Psalms 119 : 1-88

Aleph [1] 
 ¹  Joyful are people of integrity,
  who follow the instructions of the LORD.
 ²  Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.  ³  They do not compromise with evil,
  and they walk only in his paths.
 ⁴  You have charged us
  to keep your commandments carefully.
 ⁵  Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees!  ⁶  Then I will not be ashamed
  when I compare my life with your commands.
 ⁷  As I learn your righteous regulations,
  I will thank you by living as I should!
 ⁸  I will obey your decrees.
  Please don't give up on me!
Beth
 ⁹  How can a young person stay pure?
  By obeying your word.
 ¹⁰  "I have tried hard to find you — don't let me wander from your commands."  ¹¹  I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.  ¹²  I praise you, O LORD;
  teach me your decrees.
 ¹³  I have recited aloud
  all the regulations you have given us.
 ¹⁴  I have rejoiced in your laws
  as much as in riches.
 ¹⁵  I will study your commandments
  and reflect on your ways.
 ¹⁶  I will delight in your decrees
  and not forget your word.
Gimel
 ¹⁷  Be good to your servant,
  that I may live and obey your word.
 ¹⁸  Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.  ¹⁹  I am only a foreigner in the land.
  Don't hide your commands from me!
 ²⁰  I am always overwhelmed
  with a desire for your regulations.
 ²¹  You rebuke the arrogant;
  those who wander from your commands are cursed.
 ²²  Don't let them scorn and insult me,
  for I have obeyed your laws.
 ²³  Even princes sit and speak against me,
  but I will meditate on your decrees.
 ²⁴  Your laws please me;
  they give me wise advice.
Daleth
 ²⁵  I lie in the dust;
  revive me by your word.
 ²⁶  I told you my plans, and you answered.
  Now teach me your decrees.
 ²⁷  Help me understand the meaning of your commandments,
  and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
 ²⁸  I weep with sorrow;
  encourage me by your word.
 ²⁹  Keep me from lying to myself;
  give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
 ³⁰  I have chosen to be faithful;
  I have determined to live by your regulations.
 ³¹  I cling to your laws.
  LORD, don't let me be put to shame!
 ³²  "I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding." He
 ³³  Teach me your decrees, O LORD;
  I will keep them to the end.
 ³⁴  Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
  I will put them into practice with all my heart.
 ³⁵  Make me walk along the path of your commands,
  for that is where my happiness is found.
 ³⁶  Give me an eagerness for your laws
  rather than a love for money!
 ³⁷  Turn my eyes from worthless things,
  and give me life through your word. [37] 
 ³⁸  Reassure me of your promise,
  made to those who fear you.
 ³⁹  Help me abandon my shameful ways;
  for your regulations are good.
 ⁴⁰  I long to obey your commandments!
  Renew my life with your goodness.
Waw
 ⁴¹  LORD, give me your unfailing love,
  the salvation that you promised me.
 ⁴²  Then I can answer those who taunt me,
  for I trust in your word.
 ⁴³  Do not snatch your word of truth from me,
  for your regulations are my only hope.
 ⁴⁴  I will keep on obeying your instructions
  forever and ever.
 ⁴⁵  I will walk in freedom,
  for I have devoted myself to your commandments.
 ⁴⁶  I will speak to kings about your laws,
  and I will not be ashamed.
 ⁴⁷  How I delight in your commands!
  How I love them!
 ⁴⁸  I honor and love your commands.
  I meditate on your decrees.
Zayin
 ⁴⁹  Remember your promise to me; it is my only hope.  ⁵⁰  Your promise revives me;
  it comforts me in all my troubles.
 ⁵¹  The proud hold me in utter contempt,
  but I do not turn away from your instructions.
 ⁵²  I meditate on your age-old regulations;
  O LORD, they comfort me.
 ⁵³  I become furious with the wicked,
  because they reject your instructions.
 ⁵⁴  Your decrees have been the theme of my songs
  wherever I have lived.
 ⁵⁵  I reflect at night on who you are, O LORD;
  therefore, I obey your instructions.
 ⁵⁶  This is how I spend my life:
  obeying your commandments.
Heth
 ⁵⁷  LORD, you are mine!
  I promise to obey your words!
 ⁵⁸  With all my heart I want your blessings.
  Be merciful as you promised.
 ⁵⁹  I pondered the direction of my life,
  and I turned to follow your laws.
 ⁶⁰  I will hurry, without delay,
  to obey your commands.
 ⁶¹  Evil people try to drag me into sin,
  but I am firmly anchored to your instructions.
 ⁶²  I rise at midnight to thank you
  for your just regulations.
 ⁶³  I am a friend to anyone who fears you—
  anyone who obeys your commandments.
 ⁶⁴  O LORD, your unfailing love fills the earth;
  teach me your decrees.
Teth
 ⁶⁵  You have done many good things for me, LORD,
  just as you promised.
 ⁶⁶  I believe in your commands;
  now teach me good judgment and knowledge.
 ⁶⁷  I used to wander off until you disciplined me;
  but now I closely follow your word.
 ⁶⁸  You are good and do only good;
  teach me your decrees.
 ⁶⁹  Arrogant people smear me with lies,
  but in truth I obey your commandments with all my heart.
 ⁷⁰  Their hearts are dull and stupid,
  but I delight in your instructions.
 ⁷¹  My suffering was good for me,
  for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees.
 ⁷²  Your instructions are more valuable to me
  than millions in gold and silver.
Yodh
 ⁷³  You made me; you created me.
  Now give me the sense to follow your commands.
 ⁷⁴  May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy,
  for I have put my hope in your word.
 ⁷⁵  I know, O LORD, that your regulations are fair;
  you disciplined me because I needed it.
 ⁷⁶  Now let your unfailing love comfort me,
  just as you promised me, your servant.
 ⁷⁷  Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live,
  for your instructions are my delight.
 ⁷⁸  Bring disgrace upon the arrogant people who lied about me;
  meanwhile, I will concentrate on your commandments.
 ⁷⁹  Let me be united with all who fear you,
  with those who know your laws.
 ⁸⁰  May I be blameless in keeping your decrees;
  then I will never be ashamed.
Kaph
 ⁸¹  I am worn out waiting for your rescue, but I have put my hope in your word.  ⁸²  My eyes are straining to see your promises come true.
  When will you comfort me?
 ⁸³  I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke,
  but I have not forgotten to obey your decrees.
 ⁸⁴  How long must I wait?
  When will you punish those who persecute me?
 ⁸⁵  These arrogant people who hate your instructions
  have dug deep pits to trap me.
 ⁸⁶  All your commands are trustworthy.
  Protect me from those who hunt me down without cause.
 ⁸⁷  They almost finished me off,
  but I refused to abandon your commandments.
 ⁸⁸  In your unfailing love, spare my life;
  then I can continue to obey your laws.

