂיחַ בְּאִמְרָתֶךָ

My eyes precede the late night watches. I wake up while it is still nighttime to reflect on Your word.

קוֹלִי שִׁמְעָה כְחַסְדֶּךָ ה' כְּמִשְׁפָּטֶךָ חַיֵּנִי

Hear my voice, as befits Your kindness; Lord, give me life when You judge me mercifully.

קָרְבוּ רֹדְפֵי זִמָּה מִתּוֹרָתְךָ רָחָקוּ

Pursuers of loathsomeness draw near to their sinful ambitions. The word zimma, translated here as “loathsomeness,” refers to wickedness in general and debauchery in particular. They distance themselves from Your teaching. They do not realize that the path they have chosen leads them farther and farther away from Your Torah.

קָרוֹב אַתָּה ה' וְכָל מִצְוֹתֶיךָ אֱמֶת

You are near to me, Lord, and all Your commandments are truth.

קֶדֶם יָדַעְתִּי מֵעֵדֹתֶיךָ כִּי לְעוֹלָם יְסַדְתָּם

Your precepts, I know, are of old, from the very beginning of time; You established them for eternity, and since they are eternal, I can always cleave to them.

רְאֵה עָנְיִי וְחַלְּצֵנִי כִּי תוֹרָתְךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי

See my affliction and rescue me, for I have not forgotten Your teaching.

רִיבָה רִיבִי וּגְאָלֵנִי לְאִמְרָתְךָ חַיֵּנִי

Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life, as befits Your promise.

רָחוֹק מֵרְשָׁעִים יְשׁוּעָה כִּי חֻקֶּיךָ לֹא דָרָשׁוּ

Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes and do not merit God’s intervention on their behalf.

רַחֲמֶיךָ רַבִּים ה' כְּמִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ חַיֵּנִי

Great are Your mercies, Lord; give me life when You judge me in accordance with those mercies.

רַבִּים רֹדְפַי וְצָרָי מֵעֵדְוֹתֶיךָ לֹא נָטִיתִי

Many are my pursuers and my foes, and I am forced to take action to protect myself from my enemies, yet I do not veer from Your precepts.

רָאִיתִי בֹגְדִים וָאֶתְקוֹטָטָה אֲשֶׁר אִמְרָתְךָ לֹא שָׁמָרוּ

I see traitors and contend with them, but not for my own sake; rather, it is because they do not follow Your word.

רְאֵה כִּי פִקּוּדֶיךָ אָהָבְתִּי ה' כְּחַסְדְּךָ חַיֵּנִי

See how I love Your edicts; Lord, give me life, as befits Your kindness.

רֹאשׁ דְּבָרְךָ אֱמֶת וּלְעוֹלָם כָּל מִשְׁפַּט צִדְקֶךָ

Your word begins in truth; eternal are all Your righteous laws. Introductory words of some written works are often of minor importance, but regarding Your Torah, everything You have said and ordained, from the very first word, is true and eternal.

שָׂרִים רְדָפוּנִי חִנָּם ומִדְּבָרְךָ פָּחַד לִבִּי

Princes, those in powerful positions, pursue me without cause, yet my heart fears only Your words, not their threats.

שָׂשׂ אָנֹכִי עַל אִמְרָתֶךָ כְּמוֹצֵא שָׁלָל רָב

I rejoice at Your sayings, as one who finds great spoils.

שֶׁקֶר שָׂנֵאתִי וָאֲתַעֵבָה תּוֹרָתְךָ אָהָבְתִּי

I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love Your teaching.

שֶׁבַע בַּיּוֹם הִלַּלְתִּיךָ עַל מִשְׁפְּטֵי צִדְקֶךָ

Seven times a day do I praise You for Your righteous laws.

שָׁלוֹם רָב לְאֹהֲבֵי תוֹרָתֶךָ וְאֵין לָמוֹ מִכְשׁוֹל

Those who love Your teaching know great peace; for them there is no obstacle, because this “great peace,” granted by God, protects them.

שִׂבַּרְתִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ ה' וּמִצְוֹתֶיךָ עָשִׂיתִי

I await Your salvation, Lord, and I have fulfilled Your commandments, even now, when Your salvation has not yet come.

שָׁמְרָה נַפְשִׁי עֵדֹתֶיךָ וָאֹהֲבֵם מְאֹד

My soul follows your precepts, and I love them exceedingly. I keep Your commandments not only out of a sense of obligation but because I have an emotional connection to them.

שָׁמַרְתִּי פִקּוּדֶיךָ וְעֵדֹתֶיךָ כִּי כָל דְּרָכַי נֶגְדֶּךָ

I follow Your edicts and Your precepts. Indeed, I am obliged to do so, and in fact I have no alternative, for all my ways are before You, and You are aware of everything I do.

תִּקְרַב רִנָּתִי לְפָנֶיךָ ה' כִּדְבָרְךָ הֲבִינֵנִי

Let my song draw near You, Lord. That is, accept my prayer favorably. Give me understanding, as befits Your word.

תָּבוֹא תְחִנָּתִי לְפָנֶיךָ כְּאִמְרָתְךָ הַצִּילֵנִי

Let my plea come before You; rescue me, as befits Your promise.

תַּבַּעְנָה שְׂפָתַי תְּהִלָּה כִּי תְלַמְּדֵנִי חֻקֶּיךָ

Let my lips utter praise, for You teach me Your statutes. If You teach me Your laws, that will enable me both to speak about them and to offer words of praise for Your guidance.

תַּעַן לְשׁוֹנִי אִמְרָתֶךָ כִּי כָל מִצְוֹתֶיךָ צֶּדֶק

Let my tongue declare Your word aloud, for all Your commandments are just.

תְּהִי יָדְךָ לְעָזְרֵנִי כִּי פִקּוּדֶיךָ בָחָרְתִּי

Let Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your edicts.

תָּאַבְתִּי לִישׁוּעָתְךָ ה' וְתוֹרָתְךָ שַׁעֲשֻׁעָי

I long for Your salvation, Lord, and Your teaching is my delight at all times.

תְּחִי נַפְשִׁי וּתְהַלְלֶךָּ וּמִשְׁפָּטֶךָ יַעְזְרֻנִי

May my soul live, so I might praise You; may Your laws come to my aid.

תָּעִיתִי כְּשֶׂה אֹבֵד בַּקֵּשׁ עַבְדֶּךָ כִּי מִצְוֹתֶיךָ לֹא שָׁכָחְתִּי

I have gone astray, both physically and spiritually, like a lost sheep. Seek Your servant, as a shepherd searches for his lost sheep, for even when I am lost and cannot discern a straight path before me, I do not forget Your commandments.