Mem

⁹⁷Oh how I love your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

⁹⁸Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,

for it is ever with me.

⁹⁹I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for your testimonies are my meditation.

¹⁰⁰I understand more than the aged,8

for I keep your precepts.

¹⁰¹I hold back my feet from every evil way,

in order to keep your word.

¹⁰²I do not turn aside from your rules,

for you have taught me.

¹⁰³How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

¹⁰⁴Through your precepts I get understanding;

therefore I hate every false way.

Nun

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp to my feet

and a light to my path.

¹⁰⁶I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,

to keep your righteous rules.

¹⁰⁷I am severely afflicted;

give me life, O Lord, according to your word!

¹⁰⁸Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,

and teach me your rules.

¹⁰⁹I hold my life in my hand continually,

but I do not forget your law.

¹¹⁰The wicked have laid a snare for me,

but I do not stray from your precepts.

¹¹¹Your testimonies are my heritage forever,

for they are the joy of my heart.

¹¹²I incline my heart to perform your statutes

forever, to the end.9

Samekh

¹¹³I hate the double-minded,

but I love your law.

¹¹⁴You are my hiding place and my shield;

I hope in your word.

¹¹⁵Depart from me, you evildoers,

that I may keep the commandments of my God.

¹¹⁶Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

¹¹⁷Hold me up, that I may be safe

and have regard for your statutes continually!

¹¹⁸You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,

for their cunning is in vain.

¹¹⁹All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,

therefore I love your testimonies.

¹²⁰My flesh trembles for fear of you,

and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin

¹²¹I have done what is just and right;

do not leave me to my oppressors.

¹²²Give your servant a pledge of good;

let not the insolent oppress me.

¹²³My eyes long for your salvation

and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

¹²⁴Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,

and teach me your statutes.

¹²⁵I am your servant; give me understanding,

that I may know your testimonies!

¹²⁶It is time for the Lord to act,

for your law has been broken.

¹²⁷Therefore I love your commandments

above gold, above fine gold.

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