<<  119 This psalm is a Hebrew acrostic poem; there are twenty-two stanzas, one for each successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the eight verses within each stanza begins with the Hebrew letter named in its heading.
<<  119:37 Some manuscripts read in your ways.

1 Corinthians 7 : 20-40

   ²⁰  Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you.  ²¹  Are you a slave? Don't let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it.  ²²  And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.  ²³  God paid a high price for you, so don't be enslaved by the world.  ²⁴  Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, [24]  should remain as you were when God first called you.
   ²⁵  Now regarding your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can be trusted, and I will share it with you.  ²⁶  Because of the present crisis, [26]  I think it is best to remain as you are.  ²⁷  If you have a wife, do not seek to end the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married.  ²⁸  But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.
   ²⁹  But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage.  ³⁰  Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions.  ³¹  Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
   ³²  I want you to be free from the concerns of this life. An unmarried man can spend his time doing the Lord's work and thinking how to please him.  ³³  But a married man has to think about his earthly responsibilities and how to please his wife.  ³⁴  His interests are divided. In the same way, a woman who is no longer married or has never been married can be devoted to the Lord and holy in body and in spirit. But a married woman has to think about her earthly responsibilities and how to please her husband.  ³⁵  I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.
   ³⁶  But if a man thinks that he's treating his fiancée improperly and will inevitably give in to his passion, let him marry her as he wishes. It is not a sin.  ³⁷  But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry.  ³⁸  So the person who marries his fiancée does well, and the person who doesn't marry does even better.
   ³⁹  A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but only if he loves the Lord. [39]   ⁴⁰  But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God's Spirit when I say this.

<<  7:23 Greek don't become slaves of people.
<<  7:24 Greek brothers; also in 7:29.
<<  7:26 Or the pressures of life.
<<  7:39 Greek but only in the Lord.