25-32. I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?When I told my story, you responded;train me well in your deep wisdom.Help me understand these things inside and outso I can ponder your miracle-wonders.My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;build me up again by your Word.Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;grace me with your clear revelation.I choose the true road to Somewhere,I post your road signs at every curve and corner.I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;God, don’t let me down!I’ll run the course you lay out for meif you’ll just show me how.
33-40. God, teach me lessons for livingso I can stay the course.Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—my whole life one long, obedient response.Guide me down the road of your commandments;I love traveling this freeway!Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,and not for piling up loot.Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,invigorate me on the pilgrim way.Affirm your promises to me—promises made to all who fear you.Deflect the harsh words of my critics—but what you say is always so good.See how hungry I am for your counsel;preserve my life through your righteous ways!
41-48. Let your love, God, shape my lifewith salvation, exactly as you promised;Then I’ll be able to stand up to mockerybecause I trusted your Word.Don’t ever deprive me of truth, not ever—your commandments are what I depend on.Oh, I’ll guard with my life what you’ve revealed to me,guard it now, guard it ever;And I’ll stride freely through wide open spacesas I look for your truth and your wisdom;Then I’ll tell the world what I find,speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!—relishing every fragment of your counsel.
49-56. Remember what you said to me, your servant—I hang on to these words for dear life!These words hold me up in bad times;yes, your promises rejuvenate me.The insolent ridicule me without mercy,but I don’t budge from your revelation.I watch for your ancient landmark words,and know I’m on the right track.But when I see the wicked ignore your directions,I’m beside myself with anger.I set your instructions to musicand sing them as I walk this pilgrim way.I meditate on your name all night, God,treasuring your revelation, O God.Still, I walk through a rain of derisionbecause I live by your Word and counsel.
57-64. Because you have satisfied me, God, I promiseto do everything you say.I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile,be gracious to me just as you promised.When I took a long, careful look at your ways,I got my feet back on the trail you blazed.I was up at once, didn’t drag my feet,was quick to follow your orders.The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out—but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me.I get up in the middle of the night to thank you;your decisions are so right, so true—I can’t wait till morning!I’m a friend and companion of all who fear you,of those committed to living by your rules.Your love, God, fills the earth!Train me to live by your counsel.
65-72. Be good to your servant, God;be as good as your Word.Train me in good common sense;I’m thoroughly committed to living your way.Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place,but now I’m in step with your Word.You are good, and the source of good;train me in your goodness.The godless spread lies about me,but I focus my attention on what you are saying;They’re bland as a bucket of lard,while I dance to the tune of your revelation.My troubles turned out all for the best—they forced me to learn from your textbook.Truth from your mouth means more to methan striking it rich in a gold mine.
73-80. With your very own hands you formed me;now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you.When they see me waiting, expecting your Word,those who fear you will take heart and be glad.I can see now, God, that your decisions are right;your testing has taught me what’s true and right.Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight!just the way you promised.Now comfort me so I can live, really live;your revelation is the tune I dance to.Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds;they tried to sell me a bill of goods,but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel.Let those who fear you turn to mefor evidence of your wise guidance.And let me live whole and holy, soul and body,so I can always walk with my head held high.
81-88. I’m homesick—longing for your salvation;I’m waiting for your word of hope.My eyes grow heavy watching for some sign of your promise;how long must I wait for your comfort?There’s smoke in my eyes—they burn and water,but I keep a steady gaze on the instructions you post.How long do I have to put up with all this?How long till you haul my tormentors into court?The arrogant godless try to throw me off track,ignorant as they are of God and his ways.Everything you command is a sure thing,but they harass me with lies. Help!They’ve pushed and pushed—they never let up—but I haven’t relaxed my grip on your counsel.In your great love revive meso I can alertly obey your every word.
89-96. What you say goes, God,and stays, as permanent as the heavens.Your truth never goes out of fashion;it’s as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.Your Word and truth are dependable as ever;that’s what you ordered—you set the earth going.If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so,I would have given up when the hard times came.But I’ll never forget the advice you gave me;you saved my life with those wise words.Save me! I’m all yours.I look high and low for your words of wisdom.The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me,but I’m only concerned with your plans for me.I see the limits to everything human,but the horizons can’t contain your commands!